New SCAMS in Thailand (2026)

I’m going to cover 31 new scams that you might encounter here in Thailand in 2026. Some of these are global scams that you’ll find around the world that have been on the rise, and others are highly localized. I’ll cover them all so that you can stay safe during your time in this beautiful country.

In-Flight Theft

Our first couple of scams might occur before you even step foot here in Thailand. If you’re planning to fly into Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or even Phuket, you should be careful with your carry-on luggage, as there’s been a sharp rise in theft from overhead luggage compartments and even the seat areas. The scam is run by organized groups which normally target certain routes. Thieves work together and wait until the cabin crew dims the lights after meal service. They systematically move around the plane checking overhead luggage or any seat areas for valuables like cash and jewelry. In order to avoid getting robbed, it’s best to keep your valuables with you at all times, and especially when the cabin lights are dimmed.

Fake Thailand Digital Arrival Card Websites

In order to enter Thailand, you’ll need to fill out a digital arrival card. This has caused lots of confusion for many visitors who are planning a trip to the country. I’ve covered that card extensively on the channel. But as with any new requirement which causes confusion, it can lead to scams. When you’re filling out the card, you need to be aware of fake websites that are masquerading as the official site. Immigration authorities here in Thailand have put out warnings to avoid these sites. They’ll collect your personal information and even ask for payment in order to get the card. The arrival card is free to submit, and you should only use the official website. I’ve left the link in the description along with videos walking you through the entire process so you can avoid any problems.

Baht Bus Scam In Pattaya

I covered transportation scams extensively in part one of this series, and many of those scams occur right here in the lower Sukhumvit neighborhood. Normally those include taxis, tuk-tuks, and even motorbikes. But in part two, we’re covering the Songthaew scam. This scam has been on the rise in smaller cities like Pattaya. A Baht Bus is a pickup truck that’s converted into a passenger vehicle with benches in the back. These iconic vehicles drive fixed routes and pick up passengers along the way. They’re normally very inexpensive, costing only a small fee that can be as low as 10 baht per person in Pattaya.

Using a Baht Bus is very easy. Simply wave it down and hop in the back. When you near your destination, ring the bell, hop off, and pay the fare to the driver at his window. But some tourists are unaware of how Baht Buses operate. Instead of hopping in, they approach the driver’s window to ask about the fare or if the driver goes to a specific destination. If you do this, some drivers will drop you off at that destination and claim that you hired the Songthaew as a private taxi with a much higher fixed fare of 200, 300, or even 500 baht, even if your stop was already on the driver’s route or very nearby. It’s very easy to avoid this scam. Follow the Baht Bus protocol. Simply hop on, keep your Google Maps open to track your destination, and ring the buzzer near your stop.

Motorbike Rental Scams

When you visit Thailand, you may be tempted to rent a motorbike. The most common motorbike rental scam is when the shop claims that you damaged the bike and demands exorbitant payment for the repairs. I covered this scam extensively in part one of this series, but scammers are innovative, and there are two additional motorbike rental scams that have been on the rise.

First, we’ve got the fake motorbike theft. This occurs when you rent a motorbike from a shop, but staff from the shop follow you back to your hotel or accommodations and steal it using an extra key. The shop will then charge you for the cost of the missing bike, which can cost tens of thousands of baht.

Second, we’ve got the fake accident scam. You rent a motorbike and take it out for a ride, but later you’ll get a call or a message from the rental shop or even a police station talking about an accident. They’ll inform you that you need to report to a nearby police station. Once you arrive, you’ll be told that a driver has filed a complaint against you for hitting or scraping their car and that you need to pay for the damages. You may not recall any incident, and it likely never happened. This is a scam. The rental shop or an employee is normally in on it. They provide your information to the accomplice who files the complaint.

In order to avoid the fake theft, fake accident, or even the fake damages scam from part one of this series, you should only rent from large and legitimate rental shops. These companies have profitable businesses renting scooters, and negative incidents are harmful for their long-term business.

Fake Fashion Goods

Thailand has a thriving industry for fake fashion products. This is a pretty open secret, and these are normally sold fairly inexpensively by shops and vendors in places like MBK Mall or Pratunam Market. Normally you’ll get a reasonable price, but always be cautious when buying fashion products, as they may be fake or grossly overpriced, especially in tourist-oriented markets and areas. Before you buy, it’s best to take a walk around a market and compare the different prices on offer. And of course, when it comes to fake goods, you can always negotiate.

Fake Electronics and Repair Scams In Bangkok

But you can also find fake electronics, and they’re much harder to detect. Some vendors buy used phones or laptops and swap out the expensive components for cheaper inputs. They then sell the refurbished products to unsuspecting customers, normally as authentic used goods. This scam can occur at smaller stalls and vendors throughout the city. If you’re looking to buy electronics, it’s normally best to shop at larger brand name stores, as prices tend to be similar for higher-end brand name products.

You also need to be cautious with electronics repair shops, as some shops may swap out the expensive components in your device for cheaper alternatives and sell the more expensive parts on the resale market. If you’re in need of repairs, only use large shops and check the Google reviews first.

Buying Fake Art In Thailand

Finally, we have art. If you’re in the market for some authentic art, you’ll find some great pieces here in Thailand. But you should also be cautious. Some sellers may pretend to be the artist or a reputable dealer with authentic art, but often the art is mass-produced in factories in China and sold to the vendors at very cheap prices. It may look great, but it doesn’t carry value as a collectible item. Do plenty of research before buying anything that’s marketed as authentic art.

Overpriced Attraction and Tour Tickets

But it’s not only fashion, electronics, and art that can be overpriced. If you’re planning to visit a tourist attraction, you’ll notice plenty of taxi and tuk-tuk drivers sitting around outside their vehicles with big signs showing the attractions, or you may hop in a taxi and immediately be offered special tour tickets. These are normally overpriced. Drivers serve as middlemen that take a hefty cut, and travelers will get a much better price by paying for the attraction or tour directly.

But there’s a second reason to avoid these tours. You should always read the reviews for any tour before you book it, as many tours offer a subpar experience or end much earlier than scheduled. Personally, I recommend using Klook or Viator. These are apps which list a large number of different tours with thousands of reviews. This allows you to compare each package. If you’re interested in checking out the tours on either site, you can click the links in the description.

Private Van Tour Reseller Scam

If you take a private minivan or bus, you may encounter yet another tour hustle. The driver will stop halfway through the trip. Passengers will be led into a room with English-speaking staff where they’re asked to provide the name of their hotel for drop-off, but this is all a ruse. It’s actually a room full of tour resellers. Their real goal is to sell overpriced tours. If you encounter this situation, simply give the name of your hotel and return to the van.

Counterfeit Currency at Exchange Booths

You’ll need to be able to access cash during your stay in Thailand. I have a detailed guide on the best ways to access money and all the fees involved. But when it comes to exchanging money, you may encounter people that hang around money exchange booths, especially in lower Sukhumvit around Asok and Nana. They’ll claim that they need to exchange money before they leave the country or that they don’t have a passport with them to use the exchange booths, and they’ll offer you a great exchange rate. It’s a scam, and the currency is counterfeit.

Miracle Cure and Show Me Your Money Scams

The lower Sukhumvit area is a tourist hot spot. I discuss a wide range of tourist hotspot scams in part one of this series, but let’s cover a few more that have become extremely prevalent. First, you may be approached by a a stranger on the street here or in a shop like 7-Eleven. He’ll point out a physical characteristic. Perhaps you’re balding or have acne. He’ll recommend a miracle inexpensive cure and try to bring you along to a shop. It’s all a scam.

Another common variation of this scam involves the man asking to see money from your home country. This sounds pretty crazy, but it’s become so common that it must work sometimes. If you show him, the scammer will use a sleight of hand trick to try to steal some of the money. If that fails, he’ll attempt to trade for his worthless counterfeit currency. as a general rule, but never take out your wallet or show money to a stranger on the street in a foreign country.

Friendly Stranger Scam In Thailand Nightlife

These are both variations of a very common friendly stranger scam that’s constantly adapting here. A friendly stranger approaches you in the street. He may be Thai or foreign. He’ll attempt to build rapport and use that rapport to scam you. There are a wide number of different variations of this scam, but they’re very easy to avoid. If somebody approaches you in a tourist area, just ignore them and keep walking.

Stolen iPhone Follow-Up Scam

When you’re in tourist hotspots, you also need to be careful about pickpocketing and theft. Thieves especially target smartphones, and iPhones in particular, as these have a very high resale value. If your iPhone does get stolen, you may be tempted to turn on Find My iPhone online. But if you do, you’ll receive texts that appear to come from Apple or Google. The text will include a link and instructions to access your iCloud. This is normally the thieves, and the links are phishing sites. If you enter your credentials, the thieves will be able to unlock the phone and sell it.

The thieves may also send you texts directly asking for money with a promise that they’ll send you the phone back. This is also a scam. The thieves will string you along, get as much money as possible, and then disappear with your phone and the money.

Dating App and Investment Scams

Call center scammers are also very active online, especially with dating applications like Tinder, Bumble, and Thai Friendly. The scammers work in teams using sophisticated scripts in order to build a connection with the victims. They build rapport with the target and then introduce investment or business opportunities, or request money to help with medical bills or emergencies. Trust-based scams are extremely common online, but they also occur offline.

Friendly Expat Scam

For travelers, one of the most common trust-based scams that you’ll encounter is the friendly expat or seasoned traveler. These are longer-term expats who quickly befriend newcomers, often with great intensity. They attempt to build trust as quickly as possible, which is then used to scam the newcomer. They may attempt to borrow money, push business or investment schemes, or simply steal valuable items. The freewheeling world of Thailand is something of a magnet for con artists from around the world. Don’t trust anybody too easily, especially if you encounter them in a Meetup group, as these groups are a favorite target for con artists looking for newcomers.

Fake Visa and Relocation Agency Scams

If you’re interested in spending a little bit longer in Thailand or even living here, you may encounter our next group of scams. Prospective expats are often in need of relocation advice and assistance, particularly with visas, driver’s licenses, and bank account opening. There are plenty of legitimate agencies, but once you express an interest in agency services, Google and Facebook may start to show you agency advertisements, and many are scams. They may provide fake or fraudulent documents, including fake visas, which are illegal. Do plenty of research before you choose an agency, and check Google reviews and Reddit forums for any specific agency before you sign up.

Fake Condo Rental Scam

If you’re planning to stay for longer in a city like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket, you may be tempted to rent a condo on a short-term basis. You’ll find plenty of listings on Facebook Marketplace and on condo rental sites. But you need to be cautious, especially if you’re looking while you’re still outside Thailand. You’ll encounter listings that offer great value, but the landlord or agent will request that you transfer money in order to secure the lease. This may include a deposit, first month’s rent, or even payment for the entire rental period. Once that payment is received, the post will disappear along with your money. Alternatively, you may arrive and receive keys to a very different and inferior condo that doesn’t match the pictures. Never book a condo or transfer any money while you’re still outside Thailand. It’s very easy to find accommodations after you arrive, and it’s a lot safer.