VISITORS need to be careful to avoid scams and tricks on Phuket, says the island's new Tourist Police Inspector, Police Major Sathabhorn Sangaunsuk.
The inspector would rather not hear from visitors while they are on holidays in Phuket, so this is all about good advice to avoid needing to contact the Tourist Police.
Just in case, though, the Tourist Police telephone number is 1155.
The inspector has just arrived on the island from a similar posting on Samui. He says the pitfalls for tourists are greater on Phuket simply because the Andaman island is five times the size of its Gulf of Thailand holiday rival.
While the vast majority of visitors never experience problems, falling for any of the games played by the island's rip-off merchants can be disconcerting.
''Yes, there are tricksters on Phuket, and they are constantly coming up with new ways of trying to separate tourists from their money,'' he told Phuketwan in an extensive interview.
Patong at night is rightly regarded as the place and the time when tourists need to be most wary. But that shouldn't stop people from having fun.
Problems can occur at any time, day or night. Do the vital research carefully.
Credit card scams have been on the rise almost everywhere, and Phuket is no exception. The inspector's advice is that it's best to be a little old-fashioned. He says, to be safest, use traveller's cheques.
For those who want to stick with electronic cards, his advice is to always be extremely careful, no matter what the transaction, or where.
He says the best place to use cards for payment is in a store or restaurant with several members of staff around, so there is not one lone person who could possibly scan your ID details for illegal use later.
Most people are honest so among several people, the chances of theft are lowered.
''Never let the card out of your sight,'' he says. ''If it has to be taken to another room, go with it.''
It was once relatively safe to withdraw small amounts of cash from Phuket's ATMs. However, caution is now needed when doing that, too.
Some scamsters have covered legitimate keypads with false keypads that record the user's details and passcode. Others use mini-cameras, secreted at the ATM, to record details as you type them in.
The inspector's advice is to cover you actions as closely as possible with your spare hand.
Only enter your details after you have checked to make sure the keypad you are about to use shows no telltale signs of having been put over the top of the genuine one.
As the inspector says, most tourists come and go without having the slightest problem. But it's best to be careful, regardless.
Guard your belongings at all times, especially on buses or beaches.
Soon the inspector plans to produce a brochure in several languages, listing safety tips and contact details for embassies, police stations and hospitals on Phuket.
Here's the best combined local advice for now from the Tourist Police and from Phuketwan on potential scams:
WHAT TO WATCH
Passports: Never give your passport to anyone you don't know, and make sure it never leaves your sight. The best way to achieve this is to always carry several copies of your passport front-page with you. Then, you can make sure your passport is always secure.
Tuk-tuks: The cost of travel on Phuket is much higher than in Bangkok. It shouldn't be. When using a tuk-tuk or a motorcycle taxi on Phuket, settle on the fare before you travel. Make sure the tuk-tuk price quoted is for the group, not per person. The best tuk-tuk drivers can show you a list of scheduled fares between destinations. During the day, consider a local bus, called a seung tao (two benches). They crisscross the island at low fares. You see a lot more going slowly.
Hiring: When renting a motorcycle or jetski, take photos of the vehicle with your mobile telephone or camera. Concentrate on recording any marks or damage already caused to the vehicle. That way, there can be no argument about whether you did the damage.
Motorcycles: Never ride without a helmet. It's illegal. Island police conduct regular checks and the fine for not wearing a helmet is 500 baht. Motorcycle accidents put more tourists in hospital than any other cause. Insurance is a good idea but policies are best taken out in your country of origin. That's also the best place to get a motorcycle licence. Never leave any belongings in the motorcycle basket, even while driving. Snatch-and-grab thieves are able to operate very effectively on the move.
Jet skis: Check the ski and point out marks to the owner before you take it for a spin. If the vehicle is uninsured, having any kind of accident can be crippling in more ways than one. Confrontations on the sand between tourists and groups of beachboys are not unusual. If you believe the beach is a more pleasant place without engine noise and smells, resist the urge to ride. Go for a swim instead. Alternatively, consider hiring a longtail for premium value.
Hotel safes: One Patong resort was recently accused of pilfering its own safes. It appears to be an isolated case. Make sure your resort has new-technology safes that record every instance of opening and closing. If you can, register what goes into the safe with reception staff and sign an agreed document.
Don't accept drinks/cigarettes: The major says it's best not to take any gift from strangers, especially at night after a few drinks in a local bar. One trap is for a group of bar girls or ladyboys to befriend a patron. While one is chatting in a friendly fashion, others are looking to lift the visitor's wallet or bag.
Bar girls: Watch your wallet. Some of the bar girls of Patong take advantage of customers who have had too much to drink, or fall asleep after escorting a guest back to their room. The thieves figure most people will be too embarrassed to go to police. They are right.
Katoeys: Most ladyboys, or katoeys, are friendly and honest. But often, especially in Soi Bangla, the main thoroughfare of Patong, you may be asked to pose with some for a photo. Once the photo has been taken, you will be asked to pay. It's best to negotiate the fee before the photo. Bear in mind, too, with souvenir photos that not all the hawkers with iguanas or young gibbons on their shoulders are legal. Most people find the treatment of these animals abhorrent.
Blackjack: Tourists from cruise ships especially are lured into card-playing sessions. They win the first night, then come back for more, and the sting begins. The best advice is, don't gamble. You cannot beat cheaters. Besides, most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand.
Credit cards: Use traveller's cheques if you can. Scam merchants are also developing skills with high technology. ATMs actually within the bank premises are the safest. Never let your credit card go out of your sight.
The inspector would rather not hear from visitors while they are on holidays in Phuket, so this is all about good advice to avoid needing to contact the Tourist Police.
Just in case, though, the Tourist Police telephone number is 1155.
The inspector has just arrived on the island from a similar posting on Samui. He says the pitfalls for tourists are greater on Phuket simply because the Andaman island is five times the size of its Gulf of Thailand holiday rival.
While the vast majority of visitors never experience problems, falling for any of the games played by the island's rip-off merchants can be disconcerting.
''Yes, there are tricksters on Phuket, and they are constantly coming up with new ways of trying to separate tourists from their money,'' he told Phuketwan in an extensive interview.
Patong at night is rightly regarded as the place and the time when tourists need to be most wary. But that shouldn't stop people from having fun.
Problems can occur at any time, day or night. Do the vital research carefully.
Credit card scams have been on the rise almost everywhere, and Phuket is no exception. The inspector's advice is that it's best to be a little old-fashioned. He says, to be safest, use traveller's cheques.
For those who want to stick with electronic cards, his advice is to always be extremely careful, no matter what the transaction, or where.
He says the best place to use cards for payment is in a store or restaurant with several members of staff around, so there is not one lone person who could possibly scan your ID details for illegal use later.
Most people are honest so among several people, the chances of theft are lowered.
''Never let the card out of your sight,'' he says. ''If it has to be taken to another room, go with it.''
It was once relatively safe to withdraw small amounts of cash from Phuket's ATMs. However, caution is now needed when doing that, too.
Some scamsters have covered legitimate keypads with false keypads that record the user's details and passcode. Others use mini-cameras, secreted at the ATM, to record details as you type them in.
The inspector's advice is to cover you actions as closely as possible with your spare hand.
Only enter your details after you have checked to make sure the keypad you are about to use shows no telltale signs of having been put over the top of the genuine one.
As the inspector says, most tourists come and go without having the slightest problem. But it's best to be careful, regardless.
Guard your belongings at all times, especially on buses or beaches.
Soon the inspector plans to produce a brochure in several languages, listing safety tips and contact details for embassies, police stations and hospitals on Phuket.
Here's the best combined local advice for now from the Tourist Police and from Phuketwan on potential scams:
WHAT TO WATCH
Passports: Never give your passport to anyone you don't know, and make sure it never leaves your sight. The best way to achieve this is to always carry several copies of your passport front-page with you. Then, you can make sure your passport is always secure.
Tuk-tuks: The cost of travel on Phuket is much higher than in Bangkok. It shouldn't be. When using a tuk-tuk or a motorcycle taxi on Phuket, settle on the fare before you travel. Make sure the tuk-tuk price quoted is for the group, not per person. The best tuk-tuk drivers can show you a list of scheduled fares between destinations. During the day, consider a local bus, called a seung tao (two benches). They crisscross the island at low fares. You see a lot more going slowly.
Hiring: When renting a motorcycle or jetski, take photos of the vehicle with your mobile telephone or camera. Concentrate on recording any marks or damage already caused to the vehicle. That way, there can be no argument about whether you did the damage.
Motorcycles: Never ride without a helmet. It's illegal. Island police conduct regular checks and the fine for not wearing a helmet is 500 baht. Motorcycle accidents put more tourists in hospital than any other cause. Insurance is a good idea but policies are best taken out in your country of origin. That's also the best place to get a motorcycle licence. Never leave any belongings in the motorcycle basket, even while driving. Snatch-and-grab thieves are able to operate very effectively on the move.
Jet skis: Check the ski and point out marks to the owner before you take it for a spin. If the vehicle is uninsured, having any kind of accident can be crippling in more ways than one. Confrontations on the sand between tourists and groups of beachboys are not unusual. If you believe the beach is a more pleasant place without engine noise and smells, resist the urge to ride. Go for a swim instead. Alternatively, consider hiring a longtail for premium value.
Hotel safes: One Patong resort was recently accused of pilfering its own safes. It appears to be an isolated case. Make sure your resort has new-technology safes that record every instance of opening and closing. If you can, register what goes into the safe with reception staff and sign an agreed document.
Don't accept drinks/cigarettes: The major says it's best not to take any gift from strangers, especially at night after a few drinks in a local bar. One trap is for a group of bar girls or ladyboys to befriend a patron. While one is chatting in a friendly fashion, others are looking to lift the visitor's wallet or bag.
Bar girls: Watch your wallet. Some of the bar girls of Patong take advantage of customers who have had too much to drink, or fall asleep after escorting a guest back to their room. The thieves figure most people will be too embarrassed to go to police. They are right.
Katoeys: Most ladyboys, or katoeys, are friendly and honest. But often, especially in Soi Bangla, the main thoroughfare of Patong, you may be asked to pose with some for a photo. Once the photo has been taken, you will be asked to pay. It's best to negotiate the fee before the photo. Bear in mind, too, with souvenir photos that not all the hawkers with iguanas or young gibbons on their shoulders are legal. Most people find the treatment of these animals abhorrent.
Blackjack: Tourists from cruise ships especially are lured into card-playing sessions. They win the first night, then come back for more, and the sting begins. The best advice is, don't gamble. You cannot beat cheaters. Besides, most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand.
Credit cards: Use traveller's cheques if you can. Scam merchants are also developing skills with high technology. ATMs actually within the bank premises are the safest. Never let your credit card go out of your sight.
Recently sucked into signing a contract to be part of a Holiday Club in Karon Beach Phuket to find out on our return home that its a scam. To all travellers BE AWARE STAY CLEAR OF SCRATCH & WIN TICKETS you never win a prize the prize never exists. They are con-artists and very good at doing so.
Posted by Recent Traveller on January 11, 2011 16:11