Revealed: the special button that allows bent taxi drivers to rip off customers

[Huckenfell]

who on earth thought that this is New news. Ita been going on for years 

 

[siambluesky]

2 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

But he would only use this for foreigners as "I've never seen a case of Thais conning Thais" ... Region One chief Pol Gen Amphon Buarapporn.

thats not true, my Thai friends encounter the same problem actually more than once, also being ripped off by taxi fare in their city or by other stuff like products or food while visiting others provinces

[phetpeter]

He said 30 baht not 20

[Nyezhov]

I never have a problem with cabs worth me complaining about. 

 

I feel left out.

[Dogbarker]

2 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Oh ! no you didn't, 

regards Worgeordie

He's behind you........

 

[Xonax]

If I rarely find a good taxi driver in a well maintained car, I usually give at nice tip.  The crooks never get a Satang.

[sandrabbit]

The question I was surprised at is that no one asked is 'did the policeman check all the other taxis in the area?' and if so how many others were caught?.

Edited December 20, 2018 by sandrabbit

[kensisaket]

Perfect for the "sex" tourists.  You get screwed before you get to your hotel; and, it only costs 20+ baht.  

[soistalker]

If Thais cheat farang, they will not return. Ok, you've got 20 million Chinese coming, but on a package tour, they don't spend money at various stores; only where the tour company takes them. Every other thai will not get a satang. Watch on walking street any night of the year, The Red Horde march through like locusts from Bali Hai.Pier to Beach Road without spending a satang.

[NextStationBangkok]

3 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

But he would only use this for foreigners as "I've never seen a case of Thais conning Thais" ... Region One chief Pol Gen Amphon Buarapporn.

 

---Thailand Quote of the Year 2018! - Selected by TIME Magazine. ????

[tandor]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The mind of a true child... 

 

I'm surprised he didn't add... its ok 'cos others do it too !

..they just love the exposure and attention, no matter how serious it is..law enforcers fault once again for going soft on their citizens.

[pjthefey]

This isn’t much of a reveal, it’s been around a long time in various incarnations.   I saw one where a guy flipped a switch to turn on a secondary Fan behind the passengers that also made the meter run faster.  Got out of that cab as soon as I noticed. I was on a familiar route and knew the expected fare.

[tandor]

2 hours ago, Lupatria said:

The next red button pushed is at the TAT, raising alarm to wake up the staff at the office of the "honest cabby department".

..what type of sound does this wondrous device make..as i have never heard one!

[tandor]

3 minutes ago, pjthefey said:

This isn’t much of a reveal, it’s been around a long time in various incarnations.   I saw one where a guy flipped a switch to turn on a secondary Fan behind the passengers that also made the meter run faster.  Got out of that cab as soon as I noticed. I was on a familiar route and knew the expected fare.

..they frequently reach down and press the 'day tariff' button to 'night tariff' then back again a few k's later..all adds up.

[DavisH]

3 hours ago, Youlike said:

I don't believe because a Thai would never do such thing.

Damn those pesky foreign taxi drivers ....lol

[Phaser]

It happened to me once....almost home from BKK airport to Nonthaburi I saw the driver push something and the meter went up 100 THB...I called him on it in Thai...he did not say anything but did not charge me for the ride. 

[ChipButty]

After being pressed by a reporter, who pressing who here?

[spidermike007]

But Police General Amphon Buarapporn alread stated that Thais never con other Thais. The vast majority of the passengers this guy picks up are Thai. So, are we to believe he only uses this special button for foreigners? Somehow, I do not believe that. 

 

Your honor, I produce evidence #1. Let the proceedings continue. 

[phkauf]

This is why we need a functioning system like GRAB!! You know the fare before you accept the ride, no surprises, no con jobs, no long out of the way rides to jack up the fare.

I was just in Vietnam and it works great there. The metered taxis there are crooks, as well, but at least with Grab you get a fighting chance. Also my hotel offered me car service to the airport for a price close to what Grab charges instead of triple the normal rate. Honest competition would works wonders on attitudes here.

But alas, Grab doesn't pay bribes to the police and military....

[sammieuk1]

Nothing new every government department has a similar device in its embezzling arsenal????

[mike787]

Thais are the MOST honest people...they are NOT capable of such acts....

[Monkeyrobot]

You think he could hide that button a bit better, A perfect place use the volume controls on the steering wheel, bypass to the meter.

[JimP]

In the age of GRAB, there is no reason to be even taking a slimy Thai taxi driver. 

 

1. Buy a smart phone
2. download the Grab Application
3.  Say goodbye to these vermin who weave around the city like cockroaches. 

 

Instead of rude <deleted>, with Grab you get a polite driver who greets you, a fare that is non-negotiable, and no faffing with meters or destinations.  GET GRAB and <deleted> the taxi drivers and 'motocy' drivers.  My life improved tremendously once I learned how to use GRAB. Try it. You won't regret it.

Edited December 20, 2018 by JimP

[Proboscis]

While I have no time for scamming, I do think that the regular price for a 30 km taxi ride, say from Bumrungrad to Swampy is still going to be well under $10, excluding tolls. That has to be the cheapest in the region per KM. The costs of fuel and costs of the vehicle are fixed (apparently most drivers rent their vehicles) - with such low revenue, the incentive is always to cheat the customer, expecially tourists who don't know any better (and for whom $30 charge for such a long trip is still rather cheap compared to their own country).

 

A better solution would be to raise the taxi rate by at least 50% but crack down hard on all nonsense. By raising the rate, you will attract more taxi drivers into the job and that means you can throw out the bad offenders permanently.

[JimP]

If you are stupid enough to take a taxi when GRAB is easily downloaded onto a smart phone, then it's on you if you're ripped off.  Really, buy a smart phone, download the Grab Application and say goodbye to these vermin who weave around the city like cockroaches.  Instead of rude <deleted>, with Grab you get a polite driver who greets you, a fare that is non-negotiable, and no faffing with meters or destinations.  GET GRAB and <deleted> the taxi drivers and 'motocy' drivers.  My life improved tremendously once I learned how to use GRAB. Try it. You won't regret it.

[asiaexpat]

Not a new scam, happened to me several months ago. I use a taxi  from home to BTS regularly so I knew the taxi was rigged when the meter was double the cost just half way to the BTS. I stopped the taxi and had the police check and the taxi had a switch to change the meter. Driver warned not to use it and I had to pay the meter fare. So goes life in LOS. I take a songtao now, less comfort but honest.

[Billthekiwi]

3 hours ago, rkidlad said:

I used to go a regular route to Sukhumvit over 5 years years ago. The price was always around 100-110 baht. One day I noticed the meter flying up - the amount was over 200 baht. I told the taxi driver that his meter was rigged and I'm just paying 100 baht. He didn't say a word. Just took the money and I got out. 

 

I guess tourists wouldn't have a clue. 

I had a similar thing happen myself but I just told the driver to stop and got out.

Paid what was owed on the meter, told him that he was a crook and flagged down another taxi.

[shy coconut]

3 hours ago, NaaKap said:

LOS = Land of scans. I predicted this 5 years ago as the tourists refuse to return after being dual priced, scammed, robbed, ripped off. Spiked drinks. With rats and filth everywhere (and that is just the pepole) The me me me me attitude would kill the tourism trade and the desperation would set in with the scams and ripoffs becoming more blatant as Thais fight amongst themselves for the few bhat they an steal from unsuspecting tourists. Watch the next two or three years as the place turns into a battleground. 

Scans?

 

You are an unfortunate individual to have encountered so many problems.

 

The only one in your list which I have experience of is the dual pricing, and 

that is something I can control. ie I can choose whether to pay or not.

 

Anyway nice rant, I hope you feel better for getting it off your chest!

 

 

[Bantex]

Over the years I’ve built up a rapport with a few taxi drivers and I use them only. I either phone or text them to pick me up and arrange to get collected later if needed. If we both know the approximate cost of the journey I’m quoted a slightly lower price (as repeat customer) & if it’s a new location I’m going to we use the meter and they round the fare down and this becomes standard for future trips. I’ve used one guy for the past seven years, he always arrives to collect me early, is a good driver, never speeds and never uses his phone whilst driving but if he is busy, he arranges for someone else to collect me but texts me the driver’s name and car details including the reg and I’m just charged the same. 

Edited December 20, 2018 by Bantex

[Matt the Cat]

4 hours ago, Youlike said:

I don't believe because a Thai would never do such thing.

I've never seen a case of Thais conning Thais!