October 2nd, 2012 
Kristin 
Day Two
I woke up around 6:30am almost forgetting where I was. I took a look around my tiny room and sighed, happy to be back in Asia – it feels so right. It feels so much like I’m back home.
I emerged from my room and paid for another day at this hostel. It doesn’t break the budget and I didn’t get murdered in my sleep. Those are really my only requirements.
Immediately a tuk-tuk driver approached me and started asking me questions. I gave him honest and, what I now realize were probably the worst possible answers:
Him: Look at you! Such pretty white skin! Where you from? How long you been here?
Me: Um, thank you? California. I just got here yesterday (stupid, stupid, stupid)
Him: You vote for Obama?
Me: Uhh, yes I did. And I would again. But I won’t be home for the election. (I decide against explaining the electoral vote system and the fact that California will go Democrat with or without my vote)
Him: You been Bangkok before?
Me: First time!
Him: I take you tourist office! Get free map! Then I take you around Bangkok. Only 5 Baht!
I then told him I needed some breakfast and sought refuge in a 7-11. I emerged and, sure enough, he was waiting for me. I decided that, of all the tuk-tuk drivers, he put in the work and deserved my patronage. I told him change of plans: I wanted to go to the Royal Palace, but I still only wanted to pay 5 baht. I needed to change out of my short-shorts and sandals and I’d be right back.
I should have known his insistence that shorts and sandals would be OK at the palace was a red flag. But I’m an eternal optimist to a fault.
And also maybe a little naive.
I hopped in the tuk-tuk and we headed in what I didn’t realize was the completely wrong direction. He dropped me at a tourist booking agent and told me to go in and get a free map. The map costs 100 baht, I was told. I emerged a little confused and said I wanted to go to the palace. He acted annoyed that I hadn’t booked any tours to the islands.
He then told me the palace doesn’t open until 11am because of a Buddhist ceremony. BUT he’d be glad to take me to a bunch of other random sites around the city.
I told him to let me the heck out of his tuk-tuk because I’m well aware of this trick.
I climbed out with no idea where I was. My grand plans of getting to the palace early to avoid the crowds had been foiled. I broke down and bought a map at 7-11, also for 100 baht (dangit!) and started wandering aimlessly – something I’ve come to perfect in the past couple of days!
A couple of other tuk-tuk drivers approached me, either selling me the same lie or quoting outrageous prices.
I cursed the universe of tuk-tuk drivers in Bangkok and decided they’re all evil as I climbed into an air-conditioned cab.
I finally arrived at the Palace and it was positively swarming with tourists – mostly Chinese speaking visitors, which I found kind of exciting because I got to practice my Mandarin when I asked them to take pictures of me (which they always praise despite my awful tonality).
Xie xie, dudes
I reached into my bag and took out my DSLR, found the perfect setting, the perfect angle, and the perfect statue, only to realize I hadn’t put my SD card back in after loading pictures last week.
Cursing my dumbass series of moves today, I whipped out my iPhone, glad to have at least brought that along.
This is really not my day. My entire 5 readers will just have to deal with this instagrammed, sadly, I thought to myself.
So, guys, here you go:
It be Grand, indeed
Do you see the face on this guard? Don’t mess.
Buddha’s inside, but you’re not allowed to see him. Sorry
Beautiful mural
Do you love gold?
Amazing
Gold, gold, and more gold.
I walked back to my guest house and saw the same tuk-tuk driver, who called out to me and asked if I had made it to the palace.
I shook my head at him and said “Yeah, it happens to open at 8:30, a** clown” (juuuust kidding, I left that last part out)
I’m not sure that I’d return to this tourist trap given the relatively high cost at USD$12 and truly insane crowds. Perhaps if I had actually arrived at 8:30am as planned, I would be singing a different tune.
That said, I learned a little something today. I’ll have a little something to laugh about later, and hey, for only my second day in Bangkok, I think I’ve done alright.
Time to buy myself a celebratory Chang beer. Catch you guys later.
Have you ever been duped abroad? Please do share in the comments, so I can feel like less of a dumb-dumb.
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I'm a former investment banker who quit my job, sold all of my belongings, and bid the life I knew goodbye in favor of searching for off-the-beaten-path adventures in Asia. I'm a SCUBA addict, humble student of Mandarin, passion fruit enthusiast, and above all, an adventurer. I plan nothing, and simply let things fall into place. For more information, visit the 
Oh no! Should have read our blog first with the warning haha… Least he didn’t take you to the Gem Shop!
http://travelwithbender.com/travel-blog/bangkok/the-gem-scammers-of-wat-pho-bangkok-temples/
Yes, I should have.
Don’t let one bad driver turn you off Bangkok! I love that city, and have determined to live there at some point. Also, I personally love riding in tuk-tuks, so maybe I’m biased
But in general, Bangkok is a relatively safe city with very helpful and kind people, so have an amazing time while you’re there!
I still like Bangkok! Had a great time regardless.
I got scammed in the country of SAN DIEGO….
Enjoy your trip and taxis are still pretty cheap, or the bus. Don’t let this little learning bump foil your travel dreams. Not all the tuk tuk drivers are bad. The ones that aggressively pursue you for your business, steer clear. And if a tuk tuk driver says five baht to go just across the street, go in the other direction. There are no five baht rides in Thailand unless it’s a kids coin ride… 
Drink up and be merry!
Yeahhh taxi drivers will give you the run-around there too. Dreams have not been foiled, I just learned a little something
Go for the taxis with the meters…you’ll save a lot! Have a wonderful time!
I will do that moving forward! Assuming they’ll actually turn them on…
Hilarious! Brings back memories…
Oh no! At least your pics are gorgeous…
Don’t feel dumb! I totally got ripped off my very first day in Buenos Aires…the taxi driver slipped one of my large bills up his sleeve and pretended I hadn’t given it to him. I didn’t speak Spanish and was intimidated to argue – but that’s the oldest trick ever.
It happens to everyone at some point I guess!
I think I’m your 6th reader then
Funny story, it made me laugh! It reminds me of my encounters with BKK’s taxi drivers. I think they can really annoy you, but then because of them you have so many stories to tell 
http://www.blondtravels.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for being #6!
I’ll be your seventh. Dont’ feel bad. I’ve known lots of people that have been caught in the notorious tea scams of Shanghai and pitiful art student tricks of Beijing. Worse, my good friend and I were nearly beaten in Urumuqi over what amounted to just a few dollars. Luckily I was only hit by a car as it jumped a curb and tried to run me down on the sidewalk by which I was fleeing.
Makes you upset at the time but provides great stories later. Take care of yourself.
Oh man, nearly beaten in Urumuqi? Hmm, should I still keep that on my travel list?
You’re right, that IS a good story!
I definitely wouldn’t skip out on xinjiang province. Do you have a mainland plan? I’ve been to almost every province, municipality and SAR so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
I can’t think of any poignant stories about Being scammed, but I know it’s happened!!
I totally got scammed on my first time in Bangkok…my mum and I wanted to go to the Grand Palace and were informed by the tuk tuk driver that it was closed for a religious day and only Thai people were allowed in…he said it would re-open in the afternoon and that he would take us to some other place. he took us to a temple and then not surprisingly to a tailor’s shop. when we finally went to the palace we were informed that it hadn’t been closed at all! the tuk tuk drivers tried that scam on us several times, but we had already been burned by that one!
The exact thing happened to me and my husband it completely ruined Bangkok for me. I’m still bitter!