The Grand Palace closed scam in short
The Grand Palace scam follows a simple pattern. Someone approaches you near the palace and says it is closed today, for a ceremony or a holiday. Then comes a friendly offer: a cheap tuk-tuk ride to other sights instead. The ride usually ends at shops that pay the driver for bringing customers, such as jewellery or tailor shops.
The pattern is narrow. Most people who say hello in Bangkok just say hello, and most tuk-tuk drivers are simply drivers. What matters is the unsolicited message that the palace is shut. A booked visit with a fixed meeting point, such as one of our Grand Palace tours, means you arrive with a plan and nobody needs to redirect you.
How the closed-today trick usually goes
Four steps that tend to repeat.
The approach
A friendly person starts a conversation on the street, often asking where you come from or where you are going. You did not ask for help.
The closure story
You hear that the palace is closed today, closed until the afternoon or closed for a royal event. The details change, the message is always that you cannot go in now.
The replacement offer
A tuk-tuk tour is suggested for a very low price, with sights that are open. It sounds like a favour.
The detour
The ride stops at shops for jewellery, suits or souvenirs. The driver is paid for bringing you, and the pressure to buy comes from there.
Guided Grand Palace visits with a set meeting point
Tours of the palace and nearby temples, with live prices and availability.
When a closure is real
The tricky part is that closures do happen. The palace is a working royal site, and ceremonies can close it fully or in part. Opening times can change at short notice. So the sentence "it is closed" is not always false, and you should not simply ignore it.
The better habit is to check it yourself. The palace publishes a calendar of closures, and the staff at the ticket office and the entrance can tell you the current status. Our page on opening hours and closure notices explains what the calendar shows.
What to do
Calm and practical steps.
Walk to the entrance
Go to the Mani Nopparat Gate yourself and ask the staff there. A closed palace is visible at the gate, not only in a stranger's words.
Say no politely
"No, thank you, I will check at the gate" is enough. You do not owe an explanation, and you can keep walking.
Buy tickets only from the palace
Tickets are sold at the palace ticket office or booked online on the palace's own website. Do not buy a ticket from someone on the street.
Agree the fare first
If you do take a tuk-tuk, settle the price before you get in. A tuk-tuk can cost more than a taxi, so compare. The page on getting to the Grand Palace lists the other ways in.
Know where to turn
The Tourist Police hotline is 1155. The tourist information line of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is 1672. These numbers are for help, they do not mean a particular campaign is under way.
If it has already happened
If you ended up at a shop, you are free to leave without buying. Do not sign anything or hand over a card because you feel pushed. If you paid for something you did not want, keep the receipt and photos of the goods. You can call the Tourist Police on 1155.
Then go back to your plan. The palace, Wat Phra Kaew and the riverside are all close together, and a boat ride from Tha Chang pier is an easy way to get your day back on track.
Plan the rest of your visit
The next pages to read.
Grand Palace scam: frequently asked questions
Is the Grand Palace really closed when someone says so?
Sometimes it is. Ceremonies can close the palace fully or in part. Check the palace calendar or ask the staff at the entrance rather than relying on a stranger.
How do I tell a real closure from the scam?
A real closure is visible at the gate and in the palace's own calendar. The scam comes as an unsolicited message from someone on the street, followed by an offer of a cheap tuk-tuk tour.
Are all tuk-tuk drivers part of this?
No. The pattern is specific. Many drivers just drive. Agree the fare before you start and you are in a good position.
Who do I call if I need help?
The Tourist Police hotline is 1155. The tourist information line of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is 1672.
Is this the official Grand Palace website?
No. This is an independent visitor guide. It is not run by the palace, the Bureau of the Royal Household, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the police or any tour operator.