The Price Of Songthaew Travel

[spacedcowboy]

Hi could someone shed some light on the cost of Songthaew fares/travel around the island.

Have the prices for fares doubled? In a year.

I can't read Thai so don't know what I should be paying from the fee displayed on the backboard of the van.

However it seems to be standard to charge 100 baht from Chaweng to Big C.

[BigC]

Hi could someone shed some light on the cost of Songthaew fares/travel around the island.

Have the prices for fares doubled? In a year.

I can't read Thai so don't know what I should be paying from the fee displayed on the backboard of the van.

However it seems to be standard to charge 100 baht from Chaweng to Big C.

Price of a song tail about 1 mill oh sorry to rent one I am not sure no more than 40 to 100 baht be nice if some of these business had proper routes or maybe they do I do not know as I never use Care hires

[spacedcowboy]

Hi could someone shed some light on the cost of Songthaew fares/travel around the island.

Have the prices for fares doubled? In a year.

I can't read Thai so don't know what I should be paying from the fee displayed on the backboard of the van.

However it seems to be standard to charge 100 baht from Chaweng to Big C.

Price of a song tail about 1 mill oh sorry to rent one I am not sure no more than 40 to 100 baht be nice if some of these business had proper routes or maybe they do I do not know as I never use Care hires

I checked with a Thai person they reckon the recession and fuel prices have affected songthaew travel hence the doubling in prices since last year

[Mole]

Farang prices are about 100 minimum. But Thai prices hasn't changed for the past few years.

I'm not supposed to be telling you farangs about this "secret", but usually if it's within the same area, for example within Chaweng, that includes anywhere in Chaweng to Big C - Chaweng Noi, it's 20bt. Chaweng - Lamai or Menam is 30-40 depending on distance. Lamai - nathon or maenam - nathon 40 bt.

Maximum fare is 60 bt, that is when you get on from Chaweng to Nathon. You can sit from where they start their route in Choeng Mon and all the way to where they stop in Nathon, and it will NEVER cost more than 60.

For farangs, that's a totally different story and they'll probably try to charge you a few hundreds or as much as they can.

But if you say 20 or 60, they'll know that you know the price for locals and may assume that you are a long term residence and may let you on anyway. But then maybe not. I've seen drivers who rather drive empty than lower the fare only slightly (still higher than the Thai price).

[spacedcowboy]

Farang prices are about 100 minimum. But Thai prices hasn't changed for the past few years.

I'm not supposed to be telling you farangs about this "secret", but usually if it's within the same area, for example within Chaweng, that includes anywhere in Chaweng to Big C - Chaweng Noi, it's 20bt. Chaweng - Lamai or Menam is 30-40 depending on distance. Lamai - nathon or maenam - nathon 40 bt.

Maximum fare is 60 bt, that is when you get on from Chaweng to Nathon. You can sit from where they start their route in Choeng Mon and all the way to where they stop in Nathon, and it will NEVER cost more than 60.

For farangs, that's a totally different story and they'll probably try to charge you a few hundreds or as much as they can.

But if you say 20 or 60, they'll know that you know the price for locals and may assume that you are a long term residence and may let you on anyway. But then maybe not. I've seen drivers who rather drive empty than lower the fare only slightly (still higher than the Thai price).

Many thanks I tried it today the sixty baht smile, only to be told 100 baht Chaweng to Lamai, 100 baht Lamai to Nathon, 100 baht Nathon to Big C, and believe it or not and I guess you no what happened next Big C to Chaweng Lake ???? Yes a hundred baht, even with how much in Thai polite voice .

[Mole]

I forgot to tell that the standard price is only valid before 6 PM. After 18:00 they'll charge a lot more, even for a Thai and the price will start at minimum 50bt.

[samuijimmy]

Better watch out Mole, giving away those secrets.... you might have the "mob" after you!!!

I have never paid over 60 baht for a Songtauw ride.... or been asked too... (Nathon to Maenam). Admittedly it has been a while since I last did it.....

[Mole]

Nathon to Maenam would be only 40 bt for a Thai.

Maybe try just getting on them without saying anything and simply give them exactly the amount when you get off. Just handle them the money without hesitations and walk away. They'll think you are a local and are used to pay the local price.

[Tropicalevo]

Nathon to Maenam would be only 40 bt for a Thai.

Maybe try just getting on them without saying anything and simply give them exactly the amount when you get off. Just handle them the money without hesitations and walk away. They'll think you are a local and are used to pay the local price.

Spot on Mole.

This was the tactic that I used with the soi motorbike taxis in Bangkok. Worked every time. I was 'chased' only once - and I offered to discuss it at the police staion with the driver. He declined.

I forgot to say - if you do not have the exact money - do not expect any change.

Edited September 3, 2012 by Tropicalevo

[spacedcowboy]

Last year I was paying 50 Baht Chaweng to Nathon without question, in fact for every single songthaew trip I took it was 50 baht. Which it has been for all of my previous visits over the last few years. So I was surprised to find the increase on this visit vastly different from before.

I guess times are hard fuel wise and with world wide the recession. I don't begrudge people having to make a living.

However I won't be using songthaews for anything other than essential travel from now on, which is a shame because the rest of the Island won't be visited and my tourist money remains solely in Chaweng.

[evadgib]

The correct tarrifs for Songtaews & Yellow Perils are usually posted on the noticeboards inside/outside the driving licence centre, if anyone is renewing their licence in the near future please post a photo (they'll be in Thai).

HTH

Edited September 4, 2012 by evadgib

[smokie36]

Prices are printed inside the songthaew.

Problem the OP is having is beginning his journey in Chaweng....where minimum rip off is 100 Baht.

From FV usually starting at 50 Baht.

[wellred]

I'm staying at lamai and don't see myself venturing over to chaweng too much but which beaches are worth heading out for the day? Is bophut any good? 100 for there too?

[spacedcowboy]

Prices are printed inside the songthaew.

Problem the OP is having is beginning his journey in Chaweng....where minimum rip off is 100 Baht.

From FV usually starting at 50 Baht.

Hi Smokie true I did start in Chaweng although in the far north outside of the centre. Got off at Lamai so kinda expected the initial rip-off fare. But then got on again, to go to Nathon the driver came up again with the 100 baht line, thought at this stage I had just got unlucky with two bandit drivers, however got off and then on again to go to Big C, yep! same price again 100 baht.

Finally got off at Big C had a wander around back on again to go to Chaweng lake, and yes the across the board fare for this short trip was 100 Baht, I speak some Thai, enough to question the fee, laugh at the cost with all the drivers involved in this minor adventure who gave me the nonchalant shoulder shrug routine, you gotta laugh.

Thing is, I normally would spend the mornings, whilst here hopping around the Island on the songthaews spending I guess approx 250 baht per day, times that over a month and it adds up. However 100 baht per jaunt is costly ie 400 baht for yesterday alone.

[Birdman]

I'm staying at lamai and don't see myself venturing over to chaweng too much but which beaches are worth heading out for the day? Is bophut any good? 100 for there too?

no

[Birdman]

sorry, after only 2 letters I suddenly lost interest to post, what I wanted to post was:

note that:

Thongson Bay

Southern Chaweng

Southern Lamai

Western Menam

Choeng Mon

also KPG is fantastic

[ydraw]

Like Mole says, discussing the price with them only ends up costing you more. Just get on and and hand them 60 baht in exact change when you get off. If they chase after you with a stick or something, you can give them another 40 baht, but I have never had a problem with just handing them 60 baht in daytime.

[Ling Kae]

I am glad someone started this thread. I am getting off at Nathon Pier going to Lamai, there will be 4 of us. There will be 2 Thais and 2 Farangs, how much should it cost us. It will be around 4.30 PM, thank you.

[TommoPhysicist]

Yet up North (CM, Mae Tang, CR) it's 15-20bht to go 20km and has been that price for the last 4 years.

Edited September 5, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[Tropicalevo]

Yet up North (CM, Mae Tang, CR) it's 15-20bht to go 20km and has been that price for the last 4 years.

Well - that was helpful for those of us on Samui.

How are the beaches up there?

[TommoPhysicist]

Yet up North (CM, Mae Tang, CR) it's 15-20bht to go 20km and has been that price for the last 4 years.

Well - that was helpful for those of us on Samui.

How are the beaches up there?

Not all that good, but I don't see why your songtow costs should be different to our songtow costs.

After all fuel is the same price across Thailand. So why is yours so expensive?

[notmyself]

Yet up North (CM, Mae Tang, CR) it's 15-20bht to go 20km and has been that price for the last 4 years.

Well - that was helpful for those of us on Samui.

How are the beaches up there?

Not all that good, but I don't see why your songtow costs should be different to our songtow costs.

After all fuel is the same price across Thailand. So why is yours so expensive?

TiT...... TiS...... same same

[Tropicalevo]

Yet up North (CM, Mae Tang, CR) it's 15-20bht to go 20km and has been that price for the last 4 years.

Well - that was helpful for those of us on Samui.

How are the beaches up there?

Not all that good, but I don't see why your songtow costs should be different to our songtow costs.

After all fuel is the same price across Thailand. So why is yours so expensive?

Sorry - that is an incorrect assumption.

Fuel is more expensive on Samui - it has to come by truck then boat.

Having an island full of captive customers means that you only have to compete with the other petrol stations. Then they form a cartel and all charge the same price. (Except a few greedy ones who charge more - they are the ones with the empty forecourts.)

Same with the taxis - by law thay have to use the meter. On Samui the government says that they can charge meter plus 90 baht.

The taxi drivers refuse to use the meter and charge what they like.

Reality and theory are not always the same.

[Ling Kae]

We paid 700 baht for a taxi to get to Lamai, they originally quoted 800 but dropped the price to 700. Is that about right from Nathon pier? Minibus wanted 200 per person and as there was 4 of us we opted for the cab.

[notmyself]

We paid 700 baht for a taxi to get to Lamai, they originally quoted 800 but dropped the price to 700. Is that about right from Nathon pier? Minibus wanted 200 per person and as there was 4 of us we opted for the cab.

Sounds about normal.

[Mole]

Standard (Thai) price for taxi from Nathon to Chaweng is 400. I would guess it's about the same to Lamai. I think the distance is even less from Nathon to Lamai.

(I don't think I'm supposed to be telling you this either...)

Basically, if you get on a taxi, just say 400 and they'll know that you know the local price.

[BigC]

Standard (Thai) price for taxi from Nathon to Chaweng is 400. I would guess it's about the same to Lamai. I think the distance is even less from Nathon to Lamai.

(I don't think I'm supposed to be telling you this either...)

Basically, if you get on a taxi, just say 400 and they'll know that you know the local price.

gowith a terrorist it shallcost u an arm and a leg

[spacedcowboy]

Like Mole says, discussing the price with them only ends up costing you more. Just get on and and hand them 60 baht in exact change when you get off. If they chase after you with a stick or something, you can give them another 40 baht, but I have never had a problem with just handing them 60 baht in daytime.

I wouldn't advise just handing them the 40 Baht and walking off, I tried it today and let's just say it was ineffective, and I'm mild mannered character! 100 baht appears to be the magical universal current fare regardless of origination and destination for any songthaew trip, its that bad I actually used a yellow taxi today for the first time in ages, ans I enjoyed it!

[ydraw]

I took a Songthaew from Lamai to Nathon and back again yesterday, paid 60 baht each way, never discussed fare. No problems.

[notmyself]

I took a Songthaew from Lamai to Nathon and back again yesterday, paid 60 baht each way, never discussed fare. No problems.

Been a while but that was the cost. Ring the bell, hand over 60 and job done.