Bt 5 Buses On The Circle

[Rinrada]

Didnt make it to Patti this time but just wondered if the Songtheos that do the circle have put up their bus fares above the traditional Ha Bt (5 bt) norm.

My usual route in Bangkok-Soi 1-33 to Samrong /Sam Prakan(about 15 klms) has definately been hiked by 20% from 5 to 6 because of the fuel surcharge.

I have been assured that they will of course return to normal when the prices of crude drop but as said wondered if there were any similar massive increases in Patti..

[JSixpack]

Didnt make it to Patti this time but just wondered if the Songtheos that do the circle have put up their bus fares above the traditional Ha Bt (5 bt) norm.

My usual route in Bangkok-Soi 1-33 to Samrong /Sam Prakan(about 15 klms) has definately been hiked by 20%  from 5 to 6  because of the fuel surcharge.

I have been assured that they will of course return to normal when the prices of crude drop   but as said wondered if there were any similar massive increases in Patti..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The BBDGLEA (Baht Bus Drivers Guaranteed Lifetime Employment Association) requested a fare increase but evidently it was deemed not necessary as the buses are sufficiently well subsidized by overcharging farangs and by not returning riders' change.

[Humphrey Bear]

Up until a few days ago the diesel fuel on which they run had been subsidised and thus there was no justification for price rises.

I saw in a paper a few days ago that PM Toxic was talking about abolishing the subsidy, but as I am currently in Singapore I could not tell you whether this has happened or whether this has affected the price.

[royboy]

5 bt is still the correct minimum fare, as confirmed by notices (in Thai) now posted in the buses. I always pay 5 unless I've got no change. On average I get a blast from the driver 1 in 8, but tell him politely to &lt;deleted&gt; off & read the notice!

Up until a few days ago the diesel fuel on which they run had been subsidised and thus there was no justification for price rises.

I saw in a paper a few days ago that PM Toxic was talking about abolishing the subsidy, but as I am currently in Singapore I could not tell you whether this has happened or whether this has affected the price.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Rinrada]

5 bt is still the correct minimum fare, as confirmed by notices (in Thai) now posted in the buses. I always pay 5 unless I've got no change. On average I get a blast from the driver 1 in 8, but tell him politely to &lt;deleted&gt; off & read the notice!

Up until a few days ago the diesel fuel on which they run had been subsidised and thus there was no justification for price rises.

I saw in a paper a few days ago that PM Toxic was talking about abolishing the subsidy, but as I am currently in Singapore I could not tell you whether this has happened or whether this has affected the price.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That good news.

I suppose to be realistic and considering the actual distance travelled at any one time (in the circle) the fare should really only be about 2-3bt however as these buses can be considered as part of/one of the citys majour tourist attractions then I suppose 5 bt aint too bad.

Also good to hear that it would appear the city fathers have instructed operators to post the "ha" baht fare in the buses for all to see and thus going some way towards ensuring that or at least cutting down on any future possible exploitation of innocent tourists or visitors from "dark force" drivers who attempt rip offs and give the city a bad name......looking suaa...

[Pattaya_Fox]

5 bt is still the correct minimum fare, as confirmed by notices (in Thai) now posted in the buses. I always pay 5 unless I've got no change. On average I get a blast from the driver 1 in 8, but tell him politely to &lt;deleted&gt; off & read the notice!

Up until a few days ago the diesel fuel on which they run had been subsidised and thus there was no justification for price rises.

I saw in a paper a few days ago that PM Toxic was talking about abolishing the subsidy, but as I am currently in Singapore I could not tell you whether this has happened or whether this has affected the price.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That good news.

I suppose to be realistic and considering the actual distance travelled at any one time (in the circle) the fare should really only be about 2-3bt however as these buses can be considered as part of/one of the citys majour tourist attractions then I suppose 5 bt aint too bad.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

....and let`s not forget that the drivers have to earn a living and support families etc.

[Kerryd]

It seems I always end up paying the usual farang price of sip baht, regardless if I'm alone or not.

When with Thai friends, I ask them "how much" is the fare. They always tell me "sip baht" each !

I find it hard to argue over 5 baht, when a ride of equal distance back home could cost 150+ baht equivalent.

(Just getting into a cab in Canada, the meter starts at $2.50 or more (80 baht roughly) before you even move an inch) !

[Rinrada]

When I ask my Thai friends "how much?" they have always replied.. 5 baht...thats why they are known as "ha" bt. buses,and only people who are silly enough to pay any more than "ha" baht...etc.etc...

I also know of some mainly non Ts who hate using the damm things purely on the grounds of the possible shouting matches that can occur when a misunderstanding crops up.

The notorious ongoing SCANDAL involving a minority of gangsters/crooked /Sinister and DARK force elements of these providors hopefully appear now to be a thing of the past and the decision to clarify the cost element deserves the praise of the Pattaya City fathers.

If I jump on a london bus and try to force the "poor"driver to take double fare he would think that I was "tin-song"and he would be right.

[Khun Larry]

....and let`s not forget that the drivers have to earn a living and support families etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hear that same sob story from lazy cops, firemen and garbage men making 100k a year in NY.

The sleazy baht bus drivers should get what the sign says, and more only at the riders choice

Thailand needs to license these pricks. Seems the sleaziest, nastiest Thais are the ones in the tourist industry. Many nicer people would love the job. They are there to serve not scam. Thailand is completely lacking in quality control.

[JSixpack]

....and let`s not forget that the drivers have to earn a living and support families etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hear that same sob story from lazy cops, firemen and garbage men making 100k a year in NY.

The sleazy baht bus drivers should get what the sign says, and more only at the riders choice

Thailand needs to license these pricks. Seems the sleaziest, nastiest Thais are the ones in the tourist industry. Many nicer people would love the job. They are there to serve not scam. Thailand is completely lacking in quality control.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly.

There are twice as many baht buses as there should be. Take half of them off the road and the remaining drivers should see a big jump in their incomes. At least put some of them on different routes. Every try to get a baht bus on 3rd Road? Yet it's a major thoroughfare now. Of course there's a case to be made for not expanding the baht bus mafia's influence: the less likely a civilized bus system will ever be established.

But the godfathers probably keep most of the takings for themselves anyway.

Needing money to live on isn’t an excuse for cheating people the way many of these drivers do. It's particularly insulting to be cheated on the basis of your race. Filipinos never have a problem (if they keep quiet, that is).

[royboy]

I just noticed in the monthly "Pattaya Guide" it states the fare is 10 baht! No wonder some of us farangs have trouble getting the drivers to accept 5.

When I ask my Thai friends "how much?" they have always replied.. 5 baht...thats why they are known as "ha" bt. buses,and only people who are silly enough to pay any more than "ha" baht...etc.etc...

I also know of some mainly non Ts who hate using the damm things purely on the grounds of the possible shouting matches that can occur when a misunderstanding crops up.

The notorious ongoing SCANDAL involving a minority of gangsters/crooked /Sinister and DARK force elements of these providors hopefully appear now to be a thing of the past and the decision to clarify the cost element deserves the praise of the Pattaya City fathers.

If I jump on a london bus and try to force the "poor"driver to take double fare he would think that I was "tin-song"and he would be right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[george]

5 Baht. If not accepted, re-route the cab to the police station. The fees are clearly posted in Thai language. TiT.

[cdnvic]

I'm loving it watching real buses coming online in Chaing Mai and these wanks all up in arms about it. The songtaew belongs on neighbourhood streets, not major routes. And as for these motorized peasants "enforcing" their monopoly like they did with bus drivers in other cities, I say jail the clowns. Anyone using violence to keep their job obviously isn't doing it well enough to keep it in the first place.

Bring on the buses!

cv

[COBBER]

I'm loving it watching real buses coming online in Chaing Mai and these wanks all up in arms about it. The songtaew belongs on neighbourhood streets, not major routes. And as for these motorized peasants "enforcing" their monopoly like they did with bus drivers in other cities, I say jail the clowns. Anyone using violence to keep their job obviously isn't doing it well enough to keep it in the first place.

Bring on the buses!

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting. I was under the impression that they had regular buses in Chaing Mai up untill about 15 years ago and phased them out citing that songtaews and tuk tuks were the way to go , and now regular buses are being reintroduced.

[Pattaya_Fox]

I'm loving it watching real buses coming online in Chaing Mai and these wanks all up in arms about it. The songtaew belongs on neighbourhood streets, not major routes. And as for these motorized peasants "enforcing" their monopoly like they did with bus drivers in other cities, I say jail the clowns. Anyone using violence to keep their job obviously isn't doing it well enough to keep it in the first place.

Bring on the buses!

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah! buses....yes I see them all the time in the UK.....and I see people waiting sometimes for long periods in adverse weather conditions....but I suppose the busses are at least of a decent size in order to accommodate all paying passengers.

Now what of Chiang Mai.? I see that 26 buses have been commissioned to operate on certain routes....not very large buses......I suppose that they will pick up and drop off passengers at designated bus stops, probably with no shelter from the sun or rain, providing of course that there is sufficient space available.....oh yes I wonder how the pricing structure will work and how much more expensive it will be than the baht buses.

They will probably offer tickets with single fare prices and day tickets and monthly ones too....all very nice and expensive compared to the baht bus.

So for all you guys who malign the baht bus service and rigidly wish to pay the 5 baht rate and no more, I reckon you`re going to have to fill your pockets with more baht for the pleasure of your no hassle luxury bus trips....but it should keep you fit as you run to the stop to catch your bright new omnibus.