Bolt Driver Warns of Airport Fare Scams by Foreign Tourists

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

A Bolt ride-share driver in Thailand is raising alarm after an Indian couple tricked him into giving them a free ride to Phuket International Airport. Using social media, he hopes to warn other drivers of scam risks posed by certain foreign tourists.

 

The incident recently unfolded in the well-known Patong area. The couple booked a ride to the airport, with the app showing a fare of 800 baht. Upon reaching the destination, they claimed to have paid via credit card attached to their profile, though the app required cash payment. Without cash, the pair promised to use an ATM inside the airport. The driver, trying to remain helpful, let them take their luggage inside.

 

Unfortunately, the couple never returned. The driver, realizing their intentions too late, rushed inside for assistance. Despite reviewing CCTV footage, it was too late; they had already boarded a flight home.

 

 

The driver warned fellow drivers to remain vigilant, especially with tourists opting for cash payments. He advised against releasing passengers' belongings before payment is secured, commenting on the rise of "low-quality tourists."

 

Locals in Phuket are growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as a wave of problematic foreign visitors. They suggest these issues have spiked since post-pandemic visa-free entry policies. Many residents believe tourists, particularly Russian and French nationals, are moving to Thailand to run illegal businesses rather than vacationing.

 

Locals are now calling for the end of the visa-free scheme or stricter entry screening to curb these challenges. They also urged stronger law enforcement to prevent foreigners from side-stepping legal penalties, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-11

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

One known case of tourists doing a runner and an upset 'taxi' driver, and suddenly 'locals' are blaming the visa free scheme.

What about all of the taxi driver scams that are perpetuated every day against tourists and locals alike?

[hotchilli]

Should have told one to remain in the car while the other went to the ATM... or followed them.

[ifmu]

On 2/11/2025 at 7:10 AM, Tropicalevo said:

One known case of tourists doing a runner and an upset 'taxi' driver, and suddenly 'locals' are blaming the visa free scheme.

What about all of the taxi driver scams that are perpetuated every day against tourists and locals alike?

the taxi scams are a different problem .... lets stay focused on the tourist scams 

[Red Forever]

I always use metered taxis in cities.

My last two metered trips: BKK to Silom 311 baht, Silom to BKK 315 baht. This was 3 weeks ago in average traffic.

[hotsun]

The rise of low quality tourists is part of the plan. Japan gets all the premier tourists that never cause problems. Thai people have to deal with the leftovers. They can thank their government 

[ChipButty]

If they want to pay cash then pay when they get in the car or we dont move, the app already shows how much it will cost, 

[jippytum]

,The number of cheating taxi drivrers far outweigh the number of cheating tourists

[jimmybcool]

Hard to believe he was so naive as to let them take their luggage. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

On 2/11/2025 at 5:48 PM, snoop1130 said:

rise of "low-quality tourists."

Yep and it's not just the Indians. 

 

Most nationalities. 

 

[geisha]

1 hour ago, Red Forever said:

I always use metered taxis in cities.

My last two metered trips: BKK to Silom 311 baht, Silom to BKK 315 baht. This was 3 weeks ago in average traffic.

when you say Bangkok, where ? Do you mean the airport ?? 
I use Bangkok taxis often, and never have a problem. They are more than half the rates compared to Phuket or Pattaya. Phuket and Pattaya have a big problem with their over charging taxis. Think about it, example , a taxi from pattaya to Suvarnabhumi costs around 1300 to 1500 baht. 90 mins drive. 
A taxi from Pattaya centre to Jomtien charges 500 to 600 baht for 15 mins drive. I avoid them like the pest, except for the Airport runs or urgencies. 
I left Phuket years ago because of the lack of public transport and the scamming taxis . Pattaya and hua Hin has baht buses at least ! 
 

[Freddy42OZ]

On 2/11/2025 at 5:48 PM, snoop1130 said:

showing a fare of 800 baht.

 

 

THAT is the scam!   800 baht for a taxi is nonsense.

[ChipButty]

19 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

THAT is the scam!   800 baht for a taxi is nonsense.

That would be about right say from Patong to the airport, 

[MadAtMatrix]

4 hours ago, Red Forever said:

I always use metered taxis in cities.

My last two metered trips: BKK to Silom 311 baht, Silom to BKK 315 baht. This was 3 weeks ago in average traffic.

I’ve just contacted the mayor, they are going to have a ceremony to give you the keys to the city. 

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

That would be about right say from Patong to the airport, 

What is the distance? I think maybe about 50 Ks? 800Bt does seem a bit excessive.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 2/11/2025 at 10:10 PM, Tropicalevo said:

One known case of tourists doing a runner and an upset 'taxi' driver, and suddenly 'locals' are blaming the visa free scheme.

What about all of the taxi driver scams that are perpetuated every day against tourists and locals alike?

Bolt drivers perpetuate scams against their passengers every day?  Huh?

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, Red Forever said:

I always use metered taxis in cities.

My last two metered trips: BKK to Silom 311 baht, Silom to BKK 315 baht. This was 3 weeks ago in average traffic.

Oh.   And?

[CHdiver]

3 hours ago, geisha said:

A taxi from Pattaya centre to Jomtien charges 500 to 600 baht for 15 mins drive.

BS, Bolt is usually 100 to 120 Baht. 

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

On 2/11/2025 at 5:48 PM, snoop1130 said:

showing a fare of 800 baht.

 

 

THAT is the scam!   800 baht for a taxi is nonsense.

It was an offer from Bolt, they did not have to accept the ride.  It may be expensive but it is not a scam when all parties know exactly what service they get for a fixed agreed price.

[Liverpool Lou]

12 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

What is the distance? I think maybe about 50 Ks? 800Bt does seem a bit excessive.

They didn't have to accept the ride, they chose to, so, excessive or not is irrelevant to the OP.

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, CHdiver said:

3 hours ago, geisha said:

A taxi from Pattaya centre to Jomtien charges 500 to 600 baht for 15 mins drive.

BS, Bolt is usually 100 to 120 Baht. 

A Bolt ride is not a Pattaya taxi ride.

[Sandboxer]

Lol, so we are to believe the driver let them go inside and waited so long for them to return from the ATM/seek help from security that the flight had already taken off? Suuureeee.....

 

800 is what airport and/or normal taxis charge. 500-650 is the normal fare range from Patong to HKT for ride apps, regardless of whatever silliness the Bolt algo might cough up sometimes.

 

Never mind the number of times a Bolt driver has accepted one of my ride request, and then messages that "I'm coming in a different car/different license plate" only to try to reneg the fare. 

 

So while Indians are not my fave tourist demographic, I'm not exactly upset about this one.

[a3tsw]

Distance from Patong to Phuket Airport ~40km.

Fare = 800฿

So approx. 20฿ per km.

 

[CHdiver]

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

A Bolt ride is not a Pattaya taxi ride.

If you want, you can choose Taxi on Bolt. Then a Taxi will turn up and the price is not higher then the one I quoted. For me, Uber, Bolt or Grab and so on are all giving Taxi like service. So I call them Taxi. 

[digger70]

On 2/11/2025 at 10:10 PM, Tropicalevo said:

One known case of tourists doing a runner and an upset 'taxi' driver, and suddenly 'locals' are blaming the visa free scheme.

What about all of the taxi driver scams that are perpetuated every day against tourists and locals alike?

That's different ,They Are Thai they are Allowed to Rip of the Tourists.

[ChipButty]

56 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

What is the distance? I think maybe about 50 Ks? 800Bt does seem a bit excessive.

About 32 km, if that was the usual taxi mafia thats about right, 

[ChipButty]

I wonder how many tourist he has ripped off over the years? they dont give up, only the other day we stopped at the beach front to check how much for a longtail boat to the island, my wife wanted to book for her friend, 3000 Baht and she's Thai, 

[a3tsw]

On a recent trip to Khon Kaen I took an app. based taxi ride to the airport. ~7km.

Fare = 88฿

So approx. 12.5฿ per km.

Or 60% cheaper than the equivalent per km. than Phuket. 

 

[LivinginKata]

5 hours ago, a3tsw said:

Distance from Patong to Phuket Airport ~40km.

Fare = 800฿

So approx. 20฿ per km.

 

 

You have to know that 40 km is in very heavy traffic that can take 90 minutes. An then a return trip as no pickup allowed at the airport. So 3 hours time and fuel for 800 Baht.  Years ago my wife would taxi guests to airport for 1,000 Baht. These days with traffic she does not offer airport transfer, indeed I just tell even friends just to take the taxi when arrive at Phuket airport.

[a3tsw]

1 hour ago, LivinginKata said:

 

You have to know that 40 km is in very heavy traffic that can take 90 minutes. An then a return trip as no pickup allowed at the airport. So 3 hours time and fuel for 800 Baht.  Years ago my wife would taxi guests to airport for 1,000 Baht. These days with traffic she does not offer airport transfer, indeed I just tell even friends just to take the taxi when arrive at Phuket airport.

It would appear that things have changed recently as regards app. based taxis not being allowed to pick up passengers from Phuket airport and as for heavy traffic that very much depends on the time of day when the journey is made.