Lucky Buddha

[ncr]

Blue Dragon scam - February 10, 2007

Nui writes: I just read your web page on the Thailand Blue Dragon Scam. Guess where I have been today? Anyway, I just thought you might like to have these photos that we took today to post on your website. They show the lucky Buddha, the temple and the outside.

[Where is the "Lucky Buddha"?]Well, the "Lucky Buddha" of BKK Gem Scam fame is possibly more a concept than a real place, a story plot for gullible tourists, an illusion (meaning there are more than just one - or it could basically be any temple, wherever the tuk-tuk is heading that day, also depending on the start point, as it isn't always the area around the Grand Palace)..... :cool:

But when I saw that photo (http://www.2bangkok.com/07/luckybuddha.jpg), I thought there's probably only one temple like this in Bangkok - it is in Khlong San, near Taksin Hospital, and you can see it clearly (or rather: the tall, slender pagoda instantly catches the eye) from the expressboat when traveling between Harbour Dept. Pier and Ratchawongse Pier, right in the bend opposite Samphanthawong. Two of my city maps identify it as Wat Thong Nopphakun.

On Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=bangkok&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=18&ll=13.733486,100.509399&spn=0.002428,0.005407&t=k&iwloc=addr) (look for the orange coloured spire near the river).

Anyone been there? Any background info? Looks distinctly Chinese....

[RNH]

But when I saw that photo (http://www.2bangkok.com/07/luckybuddha.jpg), I thought there's probably only one temple like this in Bangkok - it is in Khlong San, near Taksin Hospital, and you can see it clearly (or rather: the tall, slender pagoda instantly catches the eye) from the expressboat when traveling between Harbour Dept. Pier and Ratchawongse Pier, right in the bend opposite Samphanthawong. Two of my city maps identify it as Wat Thong Nopphakun.

On Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=bangkok&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=18&ll=13.733486,100.509399&spn=0.002428,0.005407&t=k&iwloc=addr) (look for the orange coloured spire near the river).

Anyone been there? Any background info? Looks distinctly Chinese....

According to http://thailandforvisitors.com it's part of the temple of the Chee Chin Khor Moral Uplifting Society (http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/thonburi/cheechin/index.html) (the Mahathat Chedi Prajonchatri Thai-Chin Charoen) just down the road from Wat Thong Noppakhun (http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/thonburi/noppakhun/index.html).

[RNH]

Well, the "Lucky Buddha" of BKK Gem Scam fame is possibly more a concept than a real place, a story plot for gullible tourists, an illusion

I see in the latest story he's metamorphosed into the "Happy Buddha".

we met a friendly Thai guy in front of the Palace entrance. He said to us they had a special ceremony inside the Palace and only Thai nationals are allowed to get in. During our conversation, there was a tourist trying to enter and was stopped by the guard. Therefore, we believed what he said.

That would be because it was one of the exit gates!:rolleyes:

You almost have to admire the smoothness of these con-artists. I witnessed one at the Grand Palace in December, while showing some friends (strangers to Bkk) around. The usual story: first a bit of truth to get your confidence ("the girls will need to cover their shoulders") - quite true - then the misinformation "you can't go in" - true, it was an exit gate - "because the monks are holding a special ceremony." Plausible, until you consider that it's probably the only temple in the city with no resident monks.

My friends were particularly impressed because I'd predicted exactly what would happen about a minute beforehand :)

[Stephen Cleary]

I did some undercover scam-baiting on the Tuk-Tuks a couple of days ago and posted a blog on the adventure.

The Lucky Buddha Temple actually turned out to be Wat Sitiram just up from The Golden Mount.

As for The Big Buddha Temple that was Wat Intaram in Dusit area.

As for the Tuk-Tuk, after taking us to James' Fashion store he led us to 'Chin Jewelry'. I was a little disappointed as i wanted him to take us to a real scam-shop, this place however seemed pretty respectable though expensive.

[waerth]

Loved your and Richard's story! Unfortunately the TAT probably will not take notice :(.

Keep these stories going :)

Waerth

[Richard Barrow]

I told Steve that we should start promoting the "Grand Tuk Tuk Scam Tour of Bangkok". For only five baht you get a tour of 2 or 3 temples, with a couple of toilet stops where they will serve you free refreshments including beer. They will even agree to drop you off where you like. Seriously, it is about time people start scamming the scammers. Let's start a campaign now. Let's turn the tables and take them for a ride.

[ncr]

Loved your and Richard's story!An enjoyable read indeed. We should include the links here:

Steve's account (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=8&title=the_great_tuk_tuk&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)

Richard's account (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&title=tourist_scams_in_bangkok&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)

[Richard Barrow]

Loved your and Richard's story! Unfortunately the TAT probably will not take notice :(.

Keep these stories going :)


We had a good response to our undercover work on scams. We just did another one at Hua Lamphong Station where scammers lie that all train tickets are sold out and that you are better off using their VIP tour bus instead.

As so many people wanted to submit their own reports of scams, we decided to start up a website in order to collect all these stories: www.BangkokScams.com (http://www.BangkokScams.com). Let us know of any scams you want us to investigate and photograph.