What are the common scams in Pattaya, and how do you avoid them?

Jet skis: the damage claim

Canada warns that rental companies have accused renters of damaging a jet ski or motorbike on return, and that renters who refused to pay were harassed, threatened, or had their passports withheld.¹ Germany describes gangs in tourist spots working with corrupt police officers to accuse tourists of returning rented jet skis or scooters damaged.² The UK, Australia and Canada all advise against leaving your passport with a jet ski or motorbike rental business as a guarantee.³⁴¹

In May 2026 Pattaya City told jet ski and other beach operators on Pattaya, Wong Amat and Jomtien beaches that they must hold a valid licence and pass checks on their qualifications, equipment safety and insurance.⁵

1. Before you ride, photograph any existing damage on the jet ski.¹ Do it with the operator watching.
2. Agree the price and the rental time before you pay.
3. Leave a copy of your passport, never the passport itself.³
4. If a damage claim turns into threats, don't argue on the beach: call the Tourist Police on 1155.⁶

Bars and nightclubs: the bill and the drink

Canada warns that some bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues in Thailand try to charge exorbitant prices, and that disputes can lead to threats of violence.¹ No official source we checked names Walking Street or another Pattaya street for this, but the same advice applies anywhere you drink.

• Ask for the price of drinks before you order, and avoid running a tab.¹
• Don't leave your card with staff or lose sight of it while you pay.¹³
• Don't leave a drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers: drink spiking happens in tourist areas, and New Zealand and Germany name Pattaya.³⁷²
• Stay with people you trust in bars, nightclubs and taxis.⁴

Taxis, tuk-tuks and baht buses

Australia advises insisting on the meter in taxis and warns that friendly drivers offering cheap tours may take you to shops where you are overcharged or sold worthless goods or gems.⁴ Germany warns of inflated fares demanded at the end of tuk-tuk rides and advises agreeing the price first and using only drivers you approached yourself.² Canada advises licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps; unlicensed vehicles may not use meters.¹ We found no official source on Pattaya's baht buses (songthaews).

• Agree the fare, or insist on the meter, before you get in.²⁴
• Turn down free or cheap tours that include shop stops.⁴
• Note the vehicle's number plate. The Department of Land Transport's call centre is 1584.⁸

Gems and jewellery

Canada warns that gem and jewellery sellers may sell lower-quality items at inflated prices with promises of resale profit, that guarantees are not always honoured, and that its embassy cannot help with refunds.¹

Online, phone and money scams

• Callers posing as officials who say you are involved in money laundering and ask for a transfer: Pattaya City has warned about these.⁹
• Fake job offers that lure foreigners to Thailand and then traffic them to neighbouring countries.³
• Card skimming at ATMs in tourist places.²
• If you have already sent money, call 1441 at once: what to do after an online scam.

After a scam

For a dispute with a shop or service, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board takes complaints on 1166; we could not confirm that it handles complaints in English.¹⁰ For a crime, get a police report at the police station for the area where it happened, before you leave Thailand.⁴¹ Who to call in Pattaya.

Questions people ask

What is the jet ski scam in Pattaya?

A rental operator claims you damaged the jet ski and demands money, sometimes with threats or by holding your passport. Photograph the jet ski before you ride, leave a copy of your passport rather than the passport, and call the Tourist Police on 1155 if it turns threatening.

Are there nightlife scams in Pattaya, such as on Walking Street?

No official source we checked names Walking Street. Canada warns that some bars and nightclubs in Thailand charge exorbitant prices, and drink spiking happens in tourist areas: ask prices first, avoid tabs and watch your drink.

How do I avoid taxi scams in Pattaya?

Agree the fare or insist on the meter before you get in, use drivers you approached yourself or a ride-hailing app, and turn down cheap tours with shop stops.

Who do I call if I'm scammed in Pattaya?

The Tourist Police on 1155. For money sent to an online scammer, call 1441 at once; for a dispute with a shop or service, the Consumer Protection Board on 1166.

Sources

1. Travel advice and advisories for Thailand (updated 13 October 2026), Government of Canada. Checked 14 October 2026.
2. Thailand: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (status 14 October 2026, in German), German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt). Checked 14 October 2026.
3. Thailand travel advice: safety and security (updated 12 October 2026), UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Checked 14 October 2026.
4. Thailand travel advice (updated 29 September 2026), Australian Government, Smartraveller. Checked 14 October 2026.
5. Pattaya City news, 14 May 2026: beach operators, licences and checks (in Thai), Pattaya City. Checked 14 October 2026.
6. Contact us (hotline 1155), Tourist Police Bureau, Royal Thai Police. Checked 14 October 2026.
7. Thailand travel advice (updated 4 September 2026), New Zealand Government, SafeTravel. Checked 14 October 2026.
8. Department of Land Transport (Call Center 1584, in Thai), Department of Land Transport. Checked 14 October 2026.
9. Pattaya City news, 11 September 2026: warning about callers posing as officials (in Thai), Pattaya City. Checked 14 October 2026.
10. Online complaints (hotline 1166), Office of the Consumer Protection Board. Checked 14 October 2026.

Facts on this page were checked on the date shown. Rules and prices change; the source is the final word. Found something out of date? Tell us.