Taxi Scams Remain Top Complaint Among Foreign Tourists in Thailand

[webfact]

PHOTO: Kaohoon

 

By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

National — A survey, which asked 200 Western tourists in Thailand, found that overpriced taxi services are the top complaint among foreign tourists in Bangkok.

The survey, conducted by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) during the final quarter of 2022, showed that taxi operators received the lowest satisfaction score of 3.5 out of 5 from tourists.

 

Most respondents said they were not satisfied with alleged unfair treatment by the taxi drivers, who allegedly took advantage of tourists by not using a meter to charge a higher price.

Apart from taxi services, poor garbage management and facilitation at the airport, air pollution, and dirty tourist attractions also saw a high dissatisfaction score, according to TCT.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/02/02/taxi-scams-remain-top-complaint-among-foreign-tourists-in-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-02-03

 

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[ikke1959]

and allmentioned items are only the tip of the iceberg...and than wondering why tourists don't come anymore...  

[2baht]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Apart from taxi services, poor garbage management and facilitation at the airport, air pollution, and dirty tourist attractions also saw a high dissatisfaction score

Is that all???

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Most respondents said they were not satisfied with alleged unfair treatment by the taxi drivers, who allegedly took advantage of tourists by not using a meter to charge a higher price.

Tourists return and old games resume.

[ezzra]

Pretty much the same complaint you hear every year and yet, 30 million tourists are expected this year, so go figure where the truth lies...

[Bangkok Barry]

32 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

and allmentioned items are only the tip of the iceberg...and than wondering why tourists don't come anymore...  

They don't? They still come in their millions, tens of millions. Which is why the Thais don't give a rat's fart about any complaints, even if they often pretend they do - for a day or so until the news has moved on and it's all forgotten. Again.

[Kenchamp]

They forgot to mention how much fun it is if you need to go to immigration

[rwill]

They may complain about high taxi fares here but I bet they are still way cheaper than in their home countries.

[zzaa09]

3 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

They don't? They still come in their millions, tens of millions. Which is why the Thais don't give a rat's fart about any complaints, even if they often pretend they do - for a day or so until the news has moved on and it's all forgotten. Again.

And so it is. 

Isn't really a great concern, is it? 

That is, only when the media exaggerates regarding such things. 

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

The over double pricing at many attractions is the one I put top of the list as you are expected to pay up to TEN TIMES more than a Thai, and yet use the same often badly maintained facilities !

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Taxi Scams Remain Top Complaint Among Foreign Tourists in Thailand

Beleaguered Chief of Police wiping sweat from his brow: "Thank you Lord Buddha, thank you!"

[2baht]

20 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

"Thank you Lord Buddha, thank you!"

     "Thank you Lord Baht, thank you!"

[Boomer6969]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

Is that all???

No, Thailand is a destination that is totally focused on Sea Sun and Sex, hence boring. Europe and US have so much more to offer to tourists, for a lower cost.

[sammieuk1]

That must have been last weeks survey this week its the RTP again ???? 

[Red Forever]

High taxi fares in Bangkok?

My experience is that Bangkok taxis are cheap, clean and efficient.

A good comparison would be the taxi fare from Heathrow to Central London with BKK to say, Silom.

The London fare would be £60+.

The Bangkok fare (for a longer journey) is around £12.

Yeah, yeah make sure meter is turned on when starting journey.

What are these classy Western tourists moaning about!

[khunpa]

Well, still people (Including myself) prefer a bit of “chaos” and less expensive destination, over a sterile place like eg. Singapore. 

Edited February 3, 2023 by khunpa

[jacko45k]

Just now, khunpa said:

Well, still people (Including myself) prefer a bit of “chaos” over a sterile place like eg. Singapore. 

A pal recently returned from Japan said exactly the same... loved Japan, buy happy to be back in the chaos!

[Tropposurfer]

Thankfully I don't suffer this anymore from experience, other set-ups for my transportation, and in-country savvy growing over the years. 

But imagine, (if it hasn't happened to you yet) what its like for a first, or infrequent visiting tourist to fly for 8, 15, or 30 odd hours to get to Phuket and leave the terminal and be told the fare to Patong is around a thousand baht, or more if the driver thinks he's got a 'live-one' in the backseat and can get away with asking for more? 

What an insulting, infuriating, unsettling scam to be greeted with as you arrive in a nation that is reported to be laid back, the 'land of smiles' , and a great happy place to holiday in.

How to 'shoot yourself in the foot' so to speak LOS.

 

[kingstonkid]

14 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

High taxi fares in Bangkok?

My experience is that Bangkok taxis are cheap, clean and efficient.

A good comparison would be the taxi fare from Heathrow to Central London with BKK to say, Silom.

The London fare would be £60+.

The Bangkok fare (for a longer journey) is around £12.

Yeah, yeah make sure meter is turned on when starting journey.

What are these classy Western tourists moaning about!

If tourists are going to be stupid enough to get in taxis with no meter they deserve to get fleeced.

These are the same people that will argue and want a lower price for a t shirt then walk out and get a tuk tuk with no concerns.

[jeffriesbkk]

1 hour ago, rwill said:

They may complain about high taxi fares here but I bet they are still way cheaper than in their home countries.

That has nothing to do with it. I wouldnt want you negotiating on my behalf in Bangkok or the notorious tourist coastal towns.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

and allmentioned items are only the tip of the iceberg...and than wondering why tourists don't come anymore...  

They don't? They still come in their millions, tens of millions. Which is why the Thais don't give a rat's fart about any complaints, even if they often pretend they do - for a day or so until the news has moved on and it's all forgotten. Again.

Spot on Barry.

 

But you know the usual suspects on here have to gurn about something or else their sad and empty lives will become even more unbearable. Some sort of salve for their own inadequacies maybe?

[Caldera]

This just goes to show that people have become scared little rabbits in recent years.

 

When I first came to Thailand, the prospect of potentially getting scammed by a taxi driver didn't cause me any sleepless nights. Now with apps like Grab and Bolt at my disposal, there's even less reason to be worried. 

[gearbox]

15 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

Thankfully I don't suffer this anymore from experience, other set-ups for my transportation, and in-country savvy growing over the years. 

But imagine, (if it hasn't happened to you yet) what its like for a first, or infrequent visiting tourist to fly for 8, 15, or 30 odd hours to get to Phuket and leave the terminal and be told the fare to Patong is around a thousand baht, or more if the driver thinks he's got a 'live-one' in the backseat and can get away with asking for more? 

What an insulting, infuriating, unsettling scam to be greeted with as you arrive in a nation that is reported to be laid back, the 'land of smiles' , and a great happy place to holiday in.

How to 'shoot yourself in the foot' so to speak LOS.

 

You can pre-book in advance your taxi from the Phuket airport. Last November I booked taxi through Klook to Cape Panwa which is longer distance than Patong or Kata, 600 baht. Paying the same distance in Sydney would cost me a small fortune.

[ikke1959]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

They don't? They still come in their millions, tens of millions. Which is why the Thais don't give a rat's fart about any complaints, even if they often pretend they do - for a day or so until the news has moved on and it's all forgotten. Again.

billions and billions as we have to believe all the numbers....and than tomorrow tourism is not even 50% of 2019 before Covid..... Believe what you want to believe...

Edited February 3, 2023 by ikke1959

[vandeventer]

58 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

A pal recently returned from Japan said exactly the same... loved Japan, buy happy to be back in the chaos!

Thai taxi drivers are not prejudice they scam everyone equally.

Edited February 3, 2023 by vandeventer

[Roel]

2 hours ago, rwill said:

They may complain about high taxi fares here but I bet they are still way cheaper than in their home countries.

Therefore, according to your reasoning, overcharging is acceptable as long as the price is lower compared to the cost back home?

Edited February 3, 2023 by Roel

[ikke1959]

1 hour ago, Red Forever said:

High taxi fares in Bangkok?

My experience is that Bangkok taxis are cheap, clean and efficient.

A good comparison would be the taxi fare from Heathrow to Central London with BKK to say, Silom.

The London fare would be £60+.

The Bangkok fare (for a longer journey) is around £12.

Yeah, yeah make sure meter is turned on when starting journey.

What are these classy Western tourists moaning about!

Can't compare... Salaries and wages are a bit higher too in the UK or not?

[ozz1]

That's it keep the focus away from the police extortion and other rip offs

[IamNoone88]

Just 200 tourists interviewed and I expect many of those were 'couples" so counted as two. A very small base. I have no complaints about BKK taxi's ... if no meter, I will get the next one. Always seem polite and courteous. If they want to gauge complaints go to Phuket - airport taxi rates, tuk tuks, jet ski's ... the list goes on and has been for years.

[dallen52]

Mochit is the land time forgot.

unauthorised taxis a plenty. 

The touts say not many cars today. 

700 to Survanabhumi and walk you around the back to cousin and his car.

Official taxi (agree there's not many) about 350 baht.

Huge corruption here.