Phuket can certainly be called a safe island, but there are still people looking to profit from tourists. We personally encountered scammers, and it was an unpleasant experience. Protect your nerves and your money by dealing only with trusted places. Scammers are especially common in property rentals and currency exchange services, so let’s start with those.
Rental Scam
The most common scam in Phuket is property rental fraud (more specifically, collecting deposits or advance payments for rentals). And believe me, these people are creative: they use real photos, record videos of apartments, send fake passports… Basically, they do everything possible to gain your trust and convince you to transfer money.
A lot of this kind of “creativity” is hidden on Facebook Marketplace and in various Telegram chats. We personally know dozens of stories where people wanted to rent accommodation in advance, transferred a deposit, and then — silence.
And yes, when we were moving to Phuket, we also ended up in a situation like this: we contacted a “realtor” on Telegram, signed a contract, received a “passport” copy, and everything seemed safe. But after receiving the advance payment, the person simply disappeared. Later we found out that buying photos of someone else’s passport online takes just a couple of clicks.
It’s also easy to fake a photo or scan of a Blue Book or Chanote (documents proving that a person either owns the property or is officially registered there — meaning they have some connection to the property).
What to Do:
- The key thing is personal contact. Most of these scammers are not even located in Phuket. If a person is willing to meet in person in Phuket, then there is a very high chance they are not a scammer (the law and law enforcement work well there, and they can be found quickly). That’s why you should meet in person to view the property, sign the contract, and hand over the deposit or advance payment.
- Use only trusted agencies and realtors. You can find such services using the form below. We tried to select agencies that have been operating in Phuket for a long time, offer reasonable (not overpriced) rates, and have a large number of listings.
The second type of real estate scam is related to the security deposit — or rather, to getting it back. When renting a property for any period of time, you will be required to pay a deposit. Usually, it equals one month’s rent for apartments and two months’ rent for villas.
The contract must обязательно be written in Thai, as only then does it have legal force. With the Thai language and fine print involved, you definitely need a trustworthy and reliable landlord.
According to the contract, the deposit is returned at the end of the lease, but property owners here also like to get “creative” and may accuse tenants of damaging the property — including normal wear and tear or even dirty stains on bed linen. This is done in order to reduce or completely avoid returning the deposit.
In some cases, when discussing the deposit return, the owner may suggest returning the deposit some time after you move out. The idea is that you will already leave, and they won’t have to give the money back. Do not agree to this.
What to Do:
- Read the contract carefully.
- Make sure it includes a detailed list of all furniture and appliances.
- Document the initial condition of the property as thoroughly as possible (photos and videos), so you cannot be blamed for damage or missing items.
Working with trusted real estate agents and agencies can also help with deposit recovery, especially in disputed situations, since some wear and tear during a stay is often unavoidable.
Money exchange scams
Because Russian bank cards do not work in other countries, many Russians use exchanges of non-cash rubles for cash Thai baht. Some scammers take advantage of people’s trust in this area as well.
Different kinds of exchange services have appeared — both honest and not so honest.
How does the scam work? In another Telegram chat, on a money exchange website, or through a recommendation from a stranger, you see an offer with a favorable exchange rate, and the presence of reviews from real people makes it seem trustworthy. At the same time, you are told that you should make the transfer only after a courier arrives.
You agree, discuss the amount, a courier comes to you, and you make the transfer to the details sent by the “manager.” After the transfer, that same manager blocks both you and the courier. The courier shrugs, and you don’t receive any money.
At the same time, the courier often doesn’t even realize they are involved in a scam. According to their arrangement with the “manager,” they are supposed to receive a code to withdraw cash in Thai baht from an ATM after you complete the transfer.
The situation is made worse by fully-fledged pseudo-exchange services that build their own websites (sometimes even with a supposedly physical address), run social media accounts, and post reviews — and just like that, the image of a “reliable service” is created. Everything looks legitimate: posts, activity. But even a well-designed profile is far from a guarantee of honesty.
What to Do:
- Use verified, licensed exchange offices. Such exchanges can be found in the money exchange section on our website.
- Don’t fall for exchange rates that look “too good to be true.”
- Exchange currency at offline exchange offices.
Transport rental scams
To see more, we recommend renting transport for at least a few days. The island is quite large, and taxis are expensive — and it’s hard to compare the experience of exploring the island independently by car or scooter with riding in a taxi.
There are plenty of rental shops on every corner, but not all of them are trustworthy.
What to Do:
- Before renting, always record the vehicle on video from all sides in good lighting. This is your solid proof if someone later tries to blame you for every scratch that was already there.
- If you feel you are being scammed, call the tourist police without hesitation. Scammers usually do not want to deal with law enforcement. The hotline number is 1155, where they can speak with you in English.
- Never leave your passport as a deposit. Otherwise, it can suddenly be used as leverage: “we’ll return it when you pay for the damage,” even if you didn’t cause any.
And of course, rent vehicles only from trusted companies. You can find such providers using the form below. We tried to select those that have been operating in Phuket for a long time, offer reasonable (not inflated) prices, and have a large number of listings.
Taxi and Tuk-Tuk Scams
It is easy to catch a taxi on the street, especially in tourist areas. And this convenience often turns into scams. Drivers first quote you one price, you agree, and during the ride the fare changes.
It is much safer to use ride-hailing apps such as Grab, inDrive, Maxim, or Bolt, but even there unpleasant situations can occur. For example, a driver accepts a fixed-price ride in the app but then messages you on the way, asking for extra payment, and refuses to cancel the ride if you decline.
As a result, you may need to book another taxi through a different app (if you don’t want to damage your rating by cancelling rides). That’s why it’s recommended to have at least two ride-hailing apps installed and ready to use.
If a tuk-tuk ride can at least partly justify its cost through the unique character of the transport, then taxi fares are often simply not justified.
What to Do:
- Do not fall for price manipulation in taxi apps. And if you still decide to catch a taxi on the street, always agree on the fare in advance.
- It is advisable not to cancel rides yourself in taxi apps. If you cancel, you will damage your rating, while an unreliable driver will continue working as usual.
- Download at least 2–3 ride-hailing apps.
- Be careful with motorcycle taxis — don’t forget basic safety rules.
Tour and Excursion Scams
Yes, scams also exist in this area in Phuket. Nothing too extreme at first glance, but it can lead to unpleasant memories like: “they promised a tropical paradise, but in reality we spent 3 hours bouncing over the waves in a broken-down boat.”
One of the most common scam scenarios is that the tour does not match its description at the time of purchase. This is usually accompanied by a lower price compared to similar excursions offered elsewhere.
They promise “secret locations” or immersion in local culture as an extra bonus. In reality, the VIP boat turns out to be a standard one, lunch is just a modest snack, and the actual route doesn’t match what was shown in the brochure at all.
Another trick is hidden extra charges. You may think you’ve already paid for the tour, but surprises start appearing: national park entrance fees are not included, snorkeling equipment is charged separately, drinks cost extra, and so on. And at that point, there’s no real way to argue — you are already on site, with no alternatives.
There are also tours that come with “free gifts” in the form of mandatory shopping stops. You are taken to supposedly “interesting” places: jewelry factories, latex factories, and miracle snail cream shops. Prices are inflated, and the excursion turns into a long detour through tourist traps.
What to Do:
- Don’t fall for prices that are significantly below market rates. Such savings are usually not worth it.
- Read reviews about tour companies.
- Avoid questionable excursions. We have described the best excursions in a separate “Excursions” section on our website.
- Only purchase tours from trusted agencies. You can contact such providers using the form below.
We’ve selected the three best tour companies. Fill out the form, and we’ll forward your request — they’ll contact you to provide details on the terms and pricing.
We do not recommend overloading your vacation with too many excursions, as in Phuket you can also explore many interesting places on your own, which we will cover further in this guide.
We hope we haven’t scared you — we simply wanted to warn you. Overall, Phuket is one of the safest destinations for both vacationing and living.