Thai Scammer.

Thai Scamer, Watch out!!

The intention of this blog is not to put Thailand in a bad light. All countries have scammers. However, I'm concerned that a small minority of Thai people (and some foreigners) who are giving Thailand a bad name. If you have been scammed while on holiday in Thailand then please report this scam so that others can learn from your experience. However, please check Visitor Scam Reports first so that there is no duplication. If you see that a scam you experienced has already been posted, then please post a comment at the bottom of that page so that we can have an idea of the number of people being scammed. If we can work together, we can put these scammers out of business.


What is the definition of a scam?

1. A fraudlent business scheme (noun)
2. Deprive of by deceit (verb) There are certainly different levels of scams. Some where they will trick you to pay a few baht more. Others where they will trick you out of thousands of baht. The amount doesn't really matter. It is the fact that they are defrauding you of your money by deceit. In Thailand, this is often seen when they write the real price with Thai numerals and then another inflated price in Arabic numbers.

Here the Thai Number (๑ ๒ ๓ ๔ ๕ ๖ ๗ ๘ ๙ 0) which mean (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0)

The two priced system is quite common place in Thailand. Many foreign tourists, and even expats, complain about it as being fraudulent. However, other countries do sometimes have two prices with a discount for locals. Though the difference is that they don't try and hide this practice. Our stand on this matter is that tourist attractions are welcome to charge foreigners 100% more if they like for admission, however, they should do it in such a way that there is no deceit. It should be made clear what the different prices are so that foreign tourists (both rich and poor) can have the right to choose
They will sometimes try and trick you about the real price by either writing it in Thai letters as above, or in Thai numbers. In this example, Mini Siam in Pattaya charges Thai adults 100 baht and foreigners (including people who live and work here) 250 baht.
The above admission price seen at Vimanmek Mansion is how we would like all tourist attractions to display prices. It clearly shows that Thai adults are 75 baht and Foreigners are 100 baht. No complaints here as there is no deception.

We don't really want to dwell on the two price system. It happens and there isn't much you can do about it other than walk away. For ourselves, we no longer visit national parks in Thailand as we don't believe that they offer value for money. The admission fee is 40 baht for Thai people and 400 baht for foreigners. It doesn't matter if it is a small waterfall or a massive mountain range. It is the same price. We also won't visit Siam Ocean World. Their foreigner's price is now the same as world class aquariums in America and Australia. And their small aquarium is in the basement of a shopping mall in Bangkok! Who are they kidding? Some people are just greedy.


What we want to concentrate on here are the scams where a small minority of Thai people, and also sometimes foreigners, try to trick you out of your money. One of the most commonest scams is the Tuk Tuk Scam. If you are walking near the Grand Palace, someone will come up to you and say that it is closed at the moment for a ceremony. They then suggest you take a speciall tuk tuk ride for only 20 baht to the nearby Big Buddha and Lucky Buddha. If you fall for it, they end up taking you to tailor shops and gem shops where the tuk tuk driver gets a nice fat commission. Some people have reported that the pressure is high to buy and that the products are often overpriced. If someone tells you that a tourist attraction is closed, don't believe them. Go and see for yourself. If a Thai person comes up to you and starts speaking excellent English then be suspicious. Normally Thai people are shy and wouldn't do something like that. However, we please ask you not to be rude if you are in doubt, as this person might genuinely be trying to help you!

You know you live in Thailand when

You know you are in Thailand when...
- Splashing out £3 for a meal is extravagant.-
A weekend on a tropical island is only a few hours away.
- £4.50 per night is a reasonable price for a double room with en-suite bathroom (basic as it may be).
- Everyone you know owns at least one yellow shirt.
- In the morning, you don't need to stick your head outside to decide what to wear. You don't even need look out the window to decide what to wear. In fact, you don't need to wake up to decide what to wear.
- You're beginning to understand the notion of “Thai time”, meaning don't expect anything to be done by the time you expect it.
- You had fried rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there's nothing odd about that.
- You debate whether £8 is too much to pay for a pair of shoes.
- Playing “spot the ladyboy” is a fun way to pass time. In school.
- When you see other farangs in your neighbourhood you assume they're either teachers or lost (applies particularly when your neighbourhood is Nonthaburi).
- You feel superior to backpackers.
- You catch yourself saying “My birthday five December, same-same like King”. And in fact generally speaking in a Thai accent.
- Seeing a family of four and their dog all piled on a motorbike doesn't surprise you.
- You do your shopping in the market, not Marks & Spencer.
- You have seriously adjusted your notion of what constitutes "really good English"
- You understand why 555 is the new LOL.
- You know how to respond when someone asks "poot tai dai mai?", "bai nai?" or "hew mai?"
- There's condensation on the *outside* of your office window, and in the winter it's a relief to get *out* to the warmth!
- The word "soi dog" does not make you think of a vegetarian BBQ.

X-treme Sport at Phitsanulok

Num Kek rafting(listen to the instructions)

Kek RiverProvince: PhitsanulokDistance: 9 kmDuration: 2 hrDifficulty: 2 - 5The ride - when the Kek is full, and it is quite unpredictable, this stretch could almost be called one continuous rapid punctuated with varying stretches of difficulty. Most rafters rate this short ride among the most fun.The river is a bit harsh and needs to be dealt with seriously. Panyang Rapid is over 100 meters long, while Rajamangala has lots of boulders. Sang is a mini-waterfall and Soparan is S shaped. Tour Operators Pop Tour - 01 680 3939, 01 707 0440Camp Site - Fuji Tour (Thailand) - 02 540 2971, 02 518 0204. Rates vary from Bt 750 per person (4 minimum) for rafting equipment and transport; to Bt 5,500 for an 8 person boat (8 maximum)Accommodations Pattara resort & Spa tel 66-55-218745, The Grand River Side hotel 66-55-248333

(get ready)
(GO!!!)

( Holy sh..it)

(Fight the challenge)
( Thanks god we came back alive:)

The Grand Riverside Hotel

The Grand River Side Hotel

At the heart of the town, stands the most convenient hotel in Phitsanulok. The Grand Riverside Hotel located in front of the Nan River which allows the atmosphere around the hotel. The hotel provides the peaceful place and beautiful of natural scenery. All guests can take an excursion to the Night Bazaar, and across the Ekathotsarot Bridge to the night market for shopping

The Riverview Terrace Restaurant, our riverside restaurant offer relaxed indoor and outdoor seating beside the Nan-River. We serve delicious Thai, Chinese, and European cuisine as well as variety of beverage. All a la carte menu specially prepared to satisfy the varying palates of all guests. The Riverview Terrace Restaurant is open 24 hours a day.
The Grand Riverside Phitsanulok features 4 elegant meeting and breakout rooms, with an extensive range of versatile meeting facilities suitable for intimate functions to gala dinners and large meetings. All rooms are fully equipped with modern audio-visual equipment, conference and banquet facilities, including High-Speed Wireless Internet Access, DVD/VCD player, Wireless Handheld Microphones, 3D Projector, Sound Amplifier, Flipchart, In-house technical support staff available, PC Computer.


Paradise Karaoke located at the 1st floor. We provide excellent pretty and friendly lady to serve you at the private VIP rooms. Well d?cor and modern equipment with Thai & English songs are available. Paradise Karaoke is open from 19:00pm until 2:00am, Daily Contact: The Grand River Side Hotel

59 Praruaang Road Mmper Meuang Phitsanulok, Thailand 65000

Telephone 66 55 248333 [Auto] 66 55 216420Facsimile 66 55 248987

Moblie: 089-4612274

Website: http://www.tgrhotel.com/

E-mail: gm@tgrhotel.com

Phisanulok Museum

The Sgt. Maj. Thavee Folk Museum

This small campus of low-slung pavilions houses a private collection of antique items from Thai rural life. Farming and trapping equipment, household items, and old photographs of the city are lovingly displayed by the sergeant major, with descriptions in English. Just across the road is the Buranathai Buddha Image Factory, where you can see the carving and casting of large Buddhas, most of which are copies of the Chinarat Buddha image from Wat Yai

Boat Racing

Long Boat-Racing Festival is arranged every year during Thai Buddhist Lent Period (about September or October) on days that river tide is highest. The festival will be held by local people beside rivers from provinces which big rivers pass by such as Phisanulok province, Phichit province has Nan River and Ang-Thong province, Ayutthaya province, Pathum-Thani province has Chao-Phraya River. Boats, which they use on the festival, will be chose and made from auspicious trees of each area's believing. They train and prepare rowing-crews to be most fit and ready for being their agent of the festival.

Long Boat-Racing Festival is one of Thai traditions which has been arranged continuously since Ayutthaya time (about 600 years ago) for preparing and making morale, courage and strength to rowing-crews, as every Thai men were power of the country, for a war which could began anytime from aggression.
Presently, Long Boat-Racing Festival is one of Thai sport. There are awards, cups from members of royal family of Chakri Dynasty or agent including honor and reputation. So, it is a prize of victory that everyone try to get but somehow it shows in a way of enjoyment and happiness, not only rowing-crews but the members of the area and audiences too. Therefore, Long Boat-Racing Festival that is arranged every year in different provinces, especially in Phichit province which this year is arranged on 2-3 September and Phitsanulok province which this year is arranged on 16-17 September, is very interesting and joyful festival of Thailand which audiences, Thai people and visitors, can touch. Besides, audiences also can see each beautiful decorative long boat that be made from each local believing and idea and also can feel the simultaneous step and intending of rowing-crews for victory of their own locality

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The Most beatifulest Buddaha in Thailand.

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan , also commonly referred to as Wat Yai is a Buddhist temple (Wat) in Phitsanulok, Thailand, where it is located on the bank of the Nan River near the Naresuan Bridge.





Wat Yai is famous throughout Thailand for its golden sculpture of the Buddha called the Phra Buddha Chinnarat (Thai: พระพุทธชินราช). Many Thai people consider the Chinnarat to be the most beautiful Buddha portrait in Thailand. It depicts Buddha in the posture of submission. Several faithful copies of the Chinnarat are displayed in other temples, including Wat Benchamabophit in Bangkok and Wat Saranat Thammaram in Rayong. Also, the Chinnarat is depicted on the official seal of the Phitsanulok Province.
(the Phra Buddha Chinnarat)

(Thia people gathering making merit)

'The Acient capital of Thailand'

Sukhothai
Found in the 13th century, Sukhothai (literally means Dawn of Happiness) was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers.

Sukhothai is located on the lower edge of the northern region, 427 kilometres north of Bangkok or some 298 kilometres south of Chiang Mai. The province covers some 6,596 square kilometres and is divided into 9 Amphoes: Muang Sukhothai, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Khiri Mat, Kong Krailat, Sawankhalok, Si Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si Satchanalai and Thung Saliam.

Sukhothai was the first kingdom of the Thais in this peninsula. Two princes-Pho Khun Pha Muang and Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao combined their forces and fought the Khmers who commanded an extensive empire throughout this part of the world.
They drove the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a major frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established it as their capital in 1238. Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao, urged by the people to be king, was enthroned with the royal title of Pho Khun Si Indrathit.King Si Indrathit had two sons-Pho Khun Ban Mueang and Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng. After his death, Pho Khun Ban Mueang succeeded him. His brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, ascended the throne in 1278 and reigned for forty years. He was Thailand's first great king.

Loy Kratong Festival at Sukhothai
(Large Budda)

Pattara Resort & Spa

Pattara resort and Spa, a naturally peaceful boutique resort in town of Phitsanulok, 5 minutes from downtown yet still tranquility surrounded by nature simply found for resting your day out from uproar. Along with our hearty service, we hopefully once have an opportunity to give you one of a great moment of your visiting Phitsanulok last forever

There are many facility around Pattara includin:
- Salt system horizon large pool that surrounding by beautiful pond The Open-air restaurant provide internation foods around that including Thai, Chiness, Korean and Western food.

- Spa

Now Let have a look at Pattara's Rooms

Pattara have 4 different types of rooms
Superior and Deluxe rooms are thetypes of room you shouldn’t ever misssed, the room contain stellite 42’’TV screen, WIFI high speed internetand set of coffee and tea making.The rooms also have its own balcony for you to get fresh air and to see thebeautiful environment around Pattara.

(Deluxe Room) (Floating Villas)
Floating Villas are the newest types of room that Pattara recommended you to try. While you staying you will receive the coolness from the pond under you, and wind that will fan oxygen into your lung.The rooms feature are the same as Superior and Deluxe room except Floating villas will have an Ipod and the newest experience that you ever had

Pool Villas

There is nothing quite like staying in a pool villa. Pool villas will make for one of the most romantic holidays you will ever experience, as most villas are extremely luxurious, and the simple fact that you are in complete privacy with your own pool and outdoor bathtub, Pool villas has the same feature as Floating Villas except the luxuries that only can be found in pool villas.

Pattara's map in Thai

20 min. from Phitsanulok airport

1hr. from Sukhothai

5 min. from dowtown