Is Grab Taxi now in Samui?

[phetphet]

I often use  Grab when in Bangkok.

Every so often here in Samui, just out of curiosity, I open the Grab taxi app on my phone.

It never shows anything, but today, several cars showing up around Big Buddha and Chaweng Lake.

Have they started operating here?

If so, I’m sure the taxi mafia won’t be happy.

 

[Gulfsailor]

Yep. Grab is on Samui. And no, existing taxi mafia couldn't care less as Grabs prices on Samui are even higher than the proposed new meter taxi fares or NaviGo fares. All of them about 4x the Bangkok fare. Enjoy Samui!

[phetphet]

Thanks Gulfsailor.

[ethaniel]

Grab takes 20% commission. So every time you spend money on Grab, part of your money goes to some rich <deleted> in Singapore.

Edited November 15, 2017 by ethaniel

[pennine]

On 11/14/2017 at 8:43 PM, Gulfsailor said:

Yep. Grab is on Samui. And no, existing taxi mafia couldn't care less as Grabs prices on Samui are even higher than the proposed new meter taxi fares or NaviGo fares. All of them about 4x the Bangkok fare. Enjoy Samui!

I live 10 minutes away from airport, but taxi one way costs 350 baht compared to 400 baht from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, a one hour trip normally. If you arrive at Samui airport, the taxi's there can cost 500 baht for the same 10 minute journey, plus extra if you live up a hill!!!

[brd]

it is a no win driving around in Samui so dangerous the locals are and any one on motorbike without helmet is suicidal or a killer.....Negotiate with traditional transports all keen for a good deal directly they are very helpful. No meters no customers.

So sad stupidity primes every where and also in Samui.....

The Thai all are coming looking for gold forgetting all of them have to work for it.

Some foreigners are never even leaving the resorts they are in .......

By all means avoid the other islands around....Only by boat for a cruse and no over night stays.

[phetphet]

On 19/11/2017 at 1:47 PM, pennine said:

I live 10 minutes away from airport, but taxi one way costs 350 baht compared to 400 baht from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, a one hour trip normally. If you arrive at Samui airport, the taxi's there can cost 500 baht for the same 10 minute journey, plus extra if you live up a hill!!!

Do as I do.

Get the phone number of a taxi driver, and tell him you will use him for all your trips providing he gives you a good price. I have a couple that I use, and pay 250-300 from the airport to my house or visa versa.

I normally call them from BKK airport, with flight number and arrival time, and normally text them on boarding, and as soon as I land.

Also any trips on the island where I don't want to use my bike.

He gets all the work, and I get a cheaper price.

Edited November 24, 2017 by phetphet