Pattaya (Non)Metered Taxis

[PattayaParent]

When these (non)metered taxis were first announced a couple of years ago there were 27 for a trial period to see how it went. They had their licence plates numbered 1 through 27.

Although they have not been of any use to Pattaya residents as they refuse to use the meter I did notice the numbers had increased to 54.

I was shocked and surprised today when driving along Sukhumvit to see a Pattaya (non)metered taxi with number 97. And while I was wondering if there really are about 100 of these useless vehicles clogging up the roads of Pattaya, along with the 300+ useless empty songthaews around, I was passed by number 158!!

And to make it worse I spotted heading out of Pattaya number 249!

Are these vehicles still following sequential numbering? Are there really so many of these useless vehicles on the road contributing to the traffic chaos?

If so I guess the introduction of these (non)metered taxis has been a resounding success for someone, but not for the residents of Pattaya.

[Darrel]

Ah. So now we know what the numbers on the new bus-stops in Jomtien 2nd Rd refer to.

They are just taxi-stands after all.

[pipo1000]

Ah. So now we know what the numbers on the new bus-stops in Jomtien 2nd Rd refer to.

They are just taxi-stands after all.

Yeah something Pattaya city isd very good at.

Creating busstops,however there are no buses,and creating taxi stops which are not used by the taxis any way.All at the cost of the alreay limited parking space,and to the joy of the MIB who has a lot more opportunities for tea money.

[br12stol]

Was out side central Mall beach Rd side a few weeks back, heard a Russian ask one price to jomtien........400 Baht

[Jingthing]

Was out side central Mall beach Rd side a few weeks back, heard a Russian ask one price to jomtien........400 Baht

What would a similar run cost in Bangkok? 100 baht? I think if they ever wake up and get real taxi meters here it doesn't have to be quite as cheap as Bangkok rates BUT ... not massive multiples as we've got with the charter system.

[br12stol]

Was out side central Mall beach Rd side a few weeks back, heard a Russian ask one price to jomtien........400 Baht

What would a similar run cost in Bangkok? 100 baht? I think if they ever wake up and get real taxi meters here it doesn't have to be quite as cheap as Bangkok rates BUT ... not massive multiples as we've got with the charter system.

My regular trip in BKK ladprao to sukumvit soi 4 about 90-100 in BKK taxi meter, guess its about twice distance of Patts to Jomtien

[Ohyesuare]

I have never seen one driving around, they just sit outside the malls and tourist places. Surprised they haven't started to rust,

[pauljones]

Walk out of a shopping mall with a big box and the price goes up and up and up.

They are doing a wonderful job of pissing off visitors and locals.

Visitors or locals that don't have a car are at the mercy of these greedy punks. (and the Mayor knows it)

[raro]

wasn't it that the "metered" taxis belong to the same one company that operates all the Baht buses in Pattaya?

[craigt3365]

wasn't it that the "metered" taxis belong to the same one company that operates all the Baht buses in Pattaya?

That's what I heard. An easy way to show people that Pattaya does have (non)metered taxis!

[LennyW]

wasn't it that the "metered" taxis belong to the same one company that operates all the Baht buses in Pattaya?

If they didn't, they wouldn't be there!!

[FarangBuddha]

Was out side central Mall beach Rd side a few weeks back, heard a Russian ask one price to jomtien........400 Baht

What would a similar run cost in Bangkok? 100 baht? I think if they ever wake up and get real taxi meters here it doesn't have to be quite as cheap as Bangkok rates BUT ... not massive multiples as we've got with the charter system.

My regular trip in BKK ladprao to sukumvit soi 4 about 90-100 in BKK taxi meter, guess its about twice distance of Patts to Jomtien

Depending on how far down Jomtien but to just over the hill and down a ways probably no more than B 70-80. I know when I'm in a Bangkok cab...I can go a long ways for that kind of money.

[PattayaPhom]

I think its only BKK that have metered taxis, being the capitol. Samui, Phuket, Krabi and I know of large Thai towns that are exactly the same..300-400 for a few miles, its not just for tourists.

[pipo1000]

Was out side central Mall beach Rd side a few weeks back, heard a Russian ask one price to jomtien........400 Baht

What would a similar run cost in Bangkok? 100 baht? I think if they ever wake up and get real taxi meters here it doesn't have to be quite as cheap as Bangkok rates BUT ... not massive multiples as we've got with the charter system.

for about double the price you get the whole way from Bangkok airport to Jomtien

[Wittywitty]

I see some vans run regulary between various points in Bangkok and Pattaya. Some even include boat service to Koh-Larn (a nice but boring island)

[PattayaParent]

The thing that annoys me is that I would use these taxis regularly and leave the car at home if they use the meter, and I live near a songthaew route.

I'm sure that there are others who would also. Especially those who live in East Pattaya and want to go into town for a drink. Not to mention the potential for Thai customers.

It could actually be a viable money making service (if numbers were restricted). But I'm sure there's not ~250 (if they ARE sequentially numbered) making money in Pattaya at the moment.

[Jingthing]

The thing that annoys me is that I would use these taxis regularly and leave the car at home if they use the meter, and I live near a songthaew route.

I'm sure that there are others who would also. Especially those who live in East Pattaya and want to go into town for a drink. Not to mention the potential for Thai customers.

It could actually be a viable money making service (if numbers were restricted). But I'm sure there's not ~250 (if they ARE sequentially numbered) making money in Pattaya at the moment.

Yes I would also use them a lot, live on a baht bus route, but would regularly go to places I just don't go now (or go very rarely), and SPEND money there. The corrupt transport "mafia" system here is basically bad for business overall and bad for people here overall, locals, tourists, Thai, and foreign. It's good for a small percentage of people and businesses though.