New airport update

[deepthroat]

200 baht... not worth the fight

[kahuna]

I agree...You did the right thing TT...

[PigDogg]

(TTChang @ May 26 2010,09:41) But what would you have done ....

Get Jeff Savage to torch his cab!

Seriously first thing is to get my luggage out of the cab.

But after that think I would smile, say three hundred baht in Thai and see what happens.

Now I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. Nothing wrong with a 200 baht insurance policy to avoid trouble.

[rxpharm]

TT Chang, good for reporting him - hopefully something will come out of that. I had read that some taxis have rigged meters as well.

I think PigDogg's suggestion is good as well. With the significant drop in tourist numbers, the scams will be on the increase as well. Almost poetic justice, as many of the taxi drivers are red shirt supporters. Be alert for this and other scams.

[Torurot]

I always put my soft bag in the car on the back seat. Usually the boot is full of greasy/oily shit and sharps. No one is going to drive off with my bag in the boot.

[manarak]

ah... I won't get worked up on 200 baht.

the tramway ticket over here costs 240 baht...


the less time I spend arguing over 200 baht, the more time I can spend at obsessions or cascades :-))

[TTChang]

Seems like most guys would have reacted the way I did (the mai pen rai approach). No big deal for me, but a lucrative scam for the cab driver over a week or two .... and I wonder how many other taxi meters are fixed like this?

Doubt I will hear anything from the AOT taxi complaints dept, but at least puts them on notice of more 'taxi scam' public comment.

[TopDog]

I ran into this exact same thing during my trip in Feb.  I always check the meter when I get in any taxi to make sure it is on has been restarted, this time it was.   By the time I got half way to my hotel in Bangkok the meter was already what I was expecting to pay for the total trip.   I knew I got ripped off but after flying for 24 hours I was too tired to complain.  Probably should have gone the tourist police route.

[thaibound]

maybe instead of insisting they turn on the meter, as i was taught to do years ago, next time, i should ask if they want to turn it off and just take the 300 baht history teaches it should cost?

[JaiDee]

(TTChang @ May 27 2010,00:41)  Swampy to Sukhumvit.  Normal meter reading is 220-275 baht I think, depending on traffic.   I usually hand over 350 baht (including the extra 50 baht fee).

TT ....and everyone else.......forget the meter at all when going from Alphabet Airport to Sukhimvit..... it's always going to be between 300 and 400 baht [well, until this new scam started!] with tolls and surcharge, tip, etc.....  so I just nip the whole thing in the bud.

   Part 1}  do NOT wait in the line on level one; walk UP to level 4 and grab someone who is dropping a fare on the Departure floor.

   The guy will be happy as shit to see you, trust me.

 Part 2} Tell him "Sukhimvit soi 4, meter mai chai; sarm loi baht''

 Again, smiles all around.....this means the guy turns on no meters, you get a ride to hooker heaven for 9 dollars, and everyone is happy because he pockets the whole 300 baht for himself; basically a days pay for those jokers all in one ride.

 I did the same trip you did recently {actually the EXACT same trip LOL} and it was smooth as silk.....the guy was cool and nice, had a family and we chatted the whole way,  he also had a very comfortable Minivan-type taxi, so I gave him 350.

 They pay the tolls from THEIR cash and there is no hassles with surcharges or tips, etc...... I have done it this way every time I enter BKK for years and it's always quite smooth; if I am going to see my pal who lives close by in On-Nut I just say 200 {song loi} and still get a friendly nod; the usual price to there is about 170 or so, again worth it to everyone and no worries about getting jacked.
         
 Try it sometime.......

[JaiDee]

(thaibound @ May 29 2010,02:02) maybe instead of insisting they turn on the meter, as i was taught to do years ago, next time, i should ask if they want to turn it off and just take the 300 baht history teaches it should cost?

Yes TB, see above.....sorry, didn't see your post

[deepthroat]

GREAT suggestion JaiDee. I've just cut/pasted it to my "LOS NOTES" that I keep for future trips and will try to use it verbatim in January.

[Road Runner]

(JaiDee @ May 28 2010,21:25) Tell him "Sukhimvit soi 4, meter mai chai; sarm loi baht''

Slight correction.    

Sukhumvit soi sei,  meter mai chai,  sarm loi baht.


Don't remember what the expressway charge is from 'swampy' to Nana  -  but I think it's only 50 Baht.
(My apartment is just before where the tolls start)

As JaiDee says give them a 50 Baht tip and they will think it's Christmas  -  or should that be Songkran?
You will have only paid what it would have cost on an un-doctored meter.


RR.

[thaibound]

(JaiDee @ May 28 2010,13:35)

(thaibound @ May 29 2010,02:02) maybe instead of insisting they turn on the meter, as i was taught to do years ago, next time, i should ask if they want to turn it off and just take the 300 baht history teaches it should cost?

Yes TB, see above.....sorry, didn't see your post

thanks JD,

of course, right now, the meter's a minor issue when considering a taxi ride in to sukhomvit. thanks to the seems like my next trip will have to be straight to pattaya, which will be off-meter anyway.
or to samui--not far from your own fave little island i believe

i look forward to the peaceful day i can utilize your advice.

[El_hefe]

Jai Dee, that's what this forum's all about & thanks for sharing that info... I was using the departures level @ Don Muang since '95 to get into town but stopped doing that with the new airport the last 2 times I went, have to admit I never thought about telling him not to turn on the meter, a great detail for a win/win result.

Now if you can just get over your macophobia......