Official Airport Taxi Scam

[marshbags]

I did just that and got a 1,200 run to Pattaya from D.M., including toll charges.

If you use them going back the fee is 800 baht.

I offer this point of information: The metred taxi fare from Pattaya to BKK (Suvarnabhumi) is about 750 Baht, add a few Baht for hassle, luggage and a long run etc. you see that the 800 Baht off-meter flat fee is about right and offers IMHO good value.

The off-meter rate from BKK to Pattaya of whatever you can get is, shall we say generous in favour of the taxi, about 1,000 - 1,200 Baht. For a trip of about 140 Km this gives you a cost/distance rate of between 7 and 8.5 baht per Km. (About 5 Baht per Km Pattaya -> BKK)

So when you are sitting in comfort (?) with some aircon blowing and your choice of music on cassette/CD when you get out of range or 107FM consider the cost difference at a per Km rate of your taxi compared to shall we say a songthaew?

Does this comparison of cost per Km for private hire give some basis for understanding the debate both here and within the media for fair fares.

Taxi drivers have a bad press - this is a pity as I can think of worst cases with some parts of Thailand.

A reasonable assessment, Cuban

Just to add, the 1200 fare was for a round trip on the taxis behalf and at my request.

If they managed to get a fare coming to get me, good luck to them

I get a relaxed, reliable journey for 1200 which is good value as far as i,m concerned.

I did post on another thread that i was thinking of busing it to the new airport on the aircon transfer provision and get the recommended Bell Bus, but on a time consideration decided to revert to my old style way of thinking and do the above.

If Bell did a run to the old airport i,d definitely use it as IMHO it is very good.

Slightly off topic maybe but,

In case anyone is wondering, i used an early morning flight from Udon to the old airport and an afternoon flight from the new airport to return.

Only A.Asia use the new airport, there is only the one afternoon flight available both ways and it,s a day wasted to use it going to B.Kok.

I used Nok Air going early morning and Air Asia to return, Nok Air for me is the far better of the two airlines but as observed above, it goes to the old D.M.

What a pity.

marshbags

[backflip]

"400 Baht ok?" He just replied ok"

That's not a scam. An offer was made, and accepted - pretty simple. He could have said, "No, I want the meter". Again pretty simple.

[Furbie]

"400 Baht ok?" He just replied ok"

That's not a scam. An offer was made, and accepted - pretty simple. He could have said, "No, I want the meter". Again pretty simple.

\\

backflip, if the staff at the taxi stand are getting a kickback, then it is clearly a scam. If it wasn't, they would not target non-Thais who cannot speak Thai. It is a metered taxi stand, the people there are supposed to work to make sure the system operates correctly, the taxi driver turns on the meter and you get a card in case there is a problem. Any deviation from this whereby the customer unknowingly or unwittingly (even through consent) has to pay more money so the official and the taxi driver can milk the customer for extra money is a scam. Just because the service was provided in the end does not mitigate the fact it is a scam - it is a bait and switch tactic; ergo a scam. If it makes you feel better, you can call it a deceptive business practice that would be reprehensible in a small business, and is completely unacceptable in a government entity, escpailly one where the consumer has to pay 700 baht for the privilege of using it.

[Captain Chaos]

"400 Baht ok?" He just replied ok"

That's not a scam. An offer was made, and accepted - pretty simple. He could have said, "No, I want the meter". Again pretty simple.

\\

backflip, if the staff at the taxi stand are getting a kickback, then it is clearly a scam. If it wasn't, they would not target non-Thais who cannot speak Thai. It is a metered taxi stand, the people there are supposed to work to make sure the system operates correctly, the taxi driver turns on the meter and you get a card in case there is a problem. Any deviation from this whereby the customer unknowingly or unwittingly (even through consent) has to pay more money so the official and the taxi driver can milk the customer for extra money is a scam. Just because the service was provided in the end does not mitigate the fact it is a scam - it is a bait and switch tactic; ergo a scam. If it makes you feel better, you can call it a deceptive business practice that would be reprehensible in a small business, and is completely unacceptable in a government entity, escpailly one where the consumer has to pay 700 baht for the privilege of using it.

I agree

[selftaopath]

I guess the official airport taxi desk outside the arrival area on the lower level is not entirely scam free. A few weeks ago, I exited the airport, went up to the desk, and gave the guy (an older guy with glasses) the name of my mid-Sukhumvit Hotel. He then said what I thought was "You pay driver 40 baht." I thought he was talking about the toll or the airport surcharge and I didn't pay much attentiuon, I just said "OK."

He directed me to a driver, who had a small SUV cab, not a corolla. Interestingly, the driver seemed a little reluctant to give me my portion of the ticket bck (with the driver's info on it), I had to ask him a couple of times for it.

We started to pull out of the airport, meter off. I asked him to put on the meter, and he said I had agreed with the desk guy to pay him 400 baht. I never meant to do that, I must have just misheard the guy. I told the guy I wasn't paying 400 baht, just to let me out. He said OK, if I would give him back the ticket with his info. I said no, I was getting out with the ticket. He then agreed to use to meter, BUT he was really angry about it, claiming that he had "big car" and that I had agreed to pay 400.

Ultimately I gave him 350 on arrival at destination, which I think was more than fair, but it's interesting that the airport metered taxi desk is apparently now steering people to non-metered cars and brokering off-meter deals.

The other moral to this story is to always get the ticket with the driver's info. He seemed legitimately worried about me exitng the cab with the ticket for his failure to use the meter and then presumably lodging a complaint.

Thanks for your post jphripjah,

I had a similar problem with an airport taxi. I arrived from USA at approx 1 am, and went to the “taxi desk” then was escorted to a taxi. This taxi also departed w/out putting the meter on. I asked a/b the meter and was told, “ no work, no work.” I asked what the charge would be to my apt bldg. I was told it would be roughly 3 times the amount I pay from my apt build to the airport during rush hours.

I mentioned the rate to the airport and refused this suggested price. He asked if I wanted to be taken back to the airport. He seemed surprised when I answered YES.

He spoke a lot of Thai that I didn’t understand, but I demanded to be taken back to the airport. (Didn’t know a/b keeping the ticket- thought this went to the driver only)

He then said," ok ok ok, maybe can fic ". J He got out of the taxi, looked under the hood, banged his hand on a few things, closed the hood – and WHATTA YA KNOW

FIC. Then he proceeded to take me on a tour of BKK arriving at my apt with the same estimated amount on the meter.

The next day I called the Tourist police to report this taxi driver. I was told, “ you have a problem with taxi? Call Taxi Company.”

Nice ye?

[backflip]

"if the staff at the taxi stand are getting a kickback, then it is clearly a scam"

There is no "proof" whatsoever that anyone received a kickback and, even if someone was, this is not a scam. The passenger was offered a fixed rate ride, and he could have asked for a metered ride. Jeez, you guys are a fragile bunch.

[technocracy]

Now either way you look at this there is some kind of attempted scam occuring.

You are going to a taxi dispatcher desk who is then quoting you a fixed price even though behind him are mass ranks of taxis which have large plastic signs reading TAXI METER.

The dispatcher has absolutely nothing to do with the fee! Nothing, zilch, zero, zip, nada . . get the drift?

Also the taxi drivers themselves are starting with this 'fixed' fee crap returning to the airport. I had the '400 baht fee' - offered me last time I arrived in BKK to which I told them no just the meter. I heard numerous varying fees offered to people in front of me also. Then when we left the hotel we went to get a taxi . . . '400 baht' . . . that's all they would say. Unfortunately I was in much of a situation to argue as I had two large cases and the wife is pregnant - so I could exactly say no I'll go and find another.

Unfortunately it'll never change . . . it'll probably get worse - the worse thing is no-one will do anything about it either!

[Furbie]

"if the staff at the taxi stand are getting a kickback, then it is clearly a scam"

There is no "proof" whatsoever that anyone received a kickback and, even if someone was, this is not a scam. The passenger was offered a fixed rate ride, and he could have asked for a metered ride. Jeez, you guys are a fragile bunch.

Of the definitions of a scam, this certainly falls under it:

1. deprive of by deceit; "He swindled me out of my inheritance"; "She defrauded the customers who trusted her".

2. A fraudulent business scheme; a swindle.

3. A confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle

4. to cheat or defraud with a scam.

Why are the staff offering a fixed rate? By what authority do they do this? The stand is for metered taxis, the job of the staff is to write the destination, hand you a complaint form and send you to the next taxi in line - they are not supposed to arrange an over-priced flat fare to the benefit of themselves, the drive or both.

If you can't get that, you are trolling or foolish. It's one thing to disagree with opinions, another to diagree with definitions. Blue may not look blue to you, but fradulent actions to swindle or cheat people out of money, even 50 baht, are a scam.

[ricklev]

All things considered, I wish they would just switch to a fixed rate zone system. I would like to see the driver's get 400 baht. They haven't had a fare raise in years, Suvarnabhumi is nowhere near another fare like Don Muang was, and they wait for hours for the fare. That said, I hate the scam and insist on the meter.

[backflip]

furbie,

Cheating is cheating but neither you nor the OP have any proof of cheating. You can think, believe, speculation, rant, rave, and prance around all you like, but you have no proof that anyone has been cheated. People are offered choices, but that doesn't mean that they'll make the "right" choice that satisfies everyone. The OP's friend made a choice and he was happy with it, until the OP poked his nose in. The OP thinks having choices should be illegal. People who like adventure, people who are educated and intelligent, enjoy making choices. Since the OP doesn't fit into any of those classes, he's againt choices. Contemplating my perspective, I'm sure you're scratching your head, and that should give your b@lls a well-earned vacation.

[Furbie]

furbie,

Cheating is cheating but neither you nor the OP have any proof of cheating. You can think, believe, speculation, rant, rave, and prance around all you like, but you have no proof that anyone has been cheated. People are offered choices, but that doesn't mean that they'll make the "right" choice that satisfies everyone. The OP's friend made a choice and he was happy with it, until the OP poked his nose in. The OP thinks having choices should be illegal. People who like adventure, people who are educated and intelligent, enjoy making choices. Since the OP doesn't fit into any of those classes, he's againt choices. Contemplating my perspective, I'm sure you're scratching your head, and that should give your b@lls a well-earned vacation.

Well, let's see, French guy on line asked no less than 3 people to split a taxi to his destination, no one would (he was going to Kow Sarn). He gets up to the counter, the lady says the price is 400 baht as soon as he says his destination, and he is whisked away. I doubt very much someone going to his destination and asking people to split a taxi is happy about paying extra money. His problem is he did not expect the airport staff to rip him off. A small item I forgot to mention is the lady has the price written down on a piece of paper, which she keeps under a stack of other papers to show the price. What's interesting is there is a number of other things written on this paper (basically gibberish and chicken scratch) so it does not look like she is using it to scam tourists. She very quickly slides the other papers off the top, she does not hold it up, and points to the 400 baht - SCAM (all taking place in less than 1 minute). My proof is I saw it with my own eyes.

Enjoy, your next response, as it will be the final word in our little exchange as your position is not based on facts, reality or the situation. Go to the airport, witness what is going on a make a more informed decision; I travel a lot and this is the first time I saw it - meaning they are targeting certain people.

I have seen it, the guy was ripped off, money was an issue. Lots of people who are scammed do not know at the time and are unhappy about it later.

Edited September 15, 2007 by Furbie

[erikr_]

You know, if you look on the backside of the note you get, the one that says "(For passanger)" and are stamped "Service charge 50 baht" you will notice pre-printed adress and fields for sending in complaints with the taxi-drivers name and info already filled out on the front.

One of the lines says "[ ] SWITCH OFF THE MATER" [sic] - so dock this line and send in the note if you have problems with them refusing meters. It's not so hard, is it?

been behind people ,thai and farang who ask how much to ? they are told 500-700 etc,the next taxi driver is told the quote and charges it ,just tell them the hotel ,destination you want and the meter goes on no problem ,its that simple .........

ok so you ask for a fixed price and then complain you get one?

that is why it is called meter, it will count till your destination and then you pay the amount. No person will know for sure where it will end.

Smarty pants

you are talking about less then 10-15 baht per km. You get what you ask for.

Edited September 15, 2007 by erikr_

[onethailand]

The law requires metered taxis to use their meters and not to refuse fares.

Therefore, if they do not turn on their meter, they are operating illegally. Doesn't matter what fare was agreed, a taxi may not operate with a passenger if the meter is not used, at least within Bangkok metropolis.

So - negotiate a fare to Pattaya - fine. That's ok. But not to Bangkok - they must use their meters, no exceptions.

[lazeeboy]

"400 Baht ok?" He just replied ok"

That's not a scam. An offer was made, and accepted - pretty simple. He could have said, "No, I want the meter". Again pretty simple.

well said .problem is when you come for the first time 400b is so cheap ,its only when they speak to seasoned travellers to thailand that they realise that they have been had over ,then it gets written as a scam in forums like this or in the press..

[tartempion]

The law requires metered taxis to use their meters and not to refuse fares.

That's how I like it.

Jumped into a Lisboa taxi and at the man got scolded by a cop at the first traffic light. He forgot to turn the meter on. He was very embarrassed. Wonder when they will enforce this in Bangkok ?

[lazeeboy]

The law requires metered taxis to use their meters and not to refuse fares.

That's how I like it.

Jumped into a Lisboa taxi and at the man got scolded by a cop at the first traffic light. He forgot to turn the meter on. He was very embarrassed. Wonder when they will enforce this in Bangkok ?

forgot yer right ...........

[onethailand]

Mr Serirat said the airport is also preparing records of transportation and tourism agents and their vehicles' registration numbers.

Notices would be put up at the airport displaying taxi charges for trips to other provinces as fixed by the Land Transport Department. For a destination within Bangkok, the charge would be as shown by the meter, plus the 50-baht airport charge. Mr Serirat added that any taxi drivers found to have overcharged a passenger would be prohibited from picking up passengers at the airport for at least 10 days.

http://bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121701

[tartempion]

The law requires metered taxis to use their meters and not to refuse fares.

That's how I like it.

Jumped into a Lisboa taxi and at the man got scolded by a cop at the first traffic light. He forgot to turn the meter on. He was very embarrassed. Wonder when they will enforce this in Bangkok ?

forgot yer right ...........

You play in the same league as Bendix and Britmaveric do ya?

I worked 6 months in Lisboa for TAP, flew in on monday to leave friday, stayed some weekends, slept at the Novotel Avenida José Malhoa 1 near Praca de Espana, took at least 2 taxis/day to from the airport, took mostly the subway in the evenings, did many visits to Bairo Alto to eat and listen to fado, took many taxis to get up there and drive around town when I stayed over weekends. The only taxi incident I recall was hailing that car, confusion about destination as we drove off, and a red faced angry cop shouting at the driver (a light goes on on the car's roof when he swiches on the meter)

So it was a real "forget" from the driver.

I worked in a hundred cities (mostly western world that is) and the only times I got scammed for what I remember was at NY Grand Central station once and Bangkok 3x.

I did take taxis in Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, Montreal, Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, Paris, Lyon, Brussels, Amsterdam, Milano, Madrid, Hamburg, Taipe, Hong Kong and a bunch of unknown towns to you. And I do expect all of them to switch on their meter, it's the only way to get a fair rate.

Unless they drive you around town: got this bangkok taxi who drove me from Suk to Asoke, Ratchada Pisek, Chaeng Watana(?) at 140km/h at 7 am to Sai Tai Mai on Queen Mother's birtday claiming Sanam luang was closed to traffic. Maybe he lied , maby not, cost was less than 200 baht, so it was not that bad, maybe he was worried to get stuck in traffic?

[backflip]

"My proof is I saw it with my own eyes."

Wow, you saw a lady write down numbers on a slip of paper. Well, that certainly proves that the mafia is alive and well. I've used taxis (metered and fixed) from the airport to my condo several times. With a metered cab, you'll worry about every turn the cabbie makes, and every time the traffic slows down - you pay for distance, and for time standing still.

Just like the OP, the only choice you want people to have, is the choice you've made.

It seems you and the OP are of the same ilk. You've undoubtedly been shortchanged in your home country, and you think nothing of it. When it occurred in Thailand, you immediately suspect a scam, the mafia, a conspiracy. You two are a hoot. From a grander perspective though, every man of spirit wants to ride a great white steed. Unfortunately, you two are stuck on a fecal-brown, flea-bitten donkey...and you're facing the wrong way. Rather than riding into the future with anticipation, you're facing the past, and you are constantly reminded of your bad choices and your failures. Every slight, every insult, every hurt you guys have experienced has been inventoried and saved for future reference. You're psyche is damaged, you are crushed, angry, and very sad. If you look straight down, you'll see the tail of the sad beast. Beyond that, you'll see the portion of the beast's anatomy that we associate you with.

[h5n1]

Thailand, always stating it is international class in this and that - it will always be the same old scheming, cheating Thailand. Never happen in HKG, SIN, KUL, Korea - even mainland China.

Corruption is endemic. Thailand will never rid itself of that.

New airport, S.O.S.

[colino]

Mr Serirat said the airport is also preparing records of transportation and tourism agents and their vehicles' registration numbers.

Notices would be put up at the airport displaying taxi charges for trips to other provinces as fixed by the Land Transport Department. For a destination within Bangkok, the charge would be as shown by the meter, plus the 50-baht airport charge. Mr Serirat added that any taxi drivers found to have overcharged a passenger would be prohibited from picking up passengers at the airport for at least 10 days.

http://bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121701

missed the bit about 900 illegal taxi drivers and tour guides arrested in june and july

[Acquiesce]

If you guys want everything squeeky clean why dont you just go to Singapore and get bored there?

[onethailand]

missed the bit about 900 illegal taxi drivers and tour guides arrested in june and july

Was trying to stay on topic But somehow I highly doubt 900 taxi drivers and guides can be arrested in two months... that's 15 a day... it occurs to me that once more than a few of them get arrested, word spreads quickly... it's almost like some of them are either saying "arrest me, it's my turn" or else the "arrest" is more of a "fine" which does not prevent them from going back again.

Having said that, the last two times I went through the airport I was not approached even once. I'm heading out again tomorrow morning and back Thursday night and we'll see how it is then. Maybe I'm just lucky, since I rarely arrive during daylight hours... also never have to wait more than 10-15 minutes in immigration either direction.

[andyc2006]

sorry i misundersotod your poor use of english - and no i am not high but i assume your american

Dear Mr. English Expert,

Most of the Americans I've met know when to use "your" and when to use "you're."

This shouldn't be a concern for you though -- no point expressing yourself well when you have nothing worthy to express.

Edited September 17, 2007 by ajc1970

[Juzrelax]

I was having a chat with a fellow at the pub the other night. He had only just arrived and got dudded 900 baht from the airport to Suk Soi 4. Why the authorities don't extract a digit and do something about this is beyond me. When I arrived here a while back I did the right thing and lined up for the taxi. I advised the woman at the desk that I wanted a meter taxi. Even then, the taxi I got was very reluctant to use the meter, I had to remind him that it's the law before he turned it on.

[technocracy]

If you guys want everything squeeky clean why dont you just go to Singapore and get bored there?

Now you see this is the reason why screw all will ever seriously be done about the taxi cons - because you and backflip and the rest will just pay them whatever fare they request. AOT just blow hot air up peoples <deleted> saying they are doing something - but nothing ever changes. It pisses me off that when I arrive in BKK the first thing I have to do is negotiate the taxi con and how much they will be wanting each time. I only visit maybe 2 or 3 times a year but it's enough to annoy.

Anyway what has getting not wanting to get ripped off for a taxi from the airport got to do with being bored? I like visit Singapore - never get conned by a taxi and never get bored . . . must be something wrong with me!

[Acquiesce]

If you guys want everything squeeky clean why dont you just go to Singapore and get bored there?

Now you see this is the reason why screw all will ever seriously be done about the taxi cons - because you and backflip and the rest will just pay them whatever fare they request. AOT just blow hot air up peoples <deleted> saying they are doing something - but nothing ever changes. It pisses me off that when I arrive in BKK the first thing I have to do is negotiate the taxi con and how much they will be wanting each time. I only visit maybe 2 or 3 times a year but it's enough to annoy.

Anyway what has getting not wanting to get ripped off for a taxi from the airport got to do with being bored? I like visit Singapore - never get conned by a taxi and never get bored . . . must be something wrong with me!

Lived in Bangkok for the past 6 years, use the airport at least 7 or 8 times per year, never been ripped off by a taxi driver, never had any real hassel from a taxi driver concerning using the metre, and i always tell him exactly where i want to go and which route i would like to take to get there.

Cheers.

Oh and if you enjoy Singapore, good for you. I personaly find it like a big nursery and try to spend as little time there as possible. Each to his own though.

Cheers.

Acq

[ludosiam]

If you guys want everything squeeky clean why dont you just go to Singapore and get bored there?

I think there is a difference in demanding that everything is "squeeky clean" and asking not to get cheated. If the forum and this topic can serve as a warning for new visitors to Thailand it has done a fine job. In most ways Thailand is just a wonderful country bus as everywhere there are some black sheep around

[UnknownPoster]

900 scammers caught at the airport.

What does that number represent? 10% - 20% of the conmen working out there?

Boggles the mind.

[technocracy]

Lived in Bangkok for the past 6 years, use the airport at least 7 or 8 times per year, never been ripped off by a taxi driver, never had any real hassel from a taxi driver concerning using the metre, and i always tell him exactly where i want to go and which route i would like to take to get there.

/snip

I've visited Bangkok I think about 10+ times in the past 2 years and basically every single time the taxi driver would try it on. The normal con was take the meter + add the 50 baht + add the tolls then round it up to the nearest 100 or 50 which ever was further . . . this 400 baht fixed 'fee' to/from airport to Soi 11, Suk Rd (240 on the meter at rush hour) is just <deleted>.

The irony of it all is the last time I arrived and they said 400baht from the airport and I no use the meter, he didn't attempt any con just charge me exactly the meter + the charges. This is the first and only time I've had this!

I must hasten to add it's only taxis to and from the airport that I have issues with - around bangkok in general I've never had a problem when I've used them.