Using Taxis in Bangkok - A Guide for Newbies...

[travelerjim]

Using Taxis in Bangkok - A Guide for Newbies...

BKKvisitor has posted (on GayThailand) good advice for all of us....
about using Bangkok Taxis...with good discussion following.

I have reposted the link here as I believe the topic is very helpful for all visitors to Bangkok.

Thanks BKKvisitor for sharing your advice with us.

TJ

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index ... topic=1479 (http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1479) .

A few guidelines (particularly for newbies) when using taxis in Bangkok:

(1) Don't take a taxi (or tuk-tuk) that a "tout" is encouraging you to use
(2) Don't take a taxi parked along Silom Rd. or Suriwong Rd., looking for fares
(3) Get out of a taxi if the driver refuses to immediately start the meter
(4) Whenever possible, know the route (or at least the general direction) to your destination so you'll know if your driver is taking you for a joy ride (a common farang trick)
(5) When leaving a hotel, you're better off not taking a taxi from a nearby line of parked cabs because they will invariably try to get you to accept a flat rate that is at least double the meter rate. Go to the street and flag one down. There are exceptions: if your leaving a hotel (or restaurant) and a taxi is just dropping off a fare outside, then its usually safe to get right in.
(6) When you get in a cab, make a point of jotting down the information from the driver's taxi license (which should be prominently displayed on dashboard). I've seen it noted elsewhere that it's a good idea to call someone (or even simulate a call) and tell the party that your enroute to your destination in taxi number XXXX).

and more ...read further at
http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index ... topic=1479 (http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1479) .

It apears TJ is the new target of the spambot (whose reply, above, I am sure will disappear)!

Yes, have a good idea of where you are going and tell the taxi driver a destination on the side of the street you want to go to. For instance, if you say 'Silom Soi 4' when CP Tower, across Silom from Soi 4 is adequate and sufficient, say 'CP Tower' or you may suddenly realize that the driver has gone out of his way involving more traffic and U turns just to get you on the side of Silom in front of soi 4. It might only be a few more baht but going roundabout when just across the street is more efficient can cost you lots of time in traffic jams.

These are all good. Heres another.

If you are going to a place not every driver knows, call out the destination and ask in Thai, rujak mai, do you know it? If there is the slightest hint of ambiguity in their face or answser, get out of the cab! Many cab drivers will take you for a joyride if they don't know where (and also you don't) until you realize you are screwed. At that point, you must still legally pay them, so why do they care?

I feel (6) is OTT and demeaning to the majority of decent honest taxi drivers I seem to have the good fortune to meet.

One very good tip, I think works, is to know how to pronounce the destination with some accuracy. This often entails little more than a good grasp of the pronunciation of numbers. The signal is then clear. This is not your first day in Thailand.

[TrongpaiExpat]

Yea, (6) is a bit overboard.

(3) sometimes it's hard to see the meter, they are not on the same place in all taxis. They make a beep when turned on and if the music is not up loud you might hear it.

Only one time this year did I get stuck with a driver refusing to turn on the meter. He had it covered with a towel. He did not announce that this trip would be a flat rate until he entered an on-ramp. I could not get out.

They missed the most important item, don't get in a taxi if you don't have the exact fare, some drivers will not make change for a farang.

I agree with (1) and (5). I don't see the point of not picking up a waiting cab on Silom or Suriwong unless he's referring to a specific time of day eg. when the bars close. Even then, taxis have to wait on Silom as it's their only way of staying in the area, at least on the Patpong side. There is a police roadblock at Soi Pipat that prevents taxis from entering the Patpong/Silom area unless they already have a passenger that operates from late evenings on. If you're a tourist, how can you possibly have an idea of whether the taxi is taking you on a circuitous route? I've taken taxis and wondered myself about the route, then finding out that we went that way in order to go around some traffic foul up. With the exceptions of (1) and (5) I find taxi drivers in Bangkok stick to the best (which may not be the most obvious) routes and unfailingly use the meter (unless to the new airport which seems to have a "standard" non-metered fare of 400 baht)

some drivers will not make change for a farang.

Especially if you give him a 1,000 baht note for a 35 baht fare.

Anyway...I've got news for you: they do the same "no change" thing to Thais. Just tell them, no problem, let's stop at a 7-11 and I'll hop out and get some. Oftentimes, they'll "find" some change in their other pocket rather than wait for you.

[gearguy]

have generally been pretty good but once, even with the request written by my friend in thai, to go to
the Malaysia Hotel I ended up at the Malaysia Embassy.

I don't see the point of not picking up a waiting cab on Silom or Suriwong unless he's referring to a specific time of day eg. when the bars close.

I find that in general waiting taxis try to barter the fare rather than turning on the meter. Supposedly this is because he is risking a "ticket" for you, because he is not moving as all the other cabs are, or, he has "special permission" from the policeman on that beat. In general I will always flag down a moving cab as opposed to one sitting, anywhere in Bangkok. There is always a choice of cabs.

However, across from DJ on Silom seems to be a safe place to pick up one of the cabs that are moving quite slowly. So I suppose if there are a lot of cabs sitting in one place, the chances that one would try to barter a better fare are less.

Never ever use a taxi which is parking somewhere, except from a designated taxi bay at MRT or BTS stations. Especially at places where many tourists (Western, Thai) are around, cheating is common.

Always stop a moving taxi with red light on. Don’t be upset if taxi drive doesn’t accept you since you’re asking for the opposite directions he usually operates in (and he knows better).

For Silom best is the junction Sala Daeng Silom/Rama IV.

If a taxi driver is telling you that you might be better off using BTS or MRT (entering before 23.45 h), just be grateful and leave the taxi at the nearest station. The traffic on the way to your destination will probably be blocked.

Most taxi drivers are honest and trying to do the best job possible, especially taxi with button heart symbol and note “I love farang”.

Always try to note or remember the number of taxi. In case you’re forget something, you can contact the driver and it is very likely that you be will get your belongings back soon.

posted on Gaythailand.

My experience of Bangkok;s Meter Taxis over 15 years has been very good.

Once I was given a 30 baht reduction on the fare because the traffic was very slow. Once I took a taxi and after about 4 minutes changed my mind and got out. He cancelled the fare.

The taxis parked along Silom and Surowong Roads late evenings have to pay the Police to so do - I believe 50 baht. They then have to ask extra above the meter fare but they are opportunists. It's easy to walk to Rama IV road and get a meter taxi.

Bangkok taxis are numerous and seem to be readily available 24 hours even when raining (not soluble like London taxis) Fares are ridiculously cheap and have not risen for many years despite the increase in fuel prices. The basic fare is only 35 baht.

It is NOT usual to tip Bangkok taxis at all. In fact if the fare comes to 51/52 baht he will accept 50 baht without a murmer. I like to tip a bit as I think they work hard for their small money.

Apart from avoiding the fairly obvious touts who linger in hotel forcourts and offers to tours of lady bars there is little danger. The one problem is that many of them do not know their way around Bangkok very well.

To call a taxi the polite way is to extend your arm to 45 degrees and wave the hand downwards. Thais will then ask the driver if he wants to go to their destination and when he agrees enter the cab.

If two or three are travelling then taxis are often cheaper than skytrain or the subway but not usually as fast.

To call a taxi the polite way is to extend your arm to 45 degrees and wave the hand downwards. .

How wonderful that gay farangs are thought to be in need of instructions on how to hail a taxi.

Doesn't that just speak volumes as to how gay farangs are perceived :bom:

[bao-bao]

To call a taxi the polite way is to extend your arm to 45 degrees and wave the hand downwards. .

How wonderful that gay farangs are thought to be in need of instructions on how to hail a taxi.

Doesn't that just speak volumes as to how gay farangs are perceived :bom:

I thought that was a helpful tip to someone who's brave enough to wade into the board's waters in hope of learning something useful about the country they're planning to visit.

For a true newbies, that "palm down, curling the fingers closed/open/closed/open" in their direction is also the way of calling over a waiter or other person. The usual "palm up, fingers closed,index finger/please come here" gesture used in the US and other western countries is considered rude in LOS.

Doesn't that just speak volumes as to how gay farangs are perceived.Even by their own
I have no desire to ... 'chat' to anyone in here.

[Dick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuggusNUozs

Just a little unfair on most taxi drivers, I always take a taxi on Silom practically every day and night for six years and have never had any problems. But I do not take a taxi from Surrawongse, Soi Twilight end, because I find them rude and often do not use the meter or will give a fair of 500 baht for a 39 baht ride.

But I do have friends who have visited the LOS and have been mercilessly ripped off by unscrupulous taxi drivers.

The old adage is true caveat emptor

... where the public taxis run from the new airport ... ok there are lots of touts that offer you taxis to Pattaya for whatever price, but are there any public taxis that do it.

... where the public taxis run from the new airport ... ok there are lots of touts that offer you taxis to Pattaya for whatever price, but are there any public taxis that do it.

The "taxi meters" are one floor down after you go through customs at the arrival hall. These are for Bangkok, at least, I am not sure if they can help you to get to Pattaya. There are conveyors down if you have a luggage cart before you get outside the next doors.

My last time through, in the outside area I was assaulted by touts claiming to have cheaper taxis, but they couldn't quote me what those cheaper prices were, so I avoided them. Has anyone tried these "cheaper price" taxis and if so can comment on whether they offer a less expensive alternative?

... where the public taxis run from the new airport ... ok there are lots of touts that offer you taxis to Pattaya for whatever price, but are there any public taxis that do it.

The "taxi meters" are one floor down after you go through customs at the arrival hall. These are for Bangkok, at least, I am not sure if they can help you to get to Pattaya. There are conveyors down if you have a luggage cart before you get outside the next doors.

My last time through, in the outside area I was assaulted by touts claiming to have cheaper taxis, but they couldn't quote me what those cheaper prices were, so I avoided them. Has anyone tried these "cheaper price" taxis and if so can comment on whether they offer a less expensive alternative?

Do not be tempted by taxi touts. I can't believe anyone would be foolish enough to do so.

[Sen Yai]

Do not be tempted by taxi touts. I can't believe anyone would be foolish enough to do so.

Of course some people are foolish enough to do so! If they weren't so foolish, do you think the touts would be so foolish to stand there?

I can't believe that anyone would be so foolish to think that no one would be so foolish! :geek:

Do not be tempted by taxi touts. I can't believe anyone would be foolish enough to do so.

BG, I had actually thought that you might have and could have reported (why I asked)! :-)

... but is it a similar set up to Don Muang where the public taxis literally queue up and you get a ticket of some sort.

BG - yes forget the touts, I would never use them, been caught out too many times with those ones, even cheapies

Normally, I get the hotel cab, they are normally waiting for me at the airport (obviously ordered), but that has turned out to be rather expensive and consider Pattaya is basically 1/2 hour nearer, this shouldn't be the case.

So, how much should one pay for a taxi if you get direct from the airport to Pattaya do you reckon.

... but is it a similar set up to Don Muang where the public taxis literally queue up and you get a ticket of some sort.Yes