Hats Off To Thailand

[HowardB]

Hi everybody

This post will probably test the complacency of some expats who have lived in Thailand for a long time and may provoke some critical responses but for me it made me realise what a bunch of rip off merchants our taxi drivers are.

I recently had to travel from Phichit to Chiang Mai and due to floods our choice of travel by train was not an option. We didn't have the luxury of time to wait for the bus in the morning so opted for a taxi. It being 3am we didnt give much hope to getting a willing driver that would travel to Chiang Mai. Fortunately we were given a number to call and by mutual agreement at 6am the taxi arrived.

I had visions of an old Toyota Crown or a Nissan turning up but much to our surprise it was a brand new Toyota 10 seater. This gave us the chance to lay the seats down and get some sleep during our pleasant 8 hour trip.

Ok, the point of this is that I travelled approximately 20 minutes to the airport in Perth and was charged $55. This guy in Thailand travelled 8 hours and asked Bt5000. Maybe he got a return fare which reduced his costs, I don't know. But is our standard of living so different that taxi fares can be so exorbitant? I accept, my income far exceeds that of most Thai people, but that is my situation. What about the people that are on basic wages etc?

I just feel that sometimes people give Thai's a bad rap over certain things, usually pertaining to money. So credit where credit is due.

Howard

Edited November 9, 2010 by bazmlb
changed to standard font for easier reading

[robblok]

Not all Thais are bad, there are plenty of good people. But we tend to remember the bad things and i must say i have had my bad days with Thais. But most of them are good kind people. When i go fishing i have nice conversations with them. (i might not understand it all) but we communicate and try to help each other and learn from each other. I do believe that Thais are nicer outside the tourist area's.

I have been scammed and i have had good service and helpful thoughts from them.

[Tonto21]

Hi HowardB

I can't really comment on the taxis in Oz, or what they charge, suffice to say they will be the same as all western country's. I think to some degree high costs are justified. Think about it? Cost of fuel, Vehicle running costs...Taxi licence, tax,vat and cost of living. I'm a little surprised, I thought it was only Brits that had a problem with fellow countrymen making a profit from there hard labour.As for you getting a great deal on your 8 hour taxi ride in Thailand...........Have you taken into account the difference in the cost of living Oz v Thailand? How much has the Thai bloke compared to the Oz taxi driver paid out to do the job? Not really thinking about this to much, I would say the Thai guy is out in front, he made more, in terms of spending power than his antipodean counterpart.

Insurance, any guesses as to what sort of cover you had in that new Toyota? Maybe 1^st......................maybe not.

I mean no disrespect when I say that this belief, somehow that Thailand is so cheap, the constant comparison with the “old country” (wherever that may be) does, after a few years get so many people into money problems.

[Beetlejuice]

Nice to hear some positive comments about Thailand for a change.

[smokie36]

Nice to hear some positive comments about Thailand for a change.

Hear Hear! Also I've had similar reasonable fares from Donsak to Krabi previously albeit at 65Baht/£ or better.

[Starlifter]

On my last two trips to LOS we have used a particular taxi driver who will drive us anywhere ( all day trips) for about 1000 baht. We do pay for fuel on the longer trips but worth it IMHO. If we go to a mall or other shopping he'll wait until were done. I guess it works out for him as well as we will provide food on stops which as you know isn't much cost. Bottom line, in the states I couldn't even come close to getting such a deal.

[GuestHouse]

I accept, my income far exceeds that of most Thai people, but that is my situation. What about the people that are on basic wages etc?

Well yes, what about the people on basic wages - While you had neither the time nor the luxury of waiting for a bus, a Thai person on an average wage would not have had the real luxury of the option to take a taxi - And Thai people earning a steady income are themselves living a life out of the reach of vast numbers of people in Thailand working for day money.

Next time you travel around take a look at how many Thai people you see waiting for busses, waiting for anything really - The vast majority have no 'luxury option' other than to wait.

The comparison to be made is that it is your life back in the old country that gave you the luxury of having enough money to move to Thailand and enjoy a life where your old country money has a hugely bigger buying power.

[canuckamuck]

Cheap labor, you gotta love it, one of the few actual advantages of being a foreigner in Thailand.

[waza]

Yes I agree taxi costs in Aussie are extreme and comparitively Thai taxis are a bargain. But putting this down to fuel and running cost cant be justified, the cars, fuel and spare part are realtivly the same, the differences would be labour, insurance and profit margins. But the main reason taxis are so expensive in Aus is because of the tazi mafia, that is the government taxi regulation boards that issue taxi licences, the cost of a licence maybe as high as 30% of turn over. The lack of competition due to limited numbers of issued licences, thats why its so hard to get a taxi in Aus. The cost of workers compensation, insurance, state and federal taxes and the cost of technology, every taxi has a satalite locator. GPS ect. Who says there is no corruption in Aus, making it legal doesnt make it right.

[Finlaco]

All is well until there's an accident. In Australia 'mai bpen rai' isn't an option and the driver can't just run away.

The point isn't the comparison of the taxi fares, but the relative spending powers of the drivers.

In your example, I would think the Thai taxi driver earned 3 times that of his Australian counterpart.

[HowardB]

All is well until there's an accident. In Australia 'mai bpen rai' isn't an option and the driver can't just run away.

The point isn't the comparison of the taxi fares, but the relative spending powers of the drivers.

In your example, I would think the Thai taxi driver earned 3 times that of his Australian counterpart.

hmmm ... let me think ... $55 for 20minutes = $165 p/h x 8 hours = $1320 @ 29bt/$AUD = Bt38280 ... you think so? Does the Thai taxi driver have the ability to claim any expenses on his tax?

As for spending powers, how many Thai taxi drivers will go overseas for their holidays this year, or equip their house with the latest LED TV to mention but a few. Regardless of who is to blame for this overpriced situation, the fact is just that ... it's overpriced.

[GuestHouse]

All is well until there's an accident. In Australia 'mai bpen rai' isn't an option and the driver can't just run away.

The point isn't the comparison of the taxi fares, but the relative spending powers of the drivers.

In your example, I would think the Thai taxi driver earned 3 times that of his Australian counterpart.

hmmm ... let me think ... $55 for 20minutes = $165 p/h x 8 hours = $1320 @ 29bt/$AUD = Bt38280 ... you think so? Does the Thai taxi driver have the ability to claim any expenses on his tax?

As for spending powers, how many Thai taxi drivers will go overseas for their holidays this year, or equip their house with the latest LED TV to mention but a few. Regardless of who is to blame for this overpriced situation, the fact is just that ... it's overpriced.

OK I've got it.

You want Taxi drivers in Australia to be living in the same kind of hand to mouth poverty as Taxi drivers in Thailand - Cheap one room accommodation, no money for health insurance, no money for holidays, can only afford street food .......

Nice!

[sillyman99]

All is well until there's an accident. In Australia 'mai bpen rai' isn't an option and the driver can't just run away.

The point isn't the comparison of the taxi fares, but the relative spending powers of the drivers.

In your example, I would think the Thai taxi driver earned 3 times that of his Australian counterpart.

Yet the Aussie taxi driver can afford a 3 week holiday in Thailand, would the Thai taxi driver would even get a Visa for Australia ?

[JurgenG]

I take a taxi two times a day, five days a week.

Once a month I have a problem,usually taxi trying to take a longer route. Which means 3% problem, or 97% of taxi drivers are honest.

Now if you consider bankers or insurance salesmen, very honorable profession, I'm not sure you will find the same proportion of honest people ....

[robblok]

All is well until there's an accident. In Australia 'mai bpen rai' isn't an option and the driver can't just run away.

The point isn't the comparison of the taxi fares, but the relative spending powers of the drivers.

In your example, I would think the Thai taxi driver earned 3 times that of his Australian counterpart.

hmmm ... let me think ... $55 for 20minutes = $165 p/h x 8 hours = $1320 @ 29bt/$AUD = Bt38280 ... you think so? Does the Thai taxi driver have the ability to claim any expenses on his tax?

As for spending powers, how many Thai taxi drivers will go overseas for their holidays this year, or equip their house with the latest LED TV to mention but a few. Regardless of who is to blame for this overpriced situation, the fact is just that ... it's overpriced.

OK I've got it.

You want Taxi drivers in Australia to be living in the same kind of hand to mouth poverty as Taxi drivers in Thailand - Cheap one room accommodation, no money for health insurance, no money for holidays, can only afford street food .......

Nice!

The guy who is complaining about Australian taxis is forgetting overhead and taxes. He should compare hourly rate after tax with hourly rate after tax. Thai taxi's have far less overhead then Australian ones. You can stare yourself blind on the price but you forget their costs, taxes and so on.

I am not saying Australian taxis are cheap i just say that the calculation you made looks different then and they get closer then.

Then don't forget about the day to day costs differ per country too.

But im sure you don't like to hear this.

Edited November 10, 2010 by robblok

[HowardB]

All is well until there's an accident. In Australia 'mai bpen rai' isn't an option and the driver can't just run away.

The point isn't the comparison of the taxi fares, but the relative spending powers of the drivers.

In your example, I would think the Thai taxi driver earned 3 times that of his Australian counterpart.

hmmm ... let me think ... $55 for 20minutes = $165 p/h x 8 hours = $1320 @ 29bt/$AUD = Bt38280 ... you think so? Does the Thai taxi driver have the ability to claim any expenses on his tax?

As for spending powers, how many Thai taxi drivers will go overseas for their holidays this year, or equip their house with the latest LED TV to mention but a few. Regardless of who is to blame for this overpriced situation, the fact is just that ... it's overpriced.

OK I've got it.

You want Taxi drivers in Australia to be living in the same kind of hand to mouth poverty as Taxi drivers in Thailand - Cheap one room accommodation, no money for health insurance, no money for holidays, can only afford street food .......

Nice!

So tell me how you can justify any trade (with the exception of perhaps a specialised trade that requires expert knowledge and years of training) charging potentially $165p/h. Forget the lame excuses of tax deductable expenses the taxi drivers have. They are a long way from living hand to mouth. I don't think you've got it at all

[robblok]

Thing is im an accountant. I know a lot about cost and how much money is left after everything is paid. Most normal people don't have an idea about that. So call it experience.

You make crucial mistakes in your points. If i follow your reasoning a crane driver is making too much too (you forget the car comes with it) Now your comparing a specialist without special tools that have to be paid (many are in service of hospitals and get everything from there). With someone who needs to keep certain things (a car) to ply his trade. That is a typical error of someone who has no idea about costs.

[Tonto21]

Using your mathematical model, (totally bogus) The Thai taxi driver earned 625 Baht an hour!

Nice, I don't think doctors in Thailand earn this. The Thai taxi driver is making more in one hour than most Thais earn in a day.........Easily! Your statement about your 20 minutes taxi ride in Oz being expensive, yes! Your right, but trying to compare to two, sorry your not convincing me, I still say the Thai driver is ahead of the game.

[HowardB]

Thing is im an accountant. I know a lot about cost and how much money is left after everything is paid. Most normal people don't have an idea about that. So call it experience.

You make crucial mistakes in your points. If i follow your reasoning a crane driver is making too much too (you forget the car comes with it) Now your comparing a specialist without special tools that have to be paid (many are in service of hospitals and get everything from there). With someone who needs to keep certain things (a car) to ply his trade. That is a typical error of someone who has no idea about costs.

Seems this has got out of control, which I anticipated. Somehow it has turned into an accounting debate. I think I was trying to explain how unlike Thai taxi drivers, a taxi driver in Aus has the potential to reduce his taxable income through various deductions such as vehicle expenses (fuel, servicing, gps expense, licence, detailing), laundry, to name just a few. Oh, did I mention the overpriced accountants fee too?

But you're right, us normal people have no idea about these things.

[Tonto21]

Thing is im an accountant. I know a lot about cost and how much money is left after everything is paid. Most normal people don't have an idea about that. So call it experience.

You make crucial mistakes in your points. If i follow your reasoning a crane driver is making too much too (you forget the car comes with it) Now your comparing a specialist without special tools that have to be paid (many are in service of hospitals and get everything from there). With someone who needs to keep certain things (a car) to ply his trade. That is a typical error of someone who has no idea about costs.

Seems this has got out of control, which I anticipated. Somehow it has turned into an accounting debate. I think I was trying to explain how unlike Thai taxi drivers, a taxi driver in Aus has the potential to reduce his taxable income through various deductions such as vehicle expenses (fuel, servicing, gps expense, licence, detailing), laundry, to name just a few. Oh, did I mention the overpriced accountants fee too?

But you're right, us normal people have no idea about these things.

I fail to see how you think this last statement helps your argument! You acknowledge the fact that the Ozzie taxi driver has lots of overheads to run his cab, (more than his thai counterpart) do you honestly think he will be making money hand over fist because he can claim a poultry percent back on his outgoings. What can he claim back.......say for every 100$ in the line of business? I still think your way off.

[GuestHouse]

Somchai the Taxi Driver in Thailand is living hand to mouth - so it follows that Bruce the Taxi Driver in Australia should live hand to mouth too.

The mind boggles.