Grand Palace is Closed Today Scam
Arriving in Bangkok can be an overwhelming experience. With the heat, humidity, buzz and cultural change, it’s a hotbed for scams on unsuspecting tourists. Thankfully, when you know what you’re looking for, most scams in Thailand are easy to spot. And having fallen for several of them myself, hopefully you won’t have to!
This guide covers everything you need to know about the most common scam in Bangkok – the Grand Palace is closed today scam. I will also cover other scams in Bangkok to watch out for and how to avoid them so you can visit safely.
What is the Grand Palace is Closed Today Scam?
There are many variations of the Grand Palace is Closed scam, but all of them follow a similar pattern.
It all starts with a tuk-tuk driver acting friendly and welcoming towards anyone who looks new to the city. Knowing that their target is a tourist, they will ask where you are going. Usually, this will be either the Grand Palace or another major tourist attraction.
As the name suggests, they will tell you that the Grand Palace is closed today, offering you some lies as justification. Since you are new to the city and don’t know better than a local, you believe them.
Having built rapport and trust already through their friendliness at the start of the interaction, they will offer a happy alternative just for you… This seems like they’re doing you a favour, but really this is the beginning of the scam!
With plans for the day now scuppered, tourists have nothing else to lose and agree to this too-good-to-be-true alternative. This alternative usually involves some kind of tuk-tuk tour taking you to ‘less touristy’ or ‘off-the-beaten-path’ temples or attractions.
Built into this route touring the city, tourists are pressured into buying expensive items like tailored suits or precious stones.
Whether they end up buying anything or not, unfortunately, this scam also means they will miss visiting the Grand Palace or at least waste time on their Bangkok visit.
My experience of the Grand Palace is Closed Scam
It was my first full day in Thailand (what a great welcome…). So I wanted to hit one of the main sights that the city had to offer – the beautiful Grand Palace.
Not far from my hostel near Khao San Road, I was grabbing food with a friend, before my plan to head towards the Grand Palace. We had yet to try out a tuk-tuk, so this was a great opportunity!
We came across two unassuming tuk-tuk drivers parked up on the side of a quiet road. There was no business and they were deep in conversation, not even trying to get our attention.
We approached asking about the Grand Palace. At this point, one of them said “the Grand Palace is closed today”…
Thinking that this was unlikely, I looked back at my friend questioningly. The other tuk-tuk driver then piped up agreeing, saying that there was some kind of national event taking place that afternoon so we wouldn’t be able to visit until later.
I thought it was unlikely since I hadn’t read anything online about it. But the two of them were very convincing. Particularly since they weren’t pressuring anything at this stage.
In hindsight, I realise that convincing tourists is something that they were well-practiced at…
Anyway, we were ready to walk back to the hostel to re-evaluate our plans for the day when they suggested going to another temple to pass the time and get a brief tour of the city before dropping us back at our hostel. Since his English was so good, our plans were dashed, and he offered us a reasonable price, we hopped in and made our way to the first stop.
The Temple
We didn’t drive far before reaching our first stop – the temples.
Our driver parked outside and left us to explore. For something so beautiful, it was surprisingly quiet. At this moment, I was impressed by our driver. I thought we were getting the chance to experience something not many others do!
We walked around, taking photos. We split up to explore and enjoy the peace.
A couple of locals approached me, so I sought the opportunity to ask about the Grand Palace being closed. To my surprise, they agreed! However, I now realise they were also in on the scam.
Meanwhile, somewhere else in the temple complex, another local approached my friend to talk about gemstones and their resale value… This was an added layer in perhaps a more elaborate scam as many of Bangkok’s scams often interlink.
Being the naive tourists that we were, we took our time exploring the temples. So much so that eventually our driver came in to hurry us up.
We had paid for this tour, so we weren’t hurried by him, but got back in shortly after.
The Suit Tailor
Not far from the first stop, our driver pulled in at the side of the road. He said he needed to fill up with petrol and recommended that we go into the tailors to have a look around and get a ‘cheap and high-quality suit to take home’.
NOTE: These shops work with tuk-tuk drivers to bring them business, and in return the shops pay for their petrol.
We said no to getting out of the tuk-tuk and were happy to wait while he filled up. After all, it was our first day in Bangkok, and I was hardly looking for a suit to carry around with me for my next 6 months in Southeast Asia!
However, the driver was insistent and got out to usher us inside.
It was a strange environment as all eyes turned to us… I felt very uncomfortable in my shorts and T-shirt, going into an extremely clean and formal suit shop where we were the only travellers.
Almost immediately we were swarmed by people asking us what we were looking for. When we said that we were just browsing, they became agitated and more forceful. When we went to turn around and leave, we were encouraged more and more to take a look.
We left, and they were clearly angered…
Frustrated by what was now clearly a scam or a cheeky attempt at our money, we requested to go home as originally agreed.
NOTE: Shops like these are common and pay the tuk-tuk drivers to drop tourists off here. There’s no obligation to buy anything here, although they don’t make it seem like it!
The Boat Tour
Instead of taking us directly back to the hostel, he drove us down a dead end to the side of a small river. Once again, it created an environment that made you feel uncomfortable and distant from anywhere else so you’re pressured into spending.
A woman with a sign advertising (heavily overpriced) boat tours wandered over expectantly. Speaking very little English, our driver translated. She was trying to book us on for a two-person private boat tour for a ridiculous price.
After repeatedly refusing to pay for a boat tour that we didn’t want, it was a bit of a Mexican stand-off. Our driver wasn’t going anywhere so we were effectively stranded.
Eventually, we had to pay our driver 40 baht more to take us back to our hostel.
After quite literally being taken for a ride, we got back to the hostel.
How to Avoid the Grand Palace Scam
Firstly, by reading this post, you will hopefully recognise when this is happening. It’s the naivety of tourists and trust that the Grand Palace Scam preys on.
As a general rule, the opening hours of the Grand Palace are 08:30 until 16:30 (every day). It’s unlikely that the Grand Palace is closed, but if you are uncertain, you can check specific days here.
Otherwise:
- Don’t believe everything people tell you. It may not be the Grand Palace is closed today scam, it could be something else. It’s best to fact-check before going along with anything you’re uncertain about.
- Look like you know where you are going. If you walk with purpose you are less likely to be targetted.
- Don’t say you are new in Bangkok. This is an immediate sign for scammers to target you.
Using the Grand Palace is Closed Scam to your Advantage
If you want to make use the Grand Palace Scam to your advantage, you can even work together with your scam artist driver.
Since these gem and suit stores pay drivers to lure unsuspecting tourists to their shops, what you can do is play this to your advantage. If one of the drivers tries the Grand Palace is Closed scam on you, say that you know about the precious stones stores or suit stores. If you are willing to, say that you will stay in these stores pretending to buy for 10-15 minutes and that you will come back tomorrow only IF you can get the tuk-tuk tour for a very cheap price (free or 10 baht).
By doing this, you will get a cheap tuk-tuk ride around Bangkok. Your driver will get the commission for bringing in potential customers to the store. The only losers here are the people driving the scams in the first place – those who own the gem and suit stores.
You should only do this if you have the time and are willing to go along with this. Otherwise, it’s best just to walk away from the situation.
Other Scams in Bangkok
With so many tourists coming to Thailand every single year, there’s always a new flurry of people to scam and get money out of. Here are some of the other scams to look out for, and how to avoid them.
NOTE: Most of them involve tuk-tuks and people being overly friendly, so be cautious of that.
Black Buddha Scam
Largely similar to the “Grand Palace is closed today” scam, the Black Buddha scam directly feeds off of people who didn’t make it to the Grand Palace.
Sometimes tourists are directed to the locals’ entrance to the Grand Palace. When they are turned away, opportunistic tuk-tuk drivers will once again suggest another alternative – the Black Buddha.
As before, their routes will include a pleasant temple with a Buddha, before suit shops and other scams are tied in.
Wrong Destination Scam
Another tuk-tuk-related scam in Bangkok is when you request a particular destination, but the driver takes you to another ‘better’ destination. When I say ‘better’, I actually mean that the business that pays the tuk-tuk driver commission to bring people there…
Drivers are renowned for driving in circles to confuse passengers or lying about closed roads all in a bit to get you to somewhere where they can make a bit of extra cash.
Overcharging Scam (Taxi outside hotel scam)
You will often see taxi drivers waiting patiently outside the front of hotels. To the naked eye, this could just be a regular driver waiting for customers. But more often than not, this is someone trying to chance their arm at negotiating an inflated fare rather than using the meter.
To avoid this, always request for the meter to be used.
Some taxi drivers will try to say that their meter is broken. If this happens, agree on a price before you get in, or simply walk away (and get a Grab Taxi).
If you don’t discuss and agree on a price before your journey, many tuk-tuk or taxi drivers will over-inflate the price when you get to your destination.
Ping Pong Shows
Often billed as something to do in Bangkok, ping pong shows are notorious. But they’re honestly more of a scam. Not to mention they support non-ethical practices like trafficking and exploitation.
Taking advantage of your somewhat naughty curiosity, these shows begin (like all the other scams) by luring you in with trust and a false sense of what is going on. In this case, you will be approached by someone with a menu of shows on offer such as ping pong shows, eel shows and more, promising you a fun night and experience you can’t get anywhere else but Thailand! You might even be told, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to pay and you can leave.
Thinking it’s just like any other bar and tempted by curiosity, you follow to an often hidden backstreet bar with no sign (big red flag). Little do you realise that you’re stepping into a bar where drink prices are quadrupled and you aren’t able to leave.
Once inside you’ll be gestured towards the bar where drink prices aren’t listed. Then the show will begin.
After each trick, you will be told to tip the girls. If you try to leave, you may be told to sit back down until the show is over, where you will be pressured to give even more cash.
When you try to leave, you will be hit with the extortionate cost of drinks and a sour taste left in your mouth.
Bird feeding scam
Taking place in touristy areas around Bangkok where there are birds present, ‘friendly strangers’ will offer you food to feed the birds.
Many people think this is a genuine and harmless gesture until they request that you give them the money for the food. But alas, they demand a ridiculous amount!
This reminds me of the bird-freeing scam I saw in Vietnam where birds are caged up and tourists can pay to set them free. But the birds are trained to come back…
Theft, Pickpocketing and Bag Snatching
Last but not least, theft, pickpocketing and bag snatching in Bangkok are common.
Particularly around Khao San Road where drunk backpackers congregate in large crowds, it makes for easy targets for pickpockets.
Look out for anyone unknown invading your personal space or slowing you down to talk. Whether it’s someone asking for directions, or someone selling cigarettes or gum, any opportunity is good enough.
Watch your pockets and ideally use a money belt, zip bag or keep your belongings in sight.
Conclusion: Scams in Bangkok and Grand Palace is Closed Today
It’s sad to say, but as a general rule if you don’t want to be scammed in Bangkok, you need to be less open and more suspicious.
What seems like it is too good to be true, probably is. When someone approaches you being extra friendly, it may not always be as it seems. And tuk-tuks, although iconic for Thailand and Southeast Asia can often be a highway to getting scammed.
But, with the right knowledge you can navigate a few days in Bangkok without being scammed!
Before you go
Thank you for reading my experience of getting scammed in Bangkok. Now you know, hopefully, you can avoid the “Grand Palace is closed today” scam. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy travelling!
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