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Taxi scams, Bangkok

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Taxi scams, Bangkok
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Bangkok Tourist Traps: Taxi scams tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bangkok locals.
Taxi scams
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Taxi scams: EVEN FOR TAXI
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  • By pinzo on July 20, 2004
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  • Taxi scams - Bangkok
    by pinzo
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    EVEN FOR TAXI try not to take THE BLUE WITH RED (IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY) THEY ARE FROM THE PIRVATE COMPANY... SOME TIME THEY LIKEs TO GO ROUND CIRCLE BEFORE REACHING THE PLC OR PRETEND NOT TOO SURE ABT THE PLACE.(sometime they really don knoe the plc) or at the airport they will ask for 300 baht to 400 baht with tax 50 baht.( normally its cost abt 180 to 200 baht with tax form the airport to city) always take the taxi in the taxi stand. and remeber the above advises try to TAKE THE GREEN WITH YELLOW TAXI. its better as these are driven by the owner AND ALWAY ASK FOR METER . before u even step into the taxi if no meter get out .

    sky trian or subway bts its the best

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    Taxi scams: Taxis
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  • Updated By CandS on May 2, 2006
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  • Bangkok Streets - Bangkok
    Bangkok Streets
    by CandS
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    Please don't ever get a taxi outside your hotel...always walk a little way down the street first. We only ever had troubles with taxi drivers when getting a taxi from the hotel. One guy tried telling us that the shopping centre wasn't open yet...instead he would take us elsewhere for an hour...we demanded he take us to where we wanted to go and when he wouldn't we asked him to stop and we got another taxi...

    Make sure you choose a meter taxi and make sure the meter is working...

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    Taxi scams: Taxi's in Bangkok
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  • Updated By stappm on May 20, 2006
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  • Taxi scams - Bangkok
    by stappm
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    All 4 of us came in on different days, same flight/time, however we all paid something different for the cab ride to the hotel from the Airport. Best tip is pass all the taxi drivers and walk straight to the official taxi stand outside at the airport. Get into a metered taxi ONLY and make sure they run the meter. Also make sure the driver is clear on where you want to go BEFORE leaving the airport or Hotel. Many times the staff loading you into the cab will tell you the driver knows where you are going and they have no idea. Trying to point it out on the map on the freeway is not the great follow-up idea. Also, Tuk Tuk's can be fun and the drivers know the local streets much better then the taxi drivers, beware. They often overcharge tourists. But if your cab driver doesn't know where you want to go, after you get to town, switch to a Tuk Tuk. They are more familiar with the city streets. We found this particularly true in Phuket.

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    Taxi scams: Mr taxi driver, are you taking the direct route?
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  • Updated By Herbert999 on February 1, 2004
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  • To be fair, taxi drivers taking advantages on tourists is not unique to Bangkok. However, the incapability of taxi drivers to understand English may increase your chance to wander aimlessly in Bangkok in a cab. Don't expect they will at least know the English street names. They don't.

    Get a Thai name of your destination and present it to the driver. Glimpse the map to get an idea what direction and how far is your destination. If the taxi goes to a different direction for some time, probably the driver misunderstood your destination or he is not taking the direct route. Don't feel bothered to reconfirm your destination if this happens. Know where some major landmarks are (e.g. famous hotels) so you will still know where you are after the cab has traveled many streets.

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    Taxi scams: Airport Transportation
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  • By percyn on August 26, 2005
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  • When you arrive at the airport, you will be swarmed by official looking people trying to get you into their taxi cabs. Beware of this and proceed at your own risk. The best bet is to arrange transportation ahead of time with your hotel or take a metered cab (and make sure they turn the meter on). The average cost to get from the airport to the center of the city (about 30 min) will cost 400 Bhat.

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    Taxi scams: No Small Change
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  • By imstress on February 21, 2005
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  • Be sure to have at least 300 THB small notes when u arrive at the airport and take a cab. The taxi driver will say that they do not have small change and will not give u your change.

    At least break the $ when u take the tollway or have 300THB small notes with u.

    Ask the driver to drive u to a nearby convenient stall to break the notes.

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    Taxi scams: Taxi
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  • By wufei on December 22, 2003
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  • This is my 2nd experience in Bangkok At night I thought of going to Chinatown and have a look what do they have there. The taxi driver told me that Chinatown has closed, nothing there. They said go to Silom Road, there is better. After Bla Bla Bla Bla they started asking whether want to go to massage before dinner & etc. I'm damn frustrated with them. I thought that if Chinatown is closed then the chinese no need to eat? I was damn angry that day. You want to go to Chinatown or not? If yes how much, don't want then said don't want. Then I go to take another taxi to Chinatown. When I reach the Chinatown, you won't believe it. It just like Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur. If those shops were closed how do the Chinese who open their stalls in Chinatown survived? I paid 80baht from Mandarin to Chinatown because the driver would not want to go on meter. I took it because it is very jam that day. But I return to Mandarin hotel for 50baht only. Mandarin hotel is somewhere along RamaIV road if not mistaken

    Tell the damn taxi driver where you want to go. And be confident with your primary destination.

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    Taxi scams: INDRA REGENT HOTEL LIMOUSINE SERVICE
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  • By aban4 on December 4, 2005
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  • front INDRA REGENT HOTEL and Jackys volo - Bangkok
    front INDRA REGENT HOTEL and
    Jackys volo
    by aban4, 2 more photos
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    1st of all its not a limo is a worn out volvo.. Their forcefull and are being paid by vendors to force you their in their scummed business pratcies for exchange of money and fuel tickets..

    say no..go wher you choose and not their ideas..which some are ILLEGAL....MR. Jacky car no.27 was my driver pleading me to visit local whore house til I steped out car at red light..

    Hire a driver for the week from a reffered company....


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    Taxi scams: Taxi touts at the BKK airport
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  • Updated By beebah on February 13, 2008
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  • Suvarnabhumi - Bangkok Airport - Bangkok
    Suvarnabhumi - Bangkok Airport
    by beebah
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    We all have faced it. Airport taxi touts. When new airport opened. I thought this issue would be solved already but apparently.. not yet. Once you arrive at the airport. As soon as you set your foot in the arrival hall. First thing you will hear is not "Welcome to Thailand!" But it will be "Hello, where are you going? taxi?" and it's not going to be only 2-3 times. You will get it at least 10 times or more. Even I'm a local. I live here. These touts even try to sell me a taxi ride! This is VERY tiring and annoying. Most of these taxis are overpriced. Eventhough they're registered. But these are not regular taxis. They're more like a "Limo" service. (well, but condition of the vehicle is far from being a limo) One of my friends told me one of these touts asked 1,400 Baht for a ride to downtown! Facts : 1) Regular public taxi (metered). Rates will be something between 250-400 Baht max to go anywhere downtown. 2) If you take a taxi from taxi stand just outside terminal. Service fee will be added (normally it's around 50 baht) 3) Fees for toll-way, express way is not included in a fare. But even it's included in a fare already it shouldn't go over 400 Baht. 4) Express, toll fee.. you pay as you arrive at the "booth" Do not need to give money to driver in advance. Once he stops at the toll office booth. Just ask him how much - and pay as you go. 5) Tip is always appreciated. 40-50 Baht is max. 10-20 is minimum. But don't give just 5 Bath. That's considered insulating (except it's a very short ride) 6) There's nothing such a "Promotion" from government. Do not agree to go anywhere but your destination.

    When facing taxi touts. All you need to do... • Just keep saying "No, Thank you" • Go straight to Public Taxi Stand. Just right outside terminal. (spot the sign and long line of people waiting) • If they keep asking "Where are you going?" Just tell them "Pattani" (most south province of Thailand. Nobody goes there if not necessary) or simply say "My friend is picking me up" • If they still keep hassle you. Just speak your language (If your native is not English) I really enjoy doing this sometimes I just invent some new nonsense language just to confuse them so they leave me alone. It usually works.. LOL • If they offer you a ridiculous price for a taxi ride. Just laugh it off as loud as you can. :-) They will know that you're not innocent, uninformed tourist.

    Take the bus instead of taxi. If not straight to your hotel. At least go downtown first. Then catch another taxi from there. It saves a lot of cost and hassle-free.

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    Taxi scams: Alas, another taxi/restaurant scam.
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  • Updated By Peter4 on March 11, 2006
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  • Taxi scams - Bangkok
    by Peter4
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    . Alas, another victum of the taxi/restaurant scam in Bangkok. On the V-T forum, an angry newbie is loudly complaining. Instead of reading this website, he depended on a taxi driver to recommend a seafood restaurant. Big mistake! After eating, the restaurant bill was much higher than expected. Newbie suspects the restaurant paid the taxi driver and added on to the meal bill. He is correct. (Here's the link. The rant is not entertaining, but this is a very common scam in Bangkok. http://tinyurl.com/kx82a) The money paid for that over-priced meal is tuition for a beginner's lesson: In Bangkok, never trust a taxi driver for any recommendations. Taxi and restaurant scams are common. This website - Virtual Tourist - does a superb job of explaining such scams. And there are other websites explaining exactly this taxi/restaurant scam, too.

    . In Bangkok, I never depend on taxi drivers for suggestions, but I have received many, excellent recommendations from bellboys. If you want a tasty meal, ask a bellboy at your hotel where to get the best noodles in the neighborhood. He will certainly know and be able to point you in that direction. A bellboy recently recommend a noodle stand in my neighborhood. A bowl of egg noodles, with wontons, BBQ pork, a sprinkling of fresh crab meat, and other delicious toppings, was 45 baht - about US$ 1.00. Add 15 baht more for a glass of fresh, iced, lemon-tea. If you enjoyed the meal, when you go back to your hotel, tip the bellboy 40-100 baht for his advice. --- I live in Bangkok. If you have questions about long-stay here, you are welcome to contact me. Your question could inspire a new tip. - Peter

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