Ep 5. Bangkok

The show Scam City is a documentary series that takes viewers through different cities around the world to uncover the most common scams that unsuspecting tourists can fall prey to. It highlights the tricks of the trade used by con artists and the often shocking impact they can have on tourists.

Season 1 episode 5 of Scam City is titled "Bangkok." This bustling city in Thailand is famous for its vibrant nightlife, street food, temples, and markets. However, it's also a hotbed for scams and rip-offs that can catch even the most seasoned travelers off guard.

Host Conor Woodman, an investigative journalist and travel expert, takes viewers through the winding alleys and crowded streets of Bangkok to show them how scams are orchestrated and what tourists can do to avoid them.

The episode begins with Conor meeting a group of fellow travelers who have had a rough start to their trip. They tell him how they were tricked into taking a tuk-tuk ride to a "gem market" which turned out to be a total scam. The tuk-tuk driver took them to a fake gem store, where they were aggressively pressured into buying overpriced gems. Conor listens to their story and explains how common this type of scam is in Bangkok.

Conor then visits the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, known for its endless maze of stalls selling everything from souvenirs to clothing. However, he quickly discovers that some of the sellers there use sleazy tactics to sell their goods. He encounters a few sellers who try to sell him counterfeit products using fake brand names or pretending that their goods are made in prestigious locations such as Italy or France.

Conor then visits the infamous Khaosan Road, a well-known hotspot for backpackers and party-goers. He meets a group of travelers who explain how they were lured to a bar with a great drink deal, only to find out that the drinks were massively overpriced. The bartender even threatened to physically harm them when they refused to pay. Conor takes the viewers through the process of how a bar scam like this can be pulled off and encourages viewers to stay vigilant and research potential drinking spots beforehand.

Next, Conor visits the Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace, two of Bangkok's most famous landmarks. Here, he discovers another scam frequently pulled on tourists - fake official tour guides. These fake guides approach tourists outside the attraction, posing as certified guides and luring them into buying a tour. They then take the tourists around the city to see a few sights before disappearing with their money. Conor meets a group of tourists who lost a lot of money to fake tour guides and explains how to spot genuine and certified guides.

Conor then heads to one of Bangkok's red-light districts, Patpong. He shows viewers how easy it is to fall prey to a scam when it comes to adult entertainment. Women pretending to be interested in him or invitations for free drinks might sound appealing, but they can lead to costly bills later on. Conor highlights the tactics used by some bars and clubs to entice men inside and the consequences they can face.

Finally, Conor meets with a group of tourists who have been scammed by a taxi driver. They explain how they were charged an exorbitant amount for a ride that should have been much cheaper. Conor shows viewers how taxi drivers can use a number of tricks like rigged meters, taking longer routes to charge higher fares, or pretending that they have no change to make a hefty profit.

Overall, the "Bangkok" episode of Scam City offers an eye-opening look at the various scams and rip-offs that are common in this bustling city. It is a must-watch for anyone planning a trip to Bangkok or for those who want to stay informed and safe while traveling.