Near malls, beaches, and tourist walkways in Pattaya, Bangkok (Siam area), and Phuket, friendly promoters approach you with 'scratch cards' or 'lucky draws.' You always win a 'prize' — typically a free hotel stay, spa voucher, or travel package. To claim it, you must attend a 90-minute 'presentation' that is actually an aggressive timeshare or vacation club sales pitch. The presentation involves high-pressure tactics, emotional manipulation, and teams of salespeople. The 'prize' has so many conditions attached (blackout dates, resort fees, booking restrictions) that it is essentially worthless. Some people end up signing contracts worth hundreds of thousands of THB under pressure.
Tourist Police Hotline
Call 1155 for English-speaking assistance, available 24/7