How to escape the tourist traps in thailand

Read the first chapter free

"Look at this place, Jumpy," Chumpy whispered, adjusting his sunglasses as he held a brightly colored cocktail high in the air. "It's paradise. Pure, unadulterated paradise."
Day one in Thailand hits you like a warm, spicy wave of fried garlic, exhaust fumes, and absolute freedom. Jumpy, perched gracefully on a nearby post and peeling a banana, nodded. "Zero stress. Everyone is smiling. We've won at life."
That, of course, was right when they ran straight into their very first dose of travel trouble.
They flagged down a sleek tuk-tuk. Chumpy handed the driver a handwritten destination. The driver’s eyes widened with theatrical sincerity, slamming his hand to his chest.
"Ah, yes, yes, my friend!" the driver beamed. "I know very well! I take you straight there, no problem!"
Jumpy narrowed his eyes. Rule number one: the moment a stranger calls you "my friend," you are about to become a victim.
Too late. Five minutes later, they were standing inside a blindingly lit tailoring warehouse, watching tuk-tuk drivers outside frantically trade gasoline vouchers with shop owners like Wall Street day-traders.
Jumpy shook his head. "Classic travel trouble. We didn’t hire a driver. We bought shares in a mobile timeshare for free fuel."
Lesson Learned:
Never trust a driver who calls you "my friend," and never believe an address written on paper will beat a gasoline commission. Bullet dodged—never trust a tuk-tuk driver again.
Chumpy dusted himself off as they slipped back out into the sunlit street, looking out over the vibrant horizon. "Well, tuition paid. Come on, Jumpy—the rest of Thailand is waiting for us."

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