Ah, Bangkok, the city that never sleeps—mostly because it’s too busy scheming up new ways to part fools from their money. Welcome to the urban jungle where the ‘tourist mafia’ runs wild, and scams are as much a part of the landscape as the Chao Phraya River. Fancy a walk down Central World or a visit to the Erawan Shrine? Beware the well-dressed charmer with a tale of sudden site closures, ready to whisk you away to their dens of iniquity, otherwise known as gem shops.
But wait, there’s more! This grand buffet of bamboozlement offers a variety of dishes from entrapment specials to the ever-popular discriminatory pricing, with a side of airport extortion. Don’t take my word for it; even the venerable Times has penned an ode to these shenanigans. It’s not just the creativity of these scams that’s impressive—it’s the sheer scale, a veritable cottage industry of deceit.
Now, one might naively assume the powers that be would be keen on disrupting this thriving economy of trickery. Alas, the police and various officials seem to have taken a masterclass in turning a blind eye, with the Tourist Authority of Thailand acting as if their only job is to ensure the brochures show the sunny side of the street.
Of course, Thailand doesn’t hold a monopoly on the art of the scam—this is a global pastime. Yet, in the Land of Smiles, scamming has been elevated to a national sport, practiced with zeal from the neon-lit alleys of clubs and bars to the bustling streets where tourists, blissfully unaware, are relieved of their satang with a smile. So, dear reader, as you navigate this maze of mischief, remember to guard your wallets as closely as you would your passports. After all, in Bangkok, the only thing more inventive than the cuisine is the creativity of its cons.
http://www.bangkokscams.com/
