In Thailand These Will Cost You
What’s up, brothers? If it’s your first time coming to Thailand listen up because the mistakes I’m about to cover could cost you big time. A lot of newbies land here thinking they’ve got it all figured out, but Bangkok has a way of humbling guys who don’t know the ropes. So let’s get into the most common and worst mistakes first timers make, and how to avoid them.
Exchanging Money at the Worst Possible Spot
This mistake starts the moment you land. You’re excited, you clear immigration, and the first thing you do is look for a currency exchange booth. Big mistake.
The worst exchange rates in the entire airport are at the first couple of booths you see right after immigration. These places will rip you off with terrible conversion rates. Instead, wait until you get to the main exiting concourse, the area where all the cell phone providers and larger exchange places are. Even better, exchange only a small amount at the airport, like $100, then hit a Super Rich or Value Plus exchange in the city for the best rates.
Falling for Taxi Scams
You get in a taxi and the driver tries to flat rate you instead of using the meter. Some of you just go along with it because you’re tired or don’t want to argue. Nope. Wrong move.
Always insist on using the meter unless you are sure the flat rate is a good deal. If the driver refuses, get out and take another taxi or use Grab (Thailand’s version of Uber). Most drivers will also ask if it’s your first time in Thailand, this is a setup. If you tell them yes, you might as well say, “Please overcharge me.”
They’ll try to double or triple the fare, claim there are “extra charges,” or just drive you in circles to rack up the meter. A standard metered taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Sukhumvit should be 250-350 baht (plus a 50-baht airport fee and tolls). If a driver is quoting you 800-1,000 baht? Walk away.
Telling Women “It’s My First Time”
You’re in a beer bar or a gogo bar, chatting up a girl, and she asks if it’s your first time in Thailand. Without thinking, you proudly say, “Yes, first time!” BIG mistake!
There are two types of women in these bars:
- The ones who genuinely like first timers because you’re fresh and excited, and they want to show you a good time.
- The ones who see first timers as walking ATMs.
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If you get asked, just play it cool. Say something like, “Nah, I’ve been here a few times.” That little lie might save you a lot of money.
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The second group will run up your bar bill, pad your check, and quote you the highest possible prices for everything. They know you don’t know the game yet, so they test your wallet to see how much they can squeeze out of you.
If you get asked, just play it cool. Say something like, “Nah, I’ve been here a few times.” That little lie might save you a lot of money.
Exchanging Too Much Money at a Bad Rate
Even if you avoid the airport scam exchange, a lot of guys still make the mistake of exchanging and exchanging a lot at the first booth they see in the city. BAD move!
The exchange rate can vary by 1-3 points per 100 baht, which doesn’t seem like much, until you’re exchanging thousands of dollars. Over time, that’s money you’re throwing away. Do your research, check the rates online, I like to use the WISE app or SUper Rich website, and go to reputable exchange spots like Super Rich.
Barfining a Girl Without Discussing Her Rate First
This one happens all the time, and it’s a rookie move that can cost you big.
You meet a girl in a bar, you’re having a great time, and you decide to barfine her, but you never ask what her rate is. The assumption is she’ll tell you later, right? WRONG!
You’ll find out after she’s already left the bar with you or worse after you have finished your tryst, when it’s too late to negotiate. And if her rate is way higher than expected, now you’re in a bad spot. You can try to argue, but that’s a bad look and often brings more trouble than it’s worth. At that point, you either pay up or deal with the awkward situation and the possible fallout. In the most extreme cases they will summon the local cops to enforce her financial will on you.
To avoid this, always discuss rates before barfining a girl. If she won’t tell you upfront, that’s a HUGE red flag!
Final Thoughts: Play Smart or Pay the Price
First timers in Thailand don’t get scammed because they’re dumb, they get scammed because they don’t know the game. If you follow these tips, you’ll avoid some of the most common traps and save yourself a lot of money and frustration.
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That’s all I got for today.
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Stay smart. Stay sharp. And most of all, stay real.
It’s your boy JC. Peace out.
