3 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Unfortunately I cannot take advantage of modern technology in the form of a smartphone. I have arthritic and movement disabilities in my fingers which prevent me from using the small and sensitive touch screens. Like your good self, I also have a brand new computer with Windows 11 on which I perform all my business transactions and social media reports. This suits me. 

Well for that you have my sympathy.

Should you wish to, it is possible to use voice commands for an awful lot on modern 'phones. If you know someone with an Android phone, get them to show you the Accessibility features, or do a Google search on your Windows PC for "Android Accessibility features".  I'm sure Apple offer similar too.

 

Of course if you're content with your PC alone, and if it meets your needs, it's a case of "it ain't broke, so don't fix it"

Along with my belief in and enthusiasm for technology, goes the principle that it must work for you, NOT the other way around.

On 9/25/2025 at 4:34 AM, mfd101 said:

Can't say we've ever had any problems with the taxis, both when we lived in Bangers and now when we visit a cupla times a year. Spontaneity is fine, don't have to think ahead ...

Never used the Grab etc lot. Not sure what their supposed advantage is.

Great for you. Well done. Meanwhile for the rest of us it's impossible to find a taxi who'll turn on the meter in tourist areas, drivers often refuse Thai passengers because foreigners pay more, refuse if they don't like the destination, overcharge, scam, and of course the guy driving the car isn't the guy who owns it - they rent it out - your driver could be anyone, no license, on drugs, drunk, your imagination is the limit. Apps rarely have any of those problems, and if the odd driver is bad he is swiftly dealt with if you complain.

On 9/24/2025 at 1:41 PM, snoop1130 said:

The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced that platforms must confirm the identities of passengers and drivers using digital systems like ThaID.

Sounds like the taxi mafia pushed for this clause to prevent tourists and foreigners from using apps. If they actually enforce this and it's impossible for us to use apps I see a lot more walking in my future. It's amazing just how dirty taxi lobbies play - in every country, not just Thailand.

I feel more save and convinient andn not sheeted by any driver of app ,if bolt or other.never sheeted , never old car, never drunk driver

 

than in any sh...t songatau ,what are more unsafe , sheeting many time  and arguing

 

so regulate your mafia taxis

23 hours ago, SenorTashi said:

None that I've ever noticed. I've tried them in Thailand and other countries and every time, the price at the end of the ride is higher than the price which the app gave me. I dont trust them at all.  

i was drive many countrys from  a..like azerbajan over kirgistan goergia uae  to  t..like thiland

 

NEVER in ANY COUNTRY ANY ISSUE....compare from 3 taxirides minimum 1 time problem

1 minute ago, lapamita said:

i was drive many countrys from  a..like azerbajan over kirgistan goergia uae  to  t..like thiland

 

NEVER in ANY COUNTRY ANY ISSUE....compare from 3 taxirides minimum 1 time problem

Beautiful post 

I enjoy reading posts about travel 

Particularly in those Georgian countries 

Thankyou for your service 

On 9/25/2025 at 11:17 PM, Burma Bill said:

 

Unfortunately I cannot take advantage of modern technology in the form of a smartphone. I have arthritic and movement disabilities in my fingers which prevent me from using the small and sensitive touch screens. Like your good self, I also have a brand new computer with Windows 11 on which I perform all my business transactions and social media reports. This suits me. 

 

you can operate modern devices with voice commands or other methods now. you should look into it as sounds like it could benifet your life here. 

On 9/26/2025 at 9:18 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Beautiful post 

I enjoy reading posts about travel 

Particularly in those Georgian countries 

Thankyou for your service 

what about georgia/azerbajan??

 

i not only one time there, the most taxis same arsholes like in thai and anywhere

 

but with yandex,bolt etc --on  manya to many drives not any issue -- same like in thailand --never issue

 

so what yyou talking ??? but some people in trouble whatever country

On 9/26/2025 at 9:09 AM, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Sounds like the taxi mafia pushed for this clause to prevent tourists and foreigners from using apps. If they actually enforce this and it's impossible for us to use apps I see a lot more walking in my future. It's amazing just how dirty taxi lobbies play - in every country, not just Thailand.

 

Yes, using regular taxis can be a real pain in Thailand. I almost always use ride-hailing apps these days. If this were to become troublesome, one more reason to take Thailand off my SE Asia itinerary.

12 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

using regular taxis can be a real pain in Thailand

What's so difficult about it? You wave one down, taxi stops, you say 'how much to xyz?' he says '300', you say '200',

he says '250', you say 'ok let's go'. 

I ordered Grab last week on my one day visit to Bangkok 

A taxi turns up...he starts making noises at the traffic,sighing type sounds "ohhhhh ahhhhh rhhhhhh "

 

I said are are you ok old chap?

 

He said ..."errrrr tooo much traffic not much money from Grab to pay me "

I said "Listen here old boy ....you accepted the job.....didn't you ...you must not accept if you think it's not enough !

Now get your head down and driv ,no tip from me !!!!

On 9/25/2025 at 10:02 PM, Burma Bill said:

 

I have arthritic and movement disabilities in my fingers which prevent me from using the small and sensitive touch screens. Like your good self, I also have a brand new computer with Windows 11 on which I perform all my business transactions 

Not very convenient though is it, carrying a desktop computer around, just in case you need a taxi.

 

Jokes aside, my mum has the same issue with shaky, arthritic fingers, so I advised her to get a little rubber pen which she now uses to tap the phone keys.

14 hours ago, SenorTashi said:

What's so difficult about it? You wave one down, taxi stops, you say 'how much to xyz?' he says '300', you say '200',

he says '250', you say 'ok let's go'. 

 

Does your strategy work in shops too? 😆 

 

Btw, if a taxi driver says '300', then the metered fare is 150 or less, so paying '250', you're the sucker who's overpaying by 67% and more, not to mention that your bargaining power is much less if you're travelling with luggage.

7 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Does your strategy work in shops too? 😆 

 

Btw, if a taxi driver says '300', then the metered fare is 150 or less, so paying '250', you're the sucker who's overpaying by 67% and more, not to mention that your bargaining power is much less if you're travelling with luggage.

I don't spend my life worrying about such pettiness.

I don't usually need them but if I'm forced to use a taxi, I always ask if they'll put the meter on. If they say no, I usually walk away. If there's no choice, I ask the price and haggle. 

 

Does haggling work in shops? Yes, of course it does. Did you just arrive from a different planet or something? 

8 minutes ago, SenorTashi said:

Does haggling work in shops? Yes, of course it does. Did you just arrive from a different planet or something? 

 

Great! Will take your word for it, and try in pubs, malls, and supermarkets next time I'm in Thailand... Maybe I can lower my pub bill from 500 baht to 300 after haggling... 😂 

On 9/25/2025 at 2:34 AM, mfd101 said:

Can't say we've ever had any problems with the taxis, both when we lived in Bangers and now when we visit a cupla times a year. Spontaneity is fine, don't have to think ahead ...

 

Never used the Grab etc lot. Not sure what their supposed advantage is.

Er..being picked up at your location, knowing the fare in advance, no meter.

Enough?

It being October, any changes when using Grab, or Bolt, so far?

2 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

It being October, any changes when using Grab, or Bolt, so far?

 No. Took two Grab rides in CNX on October st and things were the same as before.  I do recall the App asking for a selfie before I took a ride back in mid September. 

3 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

 No. Took two Grab rides in CNX on October st and things were the same as before.  I do recall the App asking for a selfie before I took a ride back in mid September. 

 

Thank you.

On 9/25/2025 at 8:34 AM, mfd101 said:

Never used the Grab etc lot. Not sure what their supposed advantage is.

 

In Bangkok, it vastly widens the places you can go. Taxi drivers don't know how to get everywhere, refuse to use GPS, and it's a nightmare to give them directions from the backseat while reading your Google maps.