Thailand Transportation For Newbies

[rahul247rocks]

Hey Guys I recently visited Bangkok and I was staying at the Amari Atrium Hotel. Whenever I wanted to go to malls like Siam And MBK the hotel would arrange a cab for me. However on returning I would face all sort of problems as cab drivers would charge lots of money and there is no way I can take public transport. I am planning to visit Thailand again. I need you guys to suggest me a good way to travel. I basically shop a lot so i will be moving from mall to mall.

Regards,

Rahul

[manarak]

Smile a lot but stay firm when asking them to use the meter. Harden up - you got the money, you are the boss. If the taxi refuses to switch the meter on, open the door, say "lagon krap" and get out, take the next one.

Edited March 20, 2012 by manarak

[richard_smith237]

As above. Travelling around Bangkok is very simple. Taxi's are everywhere, only go with a taxi who accepts to use the meter first time without issue. Most taxis in Bangkok are reasonable and automatic flick the meter button.

Best taxi's to use are the ones already in motion i.e. the ones you have to flag down.

Avoid the taxis outside of tourist spots with drivers lounging around - they will attempt to rip you off.

Its quite common for taxis not to understand you, so do your best to speak your destination is a manner that Thai's can understand (this might mean playing around with your tones etc).

Another way would be to learn the closest BTS station, and take a taxi from there to your hotel.

i.e. Promphong is probably closest to the Amari Atrium – take a cab from there. Most shopping malls are on the BTS line.

As above. Travelling around Bangkok is very simple. Taxi's are everywhere, only go with a taxi who accepts to use the meter first time without issue. Most taxis in Bangkok are reasonable and automatic flick the meter button.

Best taxi's to use are the ones already in motion i.e. the ones you have to flag down.

Avoid the taxis outside of tourist spots with drivers lounging around - they will attempt to rip you off.

Its quite common for taxis not to understand you, so do your best to speak your destination is a manner that Thai's can understand (this might mean playing around with your tones etc).

[melvinmelvin]

or even simpler,

stay in a hotel along Sukhumvit or Ploenchit and use BTS and MRT rather than taxi

[mca]

double post Edited March 20, 2012 by mca

[mca]

or even simpler,

stay in a hotel along Sukhumvit or Ploenchit and use BTS and MRT rather than taxi

I believe there's a 4/5 star place opening soon with direct access to Surasak BTS station via a skybridge

[craigt3365]

Let's try this over in the Bangkok forum.

Topic Moved.

[WhizBang]

In the first place, never take a taxi that sits around outside an hotel or entertainment venue. These guys all just want to rip you off, and they do so by NOT using the meter.

Walk out to the street and flag down a taxi. These guys are usually honest and will use the meter automatically.

Alternatively, find a different hotel. Look for one on the BTS or MRT line. Between these two lines you can cover a large part of Bangkok without the need for a taxi.

If you should ever take a tuk-tuk, make sure you set the price before you get in, not after you arrive at your destination. Taxis are usually cheaper, but argueably not as much fun.

[kurtmartens]

Sums it up. If the taxi won't use the meter, then get out and find one that will. Or use the BTS. I wish we had the BTS up North.