Question 1

What is the "Motorbike Rental Damage Claim" scam in Phuket?

Accepted Answer

Rental shops rent out motorbikes or scooters and then photograph them after return, claiming pre-existing scratches were caused by you. Staff may introduce damage between rental and return. Shops often hold your passport as a deposit, giving them leverage to demand hundreds of dollars in inflated repair fees. Never hand over your actual passport as a deposit — offer a cash deposit or a photocopy instead. Photograph and video every existing scratch and dent before riding away, and send the video to your own email for timestamping. Use rental shops recommended by your hotel.

Question 2

What is the "Timeshare Holiday Club Scratch Card" scam in Phuket?

Accepted Answer

On beach roads in Karon and Kata, touts hand out scratch cards that always reveal a major prize redeemable by attending a 90-minute resort presentation. The presentation is a high-pressure timeshare or holiday club sales pitch lasting 3 to 4 hours in reality. Contracts costing between 6,000 and 20,000 USD are pushed with claims of no cooling-off period. Companies including David Vacation Club and Asian Travel Club have operated this scheme from offices near Karon Beach Road and the Karon roundabout. Decline all scratch cards and street promotions regardless of the claimed prize. No legitimate resort gives away free holidays to strangers on the street. If already inside a presentation, you are under no legal obligation to buy or to stay for the full duration.

Other Tourist Scams in Phuket

Motorbike Rental Damage Claim

Timeshare Holiday Club Scratch Card

Experienced a scam here?