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My Thai bf, his Papa and I spent 4 nights in Chiang Mai.
During the visit, I enjoyed several opportunities to relax while Bf and Papa visited the many Temples and night markets.
I discovered that the Grab taxi fares were cheap...usually quoted 56-66-88 Thai baht for taxi...as compared to the Grab Taxi fares of 200-330 Thai baht in Pattaya.
Just download the Grab Taxi App...
No prepay ...just pay the driver.
The cars were newer and very good drivers.
BTW...we all had a great time
BTW Grab taxis are very cheap and available on Pattaya.Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjim
Grab Taxi used to be reasonable fares in Pattaya. I used to use them 80-110 Thai baht from SoPattaya to Tukcom or Sunee. Now always quoting 180-300 Thai baht. So I do not use them anymore. Only for emergency.
Do you mean from South Pattaya to Tukcom..300? If so I don’t blame you for not using them. Even 110 isn’t that cheap. You can walk it in 10 minutes.
My recent experience with Grab taxi was on a trip from Sathorn (Malaysia hotel) to Ekamai bus station. Grab car quoted 170b, whereas by Grab taxi the reading on the meter was 71b, with a 20b surcharge for the online booking. Waiting time was approximately 12 minutes. The Toyota taxi was good, the driver was polite and could have been rather cute in his younger years.
I often take a regular taxi from the ibis across the road to ekamai, never costs me more than 120, i just hail the first empty one going past. I prefer to use my apps for arse.
Grab (and their predecessor Uber) have made a big big difference to getting around Chiang Mai. The Tuk-Tuk and Songtheaw cartel have held the public to ransom for years. Even the newer "Meter Taxis" only have a meter for decoration.
Not only is grab much cheaper (and Uber were even cheaper) but it is functional. In places where getting transport is hard later at night (e.g. around Adam's Apple and other go-go bars), you can usually find a grab car in a matter of minutes. You also don't have the hassle of explaining where you want to go, or haggling the price. And places that have Tuk-tuks waiting for you, e.g. the Night Bazaar, you know the price will be exorbitant, whereas Grab will come right to the door of the bar/restaurant and the price is OK. Only issue with grab is its technically illegal (but then so is prostitution ;) ), In CM be careful not to get a grab pickup somewhere where there are tuk-tuks or songthaews waiting, it could lead to a nasty confrontation. Same to a lesser extent with drop offs, especially at the bus station or airports. At such places pay the driver before you arrive to reduce the risk of any mafia incident.
Chiang Mai also now has a functional bus service, at last. In theory there was one before, but no buses ever run! This time they have nice new air conditioned buses that provide good coverage - see the website for route map. With this and Grab the Songthaew mafia aren't happy bunnies right now.
I relied heavily on Grab in CM last year.
They were a godsend, as I was staying opposite Adams Apple on the outskirts of town. As mentioned above, transport to and from that area is difficult, especially at night. Downtown you are at the mercy of the tuk-tuk drivers when it's time to go back.
The trip cost less than 100 baht, as opposed to the 200~250 baht demanded by the tuk-tuk mafia. The car was new and clean and the drivers were all very polite and helpful.
The trip sometimes took longer than a tuk-tuk, but that's because the drivers used the back roads to avoid the traffic.
I also heard stories about how Grab drivers are often attacked and so had them drop me off in a small soi away from my destination.
My first trip to Chiangmai Mai was many years ago when there were no taxis in Chiangmai Mai and I stayed at Lotus and then was always a tuk tuk parked next door by a small convience store and was about 80 baht to go to the Night Bazaar. Back then it was the original Adam Apple and it was in my opinion the best go go in Thailand but as so many things in Thailand have changed Chiangmai Mai is off my list as is Bangkok.
Yes, Grab are relatively cheap in Chiang Mai (especially for more than one person). For the reasons Bon Tong gives (coverage and not needing to explain where you want to go) it is probably the best option for occasional visitors. The price will often be better than a red cab for 2 or more people.
But, I don't get, and never have, the hostility that some people have to red cab drivers. OK, I've not been here as long as Bon Tong, but I have lived here 5 years now and have very rarely had a problem with them. The price is 30 baht now and that is, in my opinion, not bad for being taken to where you want to go (it's not a fixed route system.) It's horses for courses - I visit a local hospital every week and take a Grab out (because I would have to walk 100m to a main road for a red cab) and a red cab back (because I can tell them where to go)
A few tips and comments
For new visitors to the city look for sign boards near to the entrances of the big shopping malls (they all have them) offering special discounts to them.
Also check your "Notifications" in Grab. You may get offered a promotion when the software detects you are in the city.
Did you know you can use Google Maps (which is much more accurate than the map in Grab) to book Grab taxis (you still need the Grab app installed)
-Open Google Maps
-Pick a destination and drop a pin on it
-hit the "Directions" button in Maps
It will, if you have Grab installed, offer you the option of opening the Grab App and booking a car for that journey. It's useful to drop a pin on your hotel and save it as a favourite. You can get back from anywhere like that. It is also the best way to go to, for example, a street corner that is not specifically listed as a named place by the Grab app.
Finally @ Traveller Jim - don't give up on Pattaya Grab. Grab pricing is dynamic. It will maybe go down again in the low season.
I think there are two perceived issues with the red cabs that cause dislike:Quote:
Originally Posted by ceejay
- Although their power may be dwindling, the songthaew mafia has always had a strong political influence. Apparently there are more than 5000 songthaew drivers in Chiang Mai, which together with dependent family members is a lot of votes! They have actively campaigned against public transport improvements e.g. buses, have monopolised the "meter taxis" so they don't use the meter and prevent motorcycle taxis from operating. There are therefore a lot of people who don't like the way they carry on. Some changes, like the buses perhaps have only happened because the current powers in Bangkok don't like the "red" side of Chiang Mai.
- The behaviour of some in their driving methods, blocking traffic, fare gouging and general demeanour (especially assaulting Uber drivers) gives them all a bad name. Not to mention the pollution problem with older vehicles, many of which are driving around empty.
That said they do have their place, if you can find one, which is not so easy in some residential districts as ceejay alluded to. I often use them on regular routes e.g. from Maya to Kad Suan Kaew it's a no brainer. Even after the price increase to 30Bt I've never been asked for more then 20Bt. Or going further afield on main routes, e.g. Kad Suan Kaew to Thapae Gate or NBZ, pay your 30 Bt and you're good. Only downside is if they have other passengers the route may not be direct. If they ask for more than 30Bt on a main route say no and get the next one.
Ceejay: coincidently, this article just popped up in my FB feed. with the narrative: "Weekend reading: If you want to untangle the mess of our city’s transport system, this article from 2015 will give you a head start!" If you haven't seen it before it might help explain about red cabs. https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/ci...ransportation/
Good to see things changing.
Fares of 30 THB are outrageous, and no fixed routes, but everyone will be delivered to their doorstep? That makes things complicated!
Look elsewhere and you will find a cheap and easy to navigate public transport system, for Khon Kaen there is even a printed map with the 23 lines, which cost 10 THB per ride!
For reason of one of the worst public transport in entire Thailand (only Nong Khai is worse, there is no public transport at all), I do travel to Chiang Mai only when with friends by their car, as I don't want to give a single Baht to the taxi mafia.
I pity those who are trapped in Chiang Mai, either by being born there (Thai) or choosing Chiang Mai for other reasons as a place to live (Foreigners), but I vote with my feet and stay away.
Tome Chang Mai falls onto the one off category.
Go once..that’s enough!
Years ago CM was a great gay destination now it is not worth the trip unless you are Chinese.Quote:
Originally Posted by gerefan2
For straight point to point on main routes Songtheaw are fine; and 30 Bt is allegedly the maximum fare, many still accept 20Bt for straightforward journeys. For everything else Grab is highly functional and not expensive. Typical acoss town fares are 60-80 Bt And for that they pick you from your chosen point in a comfortable air-con car and take you directly where you want to go. Songtheaws and tuk-tuks are right to be afraid!Quote:
Originally Posted by christianpfc
As mentioned in an earlier post, after several false attempts Chiang Mai now has a functioning bus system. I haven't got on one but see them regularly, nice brand new vehicles with aircon and wi-fi. Apparently 20Bt flat rate and they go to the bus station and the airport with a regular service. This and grab has significantly changed the transport possibilities. The only downside is the traffic has got much worse.Quote:
Originally Posted by christianpfc
The ever growing population of Digital Gonads clogging up every coffee shop in Nimman wouldn't agree with you :mocking_mini:Quote:
Originally Posted by christianpfc
Even the Chinese are getting bored now! But, if you like the Shan boys from Burma Chiang Mai still has a lot going for it ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Manforallseasons
I can see why some might not be allured to Chiang Mai anymore, but they are perhaps missing a trick. Whilst the city has long since killed the golden egg laying goose and become a victim of its own success, the rest of Northern Thailand is well worth visiting. Beautiful countryside, lovely people and none of the whingeing Farangs who populate the big cities. With Blued on your smart phone out in the countryside you'd be surprised how you suddenly become the centre of attention.