Transport Bangkok Cabbies Call for Grab Service Ban at Suvarnabhumi Airport

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The tension has arisen from the government's recent allowance for Grab drivers to establish pick-up and drop-off spots at Suvarnabhumi, which has sparked outrage among traditional taxi drivers who feel they are being sidelined.

No... you are not being sidelined, instead of being granted a monopoly you now have competition that usually enhances a better service.

[Packer]

6 hours ago, JoePai said:

Is there anything stopping these so called "traditional taxi drivers" changing companies and working for Grab ?

 

Grab check for past murder convictions? 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, JoePai said:

Is there anything stopping these so called "traditional taxi drivers" changing companies and working for Grab ?

Or becoming tech savvy?

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

If the taxis were cheaper or provide the same service as Grab, there would be no issue with taking taxis.

 

The biggest problem occurs if you take a Taxi 'Meter', but as soon as they leave the airport, they tell you that they won't use their meter, but, instead, charge you XXX baht. There you are, heavy bags in the trunk, and fleeced at gun point. That's why I stopped using them, esp. if I have luggage.

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

taxi drivers have brought this on themselves, everyone is sick of being ripped off by most taxi drivers.

Some Bangkok taxi drivers have brought this on themselves, everyone is sick of being ripped off by a minority of taxi drivers.    

[Harrisfan]

Use Bolt then 

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

I recently booked a Grab ride, and was very surprised when, instead of the usual unmarked car, a Taxi Meter arrived.

That's what can happen when you book JustGrab (sends a car or a taxi), not GrabCar (only private cars).

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, Bert got kinky said:

Waraphol claims that ride-hailing apps like Grab do not fundamentally belong to Thailand, likening airports to vital "doors and windows" of the country that should not be dominated by non-Thai services.

A quick Google search tells me that the first recorded taxi-like services emerged in London (United Kingdom) in 1605.

Does Waraphol think that foreign influenced services should be banned from Thailand, in case they corrupt local traditions?

 

Did he say that's what he thinks?   No.

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

8 hours ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Thailand, likening airports to vital "doors and windows" of the country that should not be dominated by non-Thai services."

 

Maybe they'll also call for foreign airlines to be banned because flights should not be dominated by non-Thai airlines.

 

Ban all foreign fast-food and cafe outlets, together with the convenience stores... A third of all shops will have to close, as 7-Eleven and Starbucks are sent packing... 😆 

Why would Bangkok taxi drivers want that irrational concept?

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Ban all foreign fast-food and cafe outlets, together with the convenience stores... A third of all shops will have to close, as 7-Eleven and Starbucks are sent packing... 😆 

All foreign fast-food and cafe outlets, 7-Eleven and Starbucks in Thailand are Thai companies, how are they going to be "sent packing" and to where?

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, petedk said:

I did that recently and to my surprise he turned the meter on. When I asked why he just laughed. 

 

When we arrived at the destination the meter showed considerably more than the arranged fare, and he charged me the meter price plus 50 baht "Grab fee". I protested for a few minutes but he gradually became more and more aggressive, so I ended up paying the amount he asked for.

 

I haven't used Grab cars since

Having a meter taxi turn up is because you must have booked JustGrab on the app, not GrabCar.  

[davb]

28 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

The biggest problem occurs if you take a Taxi 'Meter', but as soon as they leave the airport, they tell you that they won't use their meter, but, instead, charge you XXX baht. There you are, heavy bags in the trunk, and fleeced at gun point. That's why I stopped using them, esp. if I have luggage.

I had this happen trying to get home from MBK Center. When I wouldn't agree, he said "car trouble" and dumped me at Lumphini Park. I used Grab to go the rest of the way. 

 

[portisaacozzy]

9 hours ago, JoePai said:

Is there anything stopping these so called "traditional taxi drivers" changing companies and working for Grab ?

 

9 hours ago, JoePai said:

Is there anything stopping these so called "traditional taxi drivers" changing companies and working for Grab ?

did you get an answer ??????

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, wozzlegummich said:

In January had a cabbie "try it on" with me. Usual meter broken scam with a 3000 baht fare from Suhkuhmvit to the Airport. I started yelling POLICE and he soon took my offer of 300 Baht. Stupid <deleted> would have got my usual 1000 baht tip if he hadn't of tried to rip me off.

Yeah, right, of course that's what happened.

[edwardflory]

 Grab in Korat

 

After 20:00 the taxi drivers at the bus station wanted 300bt ( Thai wife with me ) to take us home. We walked to the coffee shop, called GRAB, cost 120bt.

 

The average ROUND TRIP to center city 260 to 270bt with Grab. ONE way travel with taxi IF meter IS USED, 230bt.

 

For some reason most taxi's don't use GPS and you have to show them the way - where to turn..  With Grab, usuallly the only transport question is "which house".

 

[realfunster]

11 hours ago, petedk said:

 

I did that recently and to my surprise he turned the meter on. When I asked why he just laughed. 

 

When we arrived at the destination the meter showed considerably more than the arranged fare, and he charged me the meter price plus 50 baht "Grab fee". I protested for a few minutes but he gradually became more and more aggressive, so I ended up paying the amount he asked for.

 

I haven't used Grab cars since, but I use Grab motorcycles often.

That appears unlucky and unusual in my experience.

1) getting any crap from a Grab driver

2) the meter fare being higher than Grab fare (subject to ridiculous Bangkok traffic)

 

In my typical Grab usage, I know the routes well and usually Grab is at least 50% more expensive than meter in standard times, more so in busy times.

 

Not hugely unreasonable, they will drive to pick you up from your pick up point and they remove all the hassles. 
 

Whatever happened with you, there was the option to report your issue with Grab. 

First mistake, getting in the car when “he turned on the meter and laughed”.

You need to self-advocate in Thailand. People will often try to bend the rules.

If not comfortable or not to mutual advantage and polite and clear “no” is required. 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

37 minutes ago, realfunster said:

2) the meter fare being higher than Grab fare (subject to ridiculous Bangkok traffic)

If GrabTaxi is ordered the app gives a price range estimate but requires the meter rate to be paid.

[Liverpool Lou]

39 minutes ago, realfunster said:

First mistake, getting in the car when “he turned on the meter and laughed”.

You need to self-advocate in Thailand. People will often try to bend the rules.

If not comfortable or not to mutual advantage and polite and clear “no” is required

...or, more sensibly, do not order a GrabTaxi if you need a predetermined fare, order GrabCar where the price is known.

[Magictoad]

I use BOLT a lot in Pattaya; nearly every day but was very surprised recently when my visitors decided to use Grab which I thought was only used for food delivery.  Anyway; having BOLT in the city has changed my life, really. It's brilliant now.

[Magictoad]

The regular cabbies don't want to join Grab or Bolt because it involves too many regulations etc and too much oversight.

[soi3eddie]

14 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

taxi drivers have brought this on themselves, everyone is sick of being ripped off by most taxi drivers. Now the taxi association is saying they are going to block the roads into the airport, hopefully the police will arrest and fine them big time.  

 

I use Grab from Bangkok to the airport as they come right to my condo. On return I mostly use meter taxis from the airport rank. Occasionally, I use the City Line and BTS to get home from BKK but never Grab. I've not had any issues with taxi ripoffs from the airport, my only complaint would be that some of the meter taxis are very old and a bit dirty with poor A/C.

 

YouTuber - Global Travel Mate did a video on Taxis and Grab from the airport recently. Can be a long wait with Grab, which is why I take meter taxi from the rank. After a 12 hour flight, cost is not an issue. I just want to get home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[josephbloggs]

11 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

The regular cabbies don't want to join Grab or Bolt because it involves too many regulations etc and too much oversight.

Is that a fact? What are these extra regulations and oversight they have to go through?

Pretty sure becoming a Grab driver is much much easier and less regulated than becoming a public taxi driver. But you know different, so what are these difficulties that put them off?

Or did you just make it up?