The "Mafia" in Thailand are Russians. This is a relatively new development and could be stamped out now if the will is there. They certainly were not present even 5 or 6 years ago. Another scam they pull off is to take people on a snorkling trip and when they return refuse to let anyone off the boat until the cost of a "missing" snorkle and flippers is covered. These demands are normally backed up by a couple very large russians standing on the gangway. If you go to Phuket or Pattaya or places like that you can expect to be fleeced.
But that said, I've lost count of the times I've been to Thailand, both on business and pleasure, and still think Thailand is a very special and safe place. My advice would be to stay away from the tourists hotspots and get into the more remote parts. Thais will always look after you in these places and expect nothing in return.
ExportExpert at Jul. 25, 2012 - 11:01AM JST
Thailand holds a certain attraction to some, to others it is too much of a third world country to hold any attraction.
If you want to see dirty filthy cripples crawling through the streets of tourists begging for money hit bankok.
SimondB at Jul. 25, 2012 - 02:59PM JST
ExportExpert
I've been to Bangkok many times and from your comment can only guess you have not been there at all or perhaps it was your one and only trip to a "third world" country. You do not see "dirty filthy cripples crawling through the streets of tourists begging for money. That is just patently untrue. If this is what you want to see, try India, particularly New Dehli. But Bangkok, no.
Joseph Perry at Jul. 26, 2012 - 12:44AM JST
I've been to Thailand a total of 5 times and even did an English teaching stint there. I only saw Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but I never had one bad incident. Compared with the Philippines or places that I went to in S. America, whoa Thailand is much safer and considerate of tourists. I think the best thing I did was when I visited Bangkok for the first time I stayed at a Thai family's house. I had found them through couchsurfing. Even though I stayed with them for only 3 days, it tremendously helped. One of the daughters taught me about haggling and how the transportation system worked. Before coming there I had only been to Japan and South Korea, which are far from being 3rd world/developing countries. I still think about Thailand and just about everyday, I am sure I will go there again. You get the most for your money there. Phuket though, heard many stories, I don't think I will ever go there. I'm not a beach guy anyhows.
JeffLee at Jul. 26, 2012 - 11:09AM JST
I've been there around 15 times, and never had any problems, apart from the cab drivers. However, I have seen Westerners making complete asses of themselves, behaving in dangerous and offensive ways that they never would do in their own countries or in Japan.
I suspect it's these people who make up the vast majority of "victims."
ExportExpert at Jul. 27, 2012 - 09:30AM JST
SimondB
I've been to Bangkok many times and from your comment can only guess you have not been there at all or perhaps it was your one and only trip to a "third world" country. You do not see "dirty filthy cripples crawling through the streets of tourists begging for money. That is just patently untrue. If this is what you want to see, try India, particularly New Dehli. But Bangkok, no.
Oh yes you do, have you walked along sukumvit Rd or what ever its called, there were plenty of them.
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SimondB at Jul. 25, 2012 - 08:16AM JST
The "Mafia" in Thailand are Russians. This is a relatively new development and could be stamped out now if the will is there. They certainly were not present even 5 or 6 years ago. Another scam they pull off is to take people on a snorkling trip and when they return refuse to let anyone off the boat until the cost of a "missing" snorkle and flippers is covered. These demands are normally backed up by a couple very large russians standing on the gangway. If you go to Phuket or Pattaya or places like that you can expect to be fleeced.
But that said, I've lost count of the times I've been to Thailand, both on business and pleasure, and still think Thailand is a very special and safe place. My advice would be to stay away from the tourists hotspots and get into the more remote parts. Thais will always look after you in these places and expect nothing in return.
ExportExpert at Jul. 25, 2012 - 11:01AM JST
Thailand holds a certain attraction to some, to others it is too much of a third world country to hold any attraction.
If you want to see dirty filthy cripples crawling through the streets of tourists begging for money hit bankok.
SimondB at Jul. 25, 2012 - 02:59PM JST
ExportExpert
I've been to Bangkok many times and from your comment can only guess you have not been there at all or perhaps it was your one and only trip to a "third world" country. You do not see "dirty filthy cripples crawling through the streets of tourists begging for money. That is just patently untrue. If this is what you want to see, try India, particularly New Dehli. But Bangkok, no.
Joseph Perry at Jul. 26, 2012 - 12:44AM JST
I've been to Thailand a total of 5 times and even did an English teaching stint there. I only saw Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but I never had one bad incident. Compared with the Philippines or places that I went to in S. America, whoa Thailand is much safer and considerate of tourists. I think the best thing I did was when I visited Bangkok for the first time I stayed at a Thai family's house. I had found them through couchsurfing. Even though I stayed with them for only 3 days, it tremendously helped. One of the daughters taught me about haggling and how the transportation system worked. Before coming there I had only been to Japan and South Korea, which are far from being 3rd world/developing countries. I still think about Thailand and just about everyday, I am sure I will go there again. You get the most for your money there. Phuket though, heard many stories, I don't think I will ever go there. I'm not a beach guy anyhows.
JeffLee at Jul. 26, 2012 - 11:09AM JST
I've been there around 15 times, and never had any problems, apart from the cab drivers. However, I have seen Westerners making complete asses of themselves, behaving in dangerous and offensive ways that they never would do in their own countries or in Japan.
I suspect it's these people who make up the vast majority of "victims."
ExportExpert at Jul. 27, 2012 - 09:30AM JST
SimondB
Oh yes you do, have you walked along sukumvit Rd or what ever its called, there were plenty of them.