Bangkok has been named one of the world’s four most fraudulent cities for car-related services, including taxis, tuk-tuks, and rental vehicles.
According to a report from the Mastercard Economics Institute, this designation highlights persistent issues in Thailand’s tourism industry and has contributed to a decline in international tourist confidence—particularly among Chinese visitors.
The report notes that peak travel seasons are especially vulnerable to fraudulent activity, as scammers exploit heavy tourist traffic at popular destinations to push fake advertisements, prizes, and overpriced services. Data shows that travel-related fraud accounts for 18 percent of incidents in summer destinations and rises to 28 percent in winter hotspots.
These challenges have coincided with a noticeable drop in tourist arrivals. Thailand recorded a 1.04 percent decrease in international visitors during the first quarter of 2025, totaling nearly 13 million.
The decline is most pronounced among Chinese tourists, a vital demographic for Thailand’s tourism sector. Arrivals from China have plummeted from 100,000 per day to just 7,000, with concerns about safety and a growing preference for domestic travel cited as major factors.
Competition from neighboring countries such as Japan and Vietnam has further intensified the situation.
These nations continue to draw tourists with better infrastructure and safer travel experiences. In response, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism is considering a strategic shift – from prioritizing sheer tourist volume to focusing on attracting higher-quality visitors through improved services and fair pricing.
The economic implications are significant. In 2023, Thailand’s tourism revenue dropped sharply to THB 1.67 trillion (USD 51.2 billion), down from over THB 2 trillion (USD 61.0 billion) in 2018.
Tourism official Adith Chairattananon acknowledged that fraudulent practices, particularly in the taxi service sector, have been a long-standing issue. He stated that many tourists from the Middle East and other regions had reported being overcharged or denied service unless they agreed to pay extra. He also noted that weak regulatory enforcement has allowed such practices to persist.
As Thailand grapples with these challenges, rebuilding trust among international travelers has become increasingly urgent. Industry leaders and policymakers are now calling for stricter law enforcement, enhanced consumer protection, and tighter regulations to address the systemic flaws that continue to damage the country’s tourism reputation.