Early last year I posted an article that suggested the Thai government was finally taking steps to shut down the infamous The Grand Palace Is Closed scam. Though since my first attempted visit to the Grand Palace I’ve enjoyed participating in scamming scammers, that inaugural visit ended up being a wash. We didn’t fall victim to the scam, but did believe the palace was closed. It took several more trips to Bangkok before lucking out and hitting the palace on a day it was open.
Last year I was glad to hear they’d installed a P.A. system to announce that the Grand Palace was in fact open; too many touri miss out on seeing one of the country’s wonders thanks to the many scammers trying to convince them they need some jewelry or a new suit instead. The Grand Palace Is Closed scam isn’t quite up there with the beach resort towns’ jet ski scam in terms of dollars, but makes up for it in numbers of touri who fall prey to the con daily. The new announcement broadcasting the palace’s hours was a good step. A few signs pointing toward the entrance to the grounds wouldn’t be a bad idea either, but they’ve only been welcoming touri to the palace for a few decades now so you have to give them time to work out all the little details.
But you can never keep a good scam down, especially in Thailand. A reader of this blog just sent in a comment about his recent experience, which made me laugh. In case you don’t read the comments, I thought I’d share it with you:
You can still be victim of adapted scam 2.0:
You only need to believe the woman who is standing directly under the speakers and is repeating the opening hours in a semi-official manner only to add “grand palace is open but today is buddha day and therefore many buildings are inaccessible, so visiting today would make you only be disappointed.”
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
News Flash: The Grand Palace Is Not Closed
I Hate Phuket
Scamming The Scammers In Bangkok
I can appreciate a clever scam, and making up a plausible story such as certain parts of a temple being closed due to ceremonies or functions currently taking place certainly falls into this category.
The jet skis are a different story, I think, because it’s an extortion scheme where people are not only duped, but often viciously threatened. Having just watched ‘Gangster Squad’, I wonder if you could reenact that scene where a mobster’s body is bisected by two cars accelerating in opposite directions with jet skis. That’s the punishment I have in mind for the jet ski extortionists.
Now there’s an idea!
I think the jet ski scam should be called an extortion, or even a crime, rather than a scam. Scams are usually a con that requires greed. The jet ski scheme only requires stupidity.
Some things you just need to be relaxed about. My first trip to Bangkok, I was a “victim” of the “Grand Palace is closed” scam. Got a tuk-tuk ride around town to the tailors, the gem shop, the Thai silk shop etc. Didn’t buy anything in any of them. Got to see a little cafe where the tuk-tuk drivers hang out, and have my driver explain to me how he was paid for this in petrol coupons. Also got to visit Wat Intharawihan where I got some really good photos, including one that I liked enough to print and frame and have on the wall at home. All that for free! And I still had time to go back and see the Grand Palace (he took me back there for free as well). To read some bloggers, you’d think it had ruined their holidays. You don’t die if it happens to you. It’s all part of the experience.
Yup, I still think the Grand Palace Is Closed excursion is the best value in town. As long as you don’t actually buy anything. But even then you do read of those who have done so and are thrilled with the great deal they got (???). Memories are memories, how you remember them is on your shoulders.
I don’t remember hearing the announcement last month when I was there, although I also was not told it was closed unlike MBK mall and the golden mount which apparently were closed, I was lucky and was able to slip in anyway.
I remember being told it was close my first visit, I was standing looking at a couple of tour buses unloading and going in at the time….
Huh.
Now that you mention it I do remember reading that the [fill in the blank] scam had moved to the shopping malls. Gotta wonder who’d be dumb enough to fall for that one.
The fact tour bus passengers are entering is totally irrelevant, do you think a Thai would lie to you? Shame on you. They provide this free service out of the goodness of their hearts in order to save the tourist time and effort and you deride them for this tut tut.
umm…you wanna buy a rolex? Cheap. Good price today only.
I hate to correct you but its spelled Rollex I know I am looking at my new one now.
lol
Well sure, when you pay 2,800 baht you get the extra L
🙂
Wow, you must be a lot better at bargaining then me. Still I spent much less then I did on Canal last summer! And really how can you put a price on such a quality status symbol?
I’ll stick to Arnami thanks….
🙂