New Taxi Fare Signs At Phuket Airport

[simon43]

As I fought my way through the crowd of taxi touts who were milling around the airport arrivals building at the ungodly hour of 4am this morning, I noticed that a new sign has been erected close to the domestic and international exit doors.

Sorry, but I didn't have my camera with me - I'll try to post a picture later.

This large sign is in English and taxi, and lists the taxi fares from airport to a list of popular destinations in Phuket..

The fares are listed by type of vehicle - taxi, van (MU-7), minibus, limousine, private minibus, shared minibus

Here are the 'official' fares for taxi and limousines:

Boat Lagoon - 500

Phuket Town - 500

Chatchai Port - 500

Nithon - 500

Phuket Suburb - 550

Phuket Pier - 550

Surin Beach 550

Kamala Beach 600

Chalong Bay - 650

Patong Beach - 650

Ao Nakham - 750

Kata/Karon Beach - 750

Rawaii Beach - 750

Nai Harn Beach - 750

These are official signs, installed by the airport authorities.

A couple of comments:

The fare for taxi vehicles (ie metered taxis) is given for each destination, even though this fare should vary since the metered taxis use a ... er .. meter. (Well, they used to for all destinations on the island - this sign seems to be giving official approval for not using the meter).

The fee for minivan (MU-7) was several hundred baht higher than that for taxis. This means that if you have even a reasonable amount of luggage, you will be forced to pay the MU-7 fare because both taxis and limousines can accommodate very few suitcases, (due to the presence of the LPG gas tank in the boot/trunk). The MU-7 fee to Patong was 1,100 baht for example.

The airport authority is giving their seal of approval to the rip-off level of taxi fares on this island.

The taxi touts have not been removed from the airport (I counted 13 people hassling arriving passengers to use their illegal, uninsured private vehicles).

I'll charge my camera batteries and grab some photos to upload later

Simon

Edited June 30, 2012 by simon43

[NomadJoe]

I believe that board is just for the two grey "limousine" companies. The metered taxi's will give you an estimate of the cost of the trip, but that should be determined by the meter as you stated.

If you are one person, I can't imagine you having enough luggage to fill the trunk (Will fit 1 of the largest size you can check on an airline) the front seat, and 2/3 the backseat.

As a side note, a friend of mine payed 500B for a motosai from Patong to Rawai the other day. The driver was not interested in negotiations when I protested in Thai that it was normally 200B.

Edited June 30, 2012 by NomadJoe

[hansgruber]

This is nothing new and its been this way for ages.

Don't forget that they add another 50 baht for the stand that issues the taxi which isn't included in those fares.

[simon43]

The signs are new (as from last night - they were not there earlier in the day), and clearly lists taxis, minivans, limousines and minibuses. I'll ask a metered-taxi driver if the taxi fees are applicable to them.

Simon

Edited June 30, 2012 by simon43

[snamos]

I would love to challenge the governor of Phuket to go to Phuket Airport in a non-descript car and try to get a parking spot like any normal PAYING customer there. I normally can only find parking right up the back where the buses normally park.

There is a giant empty field where the cargo terminal is....I would quite happily pay double to park there if I could, to avoid the public ooops taxi car park with all the imbeciles that inhabit that area, swinging on their hammocks, plucking their facial hair and popping their pimples... when the occasional plane comes in the mindless dribble 'taxi taxi' at you even when you are obviously on the way into the airport only annoys me more and more every time I go there.

[simon43]

... with all the imbeciles that inhabit that area, swinging on their hammocks, plucking their facial hair and popping their pimples

Yes - I'd say that is an accurate description. Why can they not wear smart, clean uniforms, stand politely in line and great arriving passengers with a cheery smile and helpful words? It really is a very bad impression for arriving tourists.

[hansgruber]

The signs are new (as from last night - they were not there earlier in the day), and clearly lists taxis, minivans, limousines and minibuses. I'll ask a metered-taxi driver if the taxi fees are applicable to them.

Simon

Sorry. What I meant was is that the prices etc is the same. The signs just make it more official than the cardboard ones the hawkers produce written in pidgeon englit. Airport let's them operate with more impunity now.

[simon43]

@hansgruber, yes agreed. These new signs look to be a 'rubber-stamping' by AOT for these outrageous taxi fares.

Simon

[sportsman69]

I would love to challenge the governor of Phuket to go to Phuket Airport in a non-descript car and try to get a parking spot like any normal PAYING customer there. I normally can only find parking right up the back where the buses normally park.

There is a giant empty field where the cargo terminal is....I would quite happily pay double to park there if I could, to avoid the public ooops taxi car park with all the imbeciles that inhabit that area, swinging on their hammocks, plucking their facial hair and popping their pimples... when the occasional plane comes in the mindless dribble 'taxi taxi' at you even when you are obviously on the way into the airport only annoys me more and more every time I go there.

Parked in that field under the fig tree last Saturday from 07:00 until 19:00 that evening whilst doing a visa run to Singapore. Free. No challenges, no milked fuel, only 10 spots of bird shit, return to cool car. All in all no problem.

Will reply to your ?? about Marina bay sands later. Still waiting on update from another party.

[stevenl]

The signs are new (as from last night - they were not there earlier in the day), and clearly lists taxis, minivans, limousines and minibuses. I'll ask a metered-taxi driver if the taxi fees are applicable to them.

Simon

I would guess not. These are the standard fares for limousine taxi's.

[Jimi007]

I took a meter taxi from the airport to Rawai a bit over a week ago. I negotiated the price before I got in. 500 Baht. The meter read 400 something Baht.

[simon43]

I would guess not. These are the standard fares for limousine taxi's.

I'm not so sure. Last night (4am), I saw several arriving passengers from Hong Kong being accosted by the taxi touts who shouted 'taxi taxi' and indicated the taxi fare to the destination on the new sign. When the passenger agreed to this - because the fare is indicated on the official sign - the tout then accompanied them along to the taxi-meter office, (because the tout will collect the commission from the metered taxi for bringing this customer)

Simon.

[Valentine]

I would guess not. These are the standard fares for limousine taxi's.

I'm not so sure. Last night (4am), I saw several arriving passengers from Hong Kong being accosted by the taxi touts who shouted 'taxi taxi' and indicated the taxi fare to the destination on the new sign. When the passenger agreed to this - because the fare is indicated on the official sign - the tout then accompanied them along to the taxi-meter office, (because the tout will collect the commission from the metered taxi for bringing this customer)

Simon.

The touts who are seen everywhere are IMO bottom feeders even though there are plenty of job vacancies throughout Phuket. Why the authorities continue to allow these worthless excuses to harass people is beyond me.

[hansgruber]

I would guess not. These are the standard fares for limousine taxi's.

I'm not so sure. Last night (4am), I saw several arriving passengers from Hong Kong being accosted by the taxi touts who shouted 'taxi taxi' and indicated the taxi fare to the destination on the new sign. When the passenger agreed to this - because the fare is indicated on the official sign - the tout then accompanied them along to the taxi-meter office, (because the tout will collect the commission from the metered taxi for bringing this customer)

Simon.

The touts who are seen everywhere are IMO bottom feeders even though there are plenty of job vacancies throughout Phuket. Why the authorities continue to allow these worthless excuses to harass people is beyond me.

The taxi touts can't work in a normal enviroment where violence and intimidation isn't accepted. They thrive on getting one fare a day and pocketing 500 baht to get drunk while playing checkers.

[stevenl]

I would guess not. These are the standard fares for limousine taxi's.

I'm not so sure. Last night (4am), I saw several arriving passengers from Hong Kong being accosted by the taxi touts who shouted 'taxi taxi' and indicated the taxi fare to the destination on the new sign. When the passenger agreed to this - because the fare is indicated on the official sign - the tout then accompanied them along to the taxi-meter office, (because the tout will collect the commission from the metered taxi for bringing this customer)

Simon.

So the touts are scamming, that has nothing to do with the meter taxi price. I guess the tout will collect the difference in fares.

[simon43]

I guess the tout will collect the difference in fares.

The passenger will pay the meter taxi the fixed fare that is indicated on the board. The tout will receive commission from the taxi for bringing the customer to him. The customer is under the impression that the taxi meter fare is fixed at x baht, because that is what it says on these new signs - they mislead the customers AFA metered taxis are concerned.

[snamos]

I would love to challenge the governor of Phuket to go to Phuket Airport in a non-descript car and try to get a parking spot like any normal PAYING customer there. I normally can only find parking right up the back where the buses normally park.

There is a giant empty field where the cargo terminal is....I would quite happily pay double to park there if I could, to avoid the public ooops taxi car park with all the imbeciles that inhabit that area, swinging on their hammocks, plucking their facial hair and popping their pimples... when the occasional plane comes in the mindless dribble 'taxi taxi' at you even when you are obviously on the way into the airport only annoys me more and more every time I go there.

Parked in that field under the fig tree last Saturday from 07:00 until 19:00 that evening whilst doing a visa run to Singapore. Free. No challenges, no milked fuel, only 10 spots of bird shit, return to cool car. All in all no problem.

Will reply to your ?? about Marina bay sands later. Still waiting on update from another party.

I will definately give that a shot, now all they need is a side entrance to the airport to avoid all the taxi eggheads

[sportsman69]

I would guess not. These are the standard fares for limousine taxi's.

I'm not so sure. Last night (4am), I saw several arriving passengers from Hong Kong being accosted by the taxi touts who shouted 'taxi taxi' and indicated the taxi fare to the destination on the new sign. When the passenger agreed to this - because the fare is indicated on the official sign - the tout then accompanied them along to the taxi-meter office, (because the tout will collect the commission from the metered taxi for bringing this customer)

Simon.

The touts who are seen everywhere are IMO bottom feeders even though there are plenty of job vacancies throughout Phuket. Why the authorities continue to allow these worthless excuses to harass people is beyond me.

Because " the authorities " are in for a cut. Regard it as " permit to operate. "

[sportsman69]

I will definately give that a shot, now all they need is a side entrance to the airport to avoid all the taxi eggheads

No need to avoid the touts. Just jangle your car keys in their face with a ( false smile ), or any bunch of keys for that matter. They pick up on that pretty quick and look for their next mark.

[Chalongian]

I took a meter taxi from the airport to Rawai a bit over a week ago. I negotiated the price before I got in. 500 Baht. The meter read 400 something Baht.

I took a taxi meter from the airport to the school on the road to Rawai, just past the traffic circle in Chalong last month. I was told 500 bahts, normally its between 430 - 450 so I declined and asked for the meter, sure enough when we stopped the meter was on 500. Anyone else noticed the taxi meter rates creeping up?

[LivinginKata]

No need to avoid the touts. Just jangle your car keys in their face with a ( false smile ), or any bunch of keys for that matter. They pick up on that pretty quick and look for their next mark.

Exactly what I do. The smile is important.

[Jimi007]

No need to avoid the touts. Just jangle your car keys in their face with a ( false smile ), or any bunch of keys for that matter. They pick up on that pretty quick and look for their next mark.

Exactly what I do. The smile is important.

I was rather annoyed by them getting in my way last week, especially after being in airplanes for almost 19 hours. I told them to go away in Thai. A few Thai guys that weren't touts started laughing.

[choppychugger]

I took a meter taxi from the airport to Rawai a bit over a week ago. I negotiated the price before I got in. 500 Baht. The meter read 400 something Baht.

I took a taxi meter from the airport to the school on the road to Rawai, just past the traffic circle in Chalong last month. I was told 500 bahts, normally its between 430 - 450 so I declined and asked for the meter, sure enough when we stopped the meter was on 500. Anyone else noticed the taxi meter rates creeping up?

When they say 500 to Rawai, I think that's more of a guide. Mine normally comes in at approx 460 baht METER ON, and I tip to round it up.

The thing that bugs me more than anything when it comes to these thieving wotnots is the late night add on charges,,,there have been 2 occasions recently. One where myself and my family came back from an overseas trip in the middle of the night and they wanted 2'800 baht to rawai, 2 adults 2 kids, my partner being Thai couldn't even rescue us, another occasion was the other night returning again, this time on my own on a late flight and again they wanted in the region of 2'000 baht to Rawai. I must add the first occasion was a minivan and the second was a meter taxi - out of hours ?!

I got the price down a bit, but not much cos they had me/us by the b.....'s ! I am not the coolest but thanks to my misses (the master in jai yen) I have improved over the last 13 yrs living here, however these two instances nearly tipped me. I fly internationally over the Asia pacific region upto 10 times a month, with Phuket being the worst by far, so much so that I specifically request no late fly inns, and would much rather come in at a decent hour even if it means a layover at one of my prior stops.

[madmitch]

Fares are a bargain compared to those from the new bus terminal. 600 baht to Karon, for example. The airport is twice the distance for 25% more.

[LivinginKata]

Inflammatory post removed. Let's not make stupid and illegal comments.

[Guest]

I will definately give that a shot, now all they need is a side entrance to the airport to avoid all the taxi eggheads

Few days ago when I exited the airport I had my scooter key on my hand. None, except one tout (who did not see the key) even tried to offer me an ride. Just hold your car keys in the front of you and you are free to go.

[starkey_rich]

I would guess not. These are the standard fares for limousine taxi's.

I'm not so sure. Last night (4am), I saw several arriving passengers from Hong Kong being accosted by the taxi touts who shouted 'taxi taxi' and indicated the taxi fare to the destination on the new sign. When the passenger agreed to this - because the fare is indicated on the official sign - the tout then accompanied them along to the taxi-meter office, (because the tout will collect the commission from the metered taxi for bringing this customer)

Simon.

The touts who are seen everywhere are IMO bottom feeders even though there are plenty of job vacancies throughout Phuket. Why the authorities continue to allow these worthless excuses to harass people is beyond me.

No problem

The authorities are going to put a stop to all this along with all the other scams,rip off's,violence towards tourist ect ect.

Cough!!

Well that's what I read somewhere last week or was I dreaming again.

[NomadJoe]

I would love to challenge the governor of Phuket to go to Phuket Airport in a non-descript car and try to get a parking spot like any normal PAYING customer there. I normally can only find parking right up the back where the buses normally park.

There is a giant empty field where the cargo terminal is....I would quite happily pay double to park there if I could, to avoid the public ooops taxi car park with all the imbeciles that inhabit that area, swinging on their hammocks, plucking their facial hair and popping their pimples... when the occasional plane comes in the mindless dribble 'taxi taxi' at you even when you are obviously on the way into the airport only annoys me more and more every time I go there.

Parked in that field under the fig tree last Saturday from 07:00 until 19:00 that evening whilst doing a visa run to Singapore. Free. No challenges, no milked fuel, only 10 spots of bird shit, return to cool car. All in all no problem.

Will reply to your ?? about Marina bay sands later. Still waiting on update from another party.

I always put a cover when I parked the Ninja there.

[NomadJoe]

I took a meter taxi from the airport to Rawai a bit over a week ago. I negotiated the price before I got in. 500 Baht. The meter read 400 something Baht.

You got a good deal then, as the airport surcharge is 100B.

[NomadJoe]

I will definately give that a shot, now all they need is a side entrance to the airport to avoid all the taxi eggheads

No need to avoid the touts. Just jangle your car keys in their face with a ( false smile ), or any bunch of keys for that matter. They pick up on that pretty quick and look for their next mark.

I wear my full face helmet on the plane.