Fake Merge

A fake merge occurs when the contestants are led to believe they are merging tribes, but in reality they are not. It has happened twice, in and, and both times the tribes met and feasted, which usually means they are merging. However, they were informed by Jeff that they had not merged.

Thailand
Jeff informed the tribes to relocate and both live on one beach, saying "This will be interesting, two tribes living on one beach. No one picked up on it and they were shocked when the next immunity challenge was tribal, not individual. Shii Ann Huang, who had made alliances with the Chuay Gahn tribe, was eliminated at the next tribal council.

Gabon
On day 10, there was a Tribe Switch. On Day 22, the tribes moved onto the same beach, expecting a merge. However, Jeff appeared and told them they were going to be split into two different tribes again. Three days later they did merge.