be aware of TAT scam

Middlesbrough...
Level Contributor
16 posts
9 reviews
4 helpful votes
be aware of TAT scam
Save

me and my girlfirend have recenty been to Bangkok, whilst there we were talked into going to the TAT to book our travel to phuket and also accom on Phi Phi. the journey from bangkok was meant to take 15 hours however ended up been over 21. we had 4 changes and inbetween people trying to force money out of us for a quicker jouney it was scary. We have since found out it has happened to everyone. The accomadation on Phi Phi looked awesome on the leaflet however all i can say is dont do it. I am not the type of person to write reviews but i fell people need to know that its a scam, and please dont be niave like we were.

Bangkok, Thailand
Destination Expert
for Bangkok, Air Travel, Thailand
Level Contributor
16,164 posts
65 reviews
247 helpful votes
1. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

Hi,

This is one of the popular misconceptions and what sets the stage for potential scams..

The TAT itself does *not* own nor operate any travel agencies, nor do they make any actual bookings for things like hotels, trains, planes, etc.. What it does boil down to for the traveler is that the TAT itself doesn't "sell" anything to the end-user traveler.

Their biggest and principle 'role' is that of promoter of the Kingdom to potential tourists-- both domestically and internationally.

TAT:

http://www.tourismthailand.org/home/

Unfortunately, there are some folks who misrepresent who they are, and what their true affiliation is... under the ruse of getting you to buy something like a hotel booking or tour-- with the assumption that it's an official TAT product or service-- which it's not..

So, while I agree that there's a perception problem and the TAT needs to better reign in the proper use of their name and logo by non-approved entities, in and of itself, the issue the OP notes, really doesn't fall to the TAT, but with those that have misused and misrepresented their affiliation.

Travel Safe,

Bangkok, Thailand
Level Contributor
15,864 posts
2. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

GOBPI is 100% right and this scam is reported here every now and then. You can't blame TAT but you can blame those crooks who use the TAT name to con you.

Melbourne, Australia
1 post
3. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

Anyone know if there is someone who you can complain to in Thailand about these scams? Some friend of mine just lost all of their money from making bookings through a 'fake' TAT agency.

Bangkok, Thailand
Destination Expert
for Bangkok, Air Travel, Thailand
Level Contributor
16,164 posts
65 reviews
247 helpful votes
4. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

Hi,

If it was a crime, meaning criminal action, then it's reportable to the Royal Thai Police.. You should report it to the RTP station that covers the area where the crime occurred... You can also contact the Tourist Police who can assist you in the filing of the report.. That said, I would not *expect* immediate resolution-- like the officer going over to the business and forcing a refund of the money back..

You can also report the misuse of the TAT logo, name or other markings to the TAT themselves.

Their address is:

1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan

Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400, THAILAND

and/or you can call them on:

02 250 5500

or on hotline 1672

But do know that while the TAT is a direct government agency, they are not a law enforcement agency themselves; and have no enforcement powers in that regard.. If it's proven that there is some misuse of the TAT name, logo, etc. the TAT would need to go thru the proper channels for resolution.. So again, I wouldn't expect immediate resolution or recovery.

Travel Safe,

Edited: 9 years ago
Siem Reap, Cambodia
1 post
5. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

Hi,

We are currently travelling through cambodia but booked with what we thought was an official TAT office......but our first accomodation turned out to something completely different to what we booked! Now we are thinking the rest will not be as it was sold to us as and at a stupid price. We are not back in bangkok until the 8th of august and was wondering if anyone knew what we should do? Any help appreciated.

Bangkok
1 post
6. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

Hey

I have myself just fallen for this scam as part of the tuk-tuk tailor scam in Bangkok and was taken to the fake t.a.t office where I booked a VIP bus to the south of the country, a ferry to koh samui, 4 night stay there then a ferry and 3 nights stay in Koh Phangan. I paid about 6500BHT on card, have since attempted to cancel the card transaction but with no success.

Now my question is, should I even turn up to the collection point and risk my bags being searched through while in the luggage hold, lots of delays and extra money asked for, sub-par accomodation etc..?

Slightly more worrying; none of the contact information for the travel agency seems to work, none of the phone numbers, google cant seem to make sense of the address (I wouldnt be able to find my way back to the place as I was taken there on a tuk-tuk) and the email address; a now laughable tourist_center@hotmail.com.

I'm going to post the address here on the offchance that anyone local can figure it out: 199-203 Chakkraphat di dhong Rd., Kwaeng Wat Sommanat Pom Prap Sattru Phai Bangkok 10100.

Any advice would be appreciated- I'm thinking of just cutting my losses and planning the trip myself.

Thanks

Bangkok, Thailand
Level Contributor
15,864 posts
7. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

Cutting your loses might be the best course of action .....

Bangkok, Thailand
Destination Expert
for Bangkok, Air Travel, Thailand
Level Contributor
16,164 posts
65 reviews
247 helpful votes
8. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

Hi,

This is one is hard.. The fact that you were charged more than what it really should be, I would not think that, in and of itself, is grounds for a charge-back..

If you could show that there was some deceptive practices, violations of local law, or the like, then perhaps that's a better case, but just on the grounds that they charged you more-- and you agreed to it-- than it really should be, I'm not so sure that's a legit charge-back.

To me, at this point, I'd probably also not go and look for other alternatives-- but do realize that you might not have grounds for a refund via your card.. so this might be a case of "lesson learned"... but again, I'd explore it with your card issuer.. and keep ALL documentation you have to support your case.

Travel Safe,

Bangkok, Thailand
Level Contributor
19,600 posts
28 reviews
38 helpful votes
9. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

I wonder if "Joe R" is related to "John R" ...

Did I read right? A bus, then a ferry, then 7 nights for 6,500 baht? What a rip off!

Edited: 9 years ago
Bangkok, Thailand
Level Contributor
98 posts
1 review
1 helpful vote
10. Re: be aware of TAT scam
Save

There is a T.A.T travel agent on the Rama4 road not far off Silom. I see lots of people being talked in to visiting while strolling around Silom. There are many reports and complaints about that agent that pushes you to buy. However Authorities are doing nothing about it.

Get answers to your questions about Bangkok
CA$CAD
United Kingdom
© 2021 TripAdvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.