Muayboy

Why is it that the Samui police just let the taxi do what they want. Ever heard of a meter being used in samui , i think is a standing joke with the drivers. The tourist police haraess drivers going to the airport  saying they are private taxi's without the green or yellow plates,  why dont they just look outside Tesco. Big C. and see the cars charging 200bht for a local drop off, deal with the over changing, on taxi & songthews ,by putting  some plain cloth Thais and foreigners with cameras to see how bad it is. This is why people risk their life's on scooters that they cant ride or dont have a licence or understanding of the local road ways ( but the hospital over charging  is another issue). If you compare the local fares in other parts of thailand and asia, samui is more like European prices.

5000bht Fine , you would not get a band aid for that , it should be 500,000bht then they might take it serious. I have had cases in Samui, that i have taken the person in trouble, out of the Private Hospital and taken them to a public hospital that cared about the patients Not the cash first. From a bill of 380,000bht ( standing in A&E then a room with mistreatment and No care )  to 9,000bht with Care two days in patient and after care. Something needs to be done, some undercover investigation in medical fees also the Taxi and domestic travel in Thailand as it is putting many people off coming. 

This practice has been going on for years, i seen this for over 20 years.

now its getting worse with songthews now trying to charge the same as the taxis, instead of doing their job at 50bht in the day and 100bht at night as always, When customers question the price they get angry, with an i don't care look, many more stupid farang coming , stupid Thai arrogance .

Then Bangkok airways is the worst with fares of 10,000bht one way this week, why would you come here.

The few that do come, try renting scooters with no licence or any idea of how bad the roads and lack of road safety or international road codes the locals have. Then they get carried to the Bangkok Hospital, were they will do nothing without  insurance or deposit 

(were not most insurance companies dont cover scooters)  also at ridiculously over priced fees.

How will this ever change:

Bangkok airways , the government  need to cap the fare its the same distance to phuket as its to samui. so charge a distance rate.

Taxi & Songthews. Undercover passenger farang & thai,  voice and video recording,  then ban them for not using the meter or the standard fare.

Bike /scooter, fine the rental company for not checking the licence. Roads will be less busy and safer,

Police checks are good but focusing on the not the main issues. Check licence. Helmets. Is Ok , but Also bike /car conditions. No lights at night  so dangerous  . Kids on bikes ( take the bike off them).. 

Samui rant over.

About time this is Killing Samui and many tourist destinations. They refuse to put the meter on, and when they get a fare its a stupid rate of 400 to 1000 bht , Now even the Songthaews are doing the same is always been flat fares of 50 bht and 100bht at night Now we are hearing  taxi prices fares.  it is killing tourist by making them hire scoter with No experience or licences , But the Hospitals, doing insurance scams and rescue vans are on a commision so the Hospitals win , Bike hire company win on the repairs/replacements . If not fixed Thailand will not get repeat customers returning year after year as it leaves a bad taste .

Looks like a classic thai move of under taking.. i can not remember it in any western country road rule book, that allows undertaking. Bikes Fault. also Any one with a western road licence will know that Thai drivers never look right at a junctions, just pulling out to the left.. one of the most common faults on Thai roads.

I did this last month with my son as he is turning 14. We drove over the border. On arrival in Penang on a sunday afternoon i talked to a couple of pushy agents that asked all the normal stuff . But i ask a friend that had done the same a few weeks before and the recommended me to Ravi Sharma Travel

46 Leith Street George town.

Tel +6012 488 1146

[email protected]

I dropped off my paperwork around 7pm sunday and did not have to go back until 2.30pm on.the tuesday afternoon. At collection time about 100 passports turned up, and bike messengers collecting them for the brookers.  i found out that he was one of the Only two agents that pre books the que with the consultant . So very helpful..i would recommend him.

4 hours ago, canthai55 said:

 

I take it you have never been inside a hospital there