American TikToker condemns Bangkok taxi driver for trying to rip him off

[Ralf001]

And this is a scam how ?

 

these deadbeat tiktok <deleted> need to <deleted> right off.

[recom273]

Has the situation drastically changed in BKK? When we used to live there getting a decent taxi driver wasn’t difficult, I think maybe 75% chance. You would ask politely and the guy driving would give you a strange look to say “of course I will use the meter. Why not?” - never take a standing taxi unless it’s at an issan food stall and the guy is just finishing lunch.
 

But I read on Reddit, tourists constantly bemoaning taxi drivers.

 

I don’t know or care, but this guy has gone out of his way to catch a taxi driver, he’s already got the phone out with the intention of catching him out to make a video, the phone is in his hand, it’s pretty shady. Maybe we see the guy at the police station, but I hope we see Mr jason too, making a video to purposely damage Thai tourism.

i checked his feed, he does have another video with a guy where he negotiates 20B discount on a tuktuk, but videos of a guy saying ‘yes I use the meter ever day’ dont generate likes. 

Edited September 28, 2023 by recom273

[NHPT]

The world is infested with TikTokers....

[Ralf001]

19 minutes ago, recom273 said:

Has the situation drastically changed in BKK? When we used to live there getting a decent taxi driver wasn’t difficult, I think maybe 75% chance. You would ask politely and the guy driving would give you a strange look to say “of course I will use the meter. Why not?” - never take a standing taxi unless it’s at an issan food stall and the guy is just finishing lunch.
 

But I read on Reddit, tourists constantly bemoaning taxi drivers.

 

I don’t know or care, but this guy has gone out of his way to catch a taxi driver, he’s already got the phone out with the intention of catching him out to make a video, the phone is in his hand, it’s pretty shady. Maybe we see the guy at the police station, but I hope we see Mr jason too, making a video to purposely damage Thai tourism.

i checked his feed, he does have another video with a guy where he negotiates 20B discount on a tuktuk, but videos of a guy saying ‘yes I use the meter ever day’ dont generate likes. 

Hopefully the Taxi driver has him charged with defamation.

100% not a scam.

[PeterA]

Once last year while in Bkk, I was needing a taxi to the train station. The driver said 300 THB, I said use the meter. He did, It ended up being 300 baht due to traffic and he knew how far. Maybe if he doesn't use the meter, he doesn't  pay the cab company? Don't know for sure.

On my last trip on the way to the bus station to go to Korat, the driver asked where I was going. I told him and he said his family was up that way. He would take me for  500 thb. Normally it is a 2000 thb fare in a cab.

If they don't want to use the meter, get another cab. Easy.

[fallup88]

59 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Nor is he is afraid of any repercussions for breaking the law. I once called the taxi complaint number and they told me to call the tourist police. I called the tourist police and they told me to call the taxi complaint number.

Authorities only act when it becomes viral and they have to save face again

[fallup88]

34 minutes ago, recom273 said:

Has the situation drastically changed in BKK? When we used to live there getting a decent taxi driver wasn’t difficult, I think maybe 75% chance. You would ask politely and the guy driving would give you a strange look to say “of course I will use the meter. Why not?” - never take a standing taxi unless it’s at an issan food stall and the guy is just finishing lunch.
 

But I read on Reddit, tourists constantly bemoaning taxi drivers.

 

I don’t know or care, but this guy has gone out of his way to catch a taxi driver, he’s already got the phone out with the intention of catching him out to make a video, the phone is in his hand, it’s pretty shady. Maybe we see the guy at the police station, but I hope we see Mr jason too, making a video to purposely damage Thai tourism.

i checked his feed, he does have another video with a guy where he negotiates 20B discount on a tuktuk, but videos of a guy saying ‘yes I use the meter ever day’ dont generate likes. 

Nowadays it’s not just tourist, locals complain about the problem too. It got worse due to influx of tourist in the past 10 years, taxis rather take tourist than Thais. But this problem is usually isolated to down town Bangkok, and tourist areas.

[Red Forever]

3D

2 hours ago, dallen52 said:

Can't the taxi driver get nailed for defrauding a tourist and the taxi company he works for?

No meter.

Straight in the pocket. 

 

[Cory1848]

4 hours ago, bendejo said:

Welcome to Thailand, boy-o.  You are going to be doing a lot more of such SM postings during your SEA visit.

 

 

In the video, the American starts out speaking Thai, so he probably knows his way around. If anything, he was maybe trolling for a dishonest cabbie to get a good video.

[Red Forever]

Attention seeking farang gets his day in the sun.

What a non story.

No meter, no problem. Just move along to the next.

[jacko45k]

Just now, Cory1848 said:

In the video, the American starts out speaking Thai, so he probably knows his way around. If anything, he was maybe trolling for a dishonest cabbie to get a good video.

Wonder how long it took him.... since he didn't get to  Khao San Road, I suspect this was the first attempt!

[KhunLA]

Silly vid, as no info whatever.  Looks to be night-ish time, and no reference to where they are.  Short trip, long trip, and what's the chance of getting a fare back to where the taxi prefers to hang out.

 

Many times their non meter use is justified, sometimes not.

 

Against the rules yes.

Applicable rules aren't always fair to the taxis.

 

Wouldn't surprise me if the tiktok'er picked a worst time, far distance, just to say 'rip off' and get clicks.

[KhunLA]

Apparently, he just enjoys bothering people ...

 

[impulse]

Are we taking bets on what some kindly taxi driver will return to his hapless passenger in response to this one?

 

Last time, I think it was a hugely expensive violin...

 

 

[Walker88]

The silly kid had to know that 'Face' is much more important that quaint concepts like truth or obeying the law.

 

TikTok is made to order for face-losing Thais to earn a living off of LIKE-seeking Millennials.

[Nickcage49]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

 

That's not even news. Happens literally hundreds of times a day in Bangkok, lol

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Apparently, he just enjoys bothering people ..

It would appear so......irritating. 

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

What the taxi driver did is illegal. Full stop.

 

"There is a law in Thailand that requires taxis to always run on meters and not to decline any customer that hails them when they are available."

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/bangkok-taxi-tips-how-to-get-a-taxi-in-bangkok#:~:text=Use the Taxi Meter,them when they are available.

Pleased you cleared that up, so can we now assume all taxi drivers will fully comply after you have pointed this apparent unknow law. 

[recom273]

31 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Hopefully the Taxi driver has him charged with defamation.

100% not a scam.

Not trying to defend the driver, but up to a certain point its his perogative, he's being straight with the guy. 

 

If they feel like they can talk to the customer, they will often tell them why, the traffic is bad in that area, its rush hour on a rainy night, I can make more doing little hops to the BTS and back, sorry. I had many times when the driver refused a long fare, to Minburi or Thonburi, if you ask why, the answer is always, they are running out of gas and would need to take you to a gas station or their shift is ending soon and they were looking for a fare to take them closer to mo chit. Tik Tok has overtaken vocal conversation theses days.

[spidermike007]

It is a real statement when a man admits he is a tik toker. Says alot about the man, and none are things to be proud of.

 

What does a real man do in this circumstance? He walks to the next taxi, and finds one willing to use a meter. What does an undeveloped Gen Z guy do? He makes a big deal out of nothing, and makes a fool out of himself, as usual. 

 

Welcome to the disintegration of society, and civilization. 

Edited September 28, 2023 by spidermike007

[HappyExpat57]

1 minute ago, Artisi said:

Pleased you cleared that up, so can we now assume all taxi drivers will fully comply after you have pointed this apparent unknow law. 

I was pointing out this IS a scam. Poster I was replying to was saying there was nothing wrong with what the taxi driver did. Your sarcasm is noted (that doesn't mean it's appreciated nor was it necessary).

[Artisi]

10 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Apparently, he just enjoys bothering people ...

 

Like the other idiot from some time back called Nat who is still around trying to justify his position of being a useless no-body. 

[tkramer]

2 hours ago, dpeti73 said:

The driver not fraud this idiot social media jerk. It was a clear statement 300B like or walk away.

Thai mind...?

[Cory1848]

11 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Apparently, he just enjoys bothering people ...

 

Thanks for digging up that video of the woman who's really busy trying to make a living cooking; this guy is truly a jerk! It's long past time for him to just go back home.

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, recom273 said:

Not trying to defend the driver, but up to a certain point its his perogative, he's being straight with the guy. 

What do you mean 'up to a certain point'? Either he is obliged to take the passenger when he has his flag on open for business, or not. Frequently it is part of the licensing agreement that taxis must take fares.... many discriminating practices could ensue otherwise. It is what it is, but passengers either get messed about or overcharged, and that should not happen.

[Celsius]

I wish people would just use common sense.

 

For example, last time I saw a guy filming a food stall worker I whipped up my phone camera and pointed it straight into his face. He films them working, I film them "working".

 

 

[recom273]

29 minutes ago, fallup88 said:

Nowadays it’s not just tourist, locals complain about the problem too. It got worse due to influx of tourist in the past 10 years, taxis rather take tourist than Thais. But this problem is usually isolated to down town Bangkok, and tourist areas.

ride shares have also appeared in this time - grab, etc .. which seems to have discounted some type of fares. idk, there is lots of talk on reddit how tourists find it easier to navigate and the bargains they got - other times, to me, they seem to have paid more than a taxi hailed from the side of the road.

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, recom273 said:

- other times, to me, they seem to have paid more than a taxi hailed from the side of the road.

The point of the topic is that it is often hard to get the right fare using a hailed taxi!

[FruitPudding]

Absolute scum.

[Neeranam]

I never ask, just get in and tell them where to go.

Never have a problem.