Luggage handling fees only apply to cabs heading to and from Bangkok airports: Land Transport Dept

By The Nation

 

 

After the latest cab fare hike in the form of “special handling fees” won a mixture of amusement and dismay from the public, the Land Transport Department’s deputy director Tanee Suebrerk announced that this special fee only applies to metred taxis plying to and from Bangkok’s two airports.

 

He said taxis that do not pick up or deliver passengers to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports will only charge ordinary metre fare.

 

Under new regulations, taxis to and from the airports will be allowed to charge the following:

 

• Bt20 for every bag that exceeds 26 inches in width, height or length.

 

• Bt20 for every additional item of luggage after the first two.

 

• No more than Bt100 per piece for sports equipment like golf bags, bicycles, surfboards or musical instruments that are 50 inches or more in size.

 

• No more than Bt100 for equipment, tools or appliances that are 50 inches or more in size.

 

The cabbie is required to inform the passenger in advance about the extra handling fees. No charges will be allowed for carry-on baggage such as handbag, computer bag, backpack or personal belongings carried by the passenger.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30398295

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-11-20

 

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Why have this charge?

What is it for.  If it is a "weight" charge then does a large obese passenger get charged more than a slim one. Or "sit one get one free"?

As I said in an earlier post Thailand is trying to become the "Hub of tourist red tape".

 

Either charge all bags on all routes or do not do it. KISS!

(KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid)

 

 

Edited November 20, 20205 yr by fangless
added a KISS

Minister's have nothing better to do that come up with these cocked ideas.

 

It says that taxi drivers "will be allowed"  It is not compulsory.  If they want to charge for bags then they won't get a tip !

 

One would hope common sense prevails here, personally I think the minister is doing more damage to the industry by announcing this.

 

If a cab driver has the right to charge for luggage, then that driver should announce to the passenger at the time before the passenger is getting onto the cab that he/she will be charged XYZ for the bags, then the passenger can decide whether they will take the cab.

 

Personally, I don't take cabs, but if I had no choice and was advised that I was going to be charged for the bags being carted, then I would refuse the service and take a cab that doesn't charge for that service and tip that driver as usual which would cover such a charge anyway, common sense.

 

Cabs have a bad enough reputation and adding more to passengers for a service to me is just plain wrong, if the minister had  half a brain he would just add a small fare increase to cover any such charge as do major department stores to cards, not too hard to do, but you have to be able to think outside the square. 

Edited November 21, 20205 yr by 4MyEgo

13 hours ago, fangless said:

Why have this charge?

What is it for.  If it is a "weight" charge then does a large obese passenger get charged more than a slim one. Or "sit one get one free"?

As I said in an earlier post Thailand is trying to become the "Hub of tourist red tape".

 

Either charge all bags on all routes or do not do it. KISS!

(KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid)

 

 

Dual pricing must be maintained so this is just a fare rise but only applies to tourists or international travellers (mostly non-Thai). Kerching...

13 hours ago, bwpage3 said:

Minister's have nothing better to do that come up with these cocked ideas.

 

Maybe they should be coming up with things like 500k baht requirements for tourist visas......oh wait

1 hour ago, jaiyen said:

It says that taxi drivers "will be allowed"  It is not compulsory.  If they want to charge for bags then they won't get a tip !

 

So that means cab drivers  anytime a tourist or farang gets into a taxi even to travel 3mins down the road not even remotely close to the airport, are going to be dodgy and try and charge it.

 

Way to go to increase distrust in taxi drivers

12 hours ago, bwpage3 said:

Minister's have nothing better to do that come up with these cocked ideas.

 

Yes, like also charge the airport link passengers the same hike. ????

Otherwise the trains will be even more chockers with passengers and luggage. (Well when they are allowed back in that is ????

so all  these taxi drivers will now be armed with IMPERIAL tape measures !!!!!

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

Personally, I don't take cabs, but if I had no choice and was advised that I was going to be charged for the bags being carted, then I would refuse the service and take a cab that doesn't charge for that service and tip that driver as usual which would cover such a charge anyway, common sense.

Common sense would mean take the first cab and no tip or better still a cab who does not charge for baggage and still no tip.

Why do some people have this overwhelming urge to tip certain people yet would never think of tipping others? The US takes this to an extreme. I am a service engineer and very rarely get offered a drink yet alone a tip so why should I tip a taxi driver, waitress or a hotel porter? All I ever expect is to be treated courteously and with respect which is how I treat others no matter what their job is. 

I also don't understand why airports should be different to any other destination.  In normal times taxis have a quick turnaround and so get another fare straight away. I can see a point of giving drivers the choice of the fares waiting rather than having to take a fare that could mean a long trip from where he/she wants to go especially if near the end of their shift. 

 

Using taxis is often a nightmare here anyway - no meter and other forms of cheating. Now they just got an additional opportunity to cheat customers and make them unhappy. 

Oh joy, now all taxis will be sitting at the airports, great traffic solution for BMA

Does anyone really think the drivers are going to tell passengers about the luggage fee before they get in?  Most will not even use their meter or tell the client what they will charge until they are well on the way and you are committed.  I have even seen Taxi meters who did not even have a meter.  They are not all bad.  I have had some good rides but many more bad ones.

Here we go again - this is asking for trouble.

Either charge EVERYONE with the same fees or not at all. So, apart from the rip-off surcharge of 50 Baht at the airport for no bloody reason now they add a luggage charge. I assume that the same swines creaming off part of the airport surcharge are putting their nice little fatty fingers into the luggage till as well. 

If you are serious (and I am not at all sure about that) then go and look how all this is managed beautifully without discussion and for everybody in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong. 

2 minutes ago, Oldie said:

Using taxis is often a nightmare here anyway - no meter and other forms of cheating. Now they just got an additional opportunity to cheat customers and make them unhappy. 

Generally Bangkok taxis are great. The ones who want to rip you off tend to make it clear as soon as you say your destination by either refusing to go there or not wanting to use the meter. If they pass that test I find they are normally not a problem but some may still take a round-about route even when you have a gps and can show them what they are doing. 

As for any tourist areas, taxis are a scourge to be avoided. Mafias rule and have done more harm to tourism than anything else until covid. It is not confined to farang, they will rip off Thais just as quick. At least they get you to your destination directly so they can fleece another mug as soon as they can. Taxi drivers are some of the first and last people tourists meet - first and last impressions are remembered the most. If only the people in charge could understand how important that is and clear out the mafias. I am not alone in deciding where to go on holiday based on how I am treated from previous visits - or can avoid being badly treated. Cheap bike rental helps but the airport run can still be a challenge.

1 hour ago, chang1 said:

Common sense would mean take the first cab and no tip or better still a cab who does not charge for baggage and still no tip.

Why do some people have this overwhelming urge to tip certain people yet would never think of tipping others? The US takes this to an extreme.

 

Most people know that the service industry is one of the most underpaying jobs around, and the way I see it, is three fold, e.g. I worked in the service industry for years, being tipped meant that the customer/s were happy with the service that I provided for them, and of course it made up for the shortfall in wages that the multicorportates got away with paying me while they reaped the rewards. Secondly it makes me feel good when I tip someone who is deserving of it, as I am sure the little extra 100 baht here and there like, to the porter at the Hilton the other day for taking my bags down to my car yesterday would go along way for him, as it would the waitress who served us drinks at the Sky Garden on the 17th floor.

 

1 hour ago, chang1 said:

I am a service engineer and very rarely get offered a drink yet alone a tip so why should I tip a taxi driver, waitress or a hotel porter? All I ever expect is to be treated courteously and with respect which is how I treat others no matter what their job is. 

 

You answered your own question, i.e. you are not in the (direct) path of the service industry and obviously get paid more in your industry you work in. Courtesy and respect is expected naturally however not always provided, so next time you receive a wai, a door opened for you, a drink served to you with a smile perhaps loosen up a little and feel better for it, as mentioned I do, but then again, it all boils down to one's character and outlook on life, each to their own.  

Edited November 21, 20205 yr by 4MyEgo

'26 inches' etc. Could you please get used to some basic degree of awareness and courtesy and use (if not exclusively then also) metric measurements? It is the global standard, you will have got the measures in cm (remember, we're in Thailand), so why do you just convert them and assume that everyone must follow and understand you?

 

Stop your classic anglo-autistic myth-mongering, get real: The only ones not metric in the world are the english and american dinosaurs. Adapt, at least in international settings. And don't forget time notation, 24-hour format is standard. 

 

Edited November 21, 20205 yr by visacrack

1 hour ago, mrfill said:

Dual pricing must be maintained so this is just a fare rise but only applies to tourists or international travellers (mostly non-Thai). Kerching...

 

How is this dual pricing if thais pay too?

 

The policy may be ill considered, but this has nothing to do with skin type or nationality, no matter how badly you need it to be.

So, if you go to Mo Chit Bus Station or Bangkok Central Railway Station with luggage, it will be carried free??? Do these baggage fees also apply to metered cabs operating to/from all the regional airports??? In my opinion, this looks like another rip-off of tourists arriving in, or departing  from Bangkok when the pandemic is over.

So the airport taxis can change a baggage handling fee?

Normally because of the gas tank in the boot they put the cases on the seat, or you have them on your lap..

Crazy..

If they introduced designated taxi cabs purposely built, could understand this.

But it's impossible for more than 2 people with bags to be in the Same vehicle...

I am not saying that I like paying more for a service that has not in any way improved as a result of the additional fee.  That said, baggage fees for taxi’s are common around the world.  In addition to this, taxi fares remain overall very low in Thailand, again relative to other countries.  Get a grip on yourselves,  there are many other things in Thailand more important to upset yourself about

4 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

If a cab driver has the right to charge for luggage, then that driver should announce to the passenger at the time before the passenger is getting onto the cab that he/she will be charged XYZ for the bags, then the passenger can decide whether they will take the cab.

From the OP...

"The cabbie is required to inform the passenger in advance about the extra handling fees".

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

Here we go again - this is asking for trouble.

Either charge EVERYONE with the same fees or not at all. So, apart from the rip-off surcharge of 50 Baht at the airport for no bloody reason now they add a luggage charge. I assume that the same swines creaming off part of the airport surcharge are putting their nice little fatty fingers into the luggage till as well. 

If you are serious (and I am not at all sure about that) then go and look how all this is managed beautifully without discussion and for everybody in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong. 

Hmmmm, you've just totally contradicted yourself.  An airport surcharge is a rip off and for no reason.  And charging for baggage is wrong.  You then go on to cite HK, Singapore and KL as perfect examples.  Singapore has an airport surcharge between $3-$5 depending on time of day.  HK charges for each piece of baggage.  And KL taxis are generally rickety old Protons, no thank you.

The 50 baht surcharge is to compensate the driver for the long wait to pick up a passenger and to ensure there will always be plenty of cabs available, which there are.  Also because their taxis need to be registered with the airport so you get a slip with the driver and cab details so you can easily file a complaint, it is easier to retrieve things you might leave in the taxi etc.  And it does go to the driver.

If you think 50 baht is a rip off it's probably best you take the bus.

2 hours ago, hellohello123 said:

So that means cab drivers  anytime a tourist or farang gets into a taxi even to travel 3mins down the road not even remotely close to the airport, are going to be dodgy and try and charge it.

 

Way to go to increase distrust in taxi drivers

"Land Transport Department’s deputy director Tanee Suebrerk announced that this special fee only applies to metred taxis plying to and from Bangkok’s two airports.

He said taxis that do not pick up or deliver passengers to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports will only charge ordinary metre fare".

Personally  I use meter taxis when in Bangkok

Also for shopping at the Malls

Never had any bother sounds more like people making a mountain out of a Molehill

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The cabbie is required to inform the passenger in advance about the extra handling fees. No charges will be allowed for carry-on baggage such as handbag, computer bag, backpack or personal belongings carried by the passenger.

Must be getting tough out on the streets to make a viable living driving a cab, must make up the difference one way or another.

This charge is only for the tourists and other farang, foreignors as Thais will just tell the driver to get

stuffed,  in Thai language of course. 

   It just shows that we the visitors will continue to be fleeced when possible.  LOS

or Land of Scams is really getting to be the new motto.  I am so happy that I have a Thai family 

that picks me up at the airport when I visit.

Geezer

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Luggage handling fees only apply to cabs heading to and from Bangkok airports: Land Transport Dept

Just wait a while there will be plenty jumping on the band wagon.

They also said that it isn't Compulsory ,it will be  soon  the drivers will make it  compulsory themselves .

Wind down the window fee.

Sit in the seat fee,

Talk to the driver fee,

Look out the window fee,

Talk in your phone fee..

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