Taxi drivers help with the scam
- 08:22, June 6, 2002
A tourist writes in warn about taxi drivers helping with the scam:
I wish to add that taxi drivers are part of the gem scam network too.
I was on my to the Erawan shrine from my hotel when I was stopped by
a couple of taxi drivers who asked me where I wish to go. As the norm,
one driver told me Erawan shrine would be closed until 11am that day
because it was Buddha day (it was 10.30am when I boarded the taxi).
I thought it was a little strange because the only Buddha day I knew
of was just 2 days before and it is known as Vesak day! He suggested
that he takes me to another temple where I can be blessed with holy
water and can pray to Guan Yin (a popular deity amongst
Buddhist Singaporeans). He said he would wait while I pray, and when
I am done; he will take me to Erawan shrine. I said that was fine, and
told him to start the taxi meter but he told me that he could fetch
me to both temples at just 40 bahts instead. I insisted that he starts
the taximeter, he obliged. He cut through several small lanes, and went
up the highway, and finally reached the destination, which was strangely,
a small and quiet temple. He said he would wait as I make my rounds,
and so I did. I climbed a small flight of steps and overhead a Thai
speaking to a family of Singaporeans (we speak with a distinctive accent
and can be spotted from miles away
haha). He was enthusiastically
pointing to their map and suggesting places to go. I thought it might
be a good idea to eavesdrop since I didnt really know where to
go myself. Soon he suggested shopping, and that the best gift dad could
buy for his daughters was jewelry. I dismissed him as a jewelry tout
and went on my way. Now that I am back in Singapore, I learnt that he
isnt merely a jewelry tout. I had witness first hand, a scam of
epic proportion
:) I went back to look for the taxi but it was
nowhere in sight.
The next day I learnt that the temple I was taken to was merely a stones
throw away from my hotel. The driver had taken a detour to arrive there
to confuse me deliberately. So why hadnt a 2nd guy come by to
tout jewelry to me? I ruled that either he was busy with the other victims,
or I simply didnt look like a good catch. The latter was true.
Having graduated less than 2 months ago, I had nothing more than US$1000
to my name so bringing me to a gem store would have been a fruitless
attempt whether I was interested or not.
I was offered not once but thrice by drivers to take me to another place
of interest because it was Buddha day so temples were closed. The 2nd
time, it was 1.30pm. The tuk tuk driver told me that Wat Pho would be
closed till 2pm. The 3rd time, a tuk tuk driver claimed that he is a
good man and asked to see my map. I didnt bother to listen.
2Bangkok: Recommended by roughguides.com

Last Century
The Tales of an Adventurer in the Asian Tiger Era
Hardback | Kindle
Like 2Bangkok on Facebook
2Bangkok on Twitter


