From the Land of Smiles to the Land of Thieves and Madness

Описание: From the Land of Smiles to the Land of Scammers and Madness

The so-called “Land of Smiles” has increasingly become a land of scammers and chaos. Thai people have long accused Cambodia of hosting scam centers, yet they rarely reflect on their own country’s role. In Southeast Asia, Thailand stands out as the only country in the region ranked among the top five for tourist scams, according to data from Seasia.stats. Cities such as Bangkok and Phuket, well known for their vibrant tourism scenes, have repeatedly witnessed scam patterns ranging from tuk-tuk overcharging to gem fraud.

Thailand ranks first in Asia for tourist-related scams, including tuk-tuk and taxi scams, gem scams, fake tours, petty theft, rigged games, so-called “friendly” locals who guide tourists to overpriced goods or services, and increasingly, online romance and “pig-butchering” scams.

Recently, Myanmar destroyed two major scam centers in KK Park along the Thai–Myanmar border near Tak Province as part of efforts to crack down on scammers in the area. These centers were part of a multibillion-dollar cyber fraud industry operating online scam schemes. The scam hubs were reportedly linked to Thai nationals who crossed the border to conduct fraudulent activities. Similarly, Thailand’s deputy finance minister resigned on 22 October 2025 following allegations linking him and his wife to a network of cyber scam centers. Vorapak Tanyawong stated that he stepped down amid these allegations.

Meanwhile, during the border clash between Cambodia and Thailand, Thai authorities tightened security measures targeting international tourists, causing widespread frustration. The procedures have become complicated and time-consuming. For example, in a Facebook post, Paul Jaemsen shared that one of his friends was subjected to a prolonged interrogation and treated with a complete lack of respect. “He was detained at the airport overnight and allowed to fly back to Cambodia the next day, on Friday,” he wrote. Such excessive scrutiny and interrogation have left many tourists feeling angry and humiliated.

In addition, David Luy, Ambassador of Cambodia to France, has issued an Advisory to Travelers to Cambodia, warning of serious transit problems at Bangkok airport for European travelers en route to Cambodia. Several recent testimonies indicate that passengers in single transit have faced extended interrogations, excessive demands for financial proof, intrusive checks of travel reservations, an atmosphere of anxiety, and unjustified suspicions.

By Cam-Edu

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