TAXI SCAMS

[Bumpa STIKKA]

(bangkoksins @ Jun. 07 2010,09:35) Did you know that traditionally taxi drivers will accept 160 Baht for a 161 Baht fare...

Not the taxi drivers who specialize in farangs!

My experience of Bangkok taxis has been 99% positive but they occasionally get cheeky.

I wouldn't like to always be getting those vermin roadsters hanging around outside hotels or at the airport. Thankfully I don't.

Regular Thai taxi drivers are pretty helpful and knowledgeable with a surprisingly good knowledge of the geography.

Like all things in the tourist areas (including the ladyboys) it's good to spell out your expectations before you decide to climb aboard!

[kahuna]

(Bumpa STIKKA @ Jun. 07 2010,11:43) Like all things in the tourist areas (including the ladyboys) it's good to spell out your expectations before you decide to climb aboard!

Before your throw your ass and bag in the taxi (or your cock in the LB)...Ask and tell...

I suppose that doesn't really resolve TT's situation though...

[TTChang]

On balance I would have preferred Eyemahk in the taxi with me .... at least he can 'usually' negotiate a bargain (and probably isn't travel sick).   Yes, we were planning to ask the taxi to wait 2 hours, then take us back to BKK.  But my all-in price of 800 baht was overtaken by events (well by the meter)   Azza, I too hope this thread doesn't turn into 'bash the taxi drivers'.  Thats why I said my previous LOS experience has been same as Bumpa's .... 99% positive.  My latest experience just demonstrates the tough times out here - never seen it so quiet in BKK.

What happened next? .....  As we approached the market, Gae said 'Not pay meter, maybe you offer him 500 baht?'.  To which I replied 'already decided to give him 400 baht'.

Which I did.  This is my impression of the taxi driver .....      

He then called over another thai standing close by.  Started yakyaking to him, and telling me no way he would accept 400. 'Meter fare correct!'   To which i said : 'meter fare not correct for Don Wai market'.  He then points at meter (which i then photograph) .... and take back 4 x100 baht notes.  Gave him a 500 baht note, and told him if he caused any more problem I would phone 1155 for Tourist Police.

We walked off into the market.   And never saw him again (although were a bit wary of taking a yellow taxi when we returned to BKK .... just in case   )

[TTChang]

Used a local owner-taxi on the way back. Got caught in afternoon traffic. Took a detour (agreed with us) to avoid traffic, but then got snarled up at one BKK junction for 25 minutes.

Driver was apologising all the time, checking the aircon was ok for us, and regretting that the end meter reading was 305 baht. He got a tip!!!

[guydesavoy]

Good to see a happy ending Restored your faith

[Bumpa STIKKA]

There's good and bad out there... thankfully mostly good in Thailand.

[azza33]

I had to laugh one night at patpong - wanted to catch a taxi back to my hotel but every one outside wanted 150 baht flat rate.
I took the bts instead. Cheaper and much better scenery

[JaiDee]

(azza33 @ Jun. 07 2010,17:05) I had to laugh one night at patpong - wanted to catch a taxi back to my hotel but every one outside wanted 150 baht flat rate.

hell, if you were heading back to the Nana area that's a great deal compared to some of the 300 and 400baht  quotes I have gotten from those jokers who double and triple-park along Surowong and Silom....always good for a chuckle before finding some who will "meter on?'' and you get to Nana for around 100-120baht.

    TT ......FYI, when I checked out of  our favorite hotel on June 1 to go to the Airport I did a no meter deal with one of those street lurkers in front of the hotel ....400baht, with him paying tollway fee's.....he happily agreed  

[kahuna]

Agree...150 baht ain't a bad price...I've paid that much many times...Especially when there are 3 or 4 guys traveling or if you're with a ladyboy...And 400 baht to the airport using a hotel taxi is also a great price...I'll even pay 500 to avoid wandering up and down Soi 4 flagging down countless taxis to get a lower fare...To me 3 USD ain't much in the grand scheme of things...

[azza33]

lol so im a tight ass

[kahuna]

I didn't say that or mean to suggest that (but remember I am a wanker)...I was referring to the difference between a 400 and 500 baht taxi ride to the airport...
100 baht = 3 USD

Many many times I've opted to take BTS from the bus station to Nana and from Nana to the bus station rather than take a rip-off taxi...Just not late at night from Patpong
to Nana...

[azza33]

I'm take the piss out of myself... i really felt like they were trying to rip me... i figured 80 baht max to nana... hence anything else was tourist rate.

But i agree 2 or more person and still a good deal...

[JaiDee]

generally {before they started fucking with the meters, apparently} the price either way from Nana to Patpong is usually around 100-120B

The guys who sit triple -parked are assholes.....some of the numbers they have shouted at me were embarrassing; to them AND me.

[Tomcat]

its only supposed to be 60 baht on average meter from top of Soi 4 to Patpong if they dont take you around the houses. problem is the nana taxi hate going there and most do in fact want 100+ off meter as mentioned

On the return from Patpong to nana . you stand on the opp side of Silom Rd near the skyway and go back Anti Clockwise VIA one of the side roads...just ask for the Ploenchitt Cigarette factory Road which runs behind Soi2...never paid more than 55 baht and its only 5 minutes as the Cigarette Rd run is always empty. You short cut through the Pleonchitt building and you are outside the Grand Majestic Soi 2

Of course if the driver doesnt understand ( or pretends not to) you could end up going anti clockwise into Suk which defeats the object

[guydesavoy]

All fair comments. I guess it depends on timing and circumstance. Especially going to or from the airport, sometimes the extra 1 or 2 hundred isn't worth the aggro. Just want to get in or get out   I do laugh though, when the touts at the airport shout extravagant prices when I know I can go to Departures, cross the road and pick up a cheaper fare  

That said, I am always happy to get a cab in BKK when I am with company rather than take the MRT or BTS. When you add the price of 2 tickets, leg work, heat, sweat, waiting...I'd rather be in an aircon cab and arrive 5 mins later for 30 baht more  

Back to the OP...a scam is a scam and I've no doubt there will be more of it in the coming months. I guess there is a tilting point where a few hundred extra turns into a piss take and no one likes that   . If it gets to that the   and talk of Tourist Police would usually work in your favour as TT found.

Or...call 1800 Apple