# ThaiSafe — Complete Safety Data for Thailand
> Last updated: 2026-07-31
> Source: https://thailandsafe.app
> API: https://api.thaisafe.app
> OpenAPI spec: https://thailandsafe.app/openapi.json
> MCP server (Model Context Protocol): https://api.thaisafe.app/mcp
> AI agent guide: https://thailandsafe.app/agents
> License: CC BY 4.0

This document contains the complete ThaiSafe knowledge base for AI systems. It covers safety data for 15 major tourist regions in Thailand.

---
## Emergency Numbers

| Service | Number | Notes |
|---------|--------|-------|
| Tourist Police | 1155 | English-speaking, 24/7. First call for tourists. |
| Emergency/Ambulance | 1669 | National emergency medical service |
| Police | 191 | Thai-language primarily |
| Fire | 199 | |
| Highway Police | 1193 | For road accidents |
| Ambulance (private) | 1554 | |
| Poison Control | 1367 | |
| Immigration | 1178 | Visa issues |
| DLT (taxi complaints) | 1584 | Report taxi meter refusal |

---
## Regions

### Bangkok (กรุงเทพฯ)
- Province: Bangkok
- Coordinates: 13.7563, 100.5018
- Thailand's vibrant capital city with temples, street food, and bustling markets.
- Hospitals: 45 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 156
- Key topics: scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, etiquette, food-safety, nightlife-safety, emergency-numbers, pharmacy, visa-info, weather

### Phuket (ภูเก็ต)
- Province: Phuket
- Coordinates: 7.8804, 98.3923
- Thailand's largest island with stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and water sports.
- Hospitals: 12 | Beaches: 32 | Scam alerts: 89
- Key topics: beach-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, nightlife-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, food-safety, etiquette

### Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่)
- Province: Chiang Mai
- Coordinates: 18.7883, 98.9853
- Cultural capital of northern Thailand with temples, mountains, and night markets.
- Hospitals: 18 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 67
- Key topics: scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, etiquette, food-safety, road-safety, visa-info, pharmacy, emergency-numbers, weather

### Koh Samui (เกาะสมุย)
- Province: Surat Thani
- Coordinates: 9.512, 100.0136
- Popular island destination with palm-fringed beaches and luxury resorts.
- Hospitals: 6 | Beaches: 18 | Scam alerts: 34
- Key topics: beach-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, nightlife-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, food-safety, pharmacy

### Pattaya (พัทยา)
- Province: Chonburi
- Coordinates: 12.9236, 100.8825
- Coastal resort city known for beaches, nightlife, and water activities.
- Hospitals: 10 | Beaches: 8 | Scam alerts: 78
- Key topics: scam-alerts, nightlife-safety, beach-safety, hospitals, transport-prices, road-safety, emergency-numbers, food-safety, pharmacy, weather

### Krabi (กระบี่)
- Province: Krabi
- Coordinates: 8.0863, 98.9063
- Dramatic limestone cliffs, pristine beaches, and island-hopping adventures.
- Hospitals: 5 | Beaches: 24 | Scam alerts: 23
- Key topics: beach-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, food-safety, etiquette, pharmacy

### Koh Phangan (เกาะพะงัน)
- Province: Surat Thani
- Coordinates: 9.75, 100
- Island famous for Full Moon parties, yoga retreats, and beautiful beaches.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 15 | Scam alerts: 28
- Key topics: beach-safety, nightlife-safety, scam-alerts, road-safety, hospitals, emergency-numbers, food-safety, transport-prices, weather, pharmacy

### Koh Tao (เกาะเต่า)
- Province: Surat Thani
- Coordinates: 10.0956, 99.8404
- Diving paradise with crystal-clear waters and affordable dive certifications.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 12 | Scam alerts: 19
- Key topics: beach-safety, road-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, emergency-numbers, food-safety, transport-prices, nightlife-safety, weather, pharmacy

### Pai (ปาย)
- Province: Mae Hong Son
- Coordinates: 19.3585, 98.4428
- Laid-back mountain town with hot springs, waterfalls, and a bohemian vibe.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 12
- Key topics: road-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, transport-prices, etiquette, pharmacy, visa-info

### Hua Hin (หัวหิน)
- Province: Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Coordinates: 12.5684, 99.9577
- Royal beach resort town with golf courses and night markets, popular with Thai families.
- Hospitals: 5 | Beaches: 6 | Scam alerts: 15
- Key topics: beach-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette, pharmacy, road-safety

### Koh Lanta (เกาะลันตา)
- Province: Krabi
- Coordinates: 7.5907, 99.075
- Relaxed island with long beaches, mangroves, and excellent snorkeling.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 10 | Scam alerts: 8
- Key topics: beach-safety, road-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, emergency-numbers, food-safety, transport-prices, weather, pharmacy, etiquette

### Koh Chang (เกาะช้าง)
- Province: Trat
- Coordinates: 12.0553, 102.3376
- Thailand's third-largest island with jungles, waterfalls, and white-sand beaches.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 8 | Scam alerts: 11
- Key topics: beach-safety, road-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, emergency-numbers, food-safety, transport-prices, weather, nightlife-safety, pharmacy

### Ayutthaya (อยุธยา)
- Province: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
- Coordinates: 14.3692, 100.5877
- Ancient capital with UNESCO World Heritage temple ruins and historical sites.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 9
- Key topics: scam-alerts, transport-prices, etiquette, hospitals, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, road-safety, pharmacy, visa-info

### Sukhothai (สุโขทัย)
- Province: Sukhothai
- Coordinates: 17.0066, 99.8233
- Historical park with the ruins of Thailand's first kingdom and cycling trails.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 5
- Key topics: etiquette, transport-prices, scam-alerts, hospitals, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, road-safety, pharmacy, visa-info

### Chiang Rai (เชียงราย)
- Province: Chiang Rai
- Coordinates: 19.9105, 99.8406
- Northern gateway city with the White Temple, hill tribes, and the Golden Triangle.
- Hospitals: 5 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 14
- Key topics: scam-alerts, transport-prices, etiquette, hospitals, food-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy, visa-info

### Surat Thani (สุราษฎร์ธานี)
- Province: Surat Thani
- Coordinates: 9.1382, 99.3217
- Gateway to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao — a major transit hub for island-bound tourists.
- Hospitals: 8 | Beaches: 5 | Scam alerts: 22
- Key topics: transport-prices, scam-alerts, hospitals, food-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Phang Nga (พังงา)
- Province: Phang Nga
- Coordinates: 8.4509, 98.5253
- Home to James Bond Island, Similan Islands, and stunning limestone karsts in Phang Nga Bay.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 18 | Scam alerts: 11
- Key topics: beach-safety, scam-alerts, transport-prices, hospitals, weather, emergency-numbers, road-safety, food-safety

### Trang (ตรัง)
- Province: Trang
- Coordinates: 7.5564, 99.6114
- Emerging beach destination with pristine islands, caves, and uncrowded coastline along the Andaman Sea.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 12 | Scam alerts: 4
- Key topics: beach-safety, transport-prices, food-safety, hospitals, weather, emergency-numbers, road-safety

### Satun (สตูล)
- Province: Satun
- Coordinates: 6.6238, 100.0673
- Gateway to Koh Lipe and Tarutao National Marine Park — Thailand's most remote island paradise.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 10 | Scam alerts: 3
- Key topics: beach-safety, transport-prices, hospitals, weather, emergency-numbers, food-safety, road-safety

### Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา)
- Province: Nakhon Ratchasima
- Coordinates: 14.9799, 102.0978
- Gateway to Isaan — Thailand's largest province with Khao Yai National Park and rich Khmer heritage.
- Hospitals: 15 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 8
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, weather, emergency-numbers, etiquette, pharmacy

### Kanchanaburi (กาญจนบุรี)
- Province: Kanchanaburi
- Coordinates: 14.0228, 99.5328
- Historic Bridge on the River Kwai, Erawan waterfall, and adventure activities in western Thailand.
- Hospitals: 6 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 9
- Key topics: road-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, weather, emergency-numbers, food-safety, etiquette

### Lopburi (ลพบุรี)
- Province: Lopburi
- Coordinates: 14.7995, 100.6534
- The monkey city — famous for its Khmer temples overrun by macaques and unique wildlife encounters.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 6
- Key topics: scam-alerts, food-safety, hospitals, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette, weather

### Nong Khai (หนองคาย)
- Province: Nong Khai
- Coordinates: 17.8783, 102.742
- Mekong riverside town on the Laos border — famous for the Naga fireballs and Friendship Bridge crossing.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 5
- Key topics: visa-info, transport-prices, food-safety, hospitals, scam-alerts, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Udon Thani (อุดรธานี)
- Province: Udon Thani
- Coordinates: 17.4156, 102.7872
- Major Isaan hub with Red Lotus Sea, Ban Chiang UNESCO site, and thriving expat community.
- Hospitals: 10 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 7
- Key topics: hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, scam-alerts, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Rayong (ระยอง)
- Province: Rayong
- Coordinates: 12.6814, 101.2816
- Gateway to Koh Samet — popular weekend escape from Bangkok with beaches and seafood markets.
- Hospitals: 5 | Beaches: 8 | Scam alerts: 10
- Key topics: beach-safety, transport-prices, food-safety, hospitals, scam-alerts, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather

### Samut Prakan (สมุทรปราการ)
- Province: Samut Prakan
- Coordinates: 13.5991, 100.5998
- Home to Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Erawan Museum, and Ancient City (Muang Boran) — the open-air museum of Thailand in miniature.
- Hospitals: 8 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 12
- Key topics: transport-prices, scam-alerts, hospitals, food-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี)
- Province: Nonthaburi
- Coordinates: 13.8621, 100.5144
- Bangkok's northern neighbor on the Chao Phraya River, known for Koh Kret island's Mon pottery village and riverside markets.
- Hospitals: 7 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 5
- Key topics: transport-prices, hospitals, food-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy, etiquette

### Pathum Thani (ปทุมธานี)
- Province: Pathum Thani
- Coordinates: 14.0208, 100.525
- University and science hub north of Bangkok with Dream World theme park and the National Science Museum.
- Hospitals: 6 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 4
- Key topics: transport-prices, hospitals, road-safety, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Ang Thong (อ่างทอง)
- Province: Ang Thong
- Coordinates: 14.5896, 100.455
- Small central-plains province famous for the giant seated Buddha at Wat Muang, one of the tallest statues in the world.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Sing Buri (สิงห์บุรี)
- Province: Sing Buri
- Coordinates: 14.8879, 100.4049
- Quiet province on the Chao Phraya remembered for the heroic villagers of Bang Rachan who resisted the Burmese invasion.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Chai Nat (ชัยนาท)
- Province: Chai Nat
- Coordinates: 15.1852, 100.1251
- Rice-farming province at the Chao Phraya Dam, best known for its bird park and giant straw-sculpture festival.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Saraburi (สระบุรี)
- Province: Saraburi
- Coordinates: 14.5289, 100.9108
- Limestone-hill province northeast of Bangkok with the revered Buddha footprint shrine Wat Phra Phutthabat and sunflower fields.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, transport-prices, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Nakhon Nayok (นครนายก)
- Province: Nakhon Nayok
- Coordinates: 14.2069, 101.213
- Weekend adventure escape near Bangkok with Sarika and Nang Rong waterfalls, whitewater rafting, and Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Nakhon Pathom (นครปฐม)
- Province: Nakhon Pathom
- Coordinates: 13.8196, 100.0645
- One of Thailand's oldest cities, home to Phra Pathommachedi — the tallest stupa in the country — and famous floating markets nearby.
- Hospitals: 5 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 4
- Key topics: transport-prices, scam-alerts, hospitals, food-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Samut Sakhon (สมุทรสาคร)
- Province: Samut Sakhon
- Coordinates: 13.5475, 100.2745
- Fishing and seafood-industry port at the mouth of the Tha Chin River, a short ride from Bangkok by the Mae Klong railway.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: food-safety, transport-prices, hospitals, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Samut Songkhram (สมุทรสงคราม)
- Province: Samut Songkhram
- Coordinates: 13.4098, 100.0023
- Thailand's smallest province, famous for the Maeklong Railway Market where vendors fold back stalls for passing trains, and Amphawa floating market.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 4
- Key topics: scam-alerts, transport-prices, food-safety, hospitals, road-safety, emergency-numbers, weather

### Suphan Buri (สุพรรณบุรี)
- Province: Suphan Buri
- Coordinates: 14.4745, 100.1177
- Historic rice-bowl province with the Dragon Descendants Museum, Don Chedi monument, and the hundred-year-old Sam Chuk market.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, food-safety, hospitals, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี)
- Province: Chanthaburi
- Coordinates: 12.6113, 102.1039
- Gem-trading city and fruit capital famed for durian and rambutan orchards, a French-colonial waterfront quarter, and quiet beaches.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 5 | Scam alerts: 6
- Key topics: scam-alerts, food-safety, road-safety, hospitals, beach-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Chachoengsao (ฉะเชิงเทรา)
- Province: Chachoengsao
- Coordinates: 13.6904, 101.078
- Riverside province east of Bangkok, home to the highly revered Luang Pho Sothon Buddha image and Bang Pakong River markets.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Prachinburi (ปราจีนบุรี)
- Province: Prachinburi
- Coordinates: 14.0509, 101.366
- Gateway to the southern side of Khao Yai National Park with Dvaravati-era ruins at Si Mahosot and herbal-medicine heritage.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Sa Kaeo (สระแก้ว)
- Province: Sa Kaeo
- Coordinates: 13.824, 102.0645
- Border province with the Aranyaprathet–Poipet crossing into Cambodia, Rong Kluea market, and the Khmer sanctuary Prasat Sadok Kok Thom.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 9
- Key topics: visa-info, scam-alerts, transport-prices, road-safety, hospitals, emergency-numbers, food-safety, weather

### Ratchaburi (ราชบุรี)
- Province: Ratchaburi
- Coordinates: 13.5283, 99.8134
- Province of the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market, dragon-jar pottery kilns, and the limestone caves of Khao Ngu.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 7
- Key topics: scam-alerts, transport-prices, food-safety, road-safety, hospitals, emergency-numbers, weather

### Phetchaburi (เพชรบุรี)
- Province: Phetchaburi
- Coordinates: 13.1119, 99.9399
- Royal heritage city with Khao Wang hilltop palace, cave temples, palm-sugar sweets, and the beach resort of Cha-am.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 4 | Scam alerts: 5
- Key topics: beach-safety, scam-alerts, food-safety, hospitals, road-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Tak (ตาก)
- Province: Tak
- Coordinates: 16.884, 99.1259
- Mountainous border province with the Mae Sot crossing into Myanmar, Thi Lo Su — Thailand's largest waterfall — and Bhumibol Dam.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 6
- Key topics: visa-info, road-safety, scam-alerts, hospitals, weather, emergency-numbers, food-safety, transport-prices

### Lampang (ลำปาง)
- Province: Lampang
- Coordinates: 18.2888, 99.4909
- Charming northern city of horse-drawn carriages, the teak Lanna temple Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, and the Thai Elephant Conservation Center.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: road-safety, etiquette, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Lamphun (ลำพูน)
- Province: Lamphun
- Coordinates: 18.5745, 99.0087
- Thailand's oldest city, once the Mon kingdom of Hariphunchai, with the golden stupa of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai and longan orchards.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: etiquette, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Nan (น่าน)
- Province: Nan
- Coordinates: 18.7756, 100.773
- Remote mountain province with the famous whispering mural at Wat Phumin, Doi Phu Kha National Park, and winding scenic roads.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, etiquette, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers

### Phayao (พะเยา)
- Province: Phayao
- Coordinates: 19.1664, 99.9019
- Laid-back northern town wrapped around Kwan Phayao lake, with sunset waterfront promenades and the submerged temple Wat Tilok Aram.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, food-safety, hospitals, etiquette, transport-prices, emergency-numbers

### Phrae (แพร่)
- Province: Phrae
- Coordinates: 18.1445, 100.1405
- Historic teak-trade town with well-preserved wooden mansions, indigo-dyed mo hom fabric, and the Phae Mueang Phi rock pillars.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: etiquette, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Uttaradit (อุตรดิตถ์)
- Province: Uttaradit
- Coordinates: 17.62, 100.0993
- River-port province on the Nan River known for langsat fruit, Sirikit Dam, and the legendary giant sword of Phraya Phichai.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก)
- Province: Phitsanulok
- Coordinates: 16.8211, 100.2659
- Lower-north transport hub and birthplace of King Naresuan, home to the Phra Buddha Chinnarat — one of Thailand's most beautiful Buddha images.
- Hospitals: 6 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 3
- Key topics: transport-prices, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, etiquette, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Phetchabun (เพชรบูรณ์)
- Province: Phetchabun
- Coordinates: 16.419, 101.1591
- Cool-climate mountain province with Khao Kho viewpoints, the hilltop temple Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaeo, and Nam Nao National Park.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Phichit (พิจิตร)
- Province: Phichit
- Coordinates: 16.4429, 100.3488
- Quiet lower-northern province of the crocodile legend Chalawan, with Bueng Si Fai lake and traditional boat-racing festivals.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Kamphaeng Phet (กำแพงเพชร)
- Province: Kamphaeng Phet
- Coordinates: 16.4828, 99.5227
- UNESCO-listed historical park of Sukhothai-era temple ruins on the Ping River, famed for sweet kluai khai bananas.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: etiquette, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Nakhon Sawan (นครสวรรค์)
- Province: Nakhon Sawan
- Coordinates: 15.7047, 100.1372
- City where the Ping and Nan rivers merge to form the Chao Phraya, known for Thailand's biggest Chinese New Year dragon parade and Bueng Boraphet wetland.
- Hospitals: 5 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: transport-prices, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Uthai Thani (อุทัยธานี)
- Province: Uthai Thani
- Coordinates: 15.3835, 100.0246
- Off-the-beaten-path province bordering the UNESCO Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, with the Sakae Krang riverside way of life.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น)
- Province: Khon Kaen
- Coordinates: 16.4322, 102.8236
- Isaan's university and business capital with the nine-story Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon stupa, dinosaur fossils, and silk-weaving villages.
- Hospitals: 10 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 5
- Key topics: hospitals, transport-prices, food-safety, road-safety, nightlife-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Buriram (บุรีรัมย์)
- Province: Buriram
- Coordinates: 14.993, 103.1029
- Sports city of Isaan with the Chang International Circuit, Buriram United football, and the hilltop Khmer temple Phanom Rung.
- Hospitals: 5 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 3
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, transport-prices, food-safety, etiquette, emergency-numbers, weather

### Surin (สุรินทร์)
- Province: Surin
- Coordinates: 14.8818, 103.4936
- Famous for its annual Elephant Round-up festival, Khmer silverwork, silk villages, and border sanctuaries near Cambodia.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: etiquette, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Sisaket (ศรีสะเกษ)
- Province: Si Sa Ket
- Coordinates: 15.1186, 104.322
- Border province below the Dangrek mountains, gateway to the cliff-top Preah Vihear temple area and the million-bottle temple Wat Lan Khuat.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี)
- Province: Ubon Ratchathani
- Coordinates: 15.2448, 104.8473
- Easternmost major city, famous for the Candle Festival, Sam Phan Bok — the 'Grand Canyon of Thailand' — and the Chong Mek crossing into Laos.
- Hospitals: 7 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 3
- Key topics: visa-info, transport-prices, hospitals, road-safety, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather, pharmacy

### Yasothon (ยโสธร)
- Province: Yasothon
- Coordinates: 15.7921, 104.1452
- Small Isaan province best known for its explosive Bun Bang Fai rocket festival held every May to call the rains.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Chaiyaphum (ชัยภูมิ)
- Province: Chaiyaphum
- Coordinates: 15.8068, 102.0315
- Wild-flower province where Siam tulip fields bloom at Pa Hin Ngam National Park, with cliff viewpoints at Mor Hin Khao — 'Thailand's Stonehenge'.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Amnat Charoen (อำนาจเจริญ)
- Province: Amnat Charoen
- Coordinates: 15.8656, 104.6265
- One of Thailand's youngest provinces, on the Mekong border with Laos, centered on the revered Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang Buddha.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Bueng Kan (บึงกาฬ)
- Province: Bueng Kan
- Coordinates: 18.3609, 103.6466
- Thailand's newest province (est. 2011) on the Mekong, home to the cliff-edge temple Wat Phu Tok and the Three Whale Rock formation.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Nong Bua Lamphu (หนองบัวลำภู)
- Province: Nong Bua Lam Phu
- Coordinates: 17.2218, 102.426
- Rural Isaan province near Udon Thani with Erawan Cave's mountainside Buddha and prehistoric rock paintings at Phu Phra Bat foothills.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Loei (เลย)
- Province: Loei
- Coordinates: 17.486, 101.7223
- Cool mountain province of Phu Kradueng plateau treks, the Mekong river town Chiang Khan, and the colorful Phi Ta Khon ghost festival.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: road-safety, weather, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Maha Sarakham (มหาสารคาม)
- Province: Maha Sarakham
- Coordinates: 16.1851, 103.3029
- University town at the heart of Isaan, known for the ancient Khmer chedi Phra That Na Dun and traditional weaving communities.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Roi Et (ร้อยเอ็ด)
- Province: Roi Et
- Coordinates: 16.0538, 103.652
- Isaan province centered on Bueng Phlan Chai lake, with the towering standing Buddha of Wat Burapha Phiram and khaen music heritage.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Kalasin (กาฬสินธุ์)
- Province: Kalasin
- Coordinates: 16.4315, 103.5059
- Dinosaur country — the Sirindhorn Museum at Phu Kum Khao holds Thailand's largest fossil site — alongside Phu Thai culture and phrae wa silk.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Sakon Nakhon (สกลนคร)
- Province: Sakon Nakhon
- Coordinates: 17.1545, 104.1348
- Buddhist meditation heartland with revered forest temples, Nong Han lake — Isaan's largest — and natural indigo-dyed fabric.
- Hospitals: 4 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: etiquette, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Nakhon Phanom (นครพนม)
- Province: Nakhon Phanom
- Coordinates: 17.3948, 104.7692
- Scenic Mekong riverfront facing the Lao mountains, home to the sacred Phra That Phanom stupa and the Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: visa-info, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather, etiquette

### Mukdahan (มุกดาหาร)
- Province: Mukdahan
- Coordinates: 16.5453, 104.7235
- Mekong border town linked to Savannakhet, Laos by the Second Friendship Bridge, with the Indochina Market and rock formations of Phu Pha Thoep.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 3
- Key topics: visa-info, transport-prices, scam-alerts, road-safety, hospitals, food-safety, emergency-numbers, weather

### Chumphon (ชุมพร)
- Province: Chumphon
- Coordinates: 10.493, 99.18
- Gateway to the Gulf islands with ferry piers for Koh Tao, quiet palm-lined beaches like Thung Wua Laen, and excellent snorkeling at Mu Ko Chumphon.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 10 | Scam alerts: 5
- Key topics: beach-safety, transport-prices, scam-alerts, hospitals, road-safety, weather, emergency-numbers, food-safety

### Ranong (ระนอง)
- Province: Ranong
- Coordinates: 9.9529, 98.6085
- Rainy Andaman border province famous for natural hot springs, visa runs to Kawthaung in Myanmar, and boats to the unspoiled Koh Phayam.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 5 | Scam alerts: 3
- Key topics: visa-info, beach-safety, weather, transport-prices, hospitals, road-safety, emergency-numbers, food-safety

### Nakhon Si Thammarat (นครศรีธรรมราช)
- Province: Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Coordinates: 8.4324, 99.9599
- Ancient southern kingdom with the sacred Wat Phra Mahathat stupa, shadow-puppet craft, Khanom's pink dolphins, and Khiriwong eco-village.
- Hospitals: 6 | Beaches: 8 | Scam alerts: 3
- Key topics: etiquette, beach-safety, hospitals, road-safety, food-safety, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, weather

### Phatthalung (พัทลุง)
- Province: Phatthalung
- Coordinates: 7.6167, 100.074
- Rice-farming province on the inland Songkhla Lake, known for buffalo-grazing wetlands at Thale Noi and limestone peaks rising from the paddies.
- Hospitals: 2 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 1
- Key topics: road-safety, food-safety, weather, hospitals, transport-prices, emergency-numbers, etiquette

### Songkhla (สงขลา)
- Province: Songkhla
- Coordinates: 7.1898, 100.5954
- Southern hub with the border city of Hat Yai, old-town Sino-Portuguese streets, Samila Beach's mermaid statue, and the Malaysian border at Sadao.
- Hospitals: 8 | Beaches: 5 | Scam alerts: 8
- Key topics: visa-info, scam-alerts, hospitals, transport-prices, food-safety, nightlife-safety, road-safety, emergency-numbers

### Pattani (ปัตตานี)
- Province: Pattani
- Coordinates: 6.8692, 101.255
- Deep-south province with Malay-Muslim heritage and the historic Krue Se Mosque. Check travel advisories — many governments advise against non-essential travel due to the ongoing insurgency.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 3 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: emergency-numbers, road-safety, hospitals, etiquette, transport-prices, food-safety, weather

### Yala (ยะลา)
- Province: Yala
- Coordinates: 6.5411, 101.2803
- Thailand's southernmost province, known for its orderly grid-planned capital and the misty Betong hills. Check travel advisories — many governments advise against non-essential travel due to the ongoing insurgency.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 0 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: emergency-numbers, road-safety, hospitals, etiquette, transport-prices, food-safety, weather

### Narathiwat (นราธิวาส)
- Province: Narathiwat
- Coordinates: 6.4254, 101.8253
- Border province by Malaysia with the Sungai Kolok crossing and strong Malay culture. Check travel advisories — many governments advise against non-essential travel due to the ongoing insurgency.
- Hospitals: 3 | Beaches: 3 | Scam alerts: 2
- Key topics: emergency-numbers, visa-info, road-safety, hospitals, etiquette, transport-prices, food-safety

---

## Scam Database (50 verified scams)

### Taxi meter refusal scam
- Type: transport | Severity: medium | Reports: 156 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok (13.69, 100.7501)
- Description: Driver refuses to use the meter, quotes a fixed price several times higher, or takes a deliberately long route.
- Details: One of the most common scams in Bangkok and other major cities. A taxi driver will either refuse to turn on the meter and insist on a flat fare (typically 3-5x the metered price), claim the meter is broken, or agree to use it but take an unnecessarily long route through congested areas. At airports and tourist hotspots, drivers often cluster together and collectively refuse metered fares. The legal requirement is that all metered taxis must use their meter within city limits. A normal ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok costs 250-400 THB by meter plus tolls, but scam drivers may demand 800-1,500 THB.
- How to avoid:
  - Always insist on the meter — it is the law in Bangkok
  - Use Grab or Bolt apps for transparent, fixed pricing
  - Use the official taxi queue at airports with a receipt system
  - If the driver refuses the meter, get out and find another taxi
  - Have Google Maps running so you can see the route in real time
- What to do if affected:
  - Note the taxi number displayed on the dashboard and outside
  - Call the DLT hotline 1584 to report the driver
  - File a complaint via the Grab app if it was a Grab ride
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if the driver becomes aggressive
- Tags: taxi, meter, overcharge, bangkok, airport

### Tuk-tuk "special tour" detour scam
- Type: transport | Severity: high | Reports: 203 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Grand Palace area, Bangkok (13.751, 100.4913)
- Description: Very cheap ride that turns into a forced loop of gem shops, tailor shops, and tourist traps where the driver earns commission.
- Details: A tuk-tuk driver approaches you at a tourist area and offers an incredibly cheap city tour (20-50 THB for hours of sightseeing). The catch: the tour is actually a circuit of specific shops — gem stores, tailor shops, and souvenir outlets — where the driver earns 500-1,000 THB commission per tourist delivered. You are left at each shop for 20-30 minutes while staff use high-pressure sales tactics. If you refuse to enter, the driver may become irritable, leave you far from your destination, or demand a much higher fare. The shops and drivers work as an organized network, especially around the Grand Palace, Khao San Road, and Sukhumvit areas.
- How to avoid:
  - Never accept unsolicited cheap or free tuk-tuk tours
  - A tuk-tuk ride that costs less than 100 THB for a long tour is a scam
  - Negotiate the destination and price clearly before getting in
  - Use Grab or Bolt for transparent pricing and direct routes
  - If the driver suggests 'one quick stop,' decline firmly
- What to do if affected:
  - Ask to be dropped off immediately if detours start
  - Do not buy anything at the shops to avoid reinforcing the scam
  - Report the tuk-tuk number to Tourist Police at 1155
  - Walk away from the shops — you are not obligated to stay
- Tags: tuk-tuk, commission, shops, bangkok, tourist-trap

### "Grand Palace is closed" scam
- Type: transport | Severity: high | Reports: 312 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Grand Palace, Bangkok (13.75, 100.4914)
- Description: Someone near the Grand Palace or Wat Pho tells you it is closed today and offers to take you on an alternative tour of shops.
- Details: Outside the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and other major Bangkok temples, well-dressed touts (sometimes wearing quasi-official outfits) approach tourists and say the temple is 'closed for a ceremony,' 'closed for lunch,' or 'closed for a royal event.' They then helpfully suggest a tuk-tuk driver who can take you to other sights while you wait. The tuk-tuk tour is actually the commission shop loop described above. The Grand Palace is open every day from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and closes only for actual royal ceremonies (which are announced officially and are very rare). This scam has been running for over 20 years and remains one of the most reported in Bangkok.
- How to avoid:
  - The Grand Palace is open every day 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM — ignore anyone saying otherwise
  - Walk directly to the entrance gate and check with uniformed ticket staff
  - Do not engage with anyone outside who claims to be 'helpful'
  - Official closures are posted on the Royal Palace website and are very rare
  - Be especially wary of people in semi-official clothing near tourist sites
- What to do if affected:
  - Walk past the tout directly to the official entrance
  - Report persistent touts to the police booth at the Grand Palace entrance
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if you were taken on a shop tour
  - Leave a report on forums to warn other tourists
- Tags: grand-palace, temple, closed, bangkok, tuk-tuk

### Fake or overpriced tour tickets
- Type: transport | Severity: medium | Reports: 89 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Khao San Road, Bangkok (13.7588, 100.4974)
- Description: Street agents near piers, BTS stations, and Khao San Road sell boat or tour tickets at inflated prices for services available much cheaper at official counters.
- Details: Near river piers (especially Sathorn Pier for the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat), Khao San Road, and around BTS stations, unofficial 'agents' approach tourists and sell tickets for boat tours, island trips, or bus services at 2-5x the official price. Some tickets are for legitimate services but vastly overpriced; others are for low-quality operators with overcrowded boats, no insurance, or hidden surcharges. At Sathorn Pier, the public express boat costs 15-40 THB, but touts sell 'tourist boat' tickets for 150-200 THB. On Khao San Road, bus tickets to Chiang Mai or the islands are sold with multiple commission stops along the way.
- How to avoid:
  - Buy tickets only from official counters, booths, or reputable online platforms
  - Check prices on 12Go.asia or the official operator's website before buying
  - At piers, look for the uniformed ticket booth, not people approaching you
  - Avoid buying any transport tickets from street touts or hotel lobby agents
  - For island transfers, book through your hotel or a well-reviewed agency
- What to do if affected:
  - If you realized you overpaid, ask for a receipt and try to get a refund
  - Report the tout to local police or Tourist Police at 1155
  - Leave a review naming the specific location to warn others
  - Dispute the charge with your credit card company if applicable
- Tags: tickets, overpriced, pier, khao-san, tours, bangkok

### "VIP bus" luggage theft scam
- Type: transport | Severity: high | Reports: 67 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Khao San Road, Bangkok (13.759, 100.497)
- Description: Extra-cheap night buses (often sold around Khao San Road) where luggage is opened during the trip and valuables stolen from the hold.
- Details: Budget 'VIP' night buses sold by agents on Khao San Road and other backpacker areas to southern islands or Chiang Mai are operated by companies with a history of luggage theft. During overnight travel, staff or accomplices access the luggage hold and go through bags, stealing electronics, cash, and valuables. Victims discover the theft only at arrival. The bus companies are difficult to hold accountable because they operate under frequently changing names. Some buses also make unnecessary stops at remote restaurants where overpriced food is the only option, and additional charges appear at ferry connections.
- How to avoid:
  - Book buses only through reputable operators (Nakhonchai Air, Transport Co., Sombat Tour)
  - Use 12Go.asia or official bus terminal counters — avoid street agents
  - Keep all valuables, electronics, and passport in your carry-on, never in the hold
  - Use a padlock on your luggage zipper as a deterrent
  - Consider taking a train or flight instead for long distances
- What to do if affected:
  - Report the theft to Tourist Police at 1155 immediately upon discovery
  - File a police report at the nearest station for insurance claims
  - Document everything: bus company name, ticket, route, time of discovery
  - Contact your travel insurance provider to start a claim
- Tags: bus, vip, theft, luggage, khao-san, night-bus

### "Broken meter" mid-ride scam
- Type: transport | Severity: medium | Reports: 45 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Central Bangkok (13.745, 100.534)
- Description: Taxi turns on the meter, then claims it broke mid-ride and demands a high flat fee at the destination.
- Details: A taxi driver agrees to use the meter and starts the ride normally. Partway through — often when you are far from your origin and the fare would be significant — the driver claims the meter just broke or stopped working and demands a flat fee that is much higher than the metered fare would have been. Since you are already committed to the ride and may not know the area, you feel pressured to agree. Some drivers actually tamper with the meter to make it jump erratically, justifying the switch to a flat rate.
- How to avoid:
  - Take a photo of the meter at the start of the ride
  - Watch the meter — if it jumps suddenly or stops, call it out immediately
  - Use Grab or Bolt where the price is locked before the ride
  - Familiarize yourself with approximate distances and fares to common destinations
  - If the meter 'breaks,' insist on paying only what the meter showed before it stopped
- What to do if affected:
  - Note the taxi number and call DLT hotline 1584
  - Offer to pay the last fare shown on the meter, not the inflated demand
  - Ask to be dropped at the nearest BTS/MRT station if the dispute escalates
  - File a report with Tourist Police at 1155
- Tags: taxi, meter, broken, overcharge, bangkok

### Ride-hailing driver "go off app" scam
- Type: transport | Severity: medium | Reports: 34 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Bangkok, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Driver accepts your Grab or Bolt ride then asks you to cancel and ride off-app for a 'discount,' removing all protections.
- Details: After accepting your ride on Grab or Bolt, the driver contacts you and asks to cancel the booking and ride 'off app' for a lower price. This removes the app's price guarantee, GPS tracking, insurance coverage, and complaint mechanism. Once off-app, the driver can charge whatever they want at the destination, take a long route, or in rare cases, there is a safety risk. Some drivers do this to avoid platform commissions, but for the passenger it removes every protection. This scam increased significantly in 2025-2026 across Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya.
- How to avoid:
  - Never cancel a ride-hailing booking to go off-app
  - The app's protections (GPS, insurance, pricing) are there for your safety
  - Report drivers who ask to go off-app through the app's reporting feature
  - If the driver insists, cancel and request a new ride
  - A 'discount' is not worth losing insurance and tracking
- What to do if affected:
  - Decline the request and keep the booking on the app
  - Report the driver through the Grab/Bolt app immediately
  - If already off-app and overcharged, report to Tourist Police at 1155
  - Note the driver's name and license plate for your report
- Tags: grab, bolt, ride-hailing, off-app, cancel

### Jet ski damage scam
- Type: rental | Severity: high | Reports: 278 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Pattaya Beach, Pattaya (12.9236, 100.8825)
- Description: You rent a jet ski, return it, and are accused of causing pre-existing damage, then pressured to pay huge repair fees.
- Details: This is one of Thailand's most notorious and aggressive scams, especially common on Pattaya Beach and Patong Beach in Phuket. You rent a jet ski for 30-60 minutes. When you return it, the operator 'discovers' scratches, dents, or cracks on the hull and demands 10,000-50,000 THB in repair costs. The damage was already there before you rented. Multiple operators and sometimes police officers work together to pressure you. Tourists who refuse may be surrounded by several men, have their passport held, or be driven to an ATM. The local police have historically been unhelpful or complicit. Some operators have even been recorded pre-damaging their own equipment.
- How to avoid:
  - Avoid renting jet skis entirely in Pattaya and Phuket — the scam is systemic
  - If you must rent, take extensive video of every angle of the jet ski BEFORE getting on
  - Have a friend record the handover and return process
  - Never hand over your passport as deposit — offer a copy and cash instead
  - Ask for a written rental agreement that states the current condition
- What to do if affected:
  - Stay calm and do not agree to pay immediately
  - Call Tourist Police at 1155 — they handle jet ski disputes regularly
  - Show your pre-rental video evidence to the police
  - Do not let them take you to an ATM — insist on settling at the police station
  - Contact your embassy if you feel threatened or your passport is held
- Tags: jet-ski, damage, pattaya, phuket, patong, beach, extortion

### Motorbike/scooter damage scam
- Type: rental | Severity: high | Reports: 198 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Patong Beach, Phuket (7.8908, 98.2963)
- Description: Rental shop keeps your passport, then claims you caused pre-existing damage and demands inflated repair costs to return your documents.
- Details: Across tourist areas — Patong, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Pai, and Chiang Mai — small rental shops rent scooters for 200-300 THB/day and demand your passport as deposit. When you return the bike, they point to scratches, scuffs, or minor dents that were already there and demand 3,000-20,000 THB for 'repairs.' Without your passport, you cannot leave the country, giving them enormous leverage. Some shops photograph every minor mark but only show you the photos at return, not at pickup. Others make false claims about engine or mechanical damage. The repair costs quoted are wildly inflated compared to actual market rates.
- How to avoid:
  - Never leave your passport — offer a photocopy and cash deposit instead
  - Film every angle of the bike in detail before riding, with date-stamped video
  - Ask the shop to note all existing damage on the rental form
  - Rent from reputable, well-reviewed shops (check Google Maps reviews)
  - Consider travel insurance that specifically covers motorbike rental disputes
- What to do if affected:
  - Show your pre-rental video to dispute fake damage claims
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 before paying anything
  - If your passport is held, contact your embassy immediately
  - Negotiate — the actual repair cost is usually a fraction of what they demand
  - Get quotes from independent repair shops to counter inflated claims
- Tags: motorbike, scooter, rental, passport, damage, deposit

### Fake bike theft with spare key scam
- Type: rental | Severity: high | Reports: 23 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Koh Phangan (9.742, 100.0345)
- Description: Dodgy rental shop copies the key, later 'steals' the bike, then demands you pay for the full value of the vehicle.
- Details: Very unscrupulous rental operators — mostly found on Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and occasionally Pai — keep a spare key for every bike they rent. While you have the bike, an accomplice uses the spare key to 'steal' it from wherever you parked. You return to find the bike gone, report it to the rental shop, and they demand you pay the full replacement value (50,000-150,000 THB). The police report works against you because it shows the bike was in your care when it was 'stolen.' Meanwhile the shop has the bike back and has collected a massive payment. This also happens with padlocked bikes where the padlock chain is cut.
- How to avoid:
  - Rent only from well-established, highly-reviewed shops
  - Never leave your passport as deposit — this gives them total leverage
  - Park the bike in well-lit, visible areas, ideally with CCTV
  - Use your own additional padlock or disc lock on the wheel
  - Take photos of where you park the bike each time
- What to do if affected:
  - Report the theft to police immediately but express suspicion of the rental shop
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 and explain the spare-key pattern
  - Do not pay until a proper investigation is conducted
  - Contact your embassy for legal assistance
  - Check if your travel insurance covers this situation
- Tags: motorbike, theft, spare-key, koh-phangan, koh-tao

### Snorkel/boat tour hidden fees scam
- Type: rental | Severity: medium | Reports: 72 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Rassada Pier, Phuket (7.858, 98.3767)
- Description: Cheap island tour price does not include national park fees, equipment, food, or transfers — you pay extra once already committed.
- Details: Street-side tour desks and kiosks sell day trips to Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, Ang Thong Marine Park, or James Bond Island at attractively low prices (800-1,200 THB). Once you show up at the pier, you discover the price does not include: national park entry fee (300-500 THB for foreigners), snorkel equipment rental (200-500 THB), lunch (200-400 THB), or speedboat transfer (vs. the slow longtail). You are stranded at the pier with no alternative. The actual total can be 2-3x the advertised price. Some operators also use overcrowded, uninsured boats without proper life jackets.
- How to avoid:
  - Always ask specifically what is included: park fees, equipment, lunch, transfers
  - Get the full price breakdown in writing before paying
  - Book through well-reviewed operators on TripAdvisor or Klook
  - Ask whether the boat has insurance and life jackets
  - Compare prices with your hotel's tour desk for a baseline
- What to do if affected:
  - Refuse the extra charges if they contradict your written agreement
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if you feel coerced
  - Leave negative reviews on Google and TripAdvisor to warn others
  - Report uninsured boats to the marine department
- Tags: snorkel, boat, tour, hidden-fees, phi-phi, islands

### Longtail boat overcharging and surcharges
- Type: rental | Severity: medium | Reports: 58 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Ao Nang, Krabi (8.0476, 98.8237)
- Description: Boatmen quote one price then demand more at destination for 'night surcharge,' extra passengers, or 'private boat' upgrade.
- Details: In beach areas like Railay (Krabi), Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Lipe, and islands near Koh Chang, longtail boat operators are the only transport option. Without competition, some operators quote a reasonable price at the pier, then demand more upon arrival — adding invented surcharges for 'night return,' 'heavy luggage,' 'extra person' (even if they were counted at departure), or claiming you agreed to a 'private boat' instead of shared. Refusing to pay can mean being left on an isolated beach. The standard rate for a Ao Nang to Railay crossing is about 100-150 THB per person on a shared boat, but inflated demands can reach 500-1,500 THB.
- How to avoid:
  - Agree on the exact total price including all passengers before boarding
  - Ask if it is a shared or private boat and get confirmation
  - Pay half before and half after if possible, or pay on arrival only
  - Ask other tourists at the pier what they paid to establish the going rate
  - Book return trips in advance with the same boatman for a fixed price
- What to do if affected:
  - Firmly state the agreed price — do not pay surcharges you did not agree to
  - Ask for help from other tourists or nearby businesses as witnesses
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if the boatman becomes threatening
  - Report the incident to the local pier authority
- Tags: longtail, boat, overcharge, railay, krabi, islands

### Gem shop scam
- Type: shopping | Severity: high | Reports: 145 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Silom area, Bangkok (13.7279, 100.529)
- Description: You are told about a 'government sale' or 'once-a-year tax-free gem promotion' and buy overpriced or fake jewelry with no resale value.
- Details: This classic scam has operated in Bangkok for decades. A friendly local (often a tuk-tuk driver, a 'student,' or someone near a temple) casually mentions a special government-backed gem sale happening 'today only.' They direct you to a legitimate-looking jewelry shop where slick salespeople show certificates and offer 'wholesale prices' on sapphires, rubies, or jade. They claim you can resell the gems at home for 2-3x profit. In reality, the gems are synthetic, very low grade, or outright glass worth a tiny fraction of what you pay. Typical losses range from $500 to $5,000. The shop provides fake certificates of authenticity. Refunds are nearly impossible because the receipt states 'all sales final.'
- How to avoid:
  - There is no government gem sale — this promotion does not exist
  - Do not buy gems or jewelry from any shop you were brought to by a stranger
  - If you want gems, visit only GIA-certified dealers and verify independently
  - Be suspicious of anyone who approaches you near temples talking about 'special deals'
  - Remember: if you could easily double your money, locals would buy everything themselves
- What to do if affected:
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 within 24 hours with all receipts
  - Visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office to file a complaint
  - Take the gems to an independent appraiser to document their real value
  - File a report at tourismpolice.go.th with photos and documentation
  - Dispute the credit card charge with your bank if you paid by card
- Tags: gem, jewelry, sapphire, ruby, government-sale, bangkok

### Tailor shop bait-and-switch scam
- Type: shopping | Severity: medium | Reports: 87 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Sukhumvit, Bangkok (13.7395, 100.5601)
- Description: Tuk-tuk or taxi drops you at a tailor with 'amazing deal' suits; fabric is low quality and final product does not match the sample shown.
- Details: You are brought to a tailor shop (often near Sukhumvit, MBK, or recommended by your tuk-tuk driver) that offers 'custom suits for $100' or 'two suits plus shirts plus ties for $200.' They show you beautiful fabric samples and a portfolio of impressive finished suits. You pay a deposit. When you return for the fitting, the fabric is cheap polyester instead of the cashmere or wool shown, the stitching is poor, the fit is wrong, and it looks nothing like the sample. If you complain, they promise alterations but the core fabric quality cannot be fixed. Many tourists have less than 48 hours to resolve this before their flight. Some shops also claim 'embassy contracts' or 'hotel recommendations' as credibility signals.
- How to avoid:
  - Never go to a tailor recommended by a tuk-tuk driver or street tout
  - Research tailors on Google Reviews and TripAdvisor before visiting
  - Touch and inspect the actual bolt of fabric that will be used, not just a sample swatch
  - Allow at least 3 fittings over multiple days for a custom suit
  - Pay the smallest deposit possible — never the full amount upfront
- What to do if affected:
  - Refuse to accept the garment and demand a refund before leaving
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 with your receipt and photos
  - Dispute the credit card charge if the product differs from what was agreed
  - Leave detailed reviews on Google and TripAdvisor with photos
- Tags: tailor, suit, fabric, bait-switch, bangkok, sukhumvit

### Restaurant/seafood bill shock scam
- Type: shopping | Severity: medium | Reports: 93 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Walking Street, Pattaya (12.9273, 100.8716)
- Description: Menu with unclear price units (per 100g vs per kilo) or a different menu for billing leads to a final total several times higher than expected.
- Details: In seafood restaurants — especially in Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Jomtien — menus show prices per 100 grams rather than per dish, in small print. A crab dish listed at '180 THB' may actually be 180 THB per 100g, and a 500g crab costs 900 THB. Some restaurants show a 'tourist menu' with reasonable-looking prices, then bill from a different 'Thai menu' with higher rates. Others add undisclosed charges for rice, ice, table settings, or cooking style. Seafood priced by weight may be weighed before cooking (including shell and water). Some places do not display prices at all — staff says 'fresh today, good price' — and the bill arrives at 5-10x what you expected.
- How to avoid:
  - Always confirm whether prices are per dish, per kilo, or per 100g before ordering
  - Ask for a menu with clear, fixed prices and photograph it
  - Avoid restaurants where touts aggressively pull you inside from the street
  - Check Google Reviews for the specific restaurant before sitting down
  - Ask the total estimated price before ordering if prices seem unclear
- What to do if affected:
  - Calmly dispute the bill, referencing the menu prices shown to you
  - Ask to speak with the manager and request an itemized breakdown
  - Take photos of the menu and bill as evidence
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if you believe you are being extorted
  - Pay what you believe is fair and leave — do not be intimidated
- Tags: restaurant, seafood, bill, overcharge, menu, pattaya

### Money exchange tricks and short-changing
- Type: shopping | Severity: low | Reports: 41 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Nana area, Bangkok (13.7418, 100.5534)
- Description: Unofficial exchangers with bad rates, hidden fees, or quick hand tricks when counting out your cash.
- Details: Unofficial money exchangers found around tourist areas, night markets, and some convenience stores offer rates that look good on the board but include a hidden 'commission' or 'fee' deducted from your payout. Others use sleight-of-hand when counting bills — folding notes, counting fast, or using distraction to short you by 500-2,000 THB. Some change shops display one rate on the board but program their calculator with a worse rate. In busy bars and clubs, short-changing when giving change is also common, relying on tourists not checking their change carefully, especially after drinking.
- How to avoid:
  - Use only licensed, reputable exchangers: SuperRich, Vasu, or bank exchange booths
  - Ask the total amount in THB you will receive before handing over your money
  - Count your money carefully at the counter before walking away
  - Use ATMs at major banks for reliable exchange rates
  - Always check your change immediately at bars and shops
- What to do if affected:
  - Count the money again at the counter and point out any discrepancy immediately
  - Ask for a receipt showing the exchange rate and amount
  - Report the exchange shop to Tourist Police at 1155
  - Avoid returning to shops where you suspect you were short-changed
- Tags: money, exchange, short-change, currency, cash

### Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs
- Type: shopping | Severity: low | Reports: 112 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Bangkok, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency 'for convenience' with a terrible hidden exchange rate.
- Details: When using ATMs or paying by card at shops, the machine may ask 'Would you like to be charged in your home currency?' or show two options with one highlighted in your currency. This is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). If you accept, the ATM operator (not your bank) sets the exchange rate, which typically includes a 3-7% markup over the real rate. On a 10,000 THB withdrawal, you could lose $15-20 compared to declining and letting your own bank convert. Thai ATMs also charge a flat 220 THB fee per withdrawal for foreign cards regardless of DCC. Some shops will automatically apply DCC without asking.
- How to avoid:
  - Always choose to be charged in THB (Thai Baht), never in your home currency
  - Decline any offer to convert to your currency at ATMs or card terminals
  - Ask the shop staff to charge in THB if the terminal shows your currency
  - Use a bank card with no foreign transaction fees (Wise, Revolut, etc.)
  - Withdraw larger amounts to minimize the per-transaction 220 THB ATM fee
- What to do if affected:
  - If you accidentally accepted DCC, contact your bank to see if it can be reversed
  - Switch to a travel-friendly card with no foreign transaction fees
  - At shops, ask to redo the transaction in THB if DCC was applied without consent
  - Check your statement for unexpected conversion charges
- Tags: atm, dcc, currency, exchange-rate, card, bank

### Massage parlor price switch scam
- Type: shopping | Severity: low | Reports: 38 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Patong Beach, Phuket (7.8916, 98.2972)
- Description: Cheap price displayed outside, but inside they claim that price is 'only for 30 minutes' or excludes oil, tips, and taxes, then present a higher bill.
- Details: Massage shops in tourist areas display very attractive prices on signs outside (e.g., 'Thai Massage 200 THB'). Once inside and after the massage, you are told the displayed price was for a 30-minute session, not the hour you received. Oil, 'premium service,' or other add-ons you did not request are added to the bill. Staff may also aggressively demand a tip on top of the inflated price. The original sign is worded ambiguously on purpose. Some places in Patong, Walking Street, and Khao San Road are repeat offenders.
- How to avoid:
  - Confirm the exact price, duration, and what is included before the massage starts
  - Ask to see the full price list inside, not just the outdoor sign
  - Use well-reviewed massage shops on Google Maps or TripAdvisor
  - Agree on whether tips are expected and how much
  - Avoid massage shops with aggressive touts pulling you in from the street
- What to do if affected:
  - Calmly state the price you agreed to and refuse to pay extra
  - Ask to see the price list again and point to what was quoted
  - Leave a detailed review to warn other tourists
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if you are harassed or blocked from leaving
- Tags: massage, price-switch, overcharge, patong, tourist-area

### Ping-pong show / bar bill scam
- Type: nightlife | Severity: high | Reports: 167 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Patpong, Bangkok (13.728, 100.534)
- Description: Promoter promises free show or cheap drinks; inside, hidden charges pile up and you get an enormous bill enforced by intimidating staff.
- Details: On Patpong Night Market (Bangkok), Walking Street (Pattaya), and Bangla Road (Phuket), touts on the street promise 'free ping-pong show' or 'one drink 100 THB.' Once inside, you are taken upstairs to a private area. Without you realizing, the bar adds charges for each 'act,' every drink ordered (including drinks 'bought' for staff), a cover charge, and a 'show fee.' The bill can reach 5,000-20,000 THB per person. Large, intimidating staff block the exit and pressure you to pay. Some places take your credit card and add extra charges. Refusing to pay can lead to physical intimidation. Police rarely intervene as many of these bars operate with local protection.
- How to avoid:
  - Never follow a tout promising free shows — nothing is free
  - Avoid upstairs rooms in bars on Patpong, Walking Street, and Bangla Road
  - If you enter a bar, ask for a menu with prices BEFORE ordering anything
  - Pay in cash for each drink individually, never open a tab
  - Never hand over your credit card — pay drink by drink
- What to do if affected:
  - Stay calm and do not become confrontational with staff
  - Call Tourist Police at 1155 from inside the bar
  - Negotiate the bill down — they will usually accept a lower amount
  - Take photos of the bill and the bar name for your report
  - Dispute unauthorized credit card charges with your bank immediately
- Tags: ping-pong, bar, bill, patpong, nightlife, walking-street

### Drink spiking and tab padding
- Type: nightlife | Severity: high | Reports: 54 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Bangla Road, Phuket (7.8835, 98.296)
- Description: In some nightlife spots, drinks may be tampered with or your tab quietly padded with drinks you did not order.
- Details: In certain bars and clubs, especially on Walking Street (Pattaya), Bangla Road (Phuket), and around Khao San Road (Bangkok), drinks may be spiked with additional alcohol, sedatives, or other substances to disorient you, making you more vulnerable to theft or inflated bills. Meanwhile, bartenders may add drinks to your tab that you did not order — 'lady drinks' bought by bar staff on your tab, duplicate orders, or round-ups. If you are disoriented, you will not notice the inflated bill. In serious cases, drink spiking leads to robbery while the victim is incapacitated.
- How to avoid:
  - Watch your drink being prepared and never leave it unattended
  - Pay for each drink individually in cash — never open a tab
  - Drink from sealed bottles or cans rather than mixed cocktails in unfamiliar bars
  - Go out with a group and watch out for each other
  - Set a spending limit and keep your wallet in a front pocket or money belt
- What to do if affected:
  - If you feel unusually intoxicated after one drink, tell a friend and leave immediately
  - Go to the nearest hospital if you suspect you were drugged
  - File a police report at the nearest station
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155
  - Dispute unauthorized credit card charges with your bank
- Tags: drink-spiking, tab, padding, nightlife, drugs, theft

### Bar-fine and companion misunderstandings
- Type: nightlife | Severity: medium | Reports: 43 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Soi Cowboy, Bangkok (13.7374, 100.556)
- Description: Agreeing to spend time with bar staff without understanding bar fines and 'ladies' drinks' leads to very high unexpected charges.
- Details: In entertainment districts, tourists may not understand the economics of 'bar fines' — a fee (typically 500-1,000 THB) paid to the bar to allow a staff member to leave with you. On top of the bar fine, there are expected tips, 'lady drinks' charged during conversation (100-300 THB each, with staff incentivized to order many), and sometimes additional fees that were never explicitly discussed. What seems like a friendly evening can result in a bill of 5,000-15,000 THB. Misunderstandings about what is included lead to disputes, and bars generally side with their staff. This is not always a 'scam' per se but a system that relies on tourist unfamiliarity.
- How to avoid:
  - Ask clearly about all charges: bar fine, expected tip, lady drink prices
  - Set a firm budget and communicate it upfront
  - Understand that lady drinks are a revenue model — each one is charged to your tab
  - Pay as you go, never open a tab or hand over your credit card
  - Read forums and guides about the specific bar district's economics
- What to do if affected:
  - Negotiate calmly if the bill seems inflated beyond what was discussed
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if you feel extorted
  - Pay what you agreed to and leave — do not be pressured into paying undisclosed fees
  - Dispute credit card charges if unauthorized amounts were added
- Tags: bar-fine, companion, nightlife, lady-drink, entertainment

### Bar girl / ladyboy pickpocket team
- Type: nightlife | Severity: high | Reports: 76 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Walking Street, Pattaya (12.9268, 100.872)
- Description: One person hugs or flirts with you as a distraction while an accomplice lifts your wallet or phone from your pockets.
- Details: On Walking Street (Pattaya), Bangla Road (Phuket), Patpong (Bangkok), and around nightlife areas, organized teams of two or more people work together. One approaches you with exaggerated friendliness — hugging, sitting on your lap, putting arms around you, or dancing closely. While you are distracted by the physical contact, an accomplice reaches into your pockets and removes your wallet, phone, or cash. The team then disappears into the crowd. Victims often do not realize what happened until minutes later. Phone snatching while you are looking at your screen on the street also occurs.
- How to avoid:
  - Keep valuables in zipped front pockets or a money belt in nightlife areas
  - Be wary of overly friendly strangers who initiate unprompted physical contact
  - Leave expensive watches, jewelry, and unnecessary cards at the hotel safe
  - Use a phone lanyard or wrist strap in crowded nightlife areas
  - Travel with a group and watch out for each other
- What to do if affected:
  - Report the theft to the nearest police station immediately
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155
  - Check nearby CCTV coverage — many bars and streets have cameras
  - Cancel stolen credit cards immediately
  - File a police report for insurance claims
- Tags: pickpocket, theft, nightlife, walking-street, distraction

### Fake or corrupt police fine scam
- Type: police | Severity: high | Reports: 64 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Sukhumvit, Bangkok (13.7382, 100.5607)
- Description: Someone in uniform finds a minor or invented issue (jaywalking, no passport, littering) and demands cash on the spot to 'avoid serious trouble.'
- Details: In tourist areas, some police officers (both real and fake) stop tourists and cite minor or invented infractions: jaywalking, not carrying your passport, smoking in a non-smoking zone, or littering. They then demand an on-the-spot cash fine of 1,000-5,000 THB to 'settle it here' and avoid 'going to the station.' Real fines are usually 200-2,000 THB and should come with an official receipt. Some officers specifically target tourists because they are unlikely to know the rules or contest the fine. In some cases, the person is not even a real police officer. This is most common in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket nightlife areas.
- How to avoid:
  - Always carry a copy of your passport (leave the original in the hotel safe)
  - Know that legitimate fines come with an official receipt
  - Ask to pay at the police station if you believe the fine is unjust
  - Be polite but firm — do not hand over cash without a receipt
  - Learn the actual fine amounts for common infractions
- What to do if affected:
  - Ask to see the officer's ID and badge number
  - Request to go to the police station to pay there with an official receipt
  - Call Tourist Police at 1155 if you suspect corruption or impersonation
  - Take a photo of the officer's badge or uniform discreetly if safe to do so
  - Report the incident to your embassy
- Tags: police, fine, fake, corruption, shakedown

### Vaping / e-cigarette extortion
- Type: police | Severity: high | Reports: 89 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Patong Beach, Phuket (7.89, 98.295)
- Description: Vaping is illegal in Thailand; some officers target tourists with vapes and demand large on-the-spot cash 'fines.'
- Details: E-cigarettes, vapes, and all vaping devices are illegal in Thailand (Import/Export Act and Consumer Protection Act). Possession can carry fines of up to 30,000 THB or up to 10 years in prison. While enforcement has historically been lax, in 2025-2026 some police officers in tourist areas have begun specifically targeting tourists seen vaping, demanding on-the-spot fines of 20,000-50,000 THB — far above the legal fine — to 'resolve it quietly.' Some officers will threaten arrest, confiscation, and a court appearance to pressure immediate cash payment. While vaping is genuinely illegal, the demanded amounts and aggressive approach qualify as extortion.
- How to avoid:
  - Do not bring vaping devices or e-cigarettes to Thailand — they are illegal
  - If you must vape, never do so in public areas, especially near police
  - Be aware that even possession (not just use) is illegal
  - Leave vaping devices at home or dispose of them before entering Thailand
  - Nicotine patches or gum are legal alternatives
- What to do if affected:
  - Do not pay inflated fines on the spot — ask to go to the police station
  - The legal maximum fine is 30,000 THB — anything above is extortion
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 for assistance
  - Request an official receipt for any fine you pay
  - Contact your embassy if you are arrested or threatened
- Tags: vaping, e-cigarette, police, illegal, fine, extortion

### Traffic checkpoint inflated fines
- Type: police | Severity: medium | Reports: 91 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Doi Suthep Road, Chiang Mai (18.8047, 98.9217)
- Description: Scooter riders without helmets or proper license are asked to pay more than the official fine, especially foreign tourists.
- Details: Police set up traffic checkpoints on popular scooter routes — the road to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Pai's main road, Koh Samui ring road, and Phuket's coastal roads. Tourists riding without a helmet (fine: 400-500 THB) or without an International Driving Permit (fine: 500-1,000 THB) are stopped and told the fine is 2,000-5,000 THB. Officers may also cite additional violations (no mirrors, wrong license plate light) to stack fines. Some checkpoints only stop foreign riders while waving through locals. The practice is not strictly illegal since the violations are real, but the inflated amounts take advantage of tourist ignorance of actual fine schedules.
- How to avoid:
  - Always wear a helmet — it is the law and it saves lives
  - Get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before arriving in Thailand
  - Know the official fine amounts: ~500 THB for no helmet, ~500-1,000 THB for no license
  - Carry a copy of your passport and IDP when riding
  - Avoid riding without proper documentation, especially on popular tourist roads
- What to do if affected:
  - Ask for an official receipt for the fine amount
  - Politely state you know the official fine amount if it seems inflated
  - Request to pay at the police station rather than on the spot
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if the demanded fine is unreasonable
  - Pay the legitimate fine — riding without a helmet or license is genuinely illegal
- Tags: traffic, checkpoint, scooter, helmet, license, fine

### Phishing via SMS, LINE, and social media
- Type: digital | Severity: high | Reports: 234 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Nationwide (online) (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Messages pretending to be banks, parcel services, or immigration asking you to click a link or share OTP codes.
- Details: Tourists and expats receive SMS messages, LINE messages, or social media DMs that appear to be from Thai banks (SCB, Bangkok Bank), parcel delivery services (Thailand Post, Kerry Express), or Thai Immigration. The messages claim there is a problem with your account, a parcel to collect, or a visa issue requiring immediate action. Links go to convincing clone websites that harvest login credentials, credit card numbers, or one-time passwords. Some scams use urgency ('your account will be frozen in 24 hours') or fear ('immigration violation detected'). In 2026, these messages have become more sophisticated, using correct branding and Thai/English bilingual formatting.
- How to avoid:
  - Never click links in unsolicited SMS or LINE messages
  - Banks and immigration will never ask for OTP codes via message
  - Type official URLs directly into your browser — do not follow links
  - Verify suspicious messages by calling the organization's official number
  - Enable two-factor authentication on all important accounts
- What to do if affected:
  - Do not click any links or provide any information
  - Block and report the sender on LINE or the SMS app
  - If you already entered information, change your passwords immediately
  - Contact your bank to freeze your card if you shared financial details
  - Report the scam to the Thailand Anti-Fake News Center or Tourist Police at 1155
- Tags: phishing, sms, line, social-media, bank, immigration

### Fake QR code overlay scam
- Type: digital | Severity: medium | Reports: 47 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Night markets, nationwide (13.744, 100.5107)
- Description: QR stickers pasted over legitimate ones at shops, bars, or temples, sending payments to scammers' accounts.
- Details: With the widespread adoption of QR code payments in Thailand (PromptPay), scammers have started placing fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones at shops, restaurants, bars, street food stalls, and even temple donation boxes. When you scan the fake QR code, your payment goes to the scammer's bank account instead of the merchant's. The merchant does not realize the switch until they check their receipts. This scam has been reported at night markets, street food areas, and small businesses that do not regularly verify their QR codes. Some scammers also print fake QR codes on flyers for 'promotions' or 'discounts.'
- How to avoid:
  - Check if the QR code is a sticker placed over another code
  - Verify the account name displayed matches the shop or merchant name before confirming
  - For large payments, ask the merchant to show their QR code on their phone instead
  - Be extra cautious at night markets and street food stalls
  - Report any suspicious QR codes to the merchant
- What to do if affected:
  - Show the merchant the payment confirmation and account name
  - Contact your bank immediately to try to reverse the transaction
  - File a police report at the nearest station
  - Alert the merchant so they can check and replace their QR code
- Tags: qr-code, payment, promptpay, digital, fake

### Fake hotel and tour agency websites
- Type: digital | Severity: high | Reports: 56 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Online, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Copycat booking sites take full payment then disappear, or deliver far inferior services to what was advertised.
- Details: Scammers create professional-looking websites and Facebook/Instagram pages that mimic popular hotels, tour operators, or booking platforms. They advertise rooms, island tours, elephant sanctuaries, or cooking classes at competitive prices. After you pay (often via bank transfer or PayPal 'friends and family'), the business either disappears entirely, or you arrive to find the accommodation or tour does not match the photos. Some copycat sites use the real hotel's photos and slightly modified domain names (e.g., 'booking-thailand.com' instead of 'booking.com'). Facebook and Instagram ads for these scams have increased significantly in 2025-2026.
- How to avoid:
  - Book through established platforms: Booking.com, Agoda, Klook, or GetYourGuide
  - Verify the hotel or tour operator's official website URL before paying
  - Check the domain registration date — scam sites are usually very new
  - Never pay via bank transfer or PayPal Friends & Family for bookings
  - Read recent reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, not just the site's own testimonials
- What to do if affected:
  - Contact your payment provider to dispute the charge
  - Report the fake website to Google Safe Browsing and local police
  - File a complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at 1672
  - Save all communications and payment receipts as evidence
- Tags: fake-website, booking, hotel, tour, online-fraud

### Investment and crypto scams
- Type: digital | Severity: high | Reports: 78 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Online, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Fake trading platforms and crypto schemes promise guaranteed high returns; deposits cannot be withdrawn.
- Details: Tourists and expats in Thailand are targeted through social media, dating apps, and even in-person meetings with 'investment opportunities.' The pitch involves a trading platform, cryptocurrency exchange, or forex system that shows impressive returns. Initial small investments may even show 'profits' to build trust. When you invest a larger amount and try to withdraw, the platform demands 'taxes,' 'fees,' or 'verification deposits' that escalate endlessly. The money is gone. Some scams operate from physical offices in Bangkok or Pattaya that look legitimate. In 2025-2026, AI-generated content and deepfake testimonials make these scams more convincing than ever.
- How to avoid:
  - No legitimate investment guarantees returns — guaranteed profit means scam
  - Never invest through platforms recommended by strangers, dating matches, or social media
  - Verify any investment platform with the Thai SEC (sec.or.th) or your home country's regulator
  - Be extremely skeptical of 'trading mentors' who approach you online or in person
  - If you cannot freely withdraw your money at any time, it is a scam
- What to do if affected:
  - Stop sending money immediately
  - Report to Thai Cyber Crime Police at 1441
  - File a report with the SEC if the scam involves securities or crypto
  - Contact your bank to block further transfers to the scam account
  - Report the platform to ic3.gov (FBI) or your home country's fraud authority
- Tags: investment, crypto, trading, ponzi, online-fraud

### Romance and dating scams
- Type: digital | Severity: high | Reports: 95 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Online, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Profiles on dating apps build trust, then ask for money for 'emergencies,' or push you into fake investment schemes.
- Details: Attractive profiles on Tinder, Bumble, Thai Cupid, and social media apps match with tourists and begin an extended conversation. After building emotional connection over days or weeks, the person asks for money: a sick relative, hospital bill, rent, or motorbike repair. Amounts start small and escalate. A newer variant involves the 'romance' interest steering you toward a 'great investment opportunity' (pig-butchering scam), where the emotional trust makes you more likely to deposit money into a fraudulent trading platform. Many of these operations run from organized call centers, sometimes outside Thailand. The same operator typically runs multiple concurrent 'relationships.'
- How to avoid:
  - Never send money to someone you have only met online
  - Be suspicious if someone on a dating app steers conversation toward investments
  - Video-call the person to verify their identity before meeting in person
  - Do not share personal financial details with dating matches
  - Research reverse-image search their photos — scammers use stolen images
- What to do if affected:
  - Stop all communication immediately
  - Do not send any more money regardless of the story
  - Report the profile to the dating app
  - File a report with Thai Cyber Crime Police at 1441
  - Contact your bank to block further transfers
- Tags: romance, dating, love, pig-butchering, online-fraud

### Deepfake and AI impersonation scams
- Type: digital | Severity: high | Reports: 19 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Online, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Criminals use AI-generated voices or video to impersonate relatives, bosses, or officials to pressure urgent payments.
- Details: A 2025-2026 trend targeting tourists and expats: scammers use AI tools to clone the voice of a family member, employer, or authority figure from publicly available audio (social media videos, voicemail greetings). They then call the victim pretending to be that person, claiming an emergency that requires an immediate wire transfer. Some scams use real-time deepfake video on LINE or WhatsApp video calls. Others impersonate embassy staff or police officers. The AI-generated speech is often convincing enough to fool victims who are caught off guard, especially across a phone connection. Thailand's police have issued warnings about this trend in early 2026.
- How to avoid:
  - Establish a verbal 'safe word' with family for emergency situations
  - If someone urgently requests money, hang up and call them back on their known number
  - Be skeptical of any urgent financial request via phone, even from known contacts
  - Reduce the amount of voice/video content you share publicly on social media
  - Verify any emergency claim through a second channel before sending money
- What to do if affected:
  - Do not send money based on a single phone call, no matter how convincing
  - Call the supposed person back using a number you have saved, not one they provide
  - Report to Thai Cyber Crime Police at 1441
  - Alert your bank if you already transferred money
  - Warn friends and family about this scam type
- Tags: deepfake, ai, voice-clone, impersonation, cyber-crime

### Card skimming at guesthouses and small shops
- Type: digital | Severity: medium | Reports: 31 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Tourist areas, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Old POS terminals or portable card readers copy your card data when you pay by card at small businesses.
- Details: At budget guesthouses, small shops, and some massage parlors, older or modified POS terminals can be used to skim your credit or debit card data. The skimmed data is used to create clone cards or for online purchases. Some staff have been found using portable skimmers hidden under the counter. The risk is higher at businesses without modern contactless terminals. ATM skimmers (devices placed over the card slot) have also been reported at standalone ATMs in tourist areas, particularly those not attached to bank branches. While less common than in previous years due to chip-and-PIN technology, skimming still occurs.
- How to avoid:
  - Use contactless (tap) payments where possible — harder to skim
  - Keep your card in sight during the entire payment process
  - Use ATMs attached to bank branches, not standalone machines in tourist areas
  - Check ATM card slots for loose or unusual attachments before inserting your card
  - Set up transaction notifications on your banking app to catch unauthorized charges fast
- What to do if affected:
  - Contact your bank immediately to freeze or replace the card
  - Check your recent transactions for unauthorized charges
  - File a police report at the nearest station
  - Dispute unauthorized transactions with your bank or card issuer
- Tags: card-skimming, credit-card, atm, fraud, pos

### Temple donation pressure scam
- Type: temple | Severity: low | Reports: 52 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai (18.7889, 98.9818)
- Description: Someone posing as temple staff pushes you to buy expensive incense or offerings, or make a large 'donation' at a marked-up stall.
- Details: At popular temples (Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai, Wat Pho in Bangkok, temples in Ayutthaya), people positioned near entrances — wearing clothes that suggest they work at the temple — approach tourists and insist they must buy a specific offering set (incense, candles, lotus flowers, gold leaf) for 200-500 THB before entering. In reality, offerings are optional and much cheaper inside. Others guide you to a 'donation box' that is actually their personal collection. At some temples, someone will tie a bracelet on your wrist uninvited and then demand 'a donation' of 500+ THB. Genuine temple staff do not approach tourists to sell offerings.
- How to avoid:
  - Real temple staff do not approach tourists outside to sell offerings
  - Offerings are optional and available cheaply inside the temple grounds
  - Decline any bracelet or item placed on you uninvited — you do not owe anything
  - Donate only at clearly marked official donation boxes inside the temple
  - Check the temple's official website or signage for entry requirements
- What to do if affected:
  - Politely decline and walk past to the official entrance
  - If a bracelet was placed on you, you can remove it and return it
  - Report aggressive touts to the temple's actual staff or office
  - Do not feel guilty — your admission fee already supports the temple
- Tags: temple, donation, monk, offerings, chiang-mai, bangkok

### Fake monk blessing scam
- Type: temple | Severity: low | Reports: 37 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Khao San Road, Bangkok (13.7588, 100.4974)
- Description: A self-proclaimed monk offers a private blessing or bracelet in exchange for a high 'donation,' far above what locals would pay.
- Details: Around tourist areas in Bangkok (especially near Khao San Road, Grand Palace, and MBK Center) and Chiang Mai, people dressed as Buddhist monks approach tourists and offer blessings, amulets, or bracelets. They tie a string bracelet on your wrist, perform a brief 'blessing,' and then request a 'donation' of 500-2,000 THB. Real monks in Thailand follow strict rules (vinaya) that prohibit them from soliciting money directly from laypeople — donations to monks are always voluntary and usually given during alms rounds (early morning) or at the temple. Monks approaching tourists on the street for money are almost certainly fake or breaking religious rules. Some are actually not ordained at all.
- How to avoid:
  - Genuine monks do not approach tourists on the street to sell blessings
  - Traditional alms giving happens in the early morning, not at tourist sites during the day
  - Politely decline with a wai (prayer hands gesture) and walk away
  - If you want to participate in a blessing, do so at an actual temple
  - Do not accept items placed on you uninvited — return them if so
- What to do if affected:
  - Walk away — you are not obligated to pay for an unsolicited blessing
  - Remove and return the bracelet if you do not want it
  - Report fake monks to the nearest police or temple authority
  - Do not feel guilty — supporting fake monks undermines real Buddhist practice
- Tags: monk, fake, blessing, bracelet, donation, bangkok

### Fake ticket office at attractions
- Type: temple | Severity: low | Reports: 29 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Ayutthaya Historical Park (14.3532, 100.5685)
- Description: Unofficial booth near attractions sells tickets that are not required or charges more than the official price.
- Details: Near popular sites like Ayutthaya's historical park, waterfalls in Chiang Mai, and viewpoints in Krabi, unofficial 'ticket offices' set up small desks or booths that look semi-official. They sell entry tickets at inflated prices, or sell tickets for sites that are actually free to enter. Some even sell 'mandatory guide' services that are not required. The official ticket booth is usually further ahead, at the actual entrance. These unofficial booths rely on tourists who assume the first booth they see is the right one. Some also bundle unnecessary 'transport' to the entrance (a 50-meter walk) for an additional fee.
- How to avoid:
  - Walk to the actual entrance gate — the official ticket counter is always there
  - Check entrance fees online or at your hotel before visiting
  - Ignore anyone selling tickets before the actual entrance
  - Official tickets have government logos and are issued from proper booths or machines
  - Ask at your hotel what the real entrance fee is
- What to do if affected:
  - If you already paid, show your 'ticket' at the real entrance — they may honor it or refund you
  - Report fake ticket offices to the Tourist Police at 1155
  - Note the location and description for your report
  - Leave reviews warning other tourists about the location
- Tags: ticket, fake, attraction, ayutthaya, overcharge

### Fake ethical elephant sanctuary tours
- Type: temple | Severity: medium | Reports: 45 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Mae Rim, Chiang Mai (18.8977, 98.9445)
- Description: Street agencies sell 'ethical' elephant tours at bargain prices that are actually low-welfare camps with riding, chains, and exploitation.
- Details: Chiang Mai and Kanchanaburi are hotspots for elephant tourism. Many street agencies and online ads promote 'ethical sanctuaries' or 'no riding' experiences. However, many of these are traditional elephant camps that rebranded as 'sanctuaries' without changing their practices. The elephants may still be chained when tourists are not watching, the bathing experience may stress the animals, and the facilities prioritize volume over welfare. Genuine sanctuaries (like Elephant Nature Park) are well-known and book out weeks in advance. A very cheap 'elephant experience' (under 2,000 THB) is a red flag, as proper sanctuaries have higher costs to maintain ethical standards.
- How to avoid:
  - Research sanctuaries before booking — check reviews specifically about animal welfare
  - Genuine sanctuaries do not offer elephant riding, shows, or painting
  - Book directly through the sanctuary's official website, not street agents
  - Be skeptical of very cheap elephant tours (under 2,000 THB per person)
  - Look for sanctuaries endorsed by World Animal Protection or similar organizations
- What to do if affected:
  - Leave the tour if you see clear signs of animal abuse (chains, hooks, forced performances)
  - Report welfare concerns to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
  - Leave honest reviews describing what you actually experienced
  - Request a refund from the agency if the experience did not match the description
- Tags: elephant, sanctuary, ethical, animal-welfare, chiang-mai

### "Hotel is full" redirect scam
- Type: accommodation | Severity: medium | Reports: 41 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan (9.7142, 100.06)
- Description: Tout at bus station or pier claims your booked hotel is full or closed, then takes you to an inferior, more expensive place where they earn commission.
- Details: At bus stations, ferry piers, and airports — especially on islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Chang — touts and unofficial 'helpers' ask where you are staying. When you name your hotel, they claim it is full, closed for renovation, flooded, or has a pest problem. They then offer to take you to a 'better' alternative that is actually an inferior guesthouse paying them commission. During high season, some touts are bold enough to claim this even for major hotels. On smaller islands, touts may physically steer you before you can verify by phone.
- How to avoid:
  - Call your hotel directly from the pier/station to confirm your booking
  - Have your booking confirmation readily accessible on your phone
  - Do not tell strangers at transport hubs where you are staying
  - Pre-arrange airport or pier pickup with your hotel before arrival
  - Book through platforms with free cancellation so you have proof of reservation
- What to do if affected:
  - Ignore the tout and go directly to your hotel or call them
  - Show your booking confirmation if someone insists it is 'full'
  - If genuinely redirected, check the alternative on Booking.com or Google Maps first
  - Report aggressive touts to Tourist Police at 1155
- Tags: hotel, accommodation, tout, redirect, commission, islands

### Fake receptionist or wrong hotel name
- Type: accommodation | Severity: medium | Reports: 18 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok (13.69, 100.7501)
- Description: A scammer meets you outside with a sign matching your hotel name, then walks you to a different, more expensive place.
- Details: At airports and bus stations in Bangkok, someone holds a sign with your hotel's name (or a very similar name) and pretends to be from the hotel's transfer service. They walk you to a different hotel or guesthouse, often nearby but lower quality. You realize the mistake only after checking in and finding the room does not match your booking. The scammer earns commission from the substitute hotel. This works especially well with small hotels that have generic names. A variation involves a taxi or van driver who drops you at 'your hotel' — which turns out to be a different property with a confusingly similar name.
- How to avoid:
  - Arrange airport transfers directly through your hotel before arrival
  - Verify the person's ID and the vehicle details with your hotel via phone
  - Check the hotel address on Google Maps when you arrive — does it match?
  - Be suspicious of anyone meeting you with a sign you did not arrange
  - Confirm the hotel name, address, and room number at check-in
- What to do if affected:
  - Contact your actual hotel immediately if you suspect a switch
  - Do not check into a hotel that does not match your booking details
  - Keep your original booking confirmation as proof
  - Report the incident to Tourist Police at 1155
- Tags: hotel, fake, receptionist, redirect, airport

### Fake job offer / scam call center lure
- Type: job | Severity: high | Reports: 67 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Thai-Myanmar border area (16.7645, 100.1951)
- Description: Easy high-pay job ads lure victims to border areas or neighboring countries to work in illegal scam call centers.
- Details: Job ads posted on social media, LINE groups, and Telegram channels promise easy, high-paying work in Thailand — customer service, online marketing, or data entry — with salaries of 50,000-100,000+ THB/month. Victims (often Chinese, Burmese, or Southeast Asian nationals, but increasingly Western tourists seeking quick income) are transported to compounds near the Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos border. Once there, their passports are confiscated and they are forced to work in scam call centers, cryptocurrency fraud operations, or romance scam operations. Escape is difficult and dangerous. The Thai government has cracked down significantly in 2025-2026, but the operations continue. This is one of the most dangerous scams because it involves human trafficking.
- How to avoid:
  - No legitimate job offers salaries far above market rate for basic work
  - Never hand over your passport to an employer
  - Research the company thoroughly before accepting any job in Thailand
  - Be extremely wary of jobs that require travel to border areas
  - Check with your embassy if a job offer seems suspicious
- What to do if affected:
  - If trapped, contact your embassy immediately by any means available
  - Call the Thai Anti-Human Trafficking hotline at 1300
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 or national emergency at 191
  - If you have phone access, share your location with trusted contacts
  - Do not attempt to escape on your own in border areas — seek official help
- Tags: job, scam-center, trafficking, border, call-center

### Visa and document fixer scam
- Type: job | Severity: high | Reports: 33 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Chaeng Wattana Immigration, Bangkok (13.8984, 100.5688)
- Description: Unlicensed agents promise guaranteed visa extensions or overstay fixes for a big fee, then vanish or provide fake documents.
- Details: Around Thai Immigration offices (Chaeng Wattana in Bangkok, Phuket Town, Chiang Mai), unlicensed 'visa agents' approach tourists and expats with visa problems — overstays, extension difficulties, or work permit issues. They promise to 'guarantee' a visa extension, 'fix' an overstay without penalty, or obtain a work permit quickly for fees ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 THB. Some provide forged documents that get the tourist arrested when used. Others simply take the money and disappear. Legitimate visa services exist but are licensed and never guarantee outcomes — Thai Immigration makes the final decision. Overstay penalties are clearly defined by law and cannot be negotiated away by an agent.
- How to avoid:
  - Handle visa matters directly at Thai Immigration or through a licensed law firm
  - No agent can 'guarantee' a visa outcome — only Immigration decides
  - Check if the agency is licensed with the Thai Bar Association or legal registry
  - Be aware of overstay penalties: 500 THB/day, max 20,000 THB
  - Consult your embassy for visa guidance rather than street agents
- What to do if affected:
  - If you received forged documents, destroy them and go to Immigration yourself
  - Report the scammer to Tourist Police at 1155 with any evidence
  - Consult a licensed Thai immigration lawyer for legitimate help
  - Contact your embassy if you are facing a serious visa situation
- Tags: visa, immigration, overstay, fake-documents, agent

### "Work from hotel" micro-job scam
- Type: job | Severity: medium | Reports: 42 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Online, nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Ads promise tourists easy online tasks for high pay, but you must first 'top up' an account or pay a training fee that you can never withdraw.
- Details: Social media ads and Telegram groups target tourists in Thailand with offers of simple online work — liking videos, rating products, completing surveys — for 2,000-5,000 THB per day. To start, you must deposit money into the 'work platform' as a 'guarantee' or 'training fee' (typically 1,000-10,000 THB). Initial tasks may even pay out small amounts to build trust. Then you are asked to 'upgrade' or make larger deposits for 'higher-paying tasks.' When you try to withdraw your accumulated earnings, the platform demands additional deposits, taxes, or verification fees. The money is never returned. These scams often use sophisticated-looking apps and websites that track your 'earnings' in real time.
- How to avoid:
  - No legitimate job requires you to pay money to start working
  - If you need to 'deposit' or 'top up' to earn, it is a scam
  - Ignore social media ads for easy online income
  - Real freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr) never require deposits
  - If something sounds too good to be true, it is
- What to do if affected:
  - Stop depositing money immediately — the 'earnings' are not real
  - Report the platform to Thai Cyber Crime Police at 1441
  - Contact your bank to try to block or reverse recent transfers
  - Save screenshots of the platform, ads, and communications as evidence
- Tags: micro-job, deposit, online-work, ponzi, social-media

### Long-term remittance / holiday romance scam
- Type: relationship | Severity: medium | Reports: 104 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Nationwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: After a brief holiday romance, constant requests for money for sick relatives, rent, motorbike payments, or emergencies.
- Details: A tourist develops a romantic relationship during their holiday in Thailand. After returning home, the Thai partner begins requesting regular money transfers for various reasons: a sick parent, hospital bills, motorbike loan payments, university fees, or house rent. The requests escalate over time and become increasingly frequent. In many cases, the same person maintains simultaneous relationships with multiple foreign partners, each sending monthly transfers. Common amounts start at 5,000-10,000 THB/month and can reach 50,000-100,000 THB/month. Some relationships are genuine, but the pattern of escalating financial requests from someone you knew briefly is a significant red flag.
- How to avoid:
  - Be cautious about sending regular money to someone you met on a short trip
  - Verify stories about 'emergencies' independently before sending money
  - Understand that in Thai culture, financial support of a partner is expected, but exploitation is different
  - Set clear boundaries about finances early in the relationship
  - Speak with other expats who have experienced this pattern
- What to do if affected:
  - Set a hard limit on how much you will send and stick to it
  - Ask for evidence of the emergency (hospital bill, loan document, etc.)
  - Consider that you may be one of several people being asked
  - Consult expat forums for advice from people who have been in this situation
  - Seek support from friends or family before making emotional financial decisions
- Tags: romance, remittance, relationship, money-transfer, holiday

### Fake charity and orphanage collection scam
- Type: relationship | Severity: low | Reports: 28 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai (18.787, 98.9936)
- Description: People collect donations for schools, hill tribes, or animal shelters without any real organization behind them.
- Details: In tourist areas, on beaches, and near temples, individuals or small groups approach tourists with photo albums, laminated cards, or children in tow, asking for donations to support orphanages, hill tribe schools, tsunami relief, animal shelters, or sick children. Many of these are not connected to any legitimate charity. The money goes directly to the collector. Some use real photos of children in need but pocket the donations. Others set up fake websites with donation pages. In Chiang Mai, the 'hill tribe children' approach is particularly common. Legitimate charities do not usually send people to solicit donations on the street from tourists.
- How to avoid:
  - Research the charity online before donating — look for registration and financial transparency
  - Legitimate charities have websites, registration numbers, and office addresses
  - Donate directly through the charity's official website, not to street collectors
  - Do not give money to children on the street — it may fund exploitation
  - Ask for a receipt and the organization's official name and registration
- What to do if affected:
  - Politely decline and suggest you will look them up online
  - If the cause interests you, search for the official organization and donate directly
  - Report suspicious charity collectors to local police
  - Leave reviews warning about known fake charity operations at specific locations
- Tags: charity, fake, orphanage, donation, children

### Street gambling and shell game scam
- Type: street | Severity: medium | Reports: 21 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Pratunam area, Bangkok (13.7502, 100.539)
- Description: Simple card games or shell games where you win small initially, then lose big once you bet more — the entire crowd is in on it.
- Details: On sidewalks and in markets, a small group gathers around someone running a shell game (three cups and a ball), a card game, or a simple gambling setup. 'Bystanders' (actually accomplices) win money easily, encouraging you to play. You may win the first small bet, building confidence. When you increase your bet, you lose. The game is rigged — the operator and the entire crowd are working together. If you win accidentally, they may claim you did not follow the rules or distract you while an accomplice picks your pocket. This scam operates in Bangkok, Pattaya, and occasionally at larger markets.
- How to avoid:
  - Never participate in street gambling — it is always rigged
  - Gambling on the street is illegal in Thailand
  - Walk away from any crowd gathered around a game
  - The 'winners' in the crowd are accomplices, not real players
  - Keep your hands on your valuables near any crowd gathering
- What to do if affected:
  - Walk away immediately — do not try to win your money back
  - Check your pockets and bags immediately for missing items
  - Report the game's location to local police
  - Do not confront the operators, as they may have violent accomplices
- Tags: gambling, shell-game, cards, street, rigged

### Timeshare scratch card scam
- Type: street | Severity: medium | Reports: 35 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Central Pattaya Beach Road (12.935, 100.88)
- Description: Promoters hand scratch cards that always 'win' a prize, but you must attend a hard-sell timeshare or vacation club presentation.
- Details: Near malls, beaches, and tourist walkways in Pattaya, Bangkok (Siam area), and Phuket, friendly promoters approach you with 'scratch cards' or 'lucky draws.' You always win a 'prize' — typically a free hotel stay, spa voucher, or travel package. To claim it, you must attend a 90-minute 'presentation' that is actually an aggressive timeshare or vacation club sales pitch. The presentation involves high-pressure tactics, emotional manipulation, and teams of salespeople. The 'prize' has so many conditions attached (blackout dates, resort fees, booking restrictions) that it is essentially worthless. Some people end up signing contracts worth hundreds of thousands of THB under pressure.
- How to avoid:
  - Never accept scratch cards or 'prizes' from strangers on the street
  - If you always win, it is not a real prize — it is a marketing funnel
  - Decline politely and keep walking
  - If you do attend a presentation, never sign anything under pressure
  - Any contract signed under duress may be voidable under Thai consumer law
- What to do if affected:
  - Walk away from the promoter immediately
  - If you attended and signed something, contact a lawyer about cancellation rights
  - Thailand has a 7-day cooling-off period for some consumer contracts
  - Report aggressive sales practices to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB)
- Tags: timeshare, scratch-card, vacation-club, hard-sell, pattaya

### Full Moon Party theft and drink spiking
- Type: street | Severity: high | Reports: 124 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan (9.6789, 100.0635)
- Description: Over-poured drink buckets, bill padding, pickpockets in dense crowds, and occasional drink spiking at Haad Rin beach parties.
- Details: Koh Phangan's Full Moon Party draws 10,000-30,000 people monthly. The crowded, chaotic environment creates opportunities for organized pickpocketing teams who work the dense crowds, especially between midnight and 4 AM. Buckets (shared cocktails) sold on the beach may be overly strong to disorient tourists faster, and cases of drink spiking have been reported. Bar staff may add extra drinks to your tab while you are dancing. Injuries from fire shows, broken glass on the beach, and alcohol-fueled accidents are common. The local hospital sees a large influx of tourist patients after every Full Moon Party.
- How to avoid:
  - Carry only the cash you need — leave valuables at the hotel safe
  - Use a waterproof phone pouch and money belt
  - Buy drinks from established bars, not random beach vendors
  - Watch your drink at all times and do not accept drinks from strangers
  - Wear shoes on the beach to avoid glass injuries
- What to do if affected:
  - If robbed, report to the police station on the main road immediately
  - If you feel drugged, get to the hospital or call 1669
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155
  - Cancel stolen credit cards immediately via your banking app
  - Keep a photocopy of your passport at the hotel as backup
- Tags: full-moon, party, theft, drink-spiking, koh-phangan, haad-rin

### "Closed shop" / "my friend's shop" redirect
- Type: street | Severity: low | Reports: 82 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Bangkok, nationwide (13.745, 100.53)
- Description: A driver or tout tells you the shop or restaurant you asked for is closed or bad, then takes you to an expensive affiliate business.
- Details: When you ask a tuk-tuk driver, taxi driver, or helpful-seeming local to take you to a specific shop, restaurant, or tailor, they tell you it is 'closed today,' 'moved,' 'not good anymore,' or 'there was a fire.' Instead, they take you to a 'better' alternative — which is actually a business that pays them commission for delivering tourists. The original shop is perfectly fine and open. This happens frequently when asking to go to specific restaurants, tailors, massage shops, and even pharmacies. The commission-paying shop is typically more expensive and lower quality.
- How to avoid:
  - Use Google Maps to navigate yourself to your destination
  - Call the shop to confirm they are open before telling the driver you want to go
  - If a driver says it is 'closed,' insist on going anyway or find another driver
  - Use Grab or Bolt where the destination is set in the app
  - Be skeptical of any recommendation from someone who has a financial incentive
- What to do if affected:
  - Insist on being taken to your original destination
  - Get out of the vehicle if the driver refuses your destination
  - Call the business to confirm they are open
  - Use ride-hailing apps where you control the destination
- Tags: redirect, closed, commission, tuk-tuk, taxi

### Surprise 'cleaning fee,' 'table fee,' or 'ice charge'
- Type: street | Severity: low | Reports: 37 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Nightlife districts, nationwide (13.728, 100.534)
- Description: Bars and restaurants add invented fees to your bill that were never mentioned: ice charges, table charges, cleaning fees.
- Details: In some bars, restaurants, and clubs — particularly in nightlife districts — your bill includes charges that were never disclosed: 'ice charge' (100-300 THB), 'table charge' (200-500 THB), 'cleaning fee,' 'service charge' (10-15%), or 'music charge.' These charges are not listed on the menu or displayed anywhere visible. They appear only on the final bill. Some establishments deliberately make the menu prices seem reasonable to attract customers, then pad the bill with these additions. While a 10% service charge is standard at upscale restaurants and should be shown on the menu, invented fees at bars are a scam.
- How to avoid:
  - Ask about all charges, including service charge, before ordering
  - Check if the menu mentions any additional fees in fine print
  - Avoid bars without visible, clear pricing on their menus
  - Calculate your expected total as you go to catch surprise additions
  - Pay drink by drink in cash at unfamiliar bars
- What to do if affected:
  - Calmly dispute any charges that were not disclosed upfront
  - Ask to see where the charge is listed on the menu or price list
  - Pay only what was agreed and clearly priced
  - Contact Tourist Police at 1155 if you are intimidated into paying
- Tags: bar, fees, hidden-charge, ice, table, nightlife

### Digital arrival / visa helper scam websites
- Type: digital | Severity: medium | Reports: 73 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Online, worldwide (13.7563, 100.5018)
- Description: Fake websites charge high 'processing fees' for Thailand visa or arrival forms that are free or cheap on the official government site.
- Details: Search engines show ads for websites that look like official Thai government visa or immigration sites but are actually commercial services charging 2,000-5,000 THB for processing that the official government site offers for free or at a fraction of the cost. These copycat sites use official-looking logos, Thai government color schemes, and domain names like 'thailand-evisa.com' or 'thai-visa-online.org.' They collect your passport details and credit card information. Some do actually process a real application (at a huge markup), while others simply take your money and card details. The official Thailand e-visa site is evisa.mfa.go.th.
- How to avoid:
  - Use only the official Thai government e-visa site: evisa.mfa.go.th
  - Be suspicious of any visa service advertising on Google Ads
  - Official government sites end in .go.th — not .com or .org
  - Check the URL carefully before entering passport or payment details
  - Your embassy website will have the correct link to official visa services
- What to do if affected:
  - If you already paid, contact your bank to dispute the charge
  - Change your passport if you submitted full details to a suspicious site
  - Report the fake site to Google Safe Browsing
  - Monitor your credit card for unauthorized charges
- Tags: visa, evisa, fake-website, government, processing-fee

### Overly helpful stranger at ATM scam
- Type: shopping | Severity: medium | Reports: 15 | Verified: Yes
- Location: Tourist areas, nationwide (13.748, 100.537)
- Description: Someone offers to 'help' you with ATM buttons or English, distracting you while they observe your PIN or swap your card.
- Details: At standalone ATMs in tourist areas (especially those not attached to bank branches), a friendly person approaches when they see you struggling with the machine — perhaps the screen is in Thai, or you are confused by the DCC option. They offer to 'help' by pressing buttons for you. While doing so, they observe your PIN, may swap your card with a dummy, or use a moment of distraction to skim your card details. By the time you realize something is wrong, they have disappeared. This is more common at night and at isolated ATMs. Some scammers also use shoulder-surfing (watching from behind) without directly interacting.
- How to avoid:
  - Never accept help from strangers at ATMs
  - Shield your PIN with your hand when entering it
  - Use ATMs inside bank branches during business hours
  - Stick to major bank ATMs: Bangkok Bank, SCB, Kasikorn, Krungthai
  - If confused by the screen, leave and try another ATM rather than accepting help
- What to do if affected:
  - If someone touched your card, cancel it immediately and request a new one
  - Change your PIN if you suspect it was observed
  - Check your account balance immediately for unauthorized withdrawals
  - Report to the bank and file a police report
- Tags: atm, card, pin, theft, stranger, bank

---

## Hospital Directory (45 hospitals)

### Bumrungrad International Hospital (โรงพยาบาลบำรุงราษฎร์)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.8/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 33 Sukhumvit 3, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
- Phone: +66-2-066-8888 | Emergency: +66-2-066-8888
- Coordinates: 13.7462, 100.5512
- Thailand's most internationally renowned private hospital, treating over 1.1 million patients per year from 190 countries. JCI-accredited with world-class specialists across 70 clinical departments. Located on Sukhumvit Soi 3 in central Bangkok.

### BNH Hospital (โรงพยาบาลบีเอ็นเอช)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.5/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 9/1 Convent Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
- Phone: +66-2-022-0700 | Emergency: +66-2-632-0580
- Coordinates: 13.7256, 100.534
- One of Bangkok's oldest private hospitals, established in 1898. Known for its quiet, boutique atmosphere and strong reputation in orthopedics, obstetrics, and general surgery. Located near Silom in the Sathorn district, convenient for travelers staying in central Bangkok.

### Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (โรงพยาบาลสมิติเวชสุขุมวิท)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.6/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 133 Sukhumvit 49, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
- Phone: +66-2-022-2222 | Emergency: +66-2-022-2222
- Coordinates: 13.7328, 100.5785
- A leading private hospital on Sukhumvit Soi 49 popular with expats and tourists. JCI-accredited with strong pediatric, cardiology, and digestive health departments. Multilingual staff covering English, Japanese, Arabic, and Chinese.

### Phyathai 2 International Hospital (โรงพยาบาลพญาไท 2)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.3/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 943 Phahonyothin Rd, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400
- Phone: +66-2-617-2444 | Emergency: +66-2-617-2444
- Coordinates: 13.7649, 100.5382
- Part of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group, Phyathai 2 is a large general hospital near the Victory Monument BTS station. Known for affordable pricing relative to its quality, with strong emergency, orthopedic, and cardiology departments.

### Ramathibodi Hospital (โรงพยาบาลรามาธิบดี)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.2/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 270 Rama VI Rd, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
- Phone: +66-2-201-1000 | Emergency: +66-2-201-1111
- Coordinates: 13.7668, 100.5268
- The teaching hospital of Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine and one of Thailand's top public hospitals. Handles complex cases including trauma, transplants, and oncology. Very affordable but expect longer wait times compared to private hospitals.

### Siriraj Hospital (โรงพยาบาลศิริราช)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.3/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 2 Wang Lang Rd, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700
- Phone: +66-2-419-7000 | Emergency: +66-2-419-7000
- Coordinates: 13.759, 100.4862
- Thailand's oldest and largest public hospital, founded in 1888 on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. A major teaching hospital of Mahidol University. Handles the most complex referral cases in the country and is considered the gold standard of Thai public medicine.

### Medpark Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเมดพาร์ค)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.7/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 3333 Rama IV Rd, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
- Phone: +66-2-023-3333 | Emergency: +66-2-023-3333
- Coordinates: 13.7211, 100.5608
- Bangkok's newest luxury hospital, opened in 2022. A 40-story facility in the Rama IV area with cutting-edge surgical robotics, a dedicated international patient center, and premium single-room suites. Particularly strong in neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

### Bangkok Christian Hospital (โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพคริสเตียน)
- Region: bangkok | Rating: 4.1/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 124 Silom Rd, Suriyawong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
- Phone: +66-2-235-1000 | Emergency: +66-2-233-6981
- Coordinates: 13.729, 100.5352
- A mid-range private hospital in the Silom area established in 1949. Well-regarded for its compassionate care and fair pricing. Good general medicine, dental, and check-up services. Convenient location near BTS Sala Daeng.

### Bangkok Hospital Phuket (โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพภูเก็ต)
- Region: phuket | Rating: 4.4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 2/1 Hongyok Utis Rd, Muang, Phuket 83000
- Phone: +66-76-254-425 | Emergency: +66-76-254-421
- Coordinates: 7.9519, 98.3389
- The largest private hospital on Phuket island, part of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services network. JCI-accredited with a hyperbaric chamber for dive injuries, trauma center, and international patient department with multilingual coordinators.

### Vachira Phuket Hospital (โรงพยาบาลวชิระภูเก็ต)
- Region: phuket | Rating: 3.8/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 353 Yaowarat Rd, Talat Yai, Muang, Phuket 83000
- Phone: +66-76-361-234 | Emergency: +66-76-361-234
- Coordinates: 7.8826, 98.3888
- Phuket's main government hospital in Phuket Town. The island's primary trauma center handling the majority of emergency cases. Much cheaper than private hospitals, with capable doctors trained at top Thai medical schools. Expect crowded wards and longer waits.

### Siriroj International Hospital (โรงพยาบาลสิริโรจน์)
- Region: phuket | Rating: 4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Rd, Rassada, Muang, Phuket 83000
- Phone: +66-76-224-491 | Emergency: +66-76-224-491
- Coordinates: 7.887, 98.392
- A well-established private hospital in Phuket Town popular with residents and long-stay expats. More affordable than Bangkok Hospital Phuket with solid general medicine, minor surgery, and diagnostic imaging capabilities.

### Dibuk Hospital (โรงพยาบาลดีบุก)
- Region: phuket | Rating: 3.9/5 | 24h: No
- Address: 90/10 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Rd, Muang, Phuket 83000
- Phone: +66-76-210-935 | Emergency: +66-76-210-935
- Coordinates: 7.8812, 98.3562
- A smaller private hospital on the west coast of Phuket near the tourist beaches. Good for minor injuries, basic diagnostics, and non-emergency treatments. Staff speak English and the atmosphere is less clinical than the large hospitals.

### Chiang Mai Ram Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเชียงใหม่ราม)
- Region: chiang-mai | Rating: 4.3/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 8 Boonruangrit Rd, Si Phum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
- Phone: +66-53-920-300 | Emergency: +66-53-920-300
- Coordinates: 18.7903, 98.9823
- One of the largest private hospitals in northern Thailand, near the Old City. Well-equipped with modern diagnostic equipment, a strong ICU, and an emergency department accustomed to treating foreign patients. Multilingual staff available.

### Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital (โรงพยาบาลมหาราชนครเชียงใหม่)
- Region: chiang-mai | Rating: 4.2/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 110 Inthawarorot Rd, Si Phum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
- Phone: +66-53-935-555 | Emergency: +66-53-936-150
- Coordinates: 18.7916, 98.9712
- The teaching hospital of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, locally known as Suan Dok Hospital. Northern Thailand's top referral center for complex medical and surgical cases. Excellent specialists at public hospital prices.

### Lanna Hospital (โรงพยาบาลลานนา)
- Region: chiang-mai | Rating: 4.1/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 1 Sukkasem Rd, Pa Tan, Muang, Chiang Mai 50300
- Phone: +66-53-999-777 | Emergency: +66-53-999-777
- Coordinates: 18.7848, 98.9995
- A mid-size private hospital centrally located in Chiang Mai. Caters to both Thai and international patients with reasonable pricing. Good for general consultations, minor procedures, dental work, and health check-ups.

### Nakornping Hospital (โรงพยาบาลนครพิงค์)
- Region: chiang-mai | Rating: 3.9/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 159 Chotana Rd, Don Kaeo, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180
- Phone: +66-53-999-200 | Emergency: +66-53-999-200
- Coordinates: 18.8537, 98.9662
- A large government hospital north of Chiang Mai city. The main public hospital for Mae Rim district and surrounding areas. Good trauma and emergency capabilities. Further from the tourist center but handles overflow from Maharaj Nakorn.

### Bangkok Hospital Samui (โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพสมุย)
- Region: koh-samui | Rating: 4.3/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 57 Moo 3, Bophut, Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320
- Phone: +66-77-429-500 | Emergency: +66-77-429-500
- Coordinates: 9.5436, 100.0627
- The best-equipped private hospital on Koh Samui, part of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group. Has a decompression chamber for dive-related injuries, modern imaging, and a dedicated international patient center. More expensive than mainland options.

### Thai International Hospital Samui (โรงพยาบาลไทยอินเตอร์เนชั่นแนลสมุย)
- Region: koh-samui | Rating: 4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 96/22 Moo 2, Bophut, Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320
- Phone: +66-77-230-781 | Emergency: +66-77-230-781
- Coordinates: 9.5282, 100.0595
- A private hospital on the island's ring road near Chaweng. Handles general emergencies, minor surgery, and outpatient consultations. Less expensive than Bangkok Hospital Samui and conveniently located for travelers staying on the east coast.

### Samui Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเกาะสมุย)
- Region: koh-samui | Rating: 3.6/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Nathon, Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84140
- Phone: +66-77-421-230 | Emergency: +66-77-421-230
- Coordinates: 9.5361, 100.0438
- Koh Samui's government hospital in Nathon on the west coast. The most affordable option on the island. Handles emergencies and basic care adequately but complex cases are referred to Surat Thani on the mainland.

### Koh Phangan Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเกาะพะงัน)
- Region: koh-phangan | Rating: 3.4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Thong Sala, Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani 84280
- Phone: +66-77-377-034 | Emergency: +66-77-377-034
- Coordinates: 9.7138, 100.0165
- The island's only government hospital, located in Thong Sala. Handles the surge of injuries during Full Moon Party nights. Basic emergency capabilities — serious cases are stabilized and transferred to Koh Samui or Surat Thani by speedboat or helicopter.

### First Western Hospital Koh Phangan (เฟิร์สเวสเทิร์นฮอสพิทัลเกาะพะงัน)
- Region: koh-phangan | Rating: 4/5 | 24h: No
- Address: Thong Sala, Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani 84280
- Phone: +66-77-375-274 | Emergency: +66-77-375-274
- Coordinates: 9.718, 100.026
- A small private clinic near Thong Sala catering to foreign tourists. Handles minor injuries, infections, and basic diagnostics. Western-trained doctors on staff. Useful for non-emergency consultations without the wait times of the government hospital.

### Koh Tao Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเกาะเต่า)
- Region: koh-tao | Rating: 3.2/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Mae Haad, Ko Tao, Surat Thani 84360
- Phone: +66-77-456-009 | Emergency: +66-77-456-009
- Coordinates: 10.095, 99.8381
- A small government health center on Koh Tao. Limited facilities suitable for minor injuries and basic treatment. Serious conditions — especially decompression sickness from diving — require evacuation to Koh Samui or the mainland.

### ISSARA Medical Center Koh Tao (ศูนย์แพทย์อิสระเกาะเต่า)
- Region: koh-tao | Rating: 4.1/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Mae Haad, Ko Tao, Surat Thani 84360
- Phone: +66-77-456-400 | Emergency: +66-77-456-400
- Coordinates: 10.0972, 99.8365
- A private clinic on Koh Tao near Mae Haad pier. Equipped with a hyperbaric chamber for diving-related decompression illness, making it critical for the island's large diving community. Also handles general outpatient needs.

### Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพพัทยา)
- Region: pattaya | Rating: 4.5/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 301 Moo 6, Sukhumvit Rd, Na Kluea, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150
- Phone: +66-38-259-999 | Emergency: +66-38-259-999
- Coordinates: 12.9081, 100.8848
- The premier private hospital in the greater Pattaya area, part of the BDMS network. JCI-accredited with a full-service emergency department, trauma unit, and international patient wing. Located on Sukhumvit Road north of the city center.

### Pattaya Memorial Hospital (โรงพยาบาลพัทยาเมโมเรียล)
- Region: pattaya | Rating: 4.1/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 328/1 Central Pattaya Rd, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150
- Phone: +66-38-488-777 | Emergency: +66-38-488-777
- Coordinates: 12.9317, 100.8787
- A large private hospital centrally located on Central Pattaya Road. Well-known for handling nightlife-related injuries and emergencies with English-speaking staff available round the clock. Good general surgery and orthopedic departments.

### Pattaya International Hospital (โรงพยาบาลพัทยาอินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล)
- Region: pattaya | Rating: 4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Soi Buakhao, Pattaya, Chonburi 20150
- Phone: +66-38-428-374 | Emergency: +66-38-428-374
- Coordinates: 12.9278, 100.8825
- Conveniently located on Soi Buakhao near Second Road, this mid-range private hospital serves the expat and tourist population in central Pattaya. Offers 24-hour emergency services, dental care, and health screenings at competitive prices.

### Krabi Nakharin International Hospital (โรงพยาบาลกระบี่นครินทร์อินเตอร์)
- Region: krabi | Rating: 4.1/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 1 Pisanpop Rd, Pak Nam, Muang, Krabi 81000
- Phone: +66-75-626-555 | Emergency: +66-75-626-555
- Coordinates: 8.0655, 98.9153
- The main private hospital in Krabi town, about 30 minutes from Ao Nang beach. Handles emergencies, minor surgeries, and diagnostic imaging. International patient coordinator available. The go-to facility for tourists injured in the Railay Beach or Phi Phi area.

### Krabi Hospital (โรงพยาบาลกระบี่)
- Region: krabi | Rating: 3.7/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 325 Utarakit Rd, Pak Nam, Muang, Krabi 81000
- Phone: +66-75-632-733 | Emergency: +66-75-632-733
- Coordinates: 8.0726, 98.9095
- Krabi province's government hospital. The largest medical facility in the area, capable of handling serious trauma and emergencies. Very affordable. Wait times can be long, but the emergency department prioritizes critical cases effectively.

### Ao Nang Medical Clinic (คลินิกอ่าวนาง)
- Region: krabi | Rating: 3.9/5 | 24h: No
- Address: Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000
- Phone: +66-75-637-145 | Emergency: +66-75-637-145
- Coordinates: 8.0365, 98.8194
- A small but well-equipped private clinic in the heart of Ao Nang beach area. Ideal for minor injuries, infections, travel medicine consultations, and prescriptions. Saves the 30-minute trip to Krabi town for non-emergency needs.

### Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin (โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพหัวหิน)
- Region: hua-hin | Rating: 4.3/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 888 Phetkasem Rd, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110
- Phone: +66-32-616-800 | Emergency: +66-32-616-800
- Coordinates: 12.5528, 99.9468
- Part of the BDMS network, this private hospital serves Hua Hin's large expat and tourist community. Modern facilities with a 24-hour emergency department, outpatient clinics, and specialist consultations. Located on Phetkasem Road south of the town center.

### Hua Hin Hospital (โรงพยาบาลหัวหิน)
- Region: hua-hin | Rating: 3.7/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 30 Phetkasem Rd, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110
- Phone: +66-32-520-421 | Emergency: +66-32-520-421
- Coordinates: 12.568, 99.9513
- The government hospital serving Hua Hin district. Adequate emergency and inpatient care at public pricing. Located centrally in town. Good for basic treatment — complex cases may be referred to Bangkok, which is about 2.5 hours by road.

### San Paulo Hua Hin Hospital (โรงพยาบาลซานเปาโลหัวหิน)
- Region: hua-hin | Rating: 4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 222 Phetkasem Rd, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110
- Phone: +66-32-532-576 | Emergency: +66-32-532-576
- Coordinates: 12.5712, 99.956
- A mid-tier private hospital offering general medicine, dental, and check-up services. Popular with long-stay retirees in the Hua Hin area. Pricing falls between the government hospital and Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin.

### Pai Hospital (โรงพยาบาลปาย)
- Region: pai | Rating: 3.5/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Wiang Tai, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130
- Phone: +66-53-699-031 | Emergency: +66-53-699-031
- Coordinates: 19.3592, 98.4408
- A small government hospital in the mountain town of Pai. Handles minor to moderate injuries from the many motorbike accidents on the winding mountain roads. Limited surgical capacity — serious cases are transferred to Chiang Mai (3 hours by road).

### Pai Medical Clinic (คลินิกแพทย์ปาย)
- Region: pai | Rating: 3.8/5 | 24h: No
- Address: Rangsiyanon Rd, Wiang Tai, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130
- Phone: +66-53-699-188 | Emergency: +66-53-699-031
- Coordinates: 19.358, 98.4425
- A small private clinic on Pai's main walking street. Run by a Thai doctor with international training. Convenient for travelers needing prescriptions, wound care after motorbike falls, or treatment for stomach bugs. Closed on Sundays.

### Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital (โรงพยาบาลพหลพลพยุหเสนา)
- Region: kanchanaburi | Rating: 3.8/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Saeng Chuto Rd, Ban Nuea, Muang, Kanchanaburi 71000
- Phone: +66-34-622-999 | Emergency: +66-34-622-999
- Coordinates: 14.0219, 99.5313
- Kanchanaburi's main government hospital, a large facility on the bank of the Kwai Noi river. Serves the entire province with emergency, surgical, and inpatient services. Named after a Thai field marshal. Affordable and competent for most medical needs.

### Thanakarn Hospital Kanchanaburi (โรงพยาบาลธนกาญจน์)
- Region: kanchanaburi | Rating: 4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Saeng Chuto Rd, Ban Tai, Muang, Kanchanaburi 71000
- Phone: +66-34-622-366 | Emergency: +66-34-622-366
- Coordinates: 14.034, 99.523
- A private hospital in Kanchanaburi town providing a quieter, faster alternative to the government hospital. Reasonable pricing for the region with competent emergency and outpatient services. Near the Bridge over the River Kwai tourist area.

### Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital (โรงพยาบาลพระนครศรีอยุธยา)
- Region: ayutthaya | Rating: 3.6/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 46/1 U-Thong Rd, Pratu Chai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000
- Phone: +66-35-211-888 | Emergency: +66-35-211-888
- Coordinates: 14.3565, 100.568
- The main government hospital for Ayutthaya province, located on the island surrounded by rivers. Adequate emergency services for tourists visiting the ancient temples. About an hour from Bangkok, so serious cases are often transferred to the capital.

### Ayutthaya Hospital (โรงพยาบาลอยุธยา)
- Region: ayutthaya | Rating: 3.9/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Rojana Rd, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000
- Phone: +66-35-335-555 | Emergency: +66-35-335-555
- Coordinates: 14.348, 100.5752
- A private hospital offering faster service than the government facility. Convenient for day-trippers from Bangkok who need medical attention while visiting the historical park. General emergency care, X-ray, and pharmacy on site.

### Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเชียงรายประชานุเคราะห์)
- Region: chiang-rai | Rating: 4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 1039 Sathan Payabarn Rd, Muang, Chiang Rai 57000
- Phone: +66-53-711-300 | Emergency: +66-53-711-300
- Coordinates: 19.9068, 99.8318
- The main government hospital for Chiang Rai province and the largest in the upper north. A major referral center serving the Golden Triangle region. Good trauma, surgical, and specialist capabilities at public prices.

### Overbrook Hospital (โรงพยาบาลโอเวอร์บรุ๊ค)
- Region: chiang-rai | Rating: 4.2/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 17 Singhaklai Rd, Muang, Chiang Rai 57000
- Phone: +66-53-711-366 | Emergency: +66-53-711-366
- Coordinates: 19.9128, 99.826
- A private Christian mission hospital in Chiang Rai established in 1903. Known for its compassionate care and clean facilities. Good general medicine and outpatient services. A trusted institution in the community with a long history of serving both locals and foreigners.

### Bangkok Hospital Chiang Rai (โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพเชียงราย)
- Region: chiang-rai | Rating: 4.4/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Phaholyothin Rd, Rop Wiang, Muang, Chiang Rai 57000
- Phone: +66-53-910-999 | Emergency: +66-53-910-999
- Coordinates: 19.892, 99.837
- The BDMS network's facility in Chiang Rai, offering the highest standard of private care in the province. Modern building with comprehensive diagnostics, emergency department, and specialist consultations. Higher pricing but shorter waits and English-speaking staff.

### Takua Pa Hospital (โรงพยาบาลตะกั่วป่า)
- Region: khao-lak | Rating: 3.5/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: Phetkasem Rd, Takua Pa, Phang Nga 82110
- Phone: +66-76-421-430 | Emergency: +66-76-421-430
- Coordinates: 8.8624, 98.3468
- The closest government hospital to Khao Lak, located in Takua Pa town about 20 minutes north. The primary facility for tourists injured in the Khao Lak beach area or returning from Similan Islands boat trips. Basic but functional emergency services.

### Khao Lak Medical Center (ศูนย์แพทย์เขาหลัก)
- Region: khao-lak | Rating: 3.8/5 | 24h: No
- Address: Phetkasem Rd, Khuk Khak, Takua Pa, Phang Nga 82190
- Phone: +66-76-485-717 | Emergency: +66-76-485-717
- Coordinates: 8.6383, 98.244
- A private clinic in the Khao Lak tourist area. Convenient for minor injuries, prescriptions, travel vaccinations, and sick visits without the trip to Takua Pa. English-speaking staff. Not equipped for serious emergencies.

### Koh Lipe Health Station (สถานีอนามัยเกาะหลีเป๊ะ)
- Region: koh-lipe | Rating: 3/5 | 24h: No
- Address: Pattaya Beach, Ko Lipe, Satun 91000
- Phone: +66-74-750-073 | Emergency: +66-74-750-073
- Coordinates: 6.4953, 99.3022
- The only medical facility on tiny Koh Lipe island. A basic health station staffed by nurses and a visiting doctor. Can handle minor cuts, infections, and jellyfish stings. Anything beyond basic first aid requires a speedboat transfer to the mainland at Pak Bara or Satun.

### Satun Hospital (โรงพยาบาลสตูล)
- Region: koh-lipe | Rating: 3.7/5 | 24h: Yes
- Address: 409 Satun Thani Rd, Muang, Satun 91000
- Phone: +66-74-723-015 | Emergency: +66-74-723-015
- Coordinates: 6.6143, 100.0669
- The nearest full hospital to Koh Lipe, located on the mainland in Satun town. Government hospital with emergency, surgical, and diagnostic capabilities. Reached by speedboat from Koh Lipe to Pak Bara pier (about 1 hour) plus a 30-minute drive.

---

## Transport Fair Pricing Guide

| Route | Type | Fair Price | Tourist Price | Duration | Notes |
|-------|------|-----------|--------------|----------|-------|
| Suvarnabhumi Airport → Khao San Road | taxi | 350 THB | 800 THB | 45-60 min | Use metered taxi from official stand on level 1. |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport → Phaya Thai (BTS) | train | 45 THB | 45 THB | 30 min | Airport Rail Link city line. |
| Khao San Road → Grand Palace | tuk-tuk | 50 THB | 200 THB | 10 min | Very short ride. Walk if possible. |
| Phuket Airport → Patong Beach | taxi | 700 THB | 1500 THB | 45 min | Use metered taxi or airport limousine counter. |
| Siam Paragon → Chatuchak Market | grab | 120 THB | 120 THB | 20-40 min | Use Grab app for fixed transparent pricing. |

---

## Pharmacy Guide (105 medicines)

| English | Thai | Generic | Category | Use | Price | Prescription | Tip |
|---------|------|---------|----------|-----|-------|-------------|-----|
| Tylenol | ไทลินอล | Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) | pain-relief | Fever, headache, mild pain | 20-50 THB | No | Ask for 'ya ka paracetamol'. Available at every 7-Eleven. |
| Sara | ซาร่า | Paracetamol 500mg | pain-relief | Fever, headache, body aches | 15-35 THB | No | Thailand's most popular paracetamol brand. Sold everywhere. |
| Ibuprofen | ไอบูโพรเฟน | Ibuprofen 200-400mg | pain-relief | Inflammation, muscle pain, menstrual cramps | 30-80 THB | No | Take with food. Ask for 'ya Ibuprofen'. |
| Aspirin | แอสไพริน | Acetylsalicylic acid | pain-relief | Pain, fever, anti-inflammatory | 20-50 THB | No | Not recommended for dengue fever — use paracetamol instead. |
| Tiger Balm | ยาหม่องตราเสือ | Menthol/Camphor | pain-relief | Muscle pain, headache, insect bites | 50-120 THB | No | White version for headaches, red for muscle pain. |
| Counterpain | เคาน์เตอร์เพน | Methyl salicylate/Menthol | pain-relief | Muscle pain, sprains, back pain | 60-150 THB | No | Very popular in Thailand. Cool (blue) and warm (red) versions. |
| Diclofenac Gel | ไดโคลฟีแนค เจล | Diclofenac sodium topical | pain-relief | Joint pain, muscle inflammation | 60-120 THB | No | Apply to affected area 3-4 times daily. |
| Naproxen | นาพร็อกเซน | Naproxen sodium 220mg | pain-relief | Menstrual cramps, arthritis, headaches | 40-100 THB | No | Longer-lasting than ibuprofen. Take with food. |
| Salonpas | ซาลอนพาส | Methyl salicylate/Menthol patch | pain-relief | Localized muscle and joint pain | 40-90 THB | No | Adhesive pain relief patches. Great for back pain from long bus rides. |
| Arcoxia | อาร์ค็อกเซีย | Etoricoxib | pain-relief | Acute pain, gout attacks, arthritis | 80-200 THB | Yes | Prescription required. Stronger anti-inflammatory for severe pain. |
| Imodium | อิโมเดียม | Loperamide | digestive | Diarrhea relief | 30-80 THB | No | Essential for travelers. Don't use if you have fever with diarrhea. |
| ORS Powder | ผงเกลือแร่ | Oral Rehydration Salts | digestive | Dehydration from diarrhea or heat | 5-15 THB | No | Ask for 'gluea rae'. Critical for Bangkok belly recovery. |
| Smecta | สเมกตา | Diosmectite | digestive | Diarrhea, stomach coating | 30-70 THB | No | Natural clay-based. Safe for children too. |
| Activated Charcoal | ถ่านกัมมันต์ | Activated Charcoal capsules | digestive | Food poisoning, gas, bloating | 20-50 THB | No | Take within hours of eating suspect food. Can stain teeth temporarily. |
| Gaviscon | แกวิสคอน | Sodium alginate/Sodium bicarbonate | digestive | Heartburn, acid reflux | 80-180 THB | No | Liquid form works faster. Take after meals. |
| Omeprazole | โอเมพราโซล | Omeprazole 20mg | digestive | Stomach acid, ulcers, GERD | 30-80 THB | No | Take 30 minutes before breakfast. OTC in Thailand. |
| Buscopan | บัสโคแพน | Hyoscine butylbromide | digestive | Stomach cramps, intestinal spasms | 40-90 THB | No | Good for stomach cramps from spicy food. |
| Antacid Tablets | ยาลดกรด | Aluminum/Magnesium hydroxide | digestive | Indigestion, heartburn | 15-40 THB | No | Chewable tablets. Quick relief after heavy Thai meals. |
| Domperidone | ดอมเพอริโดน | Domperidone 10mg | digestive | Nausea, vomiting, bloating | 20-60 THB | No | Take before meals. Helps with nausea from travel sickness. |
| Probiotics | โปรไบโอติก | Lactobacillus/Bifidobacterium | digestive | Gut health, post-antibiotic recovery | 100-300 THB | No | Start taking a few days before your trip to build gut resilience. |
| Norfloxacin | นอร์ฟลอกซาซิน | Norfloxacin 400mg | digestive | Bacterial diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea | 30-80 THB | Yes | Prescription antibiotic for severe traveler's diarrhea. |
| Chlorpheniramine | คลอเฟนิรามีน | Chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg | allergy | Allergic reactions, itching, runny nose | 10-30 THB | No | Very cheap but causes drowsiness. Ask for 'CPM'. |
| Cetirizine (Zyrtec) | เซทิริซีน | Cetirizine 10mg | allergy | Allergies, hives, hay fever | 20-60 THB | No | Once daily, less drowsy than chlorpheniramine. |
| Loratadine (Claritin) | ลอราทาดีน | Loratadine 10mg | allergy | Seasonal allergies, hives | 25-70 THB | No | Non-drowsy. Good for daytime allergy relief. |
| Fexofenadine (Allegra) | เฟกโซเฟนาดีน | Fexofenadine 180mg | allergy | Chronic hives, severe allergies | 40-120 THB | No | Non-drowsy. Don't take with fruit juice. |
| Prednisolone | เพรดนิโซโลน | Prednisolone 5mg | allergy | Severe allergic reactions, inflammation | 20-50 THB | Yes | Short-course steroid. Prescription required for severe reactions. |
| Calamine Lotion | คาลาไมน์ โลชั่น | Calamine/Zinc oxide | allergy | Itchy skin, rashes, insect bites | 30-60 THB | No | Pink lotion. Great for jellyfish stings after vinegar wash. |
| Hydrocortisone Cream | ไฮโดรคอร์ติโซน ครีม | Hydrocortisone 1% | allergy | Skin inflammation, eczema, rashes | 40-100 THB | No | Mild steroid cream. Don't use on face for more than a week. |
| Epinephrine Auto-injector | อีพิเนฟริน ออโต้อินเจคเตอร์ | Epinephrine (Adrenaline) | allergy | Anaphylaxis emergency | 2000-5000 THB | Yes | Prescription only. If you carry an EpiPen from home, bring extra — hard to find in Thailand. |
| Betadine | เบตาดีน | Povidone-iodine 10% | antiseptic | Wound cleaning, cuts, scrapes | 40-100 THB | No | Standard wound antiseptic. Available everywhere. |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | ไฮโดรเจนเปอร์ออกไซด์ | Hydrogen peroxide 3% | antiseptic | Wound cleaning, disinfection | 15-30 THB | No | For initial wound cleaning. Switch to Betadine for ongoing care. |
| Neosporin | นีโอสปอริน | Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Bacitracin | antiseptic | Preventing wound infection | 60-120 THB | No | Apply to clean cuts and scrapes. Essential for scooter road rash. |
| Silver Sulfadiazine Cream | ซิลเวอร์ซัลฟาไดอะซีน | Silver sulfadiazine 1% | antiseptic | Burns, severe sunburn | 60-150 THB | No | For burns. Apply after cooling the burn with water. |
| Alcohol Swabs | แผ่นแอลกอฮอล์ | Isopropyl alcohol 70% | antiseptic | Skin disinfection, cleaning | 20-50 THB | No | Keep a pack in your daypack for minor scrapes. |
| Mupirocin Ointment | มิวพิโรซิน | Mupirocin 2% | antiseptic | Skin infections, infected wounds | 80-180 THB | No | Antibiotic ointment for infected cuts. Use if wound looks red/swollen. |
| Chlorhexidine Solution | คลอร์เฮกซิดีน | Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.05% | antiseptic | Wound irrigation, antiseptic wash | 30-70 THB | No | Better than alcohol for wound cleaning — less painful. |
| Aloe Vera Gel | เจลว่านหางจระเข้ | Aloe barbadensis | skin | Sunburn, skin soothing | 50-150 THB | No | Refrigerate for extra cooling effect on sunburns. |
| Clotrimazole Cream | โคลไตรมาโซล ครีม | Clotrimazole 1% | skin | Fungal infections, athlete's foot, ringworm | 30-80 THB | No | Hot humid climate causes fungal infections. Apply twice daily for 2-4 weeks. |
| Terbinafine Cream | เทอร์บินาฟีน ครีม | Terbinafine 1% | skin | Severe fungal infections, jock itch | 60-150 THB | No | Stronger antifungal than clotrimazole. Once daily application. |
| Ketoconazole Shampoo | คีโตโคนาโซล แชมพู | Ketoconazole 2% | skin | Dandruff, scalp fungal infections | 80-200 THB | No | Common need in humid tropical climate. Use 2-3 times per week. |
| Benzoyl Peroxide | เบนโซอิลเปอร์ออกไซด์ | Benzoyl peroxide 2.5-5% | skin | Acne, pimples | 80-200 THB | No | Humidity and sunscreen can cause breakouts. Start with 2.5%. |
| Permethrin Cream | เพอร์เมทริน ครีม | Permethrin 5% | skin | Scabies, lice | 50-120 THB | No | Apply to entire body below neck, leave overnight, wash off. |
| Zinc Oxide Cream | ซิงค์ออกไซด์ ครีม | Zinc oxide 10-25% | skin | Diaper rash, skin irritation, moisture barrier | 30-80 THB | No | Good moisture barrier for chafing in hot weather. |
| Caladryl Lotion | คาลาดริล โลชั่น | Calamine/Diphenhydramine | skin | Insect bites, rashes, itchy skin | 50-100 THB | No | Better than plain calamine — has antihistamine for itch relief. |
| Bepanthen | บีแพนเธน | Dexpanthenol 5% | skin | Skin healing, dry skin, minor burns | 100-250 THB | No | Great for tattoo aftercare if you get one in Thailand. |
| Dramamine | ดรามามีน | Dimenhydrinate 50mg | motion-sickness | Motion sickness, nausea on boats/buses | 30-60 THB | No | Take 30 minutes before travel. Causes drowsiness. |
| Sea-Band | ซีแบนด์ | Acupressure wristband | motion-sickness | Motion sickness prevention (drug-free) | 150-350 THB | No | Press on Nei Guan pressure point. No side effects. |
| Scopolamine Patch | สโคโพลามีน แผ่นแปะ | Scopolamine transdermal | motion-sickness | Severe motion sickness, long boat trips | 100-250 THB | Yes | Prescription required. Apply behind ear 4 hours before travel. |
| Meclizine | เมคลิซีน | Meclizine 25mg | motion-sickness | Motion sickness, vertigo | 30-70 THB | No | Less drowsy than Dramamine. Good for island hopping. |
| Ginger Capsules | แคปซูลขิง | Zingiber officinale extract | motion-sickness | Natural nausea relief, mild motion sickness | 80-180 THB | No | Natural option. Fresh ginger tea from street vendors works too. |
| Amoxicillin | อะม็อกซิซิลลิน | Amoxicillin 500mg | antibiotic | Bacterial infections, ear/throat/urinary | 30-80 THB | Yes | Technically needs prescription. Complete the full course. |
| Azithromycin (Zithromax) | อะซิโทรมัยซิน | Azithromycin 250mg | antibiotic | Respiratory infections, traveler's diarrhea | 50-150 THB | Yes | 3-day course. Often prescribed for severe traveler's diarrhea. |
| Ciprofloxacin | ซิโปรฟลอกซาซิน | Ciprofloxacin 500mg | antibiotic | Urinary tract infections, severe diarrhea | 30-100 THB | Yes | Avoid dairy products while taking. Stay hydrated. |
| Doxycycline | ด็อกซีไซคลิน | Doxycycline 100mg | antibiotic | Skin infections, malaria prophylaxis | 20-60 THB | Yes | Also used for malaria prevention. Causes sun sensitivity — use strong sunscreen. |
| Metronidazole | เมโทรนิดาโซล | Metronidazole 400mg | antibiotic | Parasitic infections, giardia, amoeba | 20-50 THB | Yes | Do NOT drink alcohol while taking this — severe reaction. |
| Cephalexin | เซฟาเลกซิน | Cephalexin 500mg | antibiotic | Skin infections, wound infections | 30-80 THB | Yes | Good for infected scooter scrapes or coral cuts. |
| Fusidic Acid Cream | ฟิวซิดิก แอซิด ครีม | Fusidic acid 2% | antibiotic | Skin infections, impetigo, infected wounds | 80-180 THB | No | Topical antibiotic. Good for infected insect bites. |
| Artificial Tears | น้ำตาเทียม | Carboxymethylcellulose/Hypromellose | eye-care | Dry eyes, eye irritation from AC or pollution | 80-200 THB | No | Essential for contact lens wearers. AC everywhere dries eyes out. |
| Visine | วิซีน | Tetrahydrozoline | eye-care | Red eyes, eye irritation | 80-150 THB | No | Don't use more than 3 days — can cause rebound redness. |
| Chloramphenicol Eye Drops | คลอแรมเฟนิคอล ยาหยอดตา | Chloramphenicol 0.5% | eye-care | Bacterial eye infection, conjunctivitis | 30-80 THB | No | OTC in Thailand for pink eye. Use for 5-7 days. |
| Antihistamine Eye Drops | ยาหยอดตาแอนตี้ฮิสตามีน | Olopatadine/Ketotifen | eye-care | Allergic conjunctivitis, itchy eyes | 100-250 THB | No | For allergic eye reactions. Pollution in Bangkok can trigger this. |
| Decolgen | ดีคอลเจน | Paracetamol/Phenylephrine/CPM | cold-flu | Cold symptoms, congestion, runny nose | 20-50 THB | No | Thailand's go-to cold medicine. Causes drowsiness. |
| Tiffy | ทิฟฟี่ | Paracetamol/Chlorpheniramine/Pseudoephedrine | cold-flu | Cold, flu, congestion, fever | 15-35 THB | No | Very popular Thai brand. Cheap and effective. |
| Throat Lozenges | ยาอมแก้เจ็บคอ | Benzocaine/Menthol lozenges | cold-flu | Sore throat, cough | 20-60 THB | No | Strepsils widely available. Also try honey-lemon from 7-Eleven. |
| Mucosolvan | มิวโคซอลแวน | Ambroxol 30mg | cold-flu | Cough with phlegm, bronchitis | 40-100 THB | No | Thins mucus. Drink plenty of water alongside. |
| Dextromethorphan Syrup | เด็กซ์โทรเมทอร์แฟน | Dextromethorphan | cold-flu | Dry cough suppression | 40-90 THB | No | For dry coughs only. Don't combine with other cold medicines. |
| Nasal Spray | สเปรย์พ่นจมูก | Oxymetazoline 0.05% | cold-flu | Nasal congestion, stuffy nose | 60-150 THB | No | Don't use more than 3 days to avoid rebound congestion. |
| Zinc + Vitamin C | ซิงค์ + วิตามินซี | Zinc gluconate/Ascorbic acid | cold-flu | Immune support, cold prevention | 50-150 THB | No | Take at first sign of cold. Available at Boots and Watsons. |
| Poy-Sian Inhaler | ยาดมพ้อยเซียน | Menthol/Camphor/Eucalyptus inhaler | cold-flu | Nasal congestion, dizziness, nausea | 15-30 THB | No | Iconic Thai product. Every Thai person carries one. Great souvenir. |
| DEET Insect Repellent | ยากันยุง ดีท | DEET 20-30% | insect-sun | Mosquito and insect repellent | 80-200 THB | No | Essential in Thailand. Soffell brand is popular. Reapply every 4-6 hours. |
| Picaridin Repellent | ยากันยุง พิคาริดิน | Picaridin/Icaridin 20% | insect-sun | Mosquito repellent (DEET-free) | 120-280 THB | No | Better for sensitive skin. Doesn't damage plastics like DEET. |
| After-Bite Cream | ครีมทาหลังยุงกัด | Ammonia/Diphenhydramine topical | insect-sun | Insect bite itch relief | 50-120 THB | No | Apply immediately after bite for best results. |
| Sunscreen SPF50+ | กันแดด SPF50+ | Zinc oxide/Titanium dioxide/Chemical filters | insect-sun | UV protection, sunburn prevention | 150-500 THB | No | Thai sun is brutal. Reapply every 2 hours. Biore UV is popular here. |
| Mosquito Coils | ยาจุดกันยุง | Allethrin/d-Allethrin | insect-sun | Room mosquito repellent | 20-50 THB | No | For outdoor dining or bungalows without screens. Use in ventilated areas. |
| Sting Relief Gel | เจลทาแก้เจ็บจากแมลงกัดต่อย | Lidocaine/Hydrocortisone gel | insect-sun | Bee stings, wasp stings, ant bites | 60-150 THB | No | Remove stinger first, then apply. Seek help for multiple stings. |
| Oral Gel (Bonjela) | เจลทาปาก | Choline salicylate/Cetalkonium | oral-health | Mouth ulcers, gum pain | 60-120 THB | No | Mouth ulcers common when eating lots of spicy food. |
| Corsodyl Mouthwash | คอร์โซดิล น้ำยาบ้วนปาก | Chlorhexidine 0.2% | oral-health | Gum infections, mouth sores | 100-200 THB | No | Use for a week max. Can stain teeth with prolonged use. |
| Clove Oil | น้ำมันกานพลู | Eugenol | oral-health | Toothache, temporary pain relief | 30-70 THB | No | Apply with cotton ball to aching tooth. Traditional Thai remedy. |
| Dental Wax | ขี้ผึ้งจัดฟัน | Orthodontic wax | oral-health | Braces irritation, broken tooth edge cover | 30-60 THB | No | Temporary fix until you can see a dentist. Thailand has excellent dental care. |
| Malarone | มาลาโรน | Atovaquone/Proguanil | tropical | Malaria prevention | 200-500 THB | Yes | Start 1-2 days before entering malaria zone. Needed for border areas and some islands. |
| Doxycycline (Malaria) | ด็อกซีไซคลิน | Doxycycline 100mg | tropical | Malaria prophylaxis | 20-60 THB | Yes | Cheaper malaria prophylaxis option. Causes severe sunburn — use SPF50+. |
| Albendazole | อัลเบนดาโซล | Albendazole 400mg | tropical | Intestinal worms, parasites | 20-50 THB | No | Single dose for most worm infections. OTC in Thailand. |
| Praziquantel | พราซิควอนเทล | Praziquantel 600mg | tropical | Liver flukes, tapeworms | 30-80 THB | Yes | For parasites from raw fish (common in Isaan cuisine). |
| Oral Rehydration + Zinc | เกลือแร่ + ซิงค์ | ORS + Zinc sulfate 20mg | tropical | Severe dehydration, heat exhaustion | 10-30 THB | No | Combine ORS with zinc for faster recovery from heat illness. |
| Emergency Contraceptive | ยาคุมฉุกเฉิน | Levonorgestrel 1.5mg | womens-health | Emergency contraception (morning-after pill) | 30-80 THB | No | OTC at any pharmacy. Take within 72 hours. Brand: Madonna or Postinor. |
| Oral Contraceptive | ยาคุมกำเนิด | Ethinylestradiol/Levonorgestrel | womens-health | Birth control | 30-150 THB | No | OTC in Thailand. Many brands available. Much cheaper than Western countries. |
| Canesten (Vaginal) | คาเนสเทน | Clotrimazole vaginal tablet/cream | womens-health | Vaginal yeast infection | 80-200 THB | No | Common in tropical climates. 3-day or 1-day treatment available. |
| Mefenamic Acid | กรดเมเฟนามิก | Mefenamic acid 500mg | womens-health | Menstrual cramps, period pain | 15-40 THB | No | Ponstan brand. Very effective for period pain. Take with food. |
| Cranberry Extract | สารสกัดแครนเบอร์รี่ | Vaccinium macrocarpon extract | womens-health | UTI prevention | 150-400 THB | No | Preventive supplement. Drink lots of water in the Thai heat. |
| Melatonin | เมลาโทนิน | Melatonin 3-5mg | sleep-anxiety | Jet lag, sleep aid | 100-300 THB | No | Take 30 minutes before bedtime. Great for adjusting to Thai time zone. |
| Diphenhydramine | ไดเฟนไฮดรามีน | Diphenhydramine 25mg | sleep-anxiety | Sleep aid, mild allergies | 30-80 THB | No | Sold as a sleep aid. Don't mix with alcohol. |
| Ya Hom (Thai Herbal) | ยาหอม | Traditional Thai herbal blend | sleep-anxiety | Stress relief, dizziness, mild anxiety | 30-80 THB | No | Traditional Thai medicine. Aromatic herbal tablets. Very popular locally. |
| Ear Drops (Swimmer's Ear) | ยาหยอดหู | Acetic acid/Isopropyl alcohol drops | ear-nose | Swimmer's ear prevention, ear infection | 60-150 THB | No | Use after swimming/diving. Tilt head and let drops sit for 1 minute. |
| Ciprofloxacin Ear Drops | ซิโปรฟลอกซาซิน ยาหยอดหู | Ciprofloxacin 0.3% otic | ear-nose | Bacterial ear infection | 80-180 THB | Yes | For active ear infections. See a doctor if pain is severe. |
| Saline Nasal Spray | น้ำเกลือพ่นจมูก | Sodium chloride 0.9% | ear-nose | Nasal irrigation, congestion, pollution | 80-180 THB | No | Helps with Bangkok pollution and smoky season in Chiang Mai. |
| Electrolyte Tablets | เม็ดเกลือแร่ | Sodium/Potassium/Magnesium | supplement | Hydration, heat exhaustion prevention | 80-200 THB | No | Drop in water bottle. Essential for outdoor activities in Thai heat. |
| Vitamin B Complex | วิตามินบีรวม | Thiamine/Riboflavin/Niacin/B6/B12 | supplement | Energy, mosquito deterrent (anecdotal) | 50-150 THB | No | Some travelers swear B vitamins repel mosquitoes. Worth trying. |
| Activated Charcoal Tablets | ถ่านกัมมันต์ เม็ด | Activated charcoal 250mg | supplement | Hangover, mild food poisoning, gas | 20-50 THB | No | Take after a night on Khao San Road. Don't take with other medicines. |
| Iron Supplement | ธาตุเหล็ก | Ferrous fumarate/sulfate | supplement | Iron deficiency, fatigue | 50-150 THB | No | Take with vitamin C for better absorption. Avoid with tea. |
| Milk Thistle | มิลค์ทิสเทิล | Silymarin extract | supplement | Liver support | 150-400 THB | No | Popular with travelers enjoying Thai nightlife. Supports liver health. |
| Sterile Wound Dressings | ผ้าพันแผลปลอดเชื้อ | Sterile gauze/adhesive bandage | first-aid | Wound covering, protection | 20-60 THB | No | Keep wounds covered in tropical climate to prevent infection. |
| Waterproof Bandages | พลาสเตอร์กันน้ำ | Waterproof adhesive bandages | first-aid | Wound protection while swimming | 30-80 THB | No | Essential for beach days with scrapes. Change daily. |
| Elastic Bandage | ผ้ายืดพันแผล | Elastic compression bandage | first-aid | Sprains, strains, joint support | 30-80 THB | No | For ankle sprains from uneven Thai sidewalks or hiking. |
| Antiseptic Hand Gel | เจลล้างมือ | Ethanol/Isopropanol 70%+ | first-aid | Hand sanitizing, germ prevention | 30-80 THB | No | Carry always. Not all street food stalls have hand washing. |
| Condoms | ถุงยางอนามัย | Latex/Polyurethane condom | first-aid | STI prevention, contraception | 30-150 THB | No | Available at every 7-Eleven and pharmacy. Durex and Okamoto popular brands. |

---

## Cultural Etiquette

- **DO**: Remove shoes before entering temples and homes [critical] — Always remove your shoes before entering a Thai temple (wat), someone's home, or some shops.
- **DON'T**: Never touch someone's head [critical] — The head is considered the most sacred part of the body in Thai culture.
- **DON'T**: Never point your feet at Buddha images or people [critical] — Feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body.
- **DO**: Show respect for the Thai monarchy [critical] — Lese-majeste laws are strictly enforced with severe penalties.
- **DO**: Dress modestly at temples [important] — Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples.
- **DO**: Use the wai greeting appropriately [important] — The wai is the Thai greeting. Return a wai when given one.

---

## API Quick Reference

Base URL: https://api.thaisafe.app/v1
OpenAPI spec: https://api.thaisafe.app/v1/openapi.json
Auth: None required for GET endpoints. API key (X-API-Key header) for higher rate limits.
Rate limit: 60 req/min unauthenticated, 1000 req/min with API key.

### Endpoints

| Method | Path | Description |
|--------|------|-------------|
| GET | /v1/alerts | Active safety alerts (paginated) |
| GET | /v1/alerts/:id | Alert details |
| GET | /v1/safety/hospitals | Hospital directory (?region=) |
| GET | /v1/safety/hospitals/:id | Hospital details |
| GET | /v1/safety/beaches | Beach conditions (?province=) |
| GET | /v1/safety/beaches/:id | Beach details |
| GET | /v1/safety/scams | Scam database |
| GET | /v1/safety/scams/:id | Scam report details |
| GET | /v1/safety/transport | Transport fair prices |
| GET | /v1/community/feed | Community reports (paginated) |
| GET | /v1/tools/currency | THB exchange rates |
| GET | /v1/tools/pharmacy | Medicine guide (?category=) |
| GET | /v1/tools/allergies | Allergy translations |
| GET | /v1/tools/etiquette | Cultural rules (?category=) |

All responses: `{ "success": true, "data": [...] }`
Paginated responses include: `{ "pagination": { "page": 1, "pageSize": 20, "total": 100 } }`