Some context here:In Thailand there's type of scammer that work by force-sell stickers while disguise as normal pamphlet giver.These scammer typically work like this: -hang around crowd,open space."giving out"stickers of highly-respect figures such as Buddha or the king. -when someone take the sticker,they demand the money as though they're selling it. -since what they're "selling" is an image of highly-respect figures,most people would not want to disrespect it by throwing away,and putting it anywhere at foot level such as the ground would also be disrespectful,plus the "price" asked is quite low,usually 20 baht-the lowest denomination banknote,most people simply pay these scammer off. Most people that have fall for this type of scam,usually in their teenage years,will be more on guard against this scam,make it unlikely to work twice on same person,but since there's always people that never knew about it,this type of scam is never truly die of. Variant of this scam include the scammer walks up to the target and shove the sticker in their hand or pocket ,or in case of a pin or clip they'd pin it on their victim while saying blessings to avoid being told off,then demand the money.
Ahhh the hard-sale experience...I got a few. 1.At the transport terminal, Mo Chit 2, they jumped me at a funnel. I was totally not in the mood after long travel on the bus so I was able to tell them off. 2.At the graduation rehearsal, with all the jolly feeling in the air I was more susceptible to cough up 200฿ for some plastic flowers that got forcefully pinned on my chest. Lesson learned.
Moonspeaker said: So, how do you get them to lay off without appearing disrespectful toward the figures on the stickers or whatever?
Look like a tourist that can't speak thai. Thats how I do it. Although I am thai......it still works for me.
Good deeds for good karma.If you've never met these scammers before, you eventually will. At least once.pamphletSticker (of ???)Where's the toilet? I've never been here before..Looked just like a pamphlet from the front...*wobble wobble*Huh,a pamphlet? Let's have a look.Damn, almost ended up on the other side of town..At Mo Chit 2.stretch~That'll be 20 baht, please.Huhhhhh!?