The Reality of Patong (Phuket) Thailand | Tourist Traps & Tips Exposed! 🇹🇭

[@brianlai4387]

I totally agree with you! I just came back from Phuket a week ago and I was shocked how expensive and scummy everything has gotten. Everything is marked up at least 300%. I even told one the night market sellers, what's the point in charging me 900 baht for an imitation shirt when I can buy the original at almost the same price at Jungceylon. It's totally illogical and crazy. Makes no sense! The Thai locals and residents around Patong thrive on dishonesty and ripping off foreigners. One of the taxi driver demanded a 600 baht tip from me for simply helping me load and unload my luggage which I never asked for, and was more than willing to do it myself. Another act of dishonesty was drinking in a bar with friends in Patong. A group of bar girls joined us and would not leave us alone. They were very pushy into getting us to play drinking games for money with them. I ended up walking away after a beer. That experience left me a bad taste in my mouth. If I were to go back drinking again I have to make sure that place doesn't come with any strings attached. Maybe I will just stick to bar restaurants chains like Hard Rock or Hooters. At least you won't get women hard soliciting you for companionship.

[@marcoroams]

Very well said Brian! I’ll pin this comment because a lot of people think I am exaggerating, but it’s just the truth.

[@brianlai4387]

@@marcoroams Yep, I totally understand. A lot of people (mainly boomers/and elderly sexpats) get enrage with me as soon as I mention my bad experiences in Thailand. They go on and accuse me of exaggerating or lying to paint Thailand in a bad light. The most common retort I get is: " Well, you're not smart enough for Thailand. You should have avoided Patong and all the other touristy areas" I honestly don't understand how they even come to that fallacy. Instead of addressing the main concern their best advice is to "avoid the touristy area" altogether and move on to the next. Hoping that problem will magically go away.

[@lisk3822]

I just returned from Thailand and Phuket. What a dump.

[@kathyhirsch379]

​@@lisk3822 roadworks hardly can get to the beach which is ful of rubish the water was so dirty 😢 3 days I had to get oway 😢

[@mrgreen1198]

Agreed. Phuket was amazing up until about 2006 and then the $$$ and cars and millionaires over built and the rest is history. Maybe the best island for beaches in the world- but- its done. Thanks Putin.

[@ChrisM541]

Most of this is no different from any other tourist trap in any country. Be streetwise. be prepared. Do your homework.

[@nicholas78999]

Just pay more to goto 3rd thailand than you would to goto 1st world europe australia or usa. Don’t expect it to be cheaper, get the “cheaper to goto thailand” out of your head, thats all we are saying. Its more expensive than australia I live in australia i just went to bangkok i just went to phuket in September. When I got back in September i told my friend how expensive it was, he said try bangkok i went to bangkok, just now in december i stayed 1 day and paid $500 to fly straight home that day because it was even worse! Was meant to stay a week, but by all means go there get scammed pay rip off prices and sit there regretting it cause everything filthy and u should have went to Sydney or santorini or new york. 🎉😂

[@ChrisM541]

@@nicholas78999 So true, and the 'bar bills' are infinitely more cheaper in any country but Thailand. Phuket etc focus on one thing, and one thing only - wall to wall prostitution ;)

[@markdavids2511]

If you’re streetwise in your home country, you’re streetwise anywhere.

[@ChrisM541]

@@markdavids2511 'Wall to wall' public prostitution rarely features in most countries. No amount of 'streetwise' training elsewhere(!) will prepare you for this. --> Tourists walk these streets for one thing and one thing only...to purchase a prostitute.

[@alessandrofaina1512]

​@@nicholas78999you are not talking of whole Thailand as a country having visited the least authentic Thai places, Bangkok and Phuket? Trust me there is much more and better than that and many places that would change your idea.

[@Big_E_247]

I don't know about the rest of Thailand, but Patong was the biggest tourist trap I've ever been to. One rip-off after another, and the beach is over-crowded and polluted.

[@1greenMitsi]

its little moscow too

[@billrose2202]

Hey mate I live in Thailand actually and used to live in Phuket town. Patong is only for tourists. Its kind of a shame that tourists don't usually get to see the other side of Thailand. They just shuttle from one tourist spot to another. For real prices just go to 7-11 or another chain like Big C if you're in tourist town. Once you find the real prices in Thailand you'll understand how expensive Patong is. The real locals are very friendly but people come from other provinces to make money and can be agressive and even violent especially the taxi/tuk tuk drivers. I'd say you've got it right. If the price seems crazy high just smile and keep walking. Yes there is double pricing in tourist areas in Thailand. That's how it is. Nice video and keep up the hard work. I'm sure you've helped many first time tourists. We all start somewhere. I used to spend loads of time in Koh San Road area in my early days here. I started to learn a bit of Thai and take the government buses and started to see the nontouristic side of Thailand. Cheers

[@marcoroams]

Thank so much man! I appreciate that, Hope you are doing well ✌🏼😊

[@mauimixer6040]

Smile and say, ma kap, with the smile, and they truly respect that , no thanks! Best two words to know. Lived there a year in o9, but visiting since 03.😊

[@nickoutram6939]

I was wondering if the Patong markets are 'Thai price' because only Thai/local have cooking facility anyway for these raw ingrediants or whether that too experiences 'tourist inflation'...? (I used to live over on Ao Yon Bay, Cape Panwa btw.)

[@billrose2202]

Truthfully I almost never go to Patong but sure its overpriced. Rents are much higher and everything goes up as result of that. Even the local food for the Thai workers is more than in other areas. The market in Panwa is much more reasonable probably because there are just a few hotels there and mostly locals go to that market. @@nickoutram6939

[@dw7670]

Bru made a whole video just being negative lol insane

[@tieroneasset678]

I've lived here 11 years. Seen many changes. One thing that I want to correct you about the street food. Alot of the street food the vendors sell is food they buy from local restaurants that didn't sell. Sometimes it's very old food, 5-7 days old that they couldn't sell. They buy it up for virtually nothing and then sell it as street food to tourists. What's extra sad about it is that some of the locals laugh behind the faraangs back when doing so...

[@marcoroams]

Wow! If that is legit it is terrible!

[@tieroneasset678]

@@marcoroams regrettably, it's true. Certain foods that's spoiled and begins to smell, they wash it with lemon juice to mask the odor. It's very simple. They only care about profit. The safest thing is to prepare your own food

[@gw2761]

Yeah and you tourists disrespect them all the time 🖕

[@tumanakoharrison2179]

Damn that is sad and disgusting.

[@kavla6666]

Like Marco said Thai people are very friendly and welcoming, this price gouging I have notified since the pandemic. I had swollen ankles from the flight that also got infected from a cut from wearing slides and went to the clinic in patong they try to charge me 10000baht for treatment and I new straight away it's scam. I told them your scamming tourists and left. Went a few doors down the road and into the pharmacist and show her my feet and gave me antibiotics and cream which worked and treated it within 3 days total cost 375baht!! And the end of the day you just have to play it smart and think about what you've doing and how to deal with it!

[@marcoroams]

Wow that is terrible!! Need to shop around, they will lie to your face with a smile …. It’s become so bad and I hope they start changing their ways!

[@KenyonFongkingyu]

😅

[@terrenceseymour]

I found the country changed after the boxing day tsunamis. It became a desperate place.

[@tompalfi1262]

Currently in Patong. Just got back from a day trip to Phi Phi islands. Absolute nightmare with hordes of boats and people at all of the stops, even though we are still in low season. At every stop they try and upsell some product e.g. a jet ski ride, scuba diving, buy a brand new mouthpiece instead of using a manky recycled one, a waterproof phone holder, shoes so you don’t end up with cuts or spikes in your feet etc. At the stops they rope off tiny bits of water for swimming and snorkeling- literally a smaller area than an average roof-top pool. Final stop is a tiny rocky island where you have an hour to spend and just about everything costs money e.g THB20 for a piss, THB 150 for a deckchair and so on. Then at the end you are encouraged to give a tip and buy an exorbitantly priced photo. All those trip brochures are guilty of false advertising because they show pristine beaches with only a handful of people on them - so if you are considering doing this trip, just DON’T!

[@Roosterhoot2024]

Loving these videos mate, great sense of humor and some fun content too.

[@marcoroams]

Thanks buddy! I’m glad you get the humour, I’m guessing you are Aussie or UK? A lot of people literally think I’m “super super angry” in this video … but I’m just saying it how it is 😂

[@awkwardinasia]

Thanks for the honesty Marco! Really appreciate you sharing your unadulterated experiences here in exactly this kind of way. The vast majority of vloggers today just sugar coat and reduce everything into a homogenized pre packaged shiny little filtered product that does no justice for the viewer. Keep it up!

[@marcoroams]

Thanks you, I agree and I’m glad you can see it that way! 😎 However, I seem to be getting a bit of hate in some of the comments, not sure why 😅 All I am doing is saying what happened… to me and letting other people know!

[@TIMMYTOAST-f1v]

Great Comment.

[@dzjacels336]

well it`s hard to be honest in your vlogs especially in Thailand if you want to return there, they have reputation for going after people who say bad things about them, at least i have heard about few occasions. Still great place

[@Adeladian]

Ive been going to Patong for the last 23 years great place never had any problems, its like many tourist places you have to bargain and be carefull what you eat.

[@SeanHendy]

Absolutely right 👏👏👏

[@pietromora2297]

Yeah you're right first time Patong 94 then 96, 97. Then 99, 2000, 2001, lived partime while not in Vietnam. Look Thailand is great you just gotta be careful, I do agree since around 08,10, it has become very expensive, but that's just the ladies drinks. Everything else is fine.

[@SeanHendy]

@@pietromora2297 for balance, it's not 'very expensive'. It isn't as cheap as it used to be, yes. But maybe that is just us getting older and remembering older prices. For comparison, in London 21 years ago, in a nightclub, a small bottle of beer was £4.80 (210 baht), I shudder to think of how much it costs now. A pint of beer in a local pub now, starts at - £4 ( 177 baht), a portion of chips at a take away, basic basic food, is £3.35 (150 baht). I'd take Phuket prices any day of the week.

[@JaySmith-jh2sd]

@@pietromora2297well done legend

[@philipbennison6541]

The reality of Patong Beach is that it is a honey pot. Phuket Island has many beautiful resorts which are not rip-off. In fact, Patong Beach actually has some great hotels and restaurants, if you would just take a look around. Take a stroll all the way along Nanai Road, (a very long road running along the base of the mountains) and you will find many, many little bars and restaurants with owners who are only concerned about living life to the full. Nanai Road has massage parlours at the best rates, and the food is so delicious. Spend an evening in one of those little bars just sitting on a barstool, chatting and watching football on the TV, and I guarantee you will return the next day.

[@marcoroams]

100% I agree with you! This video is aimed at the tourist trap spot and just telling my stories… once you get out of there, much nicer 🙏🏽😁

[@fionnmcnessa]

Yes you are spot on stayed on Nanai Rd 5 times love it Will be back end of March can't wait

[@philipbennison6541]

@@fionnmcnessa That's great. I'm thinking of going back for Songkhran in mid-April.

[@fionnmcnessa]

@philipbennison6541 yeah ill be there for that my man if you do keep me posted ill buy you a beer

[@chiosaeteurn5284]

I understand that scams happen everywhere, and you are blogging, but I didn't like how you treated the guy who had the sign. You're likely a privileged foreigner, the poor guy is trying trying to get attention, then became shy. You are in their country.

[@marcoroams]

I didn’t treat him in anyway, go back and watch it again, I am filming a video and he approached me and engaged and put a sign up to me, showing his business and what he wants to sell, so I stopped what I was doing face the camera towards him so I could show some of the things that are on offer here, he did not get shy. He just does not want people to know what he does, then obviously I’m filming a video I’m not gonna stop and make a new take and then start again. I am going to make a comment like “ it’s weird how people approach you, but then they don’t want to be in the video” or whatever I said… Not being rude, I am being real. Have you ever even been to any of these countries? Do you even understand how rude these vendors can be are when you are interested in something but then you decide not to buy, they get angry and they swear at you in their own language. 9 times out of 10 when you you say no to the shooting guys they then offer your coke and weed…. This is why they don’t want to be seen. Go watch the scene again, and you may change your mind. If not fair enough, we all have our different views.

[@Shaun7638]

These Vlogger scrougers need to look at there own countries to point of scammers..

[@NicholasWright-o6f]

Completely agree. You sat down next to him in a bad mood , encroached his space , taxi guy was minding his business, you were at the end of your rant sooking about having an older lady do your massage. You play games you get dealt my friend. If an authentic massage was all you really wanted it shouldn’t matter age or appearance of the masseuse. Tourist or not that’s the freelancers business , you knew what was happening ya gronk

[@cocoadriel1578]

@@marcoroams tbh if you should’t go to their country then. Its normal in asian someone come asking we tell them and they dont wanna buy it then we just swear its doesn’t mean anything. Stay in white countries if you can’t handle that shit

[@cocoadriel1578]

@@marcoroamswhite peoples r too sensitive just stay where you guys belong if you cant handle the difference

[@myrnamacky2643]

Scammers and shady business does exists everywhere just a matter of degree of how bad and how "criminal" it could be especially in third world country . Thank you for exposing the shady business in Phuket Thailand. One of my future trip destination - thank you for the warning Marco. Stay safe travelling.

[@marcoroams]

Yeah buddy; I mean most of this stuff is petty but it’s just tarnishes the reputation of the area and can ruin your trip

[@grenatuu9890]

seems like paris and rome do not have scammer😂

[@marcoroams]

They have the worst scammers …

[@brianphuket5951]

@@marcoroams Ozz is different. EVERY BLUUDY THING IS A RIP. compared to Thailand. Go look at how much your cuppa coffee cost, virtually everything is far more expensive than Thailand. And How many Ozzies do I hear that try to retire here complain how they're losing their Super munnie. It's all relative my boy...Thanks for spending your money in Thighland. Now quit bitchin' and go back home to wonderful Oz.

[@truckerfromreno]

Thailand is not the third world.

[@LooneyMooneyfuntimes]

Just got back from Phuket and agreed with everything you've suggested! 1st time travelling as a family which gave a new aspect to things

[@rldays9179]

I'm laughing about the sunglasses. I thought I knew everything and the first day we were walking just by Bangala Road and a guy came up with "Cheap glasses" Sure buddy whatever. And I had actually forgotten my glasses so I did want to get some but I didn't tell him that, he just bailed us up. So he insisted on "Cheap glasses" So I asked ok how much for a pair I liked. He said 3000Bht I was like pft no way. Me being so clever I just said I wouldn't go over 1000bht! he said ok. And I'm like ha score. Walked away and wife said, "Why did you buy those glasses?" I said I got them down to 1000bht. Then I stopped and thought. Wait, in 2019 100bht was $5. I just paid $50 wtf??? The most expensive glasses I ever bought in my life and I got them in Thailand. Then the blue polarize whatever started peeling off after a couple of days. I did buy more glasses later for like 300bht for 2 pair so I was well aware of how much I got stung on that first day. Be aware people. Don't be like me.

[@marcoroams]

Hahahah oh crap! So you have him 1000 instead of 100! Damn, that dude won the lotto lol Yeah they disintegrate within a few days

[@jamesquivey1538]

This is true of any tourist area. I live in Ft Lauderdale Florida (just north of Miami) where the beach road is lined with tourist shops, food venders, etc. When I tell the venders I live 4 km from the beach, the prices drop in half. The same shirt sold at a national drug store NOT ON THE BEACH is 1/3 the price as it is on the beach. It's a fact of life; the venders have to make their money somewhere. They get it while they can. Face it, most of their customers will never be back. When visiting Patong, do your shopping on Soi Rat Utit or Soi Nanai instead of Thawewong or Bangla Roads, it will be way cheaper.

[@marcoroams]

Yeah for sure! Helping out the new comers though. It’s still dishonest to do that just because you won’t be back … they make enough as it is

[@PerfectSense77]

Not even remotely true. Nowhere in my home country would a pharmacist in a tourist area try to charge 30x the normal price for medicine like the one in the video, and if they did the cops and the media would be called and they'd be run out of business.

[@WayneAnthony-w1t]

Marco; I enjoy your videos, find them interesting, informative and straightforward. I consider you the better of You Tube bloggers. If you could show videos of other parts of Thailand, that would great.😊

[@marcoroams]

Thank you! It is just what’s up there now, there should be about 13 Thailand videos, I don’t have any plans on going back for some time

[@jovanessavf164]

You are sooo right! Mom got us a tour package (I hate that) coz she doesn't wanna have to think or worry about itineraries. Most of the destinations were shops. Geez. So I did what I always do in our travels- sneak out and walk around.until I get tired. 😂 Like you, I love exploring the backroads and unpopular places. ❤

[@aussie2478]

You’re in Patong that place has priced itself out of the market. Much cheaper in Pattaya. I was getting bigger kebabs and paying 60 baht.

[@steveprice8201]

Yep been going to Pattaya for a long time. Many great friends still there. N yes much cheaper. The tourist hype from Bali to Phuket for Aussies in particular . Pattaya has or was a oh that’s a seedy place don’t go. It’s all the same. get a bus or taxi etc from Bangkok

[@nef.spring]

One true thing I learn: sun screen is 3 times more expensive than they are in the US. A $20 bottle is like costing $5 in the US and you will need lots of those as you can’t bring yours with you if you travel light ( no suitcase)

[@marcoroams]

Yeah I can get it for $2 in Australia! But more expensive everywhere else

[@jeffbarta6276]

thanks i enjoyed this video!!!!!

[@nightrider8908]

I don't mind it if people ask me to pay exorbitant prices. I'm smart enough not to pay. What I don't like it the fact that I have had two cases of food poisoning in Patong because I've been given rancid food in good-looking restaurants. The most recent case was about four years ago in a restaurant on the walking alley leading from Beach Road to Patong Tower. It spoiled my holiday and I eventually had to go to the International Clinic.

[@peterwallace7015]

They used to be cheap but years ago tourists would be saying wow, I pay 3 times that where I am from so they put their prices up and tourists pay without a quibble so they put the prices up again to ridiculous amounts. If tourist's pay then they are laughing , if you say no way and go 1/4 or less then they will drop down. No matter what you pay they are still laughing. I lived in Patong 1983 when it was just hots by the beach and a few bars. It got wiped out with that big tsunami and this is the result. Don't blame them for what the tourists have done. The same in Bali in the 1980's. Something would be 50 cents and some tourists would give them 5$ US . What do you expect. The Yanks were the worst and young Aussies were the next for being stupid.

[@stevechapman4325]

Awesome video, malin plaza does the same food market and Nikki's bar does great variety of drinks too.

[@paul7t5]

Great video, thanks! I did Thailand waaay back in 2006 (yeah I'm old), thinking of going back for another blast there before I hit 50, and your stuff is great, bringing me up to date with the newer thailand! Keep it up, your videos are the best I've seen!

[@marcoroams]

Thank you legend!! ✌🏼😁

[@rustythelegend]

​@@marcoroamshey I hav a question are all these taxi n tour companies safe I'm goin to he visiting with my wife and 2 toddlers, can you please let me know how safe is it to go into a random tour group or taxi, we r just worried about our safety while in Thailand

[@marcoroams]

@@rustythelegend no man! It’s extremely safe, don’t worry about anything! Just don’t get in a fight or buy drug$ and you’ll be fine. Watch my newest video I did in Philippines … I went to the craziest no go zone city and was okay

[@rustythelegend]

@@marcoroams thx man I just seen your channel and just finished this awesome video, I will definitely subscribe and share your video with friends, thanks for your honesty, I was more worried about the safety of my kids, can I ask one more question plz if you dont mind, we will be staying in a few hotels while travelling Thailand, how safe is it to keep your passports locked up in your suitcases and possibly chained to the bed as an extra measure of safety. We dont want to take the risk of takin our passports everywhere along with us...

[@marcoroams]

@@rustythelegend Yeah mate of course! and Thank you! I appreciate every new viewer!! So any semi-decent hotel will have safe to lock it in with your own code you assign it to, also I have never had any problems ... I just leave it on the table even when house keeping come haha. I have been lucky or I have a guardian angel, just keep it hidden somewhere deep in your bag or the safe :D

[@michaelcampanale6649]

Very Nice & Thorough & Honest - Thank You ... !!!!

[@lydiaoneill3805]

Marco, i really want to go to krabi at easter with my son whos 6.. we are irish its been a bucket list of mine and im a single mum.. do u think its safe in ur opinion ?

[@marcoroams]

Yeah for sure, I didn’t get to Krabi, but it’s away from all this kind of stuff, it’s a really beautiful place

[@Michael-Rooney007]

Great video bro! Really enjoyed how you put it in perspective!

[@AdawgSuperhighway]

I went to Patong Beach for the first time in March 2023. I definitely won’t be going back.

[@marcoroams]

😂😂😂

[@AussieGaming-iw1em]

why got tricked my a lady boy

[@tomsandroy]

Which camera did you use to film this? Great quality, thanks

[@marcoroams]

Hey buddy. Go Pro 11 😎

[@tomsandroy]

@@marcoroams Thanks, I'm using the same camera :)

[@El1bladeball]

You ain’t buying beach towels from Kmart for two bucks 😂

[@marcoroams]

You actually can, another guy said this and I posted the link …

[@darrensaunders8844]

Great videos man, had to subscribe.

[@marcoroams]

Thanks brother!

[@darrensaunders8844]

@@marcoroams Pleasure mate

[@DanUnplanned]

Loving this bro true story of the scams to look out for! Doing justice to the world man 😊

[@marcoroams]

Doing my part bro! Some people are getting annoyed, but I’m literally just saying what happens 😂

[@BLKU_ENDURO]

Love the video,very funny keep going man \ plz next time Put location map

[@marcoroams]

Thanks man! Will do 😎

[@DamienYuen7718]

Brave man to be exposing things in Thailand although probably not the smartest idea as a farang.

[@marcoroams]

Someone’s gotta do it bro! These vendors have been doing this way too long

[@phillipmurrihy5821]

great BLOG mate. very informative. thanks for sharing in Phuket. enjoy and stay safe

[@marcoroams]

Thanks man 😁

[@merrittman]

How can they have meat and seafood sitting out like that in the heat? Talk about food poisoning waiting to happen

[@michren]

have you found you've ever gotten sick from the ice at street markets or the sushi seafood sitting out in the heat?

[@marcoroams]

Not sure if it was those exact things, but yes I am usually sick about 2-4 times a month

[@xy-nj8nk]

wow thats very honest and good to know ...@@marcoroams

[@DanUnplanned]

How much would those fake AirPod max be to buy and send to me in the uk bro? Really want a pair

[@marcoroams]

Yeah mate about 15 quid I would say. Maybe 4 quid postage. I’ll see what they have in Vietnam

[@DanUnplanned]

@@marcoroams good stuff man let me know I want a pair of over the head ones that are decent quality I’ll pay what ever they cost and postage too!

[@marcoroams]

@@DanUnplanned sweet! I’ll send you some info on Insta when I find some … I’ll test them out too, because some in Bangkok were dodgy

[@DanUnplanned]

@@marcoroams nice one man! No worries atall! Thanks bro

[@SuperMarioinGiappone]

Hi Marco great video! About phone sim which one do you recommend once arrived in Phuket?

[@marcoroams]

Thank you!! I am not using them anymore, I just use an esim cause it’s really easy. Saily.com is the best! And you can use the code “Marco” for 15% off

[@Nagrom_112]

Hell yea a nice long vlog 🔥

[@marcoroams]

😁😁😁

[@Diamonddave713]

I like the vid but man i didn't recognize you with the ball cap and shades. I saw you on a vid with Chris in Pattaya. Ok gonna sub to your ch. thanks for what you're doing, telling it like it is.

[@marcoroams]

Thanks brother! Good to have you here ✌🏼

[@JadonDurane-ct4ky]

There are way much more scams in Patong...But this Vlog IS legit👍 Bring your Air Fryer and make your own food

[@woodywood7759]

Cool dude mate, I'll watch every vlog he post. An I love the attitude, honesty and good vibes!

[@marcoroams]

Thanks bro! 😎

[@woodywood7759]

@@marcoroams and you take the time to reply back. I know you can't always but a lot of channels never reply to comments! Stay safe and keep em coming love the content mate

[@davidlawton7845]

This stuff has been going on for years , part of going to another country is finding out stuff for yourself…look , learn and react. Turn up and have the mindset of having a great time and you will. Regards.

[@ReCoN585]

Another great video as always Marco!

[@marcoroams]

Thank you 😄

[@chad5893]

For the massages, always go with the professional outfits that don't show a lot of skin. If they're dressed like you know what, then they are. Also, my experience, the older women have been in the game long enough and are great at massages. I usually get mine on the beach.

[@RaymondMoore-c4g]

I been looking for some good vlogers for ages, glad I came across this one so I subbed,

[@marcoroams]

Thanks buddy! Appreciate it

[@g8crasher7]

this is the kind of vlog i like. . . so honest and true. . . most of vloggers i watch always saying its ok. . . but the truth is it is not. . . .more power to you bro . . .stay away from ladies in the bar. . .👍👍👍

[@marcoroams]

Thanks brother! I just like to keep my travel experiences real and raw! It’s not Hollywood, no need for the over production and the bullshit. I just tell it how it is to make others aware of the reality 😎

[@DRymez]

Hey brother love the video, do they usually just take cash in Thailand? or can you pay by card

[@marcoroams]

Yeah mate cash and card … but depends on the vendor, just make sure you always have cash 💰

[@Thailand_fan17]

You need to understand the area you are in is a tourist area and these people need to make a living ! They have costs they have to pay as well. I’d simply say if you don’t like it don’t go to Thailand !

[@marcoroams]

Bro, don’t you ever justify a pathetic kebab like that again 😂 That’s a crime against humanity to serve that to someone

[@corbind.9395]

Scam is a scam is a scam.

[@AussieGaming-iw1em]

its true they are trying to make a living i live phuket town since i was 16 now im 35 wont understand because they dont live here everything clarkie said is true...think smart here and you wont get scammed

[@AussieGaming-iw1em]

@@marcoroams i live here the cops dont give a shit about scammers some cops works for the scammers you have a lot to learn ..i know i live in phuket town kathu

[@MrTLaing]

lmao...everyone has costs to live idiot.....no one here will charge you 4 or 5 times the cost for anything....i guess your country does...or is it just capatilism?

[@briancompton6326]

1st time seeing your video... I'll subscribe.... your 'laid-back" and positive approach is good entertainment.

[@Gypsy-hq5po]

Great honest video, love how real you are 🙏🏼

[@marcoroams]

I do what I do! Thank you 😁

[@hmore4395]

Thank you for sharing. Learned a lot from this video

[@Dutch-K9-Unit]

Thanks mate very helpfull video !!!!! a lot f people skip Thailand already see more people going to Vietnam , Cambodja Myanmar etc. not saying scamming there not exist..I like Phuket beeing there many time but I skip this year also toobusy ,too comercial and too much scams everythere

[@marcoroams]

Thanks man! I hope to get there one day!

[@caloy1206]

Maybe Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines but please not Myanmar...there is an ongoing civil war.

[@ltcdrdata]

Just found your channel with this video. I’m a fellow Aussie but I’m living in America. I’ve spent most of my life here but my family is mostly from NSW. By the time you include cousins, second, cousin, Sara, cousins, etc. etc. etc. all over Australia. Like your video, I’m looking forward to seeing more of your videos. I am one of those that will most likely settle and retire in Thailand. Cancel that, I’ll move to Thailand before retiring, and then finish out my retirement there. I did live there for three years back in the first part of the 2000s. I’ve been back multiple times since. I’m sitting here rooting for the success of your channel.

[@marcoroams]

Awesome mate! Sounds good. Thailand is great, but just gotta get away from the scammy areas or just be aware. If you’re a local they will likely get used to you and leave you alone. Great place to retire and thank for well wishes! 😎

[@kalimama68]

This happen everywhere in Thailand. The street vendors charge two price, one for locals and another extortionate for tourists. This happen because they know tourist sometimes don't care about the rip off. The only thing we could do is to choose wisely. If Thailand is getting so greedy why not visit other better countries like Malaysia, Vietnam.

[@Wise2daGame]

because the next country will do the same. You can't escape it so why bother caring. Just enjoy your time

[@michaelmcdonnell1172]

Love the honesty. Great video

[@JustDiane71]

I want one of those mango drinks but with strawberries and raspberry. That drink looked amazing and refreshing!!

[@marcoroams]

Seriously the best! I think I had it for a week straight 😋

[@fortuner123]

I've lived in Thailand for 23 years, and most of my shopping is done online now. Much cheaper. Food excluded.

[@colingoodfellow9185]

Yeah Champ, NO sushi off the cart , with no refrigeration. How long has the salmon or the prawns been waiting for you to come by/buy. Cheers mate

[@marcoroams]

Lol it’s all fresh there, they would have literally set up moments before I got there

[@mikelee7972]

Hey Marco. Still watching video as im typing. I am coming to PHUKET for the first time in mid november for a month. I stayed in bangkok for a month but hoping PHUKET is much more to do during the day. Scammers are everywhere!!!! Just more hustlers in PHUKET i assume since its so touristy......I am originally from NY and back in the days......NYC was THE BIGGEST scammer site of all time. Are you going to be there in NOV/DEC????

[@john11100]

Legend! I appreciate how real you are man. Lotta travel stuff seems scripted almost. I deff dig your vibe 100%

[@marcoroams]

Thank you Sir King! 🤴🏽

[@chrisbrown-jw4ce]

the reality of patong beach is that about 30 seconds after arriving there you realize it exists to rip off tourists, stick to food and not stuff you can buy in Australia.

[@terrym1964]

"This video is not about complaining"... Proceeds to complain for the next 33 minutes 😉

[@MrTLaing]

also shows many good things and decent advice...also seen as complaints by idiots

[@TheDiversifiedPortfolio-ok4lc]

@@MrTLaing lmao naw this guy is salty as hell

[@xMI55IONx]

I would it was more of a "beware" type of a message for first timers. Useful info.

[@uffetrader8134]

Agree!

[@smurra3]

Liked and subscribed! Great channel! Bye the way, What brand and model of shades are you wearing?

[@marcoroams]

Cheers mate! Ahh can’t remember but they were custom prescription. I think they may have been Converse. But I lost them on the JetSki video. They were about $150😫

[@DJ33970]

I'm glad that you shared what it really can be like in Patong. I've been to Patong once for 1 night and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I have no interest in going back whatsoever. I'm a 35 year old white man and I was getting harassed there by everyone, it was driving me nuts. I have a story to share with you about Patong, this didn't happen to me but it happened to someone I knew. It was the middle of the night and he was walking home from the bar/club area when I random woman came up and put her arm around him and started flirting with him, what he didn't realize (because he was hammered) was that when she came up from behind and put her arm around him, with her other arm she planted drugs on him without him knowing. That woman is disguised as a random party girl and is working either for the police (or what could be men who aren't actually police but are pretending to be) These men are watching in the distance and once the drugs are placed, they come over and ask to search him. If you refuse, then they'll threaten to take you to the detention center, so then you do what you're told because you don't want to get in trouble but then when you put your hands in your pockets and pull out drugs, well now your fingerprints are on them (They might not even be real drugs, could just be regular pills that look like drugs because I think it's meant to be a scam.) Then the men tell you that they're going to take you to a bank machine and you're going to take out 50,000 baht or however much they ask for and that if you refuse, then they'll once again threaten to take you to the detention center and if that happens, your fingerprints are already on the pills so you could get royaly screwed if they are real so therefore you have no choice but to pay whatever amount of money the men asked for. After hearing this story and reading about other stories that have happened to people in Patong, there's no way I'm ever going back there.

[@stevemercedes3692]

What a load of absolute rubbish mate, the worse you can expect is the occasional pickpocket , usually a ladyboy if you are drunk.

[@paulsz6194]

Stay in Kamala or Karon next time, where it’s not as party focused, especially Karon where it’s more family focused., and you probably won’t experience what you experienced on Bangla rd. I’ve been on Bangla rd twice, with last time being last year , I’ve never experienced that, but I guess I depends on where you are at a certain time at night. My hotel was a 10 min walk from Bangla rd and got back there without being harassed.

[@TIMMYTOAST-f1v]

Yeah had similar in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Also Jakarta. So in a nut shell Asia is a mecca for scammers, criminals and unscrupulous low life characters women and men. Asia has lost its appeal and thank GOD. Cost me alot of money and time for self indulgence idiosyncrasies.

[@wallysworld191]

0% chance that story is true.

[@tonymiller225]

My Favouite was a few taxi drivers in BKK - altho they are cheap as chips I got tired of the "sorry no change" when you handed them a 100baht note for a 30 baht taxi fare the driver hoping you would just give him the 100 "No change ?" I say "No Problem " and I pulled out my bag of 1 baht coins and proceeded to count out 30 baht in coins for the lying prick They hated it Most of the drivers are from the countryside where they rent the taxi for 800Bt a day and try and make as much as they can. If they were straight up on the trip home and the meter then usually happy to tip

[@regnorse]

lmao

[@mikelee7972]

FYI,,,,,i subscribed........great channel

[@CupOfTea834]

Thailand has changed a lot. We used to stay in the North of Thailand and even there the people have become so greedy. We won't be visiting Thailand again as there are many more countries which are more welcoming and honest.

[@regnorse]

which countries are more welcoming an honest?

[@marcoroams]

@regnorse Albanian 100%

[@CupOfTea834]

@@regnorse Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Chile, Oman for example. I also met incredible people in Turkey, but away from the tourist areas. Same with Croatia and Serbia. We are going to the Amazon soon, so will be interesting to see what the people are like there.

[@CupOfTea834]

@@marcoroams never been to Albania, but I have heard so many good things!

[@regnorse]

cheers....Phillipines not good anymore?@@CupOfTea834

[@tonyaction5284]

Great video and thank you for the tips!!🤙🏼🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@marcoroams]

All good brother!! ✌🏼

[@zipshed]

Very cool to hear the real truth! Ive heard that they have totally different prices for tourists and their own people and its obviously true that they're crooked to outsiders and lie to get every cent they can. If you just paid whatever they asked it would cost so much it would be ridiculous! Thanks Marco!

[@marcoroams]

Yeah for sure!! It’s so dumb, it’s like they don’t realise we have market and eBay and $2 shops on the western world

[@zipshed]

@@marcoroams Agreed

[@philipbennison6541]

Yes it's called the foreigner price, and some establishments actually have signs printed displaying the Thai price, and the foreigner price.

[@The-Black-Robin]

I was travelling around the rough areas of vietnam for two months and was looking forward to Thailand. As much as it was nice to escape the third world and come somewhere reasonably modern: I actually feel like the tourist traps of Thailand kind of takeaway the charm. I feel like Vietnam and Laos will be my best SEA Travel memories. Being up the creek without a paddle just taught me more than swimming in a hotel pool in Bangkok

[@Geminidreamer1]

That’s what I like you to be Marco. I love the way you tell those people off (finally).You should stand up and be more firm instead of being too kind to them. Most of them are just try to rip off the tourist!!

[@marcoroams]

Yeah bro! I do it sometime, depends on my mood and stuff haha, but I try not to be too confrontational on camera (only sometimes)

[@scottdillander8032]

I love south park and will be visiting that bus bc of this video....thanks for the info. Anywhere you would recommend is a must see in phuket?

[@marcoroams]

If anyone can help support the channel, you can by clicking on the 💲 "Super Thanks" button above or buying me a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/marcoroams 😁

[@WASHLEE111]

Arabic restaurant are expensive all over south east Asia

[@marcoroams]

@@WASHLEE111 it’s the size not the price … and I’ve had cheap in Asia by the way

[@manosparavida3551]

When I 1st visited Pattaya 18 years ago, McDonald's/Burger King on Beach Rd was actually far less than in The UK . Patong is a tourist hotspot year-round, so there's no need to deceive people daily. I was in Kata for a week over Xmas 2022 and it's reasonably priced, i stayed at 'Kata Biker bar' in a huge two storey room at a slightly reduced rate of 800 baht per night. Soi Spiderman (the main party street) had reasonably priced beers 70-80 baht. I found pharmacies in Pattaya selling antibiotics for about US$10 , when in Mindoro, nr Puerto galera apparently antibiotics were less than US$5. After 18 years of visiting Thailand very frequently and favouring it over The Philippines, I've now re-evaluated my loyalties towards The Philippines once again. I intend to spend two holidays a year for a month each and will only spend 7-10 days in Thailand during these months due to the despicable change of some of the Thai business practices. Besides The Philippines has far better/ cleaner beaches than the Thai islands. For one a lot of the beaches don't allow smoking and strictly no littering on their beaches. After New year's Eve 2022 in Pattaya, I went for a walk along the beach the following morning and was dumbfounded to see the sand littered with bottle tops and cigarette butts. Id estimate at least a hundred thousand of each, maybe twice that.

[@EllisWR]

Mate this one shoulda been called Marco Moans golden opportunity right there ahaha

[@marcoroams]

Hahaha! I’ll keep that one in mind

[@jockster5525]

Nice one mate 🎉 enjoyed your efforts

[@JamesS-t9s]

Many of my Thai friends in Phuket have had foreigners -- especially Russian and Indian buy businesses and jack up rent for the locals by 400-500%. You think the prices are higher? Remember that the tenants have had their rents increased by ridiculous amounts. Ask the locals, you'll find out who is to blame.

[@marcoroams]

Yeah that’s not good at all! But those areas have huge turn over and volume with the foot traffic. Like we can get all that stuff in Sydney markets in the city for the same price

[@Topboy12345]

Thanks for the great video👍👍. I lived lived in Thailand 20 years ago with the locals and trusty old 'Lonely Panet' - knowing all about the scams. It's refreshing to see someone now providing an honest review for the new generation, especially backpackers. Enjoy the rest of Thailand and look back at the beautiful memories in another 20 years, my friend 🤝

[@marcoroams]

Thanks Steve! Appreciate that buddy ✌🏼

[@leannebryant9962]

So you're not afraid of getting food poisoning? I assume it's safe to buy market food /drinks with ice for example. The water/ice doesn't have to be bottled?

[@leannebryant9962]

Also, please, please, please slip, slop, slap when in the sun next time. Sunburn is no joke....ouch.

[@marcoroams]

Honesty Thailand has been pretty good to me over the years, the ice is usually from a supplier and regulated, haven’t had a problem with the street food. That particular market at the end is very safe, that is where all the tourists go because they don’t set it up until about 5 pm and you know that all the food there is very fresh and made on the spot. I just left Malaysia and was sick about four times. I am not sure why I got so sick there, but I know it was definitely from the Indian food. A couple of times. Malaysia is a very organised and great country. However, I still don’t think they have their health standards up when it comes to food.

[@marcoroams]

I will from now, it was the absolute worst sunburn I’ve ever had. I looked like a lobster for three days.

[@renepadilla505]

It’s not good to engage people with a prejudgement mindset

[@ghostoftomjoadRATM]

You obviously have not watched any of his other posts and did not listen to his first couple of sentences.

[@projektgadane8662]

It's very prejudgemental what you saying you don't know this man in person and you judge him lol

[@marcoroams]

.

[@Trace-l7k]

Who the cap fit, let him wear it.

[@poultryboy1984]

Do a Philippines/Thailand comparison video!

[@marcoroams]

I did think about that, they are actual so different

[@poultryboy1984]

@@marcoroams I enjoy all your vlogs but especially the ones you did in Philippines.

[@leannebryant9962]

yeh me too.@@poultryboy1984

[@martinlanigan803]

No wonder they not getting a lot tourists when people are being ripped of with prices there

[@blakechristensen9073]

The food sucks in the PI. Trust me!

[@dalemyers759]

Very cool need to see more videos like that thank you I'm going to be there in 1st of November so I'll be looking out for most scams name Dale from Canada cheers

[@marcoroams]

Have a good time Dale 🇨🇦

[@dalemyers759]

Thanks mate I hope I do definitely looking forward to the island tours hopefully you get to Pattaya in November it would be awesome to meet you buy you a beverage cheers

[@marcoroams]

@@dalemyers759 yeah buddy would be good! Not sure I’ll be there in November but I will hold you to that beer one day 😅🍺

[@Ziochopchop]

You're Aussie mate, show the $ conversion rate in Aud not US. CHEERS

[@marcoroams]

Nah man it doesn’t work like that… the US dollar is stable and that’s what all economics are based around and it’s what every one uses for comparison while travelling… That an Euros. I have 13% Aussie audience, so it would confused 87% of people. I know what your saying and I wish I could … but just times it by 1.5 and you’ll have the Aussie price ($10 = $15)

[@souhailshamaissem7564]

Top video mate and nice to see Australian contents on you tube

[@denisethomas5728]

Your videos are so informative. Very helpful for anyone traveling to these locations. Myself after watching I’d love to travel to the Philippines. ❤

[@marcoroams]

Thank you! And you should, You’ll love it 😁

[@thewanderlustadventurer5665]

Mate, Awesome genuine insight, I'm about to head off out their in Dec/Jan & staying in Phuket for 10 nights over New Year. Just subscribed to you & a coffee is inbound, although that Mango smoothie looked the biz 👌☕

[@marcoroams]

Yeah thanks bro! Really appreciate that, hopefully it wasn’t too long for you haha … I just wanted to go on a stroll and be transparent about what goes on there. You’ll really enjoy it, just follow this info and you’ll save $100s Mate the mango smoothies are the best!

[@hayleykhan896]

Glad you have the balls to straight up say it how it is! I’ve heard from relatives that the overcharging for basic painkillers happens a lot in Pakistan, charging a few £s just for a couple Paracetamol or “panadol” that can be bought for 16p a pack here. It’s mad to see the streets alive, I’ve pictures of the boxing place with the tigers all closed up from 2021. Sorry to hear that men are abused with no repercussions, sadly I think this is a problem in most countries. I hope we can begin to protect our men and their mental health after sexual assaults, I think it’s even tried to be played off. That street food though is amazing. Thai street food is second to none, and more often than not really clean.

[@mikelee7972]

Hey,,,i may be staying in an apt 10 mins from bangla road........are there taxis and grabs available 24/7??? all the best.

[@marcoroams]

Yeah buddy! I didn’t find grab that cheap, just make sure taxi or tuktuk charge 150 baht anywhere and bike it 80. That is their deal amongst all of them

[@Ronboy69]

Geez mate…you hang round tourist spots and then comply about getting ripped off. Classic😂😂😂

[@marcoroams]

Yea but you could apply that logic to anything in life. “I had a car crash” … “what do you expect you drove on road with other cars” Mate I travel where I do and I make videos about what I make ….

[@philipdrake6]

Marco, a great video, you are good entertainment mate.👍👍.

[@marcoroams]

Thanks buddy!

[@joebustos9328]

Its funny how all these guys who make these video's say they dont partake in the rub and tugs. 😂

[@marcoroams]

Mate those videos are on my Only Fans! Jokes 😂

[@scambodia147]

Not everyone is a sad prick who has to pay for it chump.

[@spirittravels.]

Excellent video Marco. What is your vlog camera please?

[@marcoroams]

Thanks 🙏🏽 It’s a GoPro 11

[@ReadySetGo113]

Hey, really enjoyed PH videos. Will subscribe again when you get back.

[@marcoroams]

Okay thanks!

[@Wonderwall36]

Thanks for the video. I want to go to these markets, buy some cheap/good food, bring it to my condo, and eat it for the next 2-3 days. Would you agree this is a good solution?

[@marcoroams]

Yeah it’s pretty fresh stuff! But you’ll have to make sure you fridge / freezer it!

[@JJ-wi2uw]

What's the UV protection on those cheap crappy sunglasses? Non existent?

[@marcoroams]

They say they are polarised but it rubs off in a few days 😂

[@northernmunkey1]

Great contents what camera are u using buddy?

[@marcoroams]

Go pro 11 🙏🏽

[@kamakoa]

Beautiful people of Thailand

[@marcoroams]

❤️

[@Tloc103]

So many scammers in Thailand

[@NewtronKum]

@@Tloc103Poor Philippine pag pag