A concerning scam affecting both locals and travelers involves stealing jewelry during supposedly friendly hugs. A TikToker specializing in travel tips for Thailand published a video on her account, thaitraveltips, warning about a common method for stealing necklaces and bracelets at parties and on the streets.
@thaitraveltips ⚠️ Be careful of the fake hug scam in Thailand! If you're enjoying the nightlife, especially at night parties — watch out! Some people may act friendly, try to hug you… but it's actually a trick to steal your stuff 😱💼 🎥 Watch this video now and protect yourself before going out! 👉 Follow | Like ❤️ | Share 🙏 @thaitraveltipss for real travel tips, safety warnings, and smart advice in Thailand! 💬 Have you ever heard of this kind of scam before? Let's help each other stay safe! #ThaiTravelTips #ThailandScamAlert #FakeHugScam #ThailandNightlife #StaySafeThailand #TravelSmartThailand #ThailandForTourists #Thailand2025 #ThailandTips #ThailandRealTalk #NightlifeScamThailand ♬ original sound - Thailand Travel Tips
According to the TikToker, "Be careful of the fake hug scam in Thailand! If you're enjoying the nightlife, especially at night parties – watch out! Some people may act friendly, try to hug you… but it's actually a trick to steal your stuff."
She continues explaining the street version of this scam, "If you're walking down the street and a person approaches you to hug you, be careful. Notice that your necklace or gold bracelet might disappear. This happens to many tourists, especially those wearing something expensive and going out at night. It's better to leave valuable items at the hotel, don't wear them, and certainly don't let someone hug you."
Generally, hugging and kissing in the street is less common in Thailand. Most couples behave very modestly on the street. You'll rarely see kissing, hugging, or excessive romantic touching, as modesty and politeness prevail, even among the younger generation.
