BKK airport scam
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When we were in the taxi, he quoted me a price of 200 baht! I actually want to bargain with him, if not successful left the taxi. But seeing the tired look of my wife and young daughter, I decided to pay the quoted price as it was still not "extortion" price. I guessed the trip was around 150 bahts based on the very bad traffic jam to the hotel.
I've never seen or heard of a violent taxi driver in Bangkok and I know a fair number of people there. However, I have seen many an expat haggle with locals over pennies only to later blow a fortune on imported beer. Very sad
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Urgh....
Why would you pay above average prices for a taxi / tuk tuk ride when there's no need to? You wouldn't allow an airline to charge you an extra £50 for no reason so why pay an extra quid etc for a taxi?
Why would you pay above average prices for a taxi / tuk tuk ride when there's no need to? You wouldn't allow an airline to charge you an extra £50 for no reason so why pay an extra quid etc for a taxi?
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However, I have seen many an expat haggle with locals over pennies only to later blow a fortune on imported beer. Very sad
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I totally agree with you 750XL. However I would respectfully suggest that there is a big difference between being overcharged £50 by a corporate institution and being quoted £1 more than the probable cost of a journey driven by a self employed taxi driver in a poverty stricken country.
The point I'm trying to make is that it's easy to let the large denominations distort your perception of the value of money in countries such as Thailand (the quote above being a classic example). When people talk about 'taxi scams' and 'extortion' they are often referring to sums of money which are tiny in the grand scheme of things. 50 Baht is nothing to an expat or a tourist.
In any case, it's much better to negotiate a fare in advance in Bangkok anyway. That way you know the driver is going to get you to your destination as quickly as possible rather than spending ages navigating back streets to 'avoid traffic' (whilst conveniently running up the meter...
). They don't tell you that in the guidebooks...
The allegations about BKK duty free are extreme but there is nothing to suggest that those practices are still going on.
The point I'm trying to make is that it's easy to let the large denominations distort your perception of the value of money in countries such as Thailand (the quote above being a classic example). When people talk about 'taxi scams' and 'extortion' they are often referring to sums of money which are tiny in the grand scheme of things. 50 Baht is nothing to an expat or a tourist.
In any case, it's much better to negotiate a fare in advance in Bangkok anyway. That way you know the driver is going to get you to your destination as quickly as possible rather than spending ages navigating back streets to 'avoid traffic' (whilst conveniently running up the meter...
). They don't tell you that in the guidebooks...The allegations about BKK duty free are extreme but there is nothing to suggest that those practices are still going on.
Why would you pay above average prices for a taxi/tuk tuk ride when there's no need to? You wouldn't allow an airline to charge you an extra £50 for no reason so why pay an extra quid etc for a taxi ?
I've refused to get into five taxis, one after the other because the driver wouldn't use the meter. This sends a message that not all foreigners can be taken for a few extra baht, the more of us that refuse to be exploited, the better for everyone.
The taxi situation in Phuket is even worse, a mafia controls the trade on the main tourist spot of Patong beach. Metered taxis aren't allowed to pick up there and the minimum charge is B200 to go around the corner in a four wheeled tuk tuk, which rapidly escalates for any distance.
The opening of the airport rail link and BTS sky train was one of the best things to happen for visitors to Bangkok. Take the express line from the airport, 17 minutes and B150 return into town.
It's never, to me a question of paying a bit more money; give me a smooth, as fast as legally possible journey & I'll happily pay a tip. But I hate being ripped off - plus - any driver that will try to skim you like that may also be the type of driver to do something far worse. I had a boss once who was taken into a rather unlit, dodgy area at night by a taxi from an airport (CGK) and a 'tip' was demanded with menaces.
Likewise I don't mind paying drinks for bar girls -but I don't want to buy a girl as drink & then be presented with a bill for an extortionate amount because I'm a gwelioh / farang / ang moh / matt selah / lao wai &c
Likewise I don't mind paying drinks for bar girls -but I don't want to buy a girl as drink & then be presented with a bill for an extortionate amount because I'm a gwelioh / farang / ang moh / matt selah / lao wai &c
I find it strange that whilst a taxi driver may refuse to use the meter for a journey, he will insist on paying the pump price when refueling his cab.
Never yet come across a driver who would allow a petrol attendant to cover the meter and simply pay what was asked.
Never yet come across a driver who would allow a petrol attendant to cover the meter and simply pay what was asked.
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Metro Man:
Okay I'll bite. You write in your first post that you are "quite happy to pay the GOING RATE (sic) for something" then in the very next paragraph describe how you've "refused to get into five taxis, one after the other because the driver wouldn't use the meter". Clearly then you were not offering the going rate!
The minimum wage in Bangkok is 300Baht/day (£6). Think about that next time you take a 45 minute taxi ride in rush hour traffic for a meter rate of 100Baht. Think about how much of that fare goes towards paying for the car and fuel and how much ends up in the drivers pocket. Not very much.
Metered taxi journeys in Bangkok are so cheap that even in the best conditions they barely offer a level of income which cover drivers overheads. Throw some chronic gridlock and monsoon rain into the equation and some fares to certain parts of the city at certain times of the day are literally not worth drivers taking. So they don't. They either refuse your custom outright or they try to negotiate a fare which is worth their while (in much the same way that a London cabbie might if you ask him to go south of the river). Typically I'll negotiate a fare which is comparable to what I'd have paid with meter plus tip anyway. I know that if the drivers happy with the fare he's going to get me to my destination quickly with no detours. You may agree with this, you may disagree; that's entirely up to you. However I don't think it's accurate to label it as a scam or extortion. What Load Toad describes at #26 is extortion. I've never heard of anything like that happening in Bangkok.
Supply, demand, and making more money than you spend. Simple tenets of free market capitalism my friend. I can assure you that it has nothing to do with your "white face"- I have ethnic Thai friends who can testify to that.
The perception of bar/taxi scams etc in Bangkok is much worse than the reality. I think this is unfortunate because it gives many first time visitors warped preconceptions about Thai people (who I've generally found to be some of the most sincere, friendly and honest people that I have ever met). This can really impact on peoples experiences in the country which is why I feel it so necessary to vehmently advocate my opinion. Yes, it's true to say that you do have to keep your wits about you in Bangkok. Perhaps more so there than in other cities. But many stories people hear are urban myths. As I wrote above, when people talk about 'scams' or 'extortion' in Bangkok they are often referring to situations which lack malice or coersion and involve amounts of money which are tiny.
Not a fair comparision really. But in any case we do allow airlines to charge us extra for no reason. The price of flights is set by the market. A sector which costs £750 a week before Christmas will often cost less than half that a month later. The only reason for this is the airlines ability to get awsay with it- the cost of operating the plane hasn't changed.
Okay I'll bite. You write in your first post that you are "quite happy to pay the GOING RATE (sic) for something" then in the very next paragraph describe how you've "refused to get into five taxis, one after the other because the driver wouldn't use the meter". Clearly then you were not offering the going rate!
The minimum wage in Bangkok is 300Baht/day (£6). Think about that next time you take a 45 minute taxi ride in rush hour traffic for a meter rate of 100Baht. Think about how much of that fare goes towards paying for the car and fuel and how much ends up in the drivers pocket. Not very much.
Metered taxi journeys in Bangkok are so cheap that even in the best conditions they barely offer a level of income which cover drivers overheads. Throw some chronic gridlock and monsoon rain into the equation and some fares to certain parts of the city at certain times of the day are literally not worth drivers taking. So they don't. They either refuse your custom outright or they try to negotiate a fare which is worth their while (in much the same way that a London cabbie might if you ask him to go south of the river). Typically I'll negotiate a fare which is comparable to what I'd have paid with meter plus tip anyway. I know that if the drivers happy with the fare he's going to get me to my destination quickly with no detours. You may agree with this, you may disagree; that's entirely up to you. However I don't think it's accurate to label it as a scam or extortion. What Load Toad describes at #26 is extortion. I've never heard of anything like that happening in Bangkok.
Supply, demand, and making more money than you spend. Simple tenets of free market capitalism my friend. I can assure you that it has nothing to do with your "white face"- I have ethnic Thai friends who can testify to that.
The perception of bar/taxi scams etc in Bangkok is much worse than the reality. I think this is unfortunate because it gives many first time visitors warped preconceptions about Thai people (who I've generally found to be some of the most sincere, friendly and honest people that I have ever met). This can really impact on peoples experiences in the country which is why I feel it so necessary to vehmently advocate my opinion. Yes, it's true to say that you do have to keep your wits about you in Bangkok. Perhaps more so there than in other cities. But many stories people hear are urban myths. As I wrote above, when people talk about 'scams' or 'extortion' in Bangkok they are often referring to situations which lack malice or coersion and involve amounts of money which are tiny.
You wouldn't allow an airline to charge you an extra £50 for no reason so why pay an extra quid etc for a taxi ?
N4790P
Anansis
Metro Man is 100% correct in refusing. No Thai (or resident) would ever accept a local journey without it being metered or with the meter correctly reading 35 Baht upon commencing the journey. The idea that the fares for local taxi trips have to be 'negotiated' is completely wrong, in fact if I even believe it is against the regulations.
It is recognised that the taxi drivers are having a difficult time and fares are rising quite soon, not the 35 Baht initial fare, but the per KM and per minute rate whilst in traffic, somewhere between 8% - 12% dependent upon conditions.
Even so, taxis here are still very affordable and I still maintain that the vast majority of the drivers here are honest and I still have yet to hear of violence being an issue which was where this thread started out from.
Okay I'll bite. You write in your first post that you are "quite happy to pay the GOING RATE (sic) for something" then in the very next paragraph describe how you've "refused to get into five taxis, one after the other because the driver wouldn't use the meter". Clearly then you were not offering the going rate!
It is recognised that the taxi drivers are having a difficult time and fares are rising quite soon, not the 35 Baht initial fare, but the per KM and per minute rate whilst in traffic, somewhere between 8% - 12% dependent upon conditions.
Even so, taxis here are still very affordable and I still maintain that the vast majority of the drivers here are honest and I still have yet to hear of violence being an issue which was where this thread started out from.
I can assure you that it has nothing to do with your "white face"- I have ethnic Thai friends who can testify to that.
I have made countless trips to Thailand over the past twenty years and am aware of many of the local scams tried out on tourists, ranging from the jet ski scam (pay $$$ for damage you caused whilst hiring it) to the "free" shows at the upstairs bars in Patpong.
The scammers in Thailand are without doubt the smarmiest con artists you will ever run into. So why do I keep returning ? Beautiful country, amazing food, 5* at 2* prices. I'll be going back in a couple of weeks when I'll be:
Getting dental work done at 1/3 of Western prices.
Having clothes made to measure at a similar discount.
New glasses made at 2/3 of home cost.
Staying in a resort town with daily spend on accommodation and food of about the price of a decent lunch for two in Paris.
As an experienced visitor I know I might be charged a bit extra than a local on one or two things but I'm not going to end up with a rip off bar bill or find I've brought a lady boy back to my hotel by mistake.
Anyone going for a visit needs to Google "Thai scams" beforehand and keep their wits about them at all times.
I travel to Thailand every year, and have family there. The only problem I have ever had with a taxi driver anywhere in Bangkok is a refusal to take me because the journey was too short - even that has been fixed at the local shopping mall with a cab rank where it is mandatory to take any fare.
When meters became compulsory a few years ago, the overall cost of journeys actually dropped. The majority of taxis are leased by the drivers (the green & yellow ones used to be owner operated, but now I'm not so sure) on a daily basis. It's a real grind to make a baht ....
When meters became compulsory a few years ago, the overall cost of journeys actually dropped. The majority of taxis are leased by the drivers (the green & yellow ones used to be owner operated, but now I'm not so sure) on a daily basis. It's a real grind to make a baht ....
I still have yet to hear of violence being an issue which was where this thread started out from
N4790P
Wiggy,
Tuk Tuks are not taxis as we know them. They are unmetered and basically unregulated. Unless you are a Thai speaker then they are the biggest rip off going.
Thais and Thai speakers use them in their daily lives and they are a very cheap (10 -20 Baht) means of local transport but the tourist is a prime target.
Tuk Tuks are not taxis as we know them. They are unmetered and basically unregulated. Unless you are a Thai speaker then they are the biggest rip off going.
Thais and Thai speakers use them in their daily lives and they are a very cheap (10 -20 Baht) means of local transport but the tourist is a prime target.
