Too many wonderful holidays have been ruined by this scam, so beware. We followed this scam online for nearly (5) five years and make no mistake - the authorities have done little to stop it. No official ever dared mention the protection or stores that runs the scams (Update: Gold shops were finally mentioned in a tourist brochure police to January, 2004). One of tuk tuk drivers who sent victims to the scam store works opposite the Tourist Information Centre and the local police station on Pratunam Road.
The funny thing is that over the years, more & more unsuspecting tourists fell prey to the same scams. Officials say that the crooks only change the name of the store to prevents the law enforcer from doing anything to stop the scam. A store owner even boasted that if the Thai authority do close their business, they will reopen again, as they have for 20 years!
How this is done
It is a by-the-numbers scam. Most people have exactly the same experience. It is usually something like this:
1. You are riding in a tuk-tuk
2. The driver tells you that wherever you go is closed for any reason.
3. The driver tells you he is specially trained to be helpful to tourists.
4. You said the government has launched a promotion to sell gems to tourists.
5. During the ride with the friendly tuk-tuk driver you accidentally meet a well-dressed young man or an older, distinguished man.
6. The young man says he is a student. The older man say he works for the government and shows you his government ID. (Thai IDs mean nothing. They are readily available for a small fee to anyone.)
7. The person you meet independently confirms the story the tuk-tuk driver told. (This is a nice touch.)
8. Finally, you ask to be taken to the Government jewellery house and said, you can make 100-150% profit by selling the stones. It seems since the seller writes something like if everything is ok not offer us a full refund , and puts an official stamp on research.
9. You 've been deceived by one of the oldest and openly practiced scams in Thailand.
