Money & ATM Scams in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Chiang Rai — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Lombok, Palawan, and Mandalay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
1
Money & ATM Scams Scams
11
Total in Chiang Rai
How it works
Exchange booths clustered around the Clock Tower roundabout and along Phahonyothin Road near the Night Bazaar use sleight of hand or miscounting to short-change tourists unfamiliar with Thai baht denominations. A common method involves the cashier folding notes before handing over the stack, hiding a 100 THB note inside a 1,000 THB note to create the illusion of a full count. Tourists who do not recount their money on the spot lose between 100 and 500 THB per transaction. The issue is more prevalent at smaller unofficial booths than at bank-affiliated kiosks.
See all scams in Chiang Rai
11 total warnings across all categories