What is the end game of this apparent scam?

The "lucky" opener is usually the gem scam, not the oil one. They get you talking, mention a government-run jewelry sale or a "special one-day export clearance" near a hotel like the Amari Watergate, and a tuk-tuk appears right on cue to take you there. You end up buying stones at maybe ten times what they're worth, or they swap your cash for a sealed envelope of glass. The full head of hair just means they're running a different script on you than the hair-oil guys on Sukhumvit.

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There's a second crew doing the "lucky" bit that isn't jewelry at all. They work the temple and Grand Palace approach, and the play is the closed-attraction redirect: "the palace is closed this morning for a ceremony, but I know a special boat / a tailor / a gem shop." Sometimes it's a longtail boat tour that ends at a floating market with a hard sell, sometimes it's a suit shop on Sukhumvit Soi 3 where you pay 8,000 baht for a 1,200 baht suit. The tell is that they always know a guy who can take you somewhere better right now, and there's always a tuk-tuk within thirty seconds. Just say "no thank you" and keep your pace, they rarely follow past the next corner.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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