Motorcycle Taxi Scam

[Kf6vci]

In Thanyaburi outside Rayong, less than 600 m from the gated community, I stopped a motorcycle taxi driver to take me there. He wasn't young any more, maybe 30. and this was his home turf!

The guy took off at full speed, driving some 20 km to a Gold club with a completely different name. There we called the host and he drove all the way back and this time miraculously found the place. That scenic tour cost 100 Baht and when I tried to reduce that to 80, he was screaming and cursing.

My girlfriend said he is unlikely to read English and had I spoken the address? She also said they just buy those coloured jackets and they are in business. To test of any kind like knowledge of a part of the city required. ** It is a pleasure dealing with ordinary people - I could praise 100 folks for going out of their way to help.

Q: Apart from calling first and ascertaining someone tells the driver in Thai where to go, what would you do when you realize a taxi driver is "taking you for a ride"? It happened in a taxi once, the guy kept circling and I knew what he was doing. It wasn't even the bloke whose license was in the car! Do you just stop him, get out and try getting another taxi?

[JimmyCA]

In Thanyaburi outside Rayong, less than 600 m from the gated community, I stopped a motorcycle taxi driver to take me there. He wasn't young any more, maybe 30. and this was his home turf!

The guy took off at full speed, driving some 20 km to a Gold club with a completely different name. There we called the host and he drove all the way back and this time miraculously found the place. That scenic tour cost 100 Baht and when I tried to reduce that to 80, he was screaming and cursing.

My girlfriend said he is unlikely to read English and had I spoken the address? She also said they just buy those coloured jackets and they are in business. To test of any kind like knowledge of a part of the city required. ** It is a pleasure dealing with ordinary people - I could praise 100 folks for going out of their way to help.

Q: Apart from calling first and ascertaining someone tells the driver in Thai where to go, what would you do when you realize a taxi driver is "taking you for a ride"? It happened in a taxi once, the guy kept circling and I knew what he was doing. It wasn't even the bloke whose license was in the car! Do you just stop him, get out and try getting another taxi?

If it is a busy street get out and walk a few blocks up traffic.

[taxexile]

driving some 20 km ........ and he drove all the way back.

cost 100 Baht

sounds like a bargain to me.

[samran]

20km for 100 baht.

Troll?

As for taxi drivers taking the piss. Yes, get out, and get another one.

[PhilHarries]

In Thanyaburi outside Rayong, less than 600 m from the gated community, I stopped a motorcycle taxi driver to take me there. He wasn't young any more, maybe 30. and this was his home turf!

Did you know where you were going and, if you did, why use a mocy for 600m? The walk would have done you good. Or is "there" not the gated community.

The guy took off at full speed, driving some 20 km to a Gold club with a completely different name. There we called the host and he drove all the way back and this time miraculously found the place.

Again did you know where you were going or the approximate location? Either way that it took 20km to realise something was amiss is strange.

My girlfriend said he is unlikely to read English and had I spoken the address?

Where was she when you jumped on the mocy?

Sorry if I missed something, I don't know Thanyaburi so maybe a little local knowledge would unravel the story, but it don't quite add up.

[Scott]

I really make it a point not to get into a tiff with these folks--especially the motorcycle guys. They tend to be a little 'gang' onto themselves and not a bunch I would want to be angry with me.

A lot of times, it's a matter of miscommunication. I rarely have any that take me for a real 'ride', but I've had some experiences that could be put down to misunderstanding. When I run into one who is being devious, I pay the fare to that point and get out or off.

Years ago, I thought I was being overcharged by the local Motorcycle taxi guys. I refused to pay the am't specified and the guy took the lesser amount without grumbling or threatening. But that was the last ride I got to the end of the soi from that group. When I went out each morning to go to work, I just not a nice hand waving me away. It was a long walk to the end of the soi, especially when raining.

I decided then and there, no more confrontation with these boys!

[chiang mai]

Mods, can we not call it a day on these parallel threads about taxi's motorbike taxi's and purveyors of people in any shape or form? It's getting ridiculous. If every poster posted his/her bad encounter with a taxi (or whatever) in real time, flood control would be constantly engaged and we'd have to rename Thaivisa to Thaitaxi!

[cooL_guY_corY]

Mods, can we not call it a day on these parallel threads about taxi's motorbike taxi's and purveyors of people in any shape or form? It's getting ridiculous. If every poster posted his/her bad encounter with a taxi (or whatever) in real time, flood control would be constantly engaged and we'd have to rename Thaivisa to Thaitaxi!

^^^^^^^^^^^

[mikethevigoman]

20km for 100 baht.

Troll?

As for taxi drivers taking the piss. Yes, get out, and get another one.

Its happened to me a couple of times,you get in say your destination,and after about 2 kms they look at you and say " where you go " or the other one is they will cruise the area,they never ask for directions!..but heres a thought, we arrived at heathrow on our return to england with 80 kilos of luggage and my wife and daughter, asked a taxi if he would take us to the hotel car park where my car was ( about a mile ) he said alright, didnt help in with the bags,when we went into the hotel car park he pulls up at the front door, i asked ,can you take us round the back please ( it was a fair walk ) .sorry mate.im in a hurry,5 pounds 65,! so i waited for all the change and leant in and said, it must be good that you are earning enough not to need tips ,you could have had this change if youd took us round the back !,@sshole, my opinion of taxi drivers is the same the world over, lazy b@stards, and usually illiterate,.( and in thailand conmen )

[JetsetBkk]

1. You were 600m from your destination and couldn't tap him on the shoulder for 20Km and tell him to stop?

2. Why didn't you call your g/f on the mobile and get her to tell him the destination in Thai?

3. You left your brain at the airport?

Troll.

[TheDon]

If it was 600m up the road, wouldnt you start thinking <deleted> is he taking me after a couple of kms???

but 20km???

[sonicdragon]

Perhaps, at the time of this incident, he didn't know the location of the destination, and only discovered later that it was 600m from where he originally was ? Or maybe it's a troll.

[bendix]

Troll or idiot? You decide.