Worst Day in Bangkok... ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Worst Day in Bangkok...

Replies: 65 - Last Post: 05-Jan-2007 01:34 Last Post By: SD6

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Posted
13-Nov-2004 20:44
by: SD6

Posts: 2
Registered: 22/11/03

Worst Day in Bangkok...

For my birthday (which happened to fall on Chulalongkorn Day) we decided we'd visit Grand Palace and all the temples around Bangkok. Great way to spend the day huh?

Unfortunately, it all went pear shaped from the start and is the contributing factor for not wanting to visit Bangkok ever again. We head out into town and catch a Tuk Tuk to see the Reclining Buddha. As we were "booking" the tuk tuk, the guy arranging the travel plans (including Grand Palace, Wat Po, etc etc) was also mentioning some "Thai Promotion" that the driver would also be taking us to. No matter how adamently we told the guy we weren't interested in going to this Thai promotion joint, he wasn't having a bar of it.

So, we jump in the tuk tuk and away we go deciding that arguing with this idiot wasn't getting us anywhere. We hang on for our dear lives as we are weaved in and out of insane traffic, occasionally spilling over onto the wrong lane with on coming trucks and buses, through dodgy back alleys and what looked like rubbish dumps - we arrive at the Reclining Buddha. The driver patiently waiting for us as we inspected the complex and looked around. We go into a temple and sit before a large Buddha. A woman was sitting just behind us and starts talking to us... The usual "where are you from, how long are you here for etc etc" so we thought nothing of it. Then she starts on about the Thai Promotion place too and how we should go get some silk and jewelry. By this stage, patience was wearing extemely thin and it was hard to conceal our annoyance. So we got up and left after emphasising, yet again, that we REALLY were not interested!

After looking around the complex, we go to leave and get back in our tuk tuk. Lo and behold, the bastard had fucked off on us. We thought that maybe he had parked around the corner but no. Fortunately, we hadn't paid him yet. Flag down a taxi and get taken to Grand Palace. As soon as we get out of the taxi, we are immediately harrassed by about five different people running up to us telling us that we can't go in until 2pm. OK, we get it! Then "jump in my tuk tuk I take you..." No thanks, we're just going to walk around for a bit. "no no, you get in tuk tuk I take you" No, really we're fine... after about the 20th time, we broke free....

Walk across the road to a small temple and by this time the heat has really cranked up, the humidity right along with it. As we were walking around yet another person comes up and informs us that we can't go into this temple - Thai's only. However, we didn't see anything suggesting this and it didn't bother us anyhow. Then the guy starts talking to us and telling us how to get to all the other places we wanted to see.... as long as testing out our ability to speak Thai and asking all manner of questions which immediately made me suspicious. Then the crunch came... my friend will take you in his tuk tuk!!!

We walk off and decide to check out the markets across the other side of the road. No sooner do we set foot off the road when this deranged woman comes up and starts throwing bird food at us saying "free for you, buddhist holiday". Meanwhile, no matter how much we said we didn't want it (pidgeons!!! bird flu!!!!) and to go away, she kept forcing the bird food onto us and we threw it away and pidgeons are flocking going mental. We're still saying No, We DON'T want it! GO AWAY! Even as we are walking further down the road, she's chasing us and emptying the damn bird food into our bags and hands.

By this stage, we're pretty fed up with the whole deal and decided to get the fuck out of there and not bother with any of it. As we're about to get in a taxi, the dero woman and her male companion starts harrassing us (pulling on our arms) for money! "This is Thailand, you pay now, you pay now!"

We tell them in no uncertain terms where to go and the two of them keep at it. We relent (very pissed off at this stage) and give them some coins. She starts screaming "No you give paper money, paper money". We again told them to leave us the hell alone and finally escape into the taxi and finally got out of there.

Nasty place and I won't ever go back for this reason. It was so disgusting and irritating. I can't see why folks can't just leave you in peace!

Posted
13-Nov-2004 21:03
by: Kananga

Posts: 2,212
Registered: 25/04/00

1

I dont think its so much that Bangkok is a nasty place itsd more of a case of you not usung your common sense to begin with thand then letting things that shouldnt annoy you turn you into a drooling monster. Shouting at old women selling bird food isnt going to do you any favours.

If people come up trying to sell you stuff just ignore them. If people mention promotions or wont put thenmeter on in a taxi just walk away. It really is that easy.

I'm always right

Posted
13-Nov-2004 21:34
by: philstone

Posts: 8
Registered: 05/11/04

2

Shit happens anywhere anytime. Best thing to do is not take it personally......and then smile and laugh.

Everyone saves face.

Posted
13-Nov-2004 22:31
by: hanno

Posts: 2,361
Registered: 27/09/01

3

I think it is attitude that counts, not getting oissed off and all. I have lived and worked in Asia for quite some time now and I rarely get hustled. Whilst staying polite, I tell them "No" in a way that they don't repeat the question. Now, I wish I could give you some sage advice, but I am afraid that I cannot. It might have helped that I grew up in Africa, the hustlers there are in a league of their own. Like Zorin said, don't get all in knots, ignore them, walk away, and have a great time.

"Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time."
Catherine Zandonella.
Check out Birding in SE Asia for traveling and birding in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Bhutan, Mongolia, Malaisia, Taiwan, and India.

Posted
13-Nov-2004 22:58
by: Highwayman

Posts: 78
Registered: 03/11/02

4

One way that people get sucked in, is by trying to be polite. It's better to keep on walking without uttering a word. You don't have to be abusive, they will usually get the message. Also learn to say the Thai phrase mai aow kar/karp I've found that to be very effective. All you're saying is you don't want anything in a polite manner which no Thai should ever take offence to, almost the first Thai phrase l learnt.

One other tip. In a city like Bangkok where there are thousands of cheap air-conditioned taxis, use them. Try to hail one that's passing rather than one that's waiting out the front of your hotel or outside The Grand Palace. Don't waste your time with tuk-tuks. You're just asking for trouble. Even Thais have hassles with them, not only tourists. Wait until you're in some resort/island locale where there aren't any taxis available if you want to be able to say you went for a ride in a tuk-tuk.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 01:00
by: KevinCorr

Posts: 3,595
Registered: 10/06/04

5

I use Highwaymans' technique: "mai aow kar/karp" Best get a local person to teach you to pronounce it. It is hard to get from reading. A woman says 'my aow Kaaaaa!' like 'my owl' without the L.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 01:46
by: globe

Posts: 72
Registered: 19/03/01

6

i could never understand why some people have problems in dealing with the local hustlers. i was coaching my friend before her bangkok trip on how to deal with these people. she missed out on the grand palace etc because like the op she was so pissed off and decided to just go back to the hotel. having read what #4 said, i now understand what went wrong - "trying to be polite". i never have this problem in any country i visit not because i was not polite rather i was firm in saying no thanks and ignored their repetitive questions and other nonsense. i rarely get tugged at the sleeves or have them trail me as i take in the sights.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 02:28
by: Kananga

Posts: 2,212
Registered: 25/04/00

7

There are a number of tactics when tealing with people persisitantly on your case. Tell them you have no money, ask them outright what they want, pretend you dont understand them and spout off at them in a made up language or just smile when they say something. Anything is better than crying like a baby and shouting at people to go away. I just dont unerstand how people can get so worked up about it.

I'm always right

Posted
14-Nov-2004 02:58
by: Itchybollockov

Posts: 377
Registered: 12/12/02

8

I symapthise with the OP. This happens far too often, and while you, I or anyone with an amount of independent travel experience might find it an anouyance but something we can deal with; this is not the case for many visitors to Thailand.

People work bloody hard for their holidays, saving, perhaps going withgout other things to pay for the holiday, perhaps getting into dept to pay for their holiday.

They turn up with precious little time in Bangkok and get this kind of shit from the Tuk-Tuk drivers and tour guides.

Don't go telling yourself this is just part of Tourism and that there are bad apples everywhere. The Thai governent and in particular the department that deals with tourism the TAT actively promote tour guides getting tourists to spend as much money as possible on high end money earning trades, such as jewelry. 'Introducing Tourists to Thai Businesses' is part of the course that Thai Tour Guides take.

It is little more than an indication of the contempt the Thai government show for their visitors.

It is one of the worst aspects of visiting Bangkok.

I would certainly encourage the OP to return to Bangkok, but I hear and accept without question everything the OP has said.

It stinks.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 03:46
by: laphanphon

Posts: 10
Registered: 15/03/03

9

mai ow kup always works, then ignore them. if they persist, yell very loud, mai ow kup, they don't want the attention of the tourist police, they will leave.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 04:40
by: Tiffin

Posts: 37
Registered: 10/01/01

10

OP. Bad day. Bad day. It happens to the best of us. I've never had that kind of thing in Thailand. But i've had days like that in India. Personally, i'd say your only mistake was getting a Tuk Tuk in the first place, to go anywhere. They're notorious. Waste of time, and try to rip travelles off. Taxis are the way to get around Bangkok. I've never ever had a problem with a Taxi. You get in, they put on the metre, and you get where you wanted to go.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 08:25
by: mangosteenlvr

Posts: 57
Registered: 05/11/01

11

SD6: I relate to your story. My sister booked and PAYED by credit card for a guest house in Chiang Mai, (The Hibiscus) before we even stepped on the airplane from San Francisco to go to Thailand. After a couple of days touring Bkk, we went to Hualompong train staion to book a train to Chiang Mai, eagerly awaiting to stay at our pre-paid boutique style guest house. As we were standing in line, an official-looking woman who appeared to have a travel company badge came right up to us and asked "Where are you going?" We told her Ch. Mai. "Oh, no-all trains to Chiang Mai all booked..no more train to CH. Mai today." Yep-we believed her. She was sweet/soft-spoken, so why wouldn't two naive american young ladies believe a soft-spoken mature asian woman? We couldn't pass judgement on her-that would have been so rude of us. So then Ms. Thai Official asked us if we were willing to book a bus trip to CM w/her travel agency. Well, yeah, since there are no more trains to chiang mai that day! We booked w/her travel agency for a 10-hr train ride to CM. The office was air/con. She gave us refreshments. The process was painless. We told her about pre-paying at Hibiscus and would transport there. She then called the company to arrange to pick us up at the bus depot and take us to Hibiscus guest house. Our bus ride was uneventful. We get to the bus depot and the 2-person tuk tuk drivers (one attractive female and male) had a sign that read our surnames...so naturally we were excited that our destination was getting closer! It was night time, dark and we had been in Thailand at that stage for only 4 days. But we felt safe in the comfort of these 2 drivers, who seemed to know EXACTLY where they were going. We arrive at our guesthouse, which was actually the "Srisupan Guesthouse". My sister and I calmly told them this was the wrong guesthouse. they looked at us with blank stares and said, no-this is your guesthouse. We explained to them that we had already paid (as if that mattered to anyone). They insisted that they did not know where the Hibiscus was (even showing them our print-out of the Hibiscus and our receipt of payment). They said they did not know how to get there. We were stuck at the Srisupan, which was NOTHING like the Hibiscus website. We had no choice. these two knew we had no clue, and were successful in getting some kind of comission by diverting to this guesthouse outside the city center. IT was beyond us. It was hard to sleep that night, not knowing the surroundings.

The Srisupan actually ended up at 250/baht per night and was super clean, very basic. In the morning, I went out to the balcony and saw beautiful yellow/orange flowers which seemed to pour from the roof's edge and framed the balcony door beautifully. Our mood changed. Lisa and I went down for breakfast and saw the 2 drivers again. We were very weary of them and again asked them what happened. they gave us a lamer than lame excuse about the guest house not existing or shutting down. As the days followed, these 2 became more like sister and brother, looking out for us, especially Lisa my sister as she is younger than I and looks more Asian (please, people, don't take offense to that- i have learned that Asians relate more to Asian-looking people the world over). The whole experience was bittersweet. But after Lisa left home for California, I stayed on another 2 weeks at Srisupan cause it was quiet, clean and close enough to walk to the Old Medicine Massage school. I learned to enjoy exploring the alleys near the Srisupan. I witnessed a celebratory opening of a new temple, with dancing, music and a buddhist procession which to this day I kick myself for not having a camera or a tape recorder.

I never attempted to look for Hibiscus, even with my five subsequent trips back to Thailand.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 10:02
by: mrsteve38

Posts: 1,599
Registered: 27/02/02

12

#8, come on, the same thing happens in all capital cities world wide (or at least in all the ones I've been to, hong Kong been an exception). London, Manila, New York, Paris...the name of the game is get as much out of new arrivals as possible.....It's not confined to BK.....

"...I like reading mrsteve's stuff, always interesting and he knows how to write.
But I got to be honest, he has to be one of the biggest stirrers of other people on Thorntree."

Tezza

Posted
14-Nov-2004 10:58
by: character

Posts: 161
Registered: 27/11/02

13

Sounds like a minor problem. Why not ask what they want, pay them and just leave.

Posted
14-Nov-2004 16:39
by: BangkokBoy

Posts: 554
Registered: 17/02/02

14

Sorry to say it, SD6, but the problem is you, mate, not the tuk-tuk vermin. You didn't do your homework before you came here. Christ knows, THIS site has archives FULL of tuk-tuk scam warnings, not to mention the relative section in nearly all guide books. And you're a drama queen. Perhaps you ain't ready yet for SE Asia? Stress, greenness and humidity all at once is a combination that can ruin your day. Oh, I see it did. You got some good advice on how to avoid a repeat disaster - suggest you learn it well!
G'day and better luck next time.

They say it's not as bad as they say it is.

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