With Thailand recently welcoming its 10 millionth international tourist this year, visitors are being warned that scams targeting tourists are on the rise.
The commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau said police are stepping up patrols in tourist areas to try and deter would-be scammers, however some tricky fraudsters are still slipping through the net.
Some popular scams used on foreign tourists include bait and switch schemes by taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. Tourists at major attractions are taken to low quality shops under false pretences where they are then conned into buying overpriced gifts.
Incidents of theft have also risen.
Visitors are being encouraged to use the ‘Tourist Police I Lert U’ mobile app to alert local police to possible scams.
