Taxi scams, Bangkok

Bangkok taxi driver requests fare prior to commencing trip to destination once victim in car.

Unique Suggestions: Bangkok taxi driver requests fare once 63 year young lady in cab. After being given the address on a card he drives in the opposite direction. She gestures so he has no doubt that he is going the wrong way. Since she had paid her 200 baht when he stopped in a run down area that she didn't know and he got out the cab to request directions from a fellow cabbie- what does she do? This feisty lady jumped out behind him and begins waving her cab fare that she had reclaimed from a box in the front seat and informed him of how well he didn't do his job. The term "useless" was mentioned frequently. She then proceeded to walk home.
You Go Gal! She needed a stiff wine on her return.

Fun Alternatives: Walk if within distance and if you have friends traveling with you stay in a group.

Just be careful with Image Limousine Service (www.imagelimousine.com) The Customer Service is not the same anymore. They drive not with the new Nissan Teana, they would drive also with older Toyota Camry and Drivers who make Mobile-Phonecalls all the time. Really unbelievable! Very disapointed. They treat Customers like stupid Farrangs. They don't replay Emails. They just ignore you. Just want to make Money. Better book the 5 Star Hotel-Limousine like BMW 7-Series for the same Price. Image Limousine Service is really a Trap! Don't waste your Time and Money.

Fun Alternatives: Book direct a 5 Star Limousine Service in your Hotel. 4 Example: Hilton offers BMW 7-Series for the same Price also with VIP Tracking from the Airport-Door.

I was told to beware of taxi drivers in Bangkok as they try to negotiate a fee instead of running on the meter. I took a taxi from the Hotel Intercontinental to the airport and the driver tried to ask me to pay 400 baht but I asked him to put on the meter but he kept saying that it was a "hotel taxi" but I insisted that he put on the meter. When we reached the airport the fare was 201 baht and I know that the toll charge should have been 70 baht but the driver told me to pay 300 baht in total. I asked him why isnt the toll charge 70 baht and asked him for the toll receipts but he said that he didn't have them even though I saw him receive them at the toll points. I ended up paying the 300 baht and even though it's only 29 baht which is only about 60 pence and I usually leave this as tip to honest drivers, it was the fact that he continually tried to cheat me out of money.

The drivers details are:

Name: Meena Somkheat
Driver Number: 81206

Please beware of this driver.

Unique Suggestions: Ask for the meter to be put on in the taxi and for the toll receipts as soon as he receives them.

Fun Alternatives: Take the MRT which is quick and quite convenient.

I went to the airport public taxi counter at the basement to request for a taxi to my hotel. I had wanted to show the address in Thai to the lady at the counter to make sure the taxi driver knows the direction to my hotel but she replied "No need. He know." Then I followed the driver to his green-yellow taxi, leaving the airport

In his taxi, he asked for 400Baht, I told him to go by meter and asked him to switch on the meter. Then he snatch away the receipt I got from the lady at the taxi counter. I told him I need the receipt but he just kept quiet. I told him to go by meter then he pressed the button but meter did not change after driving for 5 minutes. I asked him about the meter and he just say "maybe spoil." then he press again. Then he say I need to pay 50Baht because meter didn’t run.

I asked if he knows the way to the hotel, he say he don't know. Then I told him it's near a particular BTS station and the nearby popular outstanding malls then he just kept quiet.

When i arrived at my hotel, I asked for a receipt then he say no receipt. I asked that he writes the amount on the receipt that the lady at the airport taxi counter gave me, he refused. I asked that he return the receipt that i got from the lady at the taxi counter, he also refused. I even had to ask the hotel staff to help me request for the receipt then he say he lost it. i told the hotel staff that he placed it at the side of the taxi door near the driver's seat then he went to get it but still refused to give it to me and say he cannot give.

Unique Suggestions: I'm very disappointed in the choice of taxi drivers Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport allowed to ferry passengers. This is a horrifying experience I had ever encounter in Thailand. I thought that by having this public taxi stand, the airport would maintain a proper standard of taxi drivers? And by having the counter staff to write a receipt slip of the taxi details for passengers and the surcharge of 50Baht would helps to ensure the quality of taxi drivers and the standardizing of usages of the taxi meter?

If you really need to take the taxi, make sure you keep the receipt or slip given to your by the staff at the public taxi counter. Keep it safely and away from the sight of the taxi driver so that at least throughout the journey, the taxi driver will not try so many tricks or stuff.

Fun Alternatives: So I think all passengers should try to take the public transport if you really must go to Bangkok. The public train system is rather good for travelers who booked a stay near the station and it easily can get you to your place. Trust it..... I took the airport train when i went there on my own on the 1st day to get from the airport to my hotel. I only took taxi because I went to the airport to fetch my other 2 family members who just arrived and on the last day of my stay when I left the hotel to the airport due to the luggage.

I went to the airport public taxi counter at the basement to request for a taxi to my hotel. I had wanted to show the address in Thai to the lady at the counter to make sure the taxi driver knows the direction to my hotel but she replied "No need. He know." Then I followed the driver to his green-yellow taxi, leaving the airport

In his taxi, he asked for 400Baht, I told him to go by meter and asked him to switch on the meter. Then he snatch away the receipt I got from the lady at the taxi counter. I told him I need the receipt but he just kept quiet. I told him to go by meter then he pressed the button but meter did not change after driving for 5 minutes. I asked him about the meter and he just say "maybe spoil." then he press again. Then he say I need to pay 50Baht because meter didn’t run.

I asked if he knows the way to the hotel, he say he don't know. Then I told him it's near a particular BTS station and the nearby popular outstanding malls then he just kept quiet.

When i arrived at my hotel, I asked for a receipt then he say no receipt. I asked that he writes the amount on the receipt that the lady at the airport taxi counter gave me, he refused. I asked that he return the receipt that i got from the lady at the taxi counter, he also refused. I even had to ask the hotel staff to help me request for the receipt then he say he lost it. i told the hotel staff that he placed it at the side of the taxi door near the driver's seat then he went to get it but still refused to give it to me and say he cannot give.

Unique Suggestions: I'm very disappointed in the choice of taxi drivers Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport allowed to ferry passengers. This is a horrifying experience I had ever encounter in Thailand. I thought that by having this public taxi stand, the airport would maintain a proper standard of taxi drivers? And by having the counter staff to write a receipt slip of the taxi details for passengers and the surcharge of 50Baht would helps to ensure the quality of taxi drivers and the standardizing of usages of the taxi meter?

If you really need to take the taxi, make sure you keep the receipt or slip given to your by the staff at the public taxi counter. Keep it safely and away from the sight of the taxi driver so that at least throughout the journey, the taxi driver will not try so many tricks or stuff.

Fun Alternatives: So I think all passengers should try to take the public transport if you really must go to Bangkok. The public train system is rather good for travelers who booked a stay near the station and it easily can get you to your place. Trust it..... I took the airport train when i went there on my own on the 1st day to get from the airport to my hotel. I only took taxi because I went to the airport to fetch my other 2 family members who just arrived and on the last day of my stay when I left the hotel to the airport due to the luggage.

I stayed in Bangkok from 11th May 2011 till 24th June 2011 to do an Invitro fertillization for a baby since we are a couple having fertility problem. We spent almost 350,000 baht (US$ 12000) for the treatment which didnt turn up successful for which we were very depressed. Therefore we decided to leave bangkok as soon as possible, to get ease out our mind we went for a small shopping in a well known shopping mall on our last day in Bangkok. Since we saw that the mall had a taxi queue, went to the queue and took a taxi. First two taxis from the queue said there will be too much traffic on the way to our place and finally the third one agreed to take us. Unfortunately I forgot to ask about the meter to turn on but usually specially from the mall queues they have to start the meter as soon as they leave. So after we left the mall in the taxi, I noticed that the meter was not on and when taxi driver knew that I was to question him before I did he asked me how much I will pay him. Since the meter was not on for a while I said we usually comes shopping here and it cost us 60 baht and I can pay that amount. After hearing this the driver said "NO no, you have to pay me 3000 baht", I was shocked to hear it and first I thought he was joking but when he said if I refuse to pay him what he demanded he will fight with me and in while saying it and driving on one hand he took the wheel wrench from the other hand. Since I was with my wife and she was crying when she knew we are in trouble, I did not wanted to make things worse so I decided to pay the amount he was demanding and asked him to take us to our place. He agreed and when I paid him 2000 baht, again he demanded for more and I said I dont have any more money left with me he again warned me that if I dont pay him more he will drive more far from my place and he did as he said. I got really scared but luckily my wife's mobile who was sitting in the back seat had beep sound indicating the battery is low, the driver heard the beep sound and questioned that is she informing anyone and I told him no. After this he panicked and he thought we were lying and the beep sound is because my wife has given a signal to some one and he though he might be followed, by then he decided to let us go off and escape, therefore he stopped the taxi in a narrow lane and told us to get out and not to let anyone know about him otherwise he will follow us and attack again and he quickly left. From there we walked up to a main road and got another taxi and reached our apartment. It was really a frightening experience and we dont want anyone to get into a scam like this.

Unique Suggestions: in my one and half month stay in bangkok, I heard lot of stories like this but couldnt believe it was true ever since I experienced one, based on my experience I would share my views to avoid such
- avoid taking taxis from queues of shopping mall, because these drivers act on these places since they know there will be lot of foriegners going in and out in these malls.
- best is to use BTS and MRT trains since they are quite comfortable, affordable and convenient to reach most of the places within bangkok.
- before getting into a taxi, observe the drivers attitude closely by having a casual talk or something.

Fun Alternatives: try your best to use train system or bus system which is more safe and convenient.
second try to get on to vehicals open with no doors like TUK TUK (which might also be dangerous at times) so that you will chance to get out of the vehicle.

I stayed in Bangkok from 11th May 2011 till 24th June 2011 to do an Invitro fertillization for a baby since we are a couple having fertility problem. We spent almost 350,000 baht (US$ 12000) for the treatment which didnt turn up successful for which we were very depressed. Therefore we decided to leave bangkok as soon as possible, to get ease out our mind we went for a small shopping in a well known shopping mall on our last day in Bangkok. Since we saw that the mall had a taxi queue, went to the queue and took a taxi. First two taxis from the queue said there will be too much traffic on the way to our place and finally the third one agreed to take us. Unfortunately I forgot to ask about the meter to turn on but usually specially from the mall queues they have to start the meter as soon as they leave. So after we left the mall in the taxi, I noticed that the meter was not on and when taxi driver knew that I was to question him before I did he asked me how much I will pay him. Since the meter was not on for a while I said we usually comes shopping here and it cost us 60 baht and I can pay that amount. After hearing this the driver said "NO no, you have to pay me 3000 baht", I was shocked to hear it and first I thought he was joking but when he said if I refuse to pay him what he demanded he will fight with me and in while saying it and driving on one hand he took the wheel wrench from the other hand. Since I was with my wife and she was crying when she knew we are in trouble, I did not wanted to make things worse so I decided to pay the amount he was demanding and asked him to take us to our place. He agreed and when I paid him 2000 baht, again he demanded for more and I said I dont have any more money left with me he again warned me that if I dont pay him more he will drive more far from my place and he did as he said. I got really scared but luckily my wife's mobile who was sitting in the back seat had beep sound indicating the battery is low, the driver heard the beep sound and questioned that is she informing anyone and I told him no. After this he panicked and he thought we were lying and the beep sound is because my wife has given a signal to some one and he though he might be followed, by then he decided to let us go off and escape, therefore he stopped the taxi in a narrow lane and told us to get out and not to let anyone know about him otherwise he will follow us and attack again and he quickly left. From there we walked up to a main road and got another taxi and reached our apartment. It was really a frightening experience and we dont want anyone to get into a scam like this.

Unique Suggestions: in my one and half month stay in bangkok, I heard lot of stories like this but couldnt believe it was true ever since I experienced one, based on my experience I would share my views to avoid such
- avoid taking taxis from queues of shopping mall, because these drivers act on these places since they know there will be lot of foriegners going in and out in these malls.
- best is to use BTS and MRT trains since they are quite comfortable, affordable and convenient to reach most of the places within bangkok.
- before getting into a taxi, observe the drivers attitude closely by having a casual talk or something.

Fun Alternatives: try your best to use train system or bus system which is more safe and convenient.
second try to get on to vehicals open with no doors like TUK TUK (which might also be dangerous at times) so that you will chance to get out of the vehicle.

In my first day in Bangkok I was feeling lazy and let the taxi take me to dinner. BIG MISTAKE, they take you to expensive places and pocket the commission, best to tell them where to go and don't let them plan your holiday for you.

After noting down DarkRay's tip on tourist trap we got bitten.
After reading reviews on Somboon Seafood restaurant, we had the reception wrote the address in Thai to show to the taxi driver. We had to take 2 cabs cos there are 6 of us. Showed the first cab the address and d instruction was given by the hotel conceirge and we took the second cab. We arrived first and our friends were not in sight. We called their cell phone nand they told us they are already at the restaurant. But they do not know the location so we told them to wait there and hail a cab got him to talk to the restaurant manaager to direct him there. We were told it is in Makassan .... our worst fear was confirmed when the cab stopped at SomboonD. Our friends were waiting for us and I told them probably the cab drivers get a fee for dropping people of there. Since we were hungry then we just settled to eat there,. The food was nothing great and it was expensive and forced to give tips.
The next day we went to our regular restaurant and paid so much lesser for better tastier food. Forgot to mention the restaurant manager at SomboonD also had a attitude problem like he knows his place is notorious for rip off.

Taxi driver has to open-up the taxi-meter. They usually try to charge more and ask for higher prices. So when you get on a taxi, ask the driver to turn on the taxi meter. Do not bargain for the price. Call the taxi from your hotel or a shopping center. For example if you are walking on the street, go to the nearest hotel or shopping center, they will call a taxi for you. Usually the taxis can not bargain when they get custumers from such places.

Unique Suggestions: If the driver refuses to turn on the taxi-meter. Or they sometimes turn it off during the travel and ask for more money. If you face such a situation, don't bargain. Just tell the driver to go to the nearest hotel (or your hotel). When you arrive, get of the taxi, and tell him that you will pay the money on the taxi-meter. He will not dare to argue with you at the hotel. The hotel will get you another taxi.

Fun Alternatives: Get on taxis from hotels and shopping centers. Plan your trip. Try not searching for a taxi in a rush hour.