Thailand’s famous for its warm beaches, diverse culture, and inexpensive luxury. It’s no wonder Americans love traveling there.
But new research from travel insurance experts Compare the Market is issuing a dire warning to those visiting Bangkok: pickpocketing and scams.
The study analyzed 50 major tourist cities and then ranked them based on traveler reviews mentioning theft, scams, and safety concerns. That study revealed that Bangkok topped the list as the No. 1 city in the world for pickpocketing and scams.
Where In Bangkok?
For those looking for specifics, Bangkok’s Grand Palace was identified as “the single worst attraction globally based on frequency of pickpocket and scam mentions in visitor reviews.”
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Popular Bangkok sites, Wat Pho and Chatuchak Weekend Market, also ranked highly for reported incidents.
The rankings are based on a combination of pickpocket and scam mentions per 1,000 visitor reviews, as well as general concerns from travelers about their safety in these locations.
Perhaps not unsurprisingly, Asia and Europe dominate the list, with Bangkok, Paris, and Prague ranking as the top cities for pickpocketing and scams.
Be Careful Here in Paris and Prague
The study concluded that tourists can be prime targets when visiting Basilique du Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre.
Tourists should be alert when visiting Prague’s Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock.
Top 10 Pickpocket & Scam Hotspots in 2025
|
Rank |
City |
Pickpocket mentions per 1,000 visitor reviews |
Scam mentions per 1,000 visitor reviews |
Total mentions per 1,000 visitor reviews |
Worry about being mugged or robbed |
Total Score |
|
1 |
Bangkok |
2.84 |
6.99 |
9.82 |
35.16 |
83.45 |
|
2 |
Paris |
4.54 |
2.27 |
6.81 |
60.64 |
68.81 |
|
3 |
Prague |
6.01 |
0.50 |
6.51 |
17.95 |
52.16 |
|
4 |
Shanghai |
2.19 |
4.09 |
6.28 |
22.39 |
51.83 |
|
5 |
Agra |
1.85 |
2.92 |
4.77 |
44.09 |
47.48 |
|
6 |
Shenzhen |
1.84 |
2.86 |
4.69 |
22.10 |
39.51 |
|
7 |
Rome |
3.64 |
0.88 |
4.52 |
43.92 |
45.53 |
|
8 |
Pattaya |
1.31 |
3.10 |
4.41 |
43.27 |
44.43 |
|
9 |
Phuket |
0.61 |
3.52 |
4.14 |
37.85 |
40.52 |
|
10 |
Mumbai |
1.83 |
1.68 |
3.52 |
41.21 |
36.86 |
