Thread: Tourists: Don't hand your passport to tour companies in Thailand

Originally Posted by fireysteve

I'd love to get a fake pass port made up and then rent a jet ski in patong on my last day of holiday giving the fake as security.
Ride the Ski arround to Kamala Beach then torch it.
Get my stuff from my hotel and got to airport and go home before Jimmy or Kenny or what ever that Bastard's name is who Rips people off at gun point on Patong Beach realises it.
Now I know I ll never be able to go back there again, but I dont care Its a Shit hole any way.
I think it would be great pay back for all the misery the Jet Ski unts have given to people over the years.
Ok let me have it.

Thanks for the laugh, I like the way you think.

Nice one I like it - if only there was a way!!

Just read in the Bangkok Post that the DSI have 'cracked' the various tourist scams in Phuket and with the help of the local police will crack down on these. They have published the names of several people involved in the scams (what use is this to tourist who cannot speak Thai let alone decypher Thai names) to alert people to the persons who are doing the ripping off, one of them was even listed as a Mayor of a local province. More hot air too many people in trusted positions are getting back handers for this to ever take effect but when tourist numbers fall and there are not so many to scam maybe just maybe they will realise what they have done. Until then keep smiling and stay away from Pattaya and Phuket far nicer places to visit in Thailand where tourist 'rip offs' do not operate even close to these levels.

Last January, I checked into a room at Big Blue Dive Resort in Koh Tao. Although, I vehemently protested, they wouldn't let me check in until I either gave them my passport or a credit card (actual card, not a copy of which I tried to give them). I finally wound up giving them the passport, but it pissed me off (still does).

(Only negative thing I have to say about Big Blue.)

RickThai

They seem to have ignored the fact that most, if not all, of the hole in the wall outfits hiring bikes etc to tourists hold the passport as security against damage to the vehicle being rented.

Of course, in real countries and not silly places such as Thailand, one would proffer a credit card but as we all know no one in their right mind would be stupid enough to give this to a chickenhead on one of their mafia islands.

Originally Posted by Mid

Tourists:

Don't hand your passport to tour companies in Thailand
Jul 26, 2013




Department of Special Investigations (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith, accompanying Minister Somsak on his visit to Phuket this week, offered a counter-suggestion.

“Vehicle-rental operators should accept a signed copy of the customer’s passport* instead. This means we could still coordinate with Immigration Police if the renter does not return the vehicle or seriously damages it, and then tries to escape from Thailand. Immigration might refuse them permission to leave until the case is settled,” he said.

Perish the thought that the entire panapoly of the state should not be brought to bear upon some hapless tourist victimised by a sleazy chickenhead car renter looking to make a killing by exaggerating alleged damage to his 20 year Suzuki jeep.....

The thai will always go to great trouble to find, detain and prosecute any filthy foreigner suspected of taking advantage of one of their own.

I seem to remember an aussie woman was arrested, imprisoned, fined and deported for pocketing a beer mat from a phuket pub a couple of years ago.

Thanks for the input. I will surely think about these during my tour. Again thanks for such a vital sharing.