Krabi Airport Taxi Rip-Off: 20km Trip Costs Tourist 2,500 Baht

[webfact]

 

A tourist has lodged a complaint with Krabi’s Damrongtham Centre after facing an extortionate taxi fare at Krabi International Airport. The incident highlights the urgent need for regulation to protect the image of this popular tourist destination.

 

The tourist, in his 30s, landed at Krabi International Airport on 22nd June at around 10:00 a.m. After disembarking, he was approached by a taxi staff member within the airport. He needed to travel to Krabi City Hall and was quoted a fare of 2,500 baht.

 

Upon his hesitation, the fare was ‘reduced’ to 1,800 baht. This high fee prompted him to inquire further about the distance and travel time, to which he was told it would take 2 hours, a clear misrepresentation.

 

Later consulting his relatives, he discovered that City Hall was only 20 kilometres away, a journey of less than 30 minutes. Outraged by the perceived exploitation, he opted for a pick-up from family members instead and decided to report the issue.

 

He was concerned about other tourists falling victim to similar overcharging and sought resolution to protect Krabi’s tourism reputation.

 

 

Ms. Umaporn Channarong, Director of Krabi's Damrongtham Centre, assured that the complaint would be thoroughly investigated.

 

Collaboration with relevant agencies will aim to ensure fair treatment of service users and prevent similar incidents from tarnishing the province's image. The controversy underscores the importance of transparent transportation fees to uphold Thailand’s tourism standards.

 

This incident has broader implications, sparking discussions about the importance of trusted and regulated public transport options in tourist heavy regions. Travellers are encouraged to report any such unfair practices via the 24-hour consumer hotline at 1567.

 

The authorities’ quick response is hoped to restore confidence among tourists visiting Krabi, safeguarding both the visitors’ experience and the local tourism sector.

 

Thairath file photo via Thaiger

 

-- 2024-06-26

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[JoePai]

 assured that the complaint would be thoroughly investigated   

 

And next year I'll be a millionaire !

    

[ikke1959]

In many countries there are fixed prices from airport to hotels.. Why not possible in Thailand?? Government should intervene as the taxis are unable to work with fair prices..

[WhiteHatPhil]

I went to Krabi Airport and immediately booked a Grab to Ao Nang.  On the way out to the car park I had to run the gauntlet of the taxi touts who would NOT leave me alone.  One followed me all the way through and eventually grabbed hold of my arm. Told him where to go....

In Ao Nang, the situation is even worse. There are literally 'no-go' areas for Grab taxis. The tuk tuk mafia will threaten the tourist and stop them boarding and the Grab driver likely gets beaten up.  According to one Grab driver, the police are fully aware but....well, you know the story.

 

If you are thinking of a Krabi or Ao Nang trip, beware.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The tourist, in his 30s, landed at Krabi International Airport on 22nd June at around 10:00 a.m. After disembarking, he was approached by a taxi staff member within the airport. He needed to travel to Krabi City Hall and was quoted a fare of 2,500 baht.

 

Upon his hesitation, the fare was ‘reduced’ to 1,800 baht. This high fee prompted him to inquire further about the distance and travel time, to which he was told it would take 2 hours, a clear misrepresentation.

Rip-off Thailand... 

[Sydebolle]

Thailand's biggest threat is her own people .......... and meanwhile Thailand's reputation of rip-offs, two- and more tiered pricing combined with a product which is no longer worth the money ...... all this is reflected in the tourism statistics (not the local ones though) 

 

[Sandboxer]

I guess even some 30 yr old tourists do not own smart phones or know how to use Google maps in this day and age ......

 

Didn't know Krabi gets tourists flying in from ......NORTH SENTINEL ISLAND 

[Peterphuket]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

 assured that the complaint would be thoroughly investigated   

 

And next year I'll be a millionaire !

    

Perhaps a bit early, but congratulations in advance, although, with a million Thai bath you don't do that much.

[Peterphuket]

24 minutes ago, WhiteHatPhil said:

I went to Krabi Airport and immediately booked a Grab to Ao Nang.  On the way out to the car park I had to run the gauntlet of the taxi touts who would NOT leave me alone.  One followed me all the way through and eventually grabbed hold of my arm. Told him where to go....

In Ao Nang, the situation is even worse. There are literally 'no-go' areas for Grab taxis. The tuk tuk mafia will threaten the tourist and stop them boarding and the Grab driver likely gets beaten up.  According to one Grab driver, the police are fully aware but....well, you know the story.

 

If you are thinking of a Krabi or Ao Nang trip, beware.

Apparently you haven't been to Phuket yet....

[NativeBob]

6 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Apparently you haven't been to Phuket yet....

yep!

I just don't pay them. Bangkok style: "here's 300 baht do you want it? No? Sayonara!"

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

In many countries there are fixed prices from airport to hotels.. Why not possible in Thailand?? Government should intervene as the taxis are unable to work with fair prices..

 

In many countries taxis have meters (that work unlike those in Thailand). If they won't use the meter, which is as simple a method as it is possible to be (except in Thailand) what hope is there of them agreeing to a pre-determined price list?

[Mavideol]

krabi airport to Ao Nang beach (around 30 km) was charged 600 baht, nice guy spoke some English, avoid Krabi Shuttle they quoted 1K

[wensiensheng]

“Collaboration with relevant agencies will aim to ensure fair treatment of service users and prevent similar incidents from tarnishing the province's image”

 

For the next week maybe. After that tourists are on their own!

[wensiensheng]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

In many countries there are fixed prices from airport to hotels.. Why not possible in Thailand?? Government should intervene as the taxis are unable to work with fair prices..

Because then locals couldn’t fleece foreigners with rip off prices?

[dallen52]

Just gotta love Thailand. 

Every opportunity the locals tarnish the reputation. 

I'm sure it happens in other countries too.

But 20% of the economy is tourism. 

And these scrotes get away with 3 wais.

[renaissanc]

Fares must be fixed. You can't trust a taxi driver to give an honest price.

[CallumWK]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Outraged by the perceived exploitation, he opted for a pick-up from family members instead

 

So will the family member now be prosecuted for unlicensed taxi?

[smew]

Ripping people off wherever and whenever possible is the tourist motto here. 

[balo]

It's cheaper to rent a car instead 

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He needed to travel to Krabi City Hall and was quoted a fare of 2,500 baht.

I've been to some large Western airports that post flat taxi fares according to a zone number given for your destination within a radius of the airport. Nothing to negotiate.

In Krabi Airport the government's Department of Airports could develop and post the appropriate zone fares at the taxi cue. Any taxi that refuses cannot operate at the airport.

Don't overthink the fare issue.

[MalcolmB]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

1,800 baht.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

a journey of less than 30 minutes.

The women charge similar to that and they don’t have all the associated running costs of the vehicle. 
I really don’t see a problem, he was not forced to pay it.

[doublezero]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

In many countries there are fixed prices from airport to hotels.. Why not possible in Thailand?? Government should intervene as the taxis are unable to work with fair prices..

They do actually have fixed prices in Chiang Mai. I experienced that about 4 or 5 times within the last years (last time in summer 2022)

Edited Wednesday at 07:13 AM by doublezero

[Keeps]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

In many countries there are fixed prices from airport to hotels.. Why not possible in Thailand?? Government should intervene as the taxis are unable to work with fair prices..

Chiang Mai manages it. 200 baht from the airport to any hotel within the 'city'. Was 150 baht until fairly recently.

[digger70]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

In many countries there are fixed prices from airport to hotels.. Why not possible in Thailand?? Government should intervene as the taxis are unable to work with fair prices..

Yes the Government should intervene But they don't they haven't got the B@lls to do Anything that's why this country is in a mess.

Taxi Mafia and Corrupt cops/Politicians and local Headman.. one can't win/trust anyone.

[MikeandDow]

1 hour ago, digger70 said:

Yes the Government should intervene But they don't they haven't got the B@lls to do Anything that's why this country is in a mess.

Taxi Mafia and Corrupt cops/Politicians and local Headman.. one can't win/trust anyone.

Thailand Land of the corrupt

[PoorSucker]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

In many countries there are fixed prices from airport to hotels.. Why not possible in Thailand??

It is fixed at 2500 baht.

[khunPer]

If Thailand – and prime minister Srettha – wish to do something positive for tourism, they should first of all do something with the overcharged taxis – however Suvarnabhumi (BKK) seems to work well in arrival section – they are the first you meet after arriving in an airport; and a pain for many every time you need transportation during the vacation; and the last you experience before checking in for your return flight...

[phetpeter]

I understand that all place passenger services have to display the fare to the required destinations, again it is down to the police and airport authorities to make sure the law is followed, oh! sorry did I say the police...' my bag!'  Oh, foolish of me to think that should/might happen. even through it works at DM and swampy in BKK 

[geisha]

The bigger airports have an airport bus like in the west, and in Bangkok you can take the bus or sky train.  Phuket has one but it doesn’t have convenient running times. Great service in the UK where you can get the National Express buses that run all day and are quite cheap. Same at Nice airport and all French airports where you have the airport shuttles.What Thailand needs , and not only for tourists is a good public transport system . Imagine in Phuket with all the tourists resorts, restaurants etc employing Thais, their biggest problem is getting their staff there and home . A Thai friend of mine who has a few businesses had to buy a townhouse style house to lodge all his staff . As he said, letting his waitresses and cooks drive up Kata Hill ( or Patong) after midnight on little scooters is life endangering.

[thesetat2013]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The authorities’ quick response is hoped to restore confidence among tourists visiting Krabi, safeguarding both the visitors’ experience and the local tourism sector.

Unless the police nabbed this taxi driver already. Then there was no quick response. I do not think they will bother looking at video footage in the airport to seek out who the driver was. No harm was done and no money lost. So no charges can be made unless the man follows though. But really it is his word against the drivers now.