richard_smith237

In the 'areas' where difficulty is experienced with Grab Drivers... it is usual that the very same difficulties are experienced with Bolt. Bolt used to be 'cash only' so drivers preferred that so it generated more availability of drivers. Now, both Apps can be cash or cash free - so that 'preferences' for the drivers is removed and Grab rates are higher (drivers make more money) so more of them are on Grab again (thats the way I see it anyway).

I don't think Grab did 'buy out' UBER... But, laws were passed to make UBER illegal and UBER were pushed out of the market - ultimately, nepotism as 'power players' took no gain from Uber being in South East Asia... Whereas Grab clearly had the right connections (greased the right wheels) to remain operational. Grab then adjusted their App to include 'regular taxis'... With 'Grab Taxi' as well as Grab Car, Grab SUV etc... Competition (Uber) was removed, Grab prices went up, quality of service went down. Other 'local' competition arrived... Bolt, All Thai Taxi, London Taxi, Bolt has made the best of inroads into Grabs business and has brought back 'some' competition. InDrive is more 'international competition' - it will be intresting to see how they develop in the local market.

A lot of the issue is 'area dependent'.... I find it a real struggle to get Grab or Bolt from my area (in Bangkok) - it seems the area is just not well serviced with Grab or Bolt drivers and getting a ride is very hit and miss.

A common issue.... 'Thainess' creeping into these Apps - the only solution is every time this happens to make a complaint - it we want continued 'good service and convenience' of these Apps, then we have to play our part too and give feedback. The reason this happens: Ride Hailing / sharing Apps such as Grab / Bolt (Uber) only identify the pickup point to the drivers in the area, they not identify the destination to the driver... The reason for this is that some destinations are more favourable to a driver than others and other area's are drivers will not want to go into due to heavier traffic... Also, if a driver is in an area and are 'logged in as 'available' they have to accept x amounts of rides or they will be down-rated (as I understand it)... So... They accept the ride, then decided they don't want to take the fare - but they don't want to cancel themselves as they will be penalised.... Thus, they contact you and ask you to cancel it, thus protecting themselves at your expense. Grab and Bolt are aware of this - and in their 'drop down menu' of reasons for cancelling the ride, there is the option "Driver asked to cancel"... in which case you should not be charged. -------- When UBER was around and there was better competition, this was less of an issue. But, I do recall a similar issue where I'd ordered an UBER... and they driver clearly didn't want the fare but had accepted. I was in no rush. The driver hadn't moved for 20 mins, so I ordered a Grab and left the UBER fare 'open'. I was already at home an hour later (after getting Grab) before the UBER driver cancelled the ride having still not moved.

And in the video, not only do we see the car travelling the wrong way against the traffic, but also a motorcyclist (without a helmet) and that sight is so common, it's become completely normalised. Heck.. even driving a car against traffic is normalised here, the only reason this is news because its cost a life... How pished up was the driver ??.... they 100% knew they were driving against the flow of traffic otherwise they'd have turned into a side soi to correct their mistake....

Good point - 'surely' he'd need his passport for any Bank dealings.... (cash withdrawal etc)... BiB must be dead keen on this one... they'll have to escort someone taking a load of cash out of the bank... 'one for me, one for you.......'

Because, as I understand it from similar past reports, that's how it's done. Doubt anyone would accept a cashier's check from someone who just stabbed them.... Also, as there are time constraints, money transfers etc. seem a bit of a problem. It is a bit odd that the 'money was negotiated in Euro'... IF its going to be in Cash, how does one get 100,000 Euro in Thailand... Or, has 3 Million Baht been negotiated, and the UK media converted that, and then the Thai Media (Thaiger) runs with the Euro amount.... As the IP - I wouldn't trust any promise of compensation to drop compensation claims until money was in the bank - Personally, for 3 Million Baht - I'd sooner see the vermin in Prison.

This is surely a criminal case, no ?? The victim can drop compensation claims settling for xx amount... But surely the Police have a duty to continue criminal charges regardless of what the victim wants or agrees to.

So, I hope you continued to vote with your feet - it appears he still wants to dual charge other foreigners - he hasn't learned a thing, so why give him your business ?

The price is not the issue, the dual charging is.... That was pretty clear in the Op (and I agree with him). Exactly... Ask them how much they are charging Thai's... They will be uncomfortable answering because they know what they are doing is wrong... tell them their dual pricing is insulting, tell them you will go else where. Even if they change back to the Thai price - go elsewhere, I wouldn't give any business that operates this way any money. I definitely agree, vote with your feel, its not worth getting upset about... BUT, its definitely worth letting them know the practice is offensive and they have lost business. They won't care of course, but the more an issue of dual pricing is contested the less it will happen.

The Major hospitals all run health screening packages... I do them yearly with Thai Elite and get a choice of a hanful of hosptials and have done full Medical Check-ups at Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hosptial and Samitivej. The package has varied over the years... It used to be full on - stress EKG - i.e. running on a treadmill, with EKG, then using ultra-sound to map the heart valves (interesting stuff to see)... These last few years its just been a standard EKG on a tread-mill. They also do the chest x-ray, full blood screening, full abdominal ultrasound.... also the vision and hearing tests (which I'm not bothered about)... Most Hospitals have these packages advertised on their Websites. As an example: https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/package/detail/annual-health-check-up-packages-samitivej-sukhumvit#check-up

If the option of physically attending is removed... This is perhaps the best alternative... I've known of this for numerous funerals recently.

Sometimes makes a difference to family. Sometimes comes and stabs you from behind when you think you're good. At least my experience. So sorry for the Ops loss. This its a very difficult one... from one perspective, his father is lost and he could pay his respects from anywhere. But, from another perspective, others may need the Ops support and he may well also want to be with loved ones. There must be some form of precedent for this - although I'm sure it very much depends on the Ops legal circumstances. Op, as you are in the midst of a legal civil case, what is your lawyer suggesting ? Have your Embassy been able of offer any advice ? - they may have familiarity with the protocol in such situations. The suggestion to see a judge is obviously a solid one, but the legal system works slowly and this could be tricky - obviously time is of the essence.

Yeah 'cos its obviously as simple as that... ------- Why is it when on this forum someone highlights an issue they are having there is always at least one who feels compelled to respond with an over simplistic dumbed down response as if only they were capable of such clarity and genius ??? - Don't these people realise the exceptional myopic stupidity of their reply ?

Agreed... I think many of us are banking on the likelihood of a 'lost phone' getting into the hands of an advaned hacker before we can wipe it to be extremely slim. Then of course there is 'vigilance'... I too never leave my phone out of the surface (in a busy area and never leave my phone unattended). There is still a risk of loss etc (i.e. if properly pished up and it slips out of my pocket in a taxi - but that has never happened).

Does your UK license have your Passport number on it ??? I'm wondering how a passport number or national ID number could have any relevance on a driving license whatsoever....

Did she have to show a passport (additionally to ID card)? That's what the Thai vlogger states. I've no idea... But, I'm guessing she did... There's even a certain element of 'Thai logic' to it that that you have to prove you have a passport and can travel abroad to prevent all those hoards of people without passports from getting their IDP and wasting the officials time !!!....

Just an additional point that may be useful for some. Wife (Thai) recently got hers at DLT Area 3 (Bangkok)... The system requires an appointment (which involved a two week wait), so she went the next day.... and could get her IDP there and then (no need to wait for the appointment day) - Mileage may vary of course.

That was the fact for decades. Since a few years the 3 year IDP (1968 Convention) is officially acknowledged in Thailand (took them only a few decades to get it through bureaucrazy). And I vaguely remember that the DLT should now also be able to issue a 3 year/1968 on request. The 1949 IDP has 1 year validity. The 1968 IDP has a 3 year validity. Whether you need a 1949 or 1968 IDP depends on your destination (area where you intend to drive overseas). For example - Japan requires a 1949 IDP. Both 1949 and 1968 IDP's can be obtained at 'main district' DLT's in Thailand.

Why ??.... Its still 'your' driving license... It has your Biometrics: Photo, Name, DOB... and also a unique driving license numnber. Does your driving license from your home country have your passport number on it ? Agree with the 'not to worry about it'..... Definitely a case of 'farang think too much' about this specific 'passport number in the driving license' discussion...

No you don't... you just think you do..... You've reaffirmed that with most of your comments... You also think you know more than the Michelin Inspectors !!... and a 60 baht crab omelette at your local shop is better than one which is internationally famed at a restaurant that has been awarded with a Michelin star... Sure, you know exactly what you are talking about !!!

The only thing to wear under elephant pants, is elephant pants !!!...

Valid point... and the two factor authentication may not be so great as where does it authenticate to ??? Authenticator app on our phones !!! The only answers I have for this are 'don't loose your phone' but of course, we know that happens..... so at the very best, do not be complacent with your phone... its a lot more valuable to you than the phone itself is worth. So, the two phone solution is an option... and only carry the low-risk phone when socialising etc or in slightly higher risk (of loss) situations... The issue of course, is... mutlple phones. I already have two phones. - My phone (that has everything on it) - Work Phone (that has 'work only stuff - thats either at work or at home, I never take it out) So, I'd need a 3rd Phone... and use my primary phone for all communications and daily life etc... and perhaps one banking app with a lower limit (for convenience of daily use)... and have the Banking apps, and e-mails, authenticators etc... A lot of hassle...

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