I've lived here 2.5 years and never had a taxi driver refuse to switch the meter on. In fact I never even have to ask. The secret is to flag down taxis and not get in one that is just waiting outside a hotel or tourist attraction.

Speaking Thai usually helps too.

HaHa ...my wife is Thai and she is pretty good with the language. Sorry pal ... speaking Thai does not make a difference.

I beg to differ IMHO it differs a lot. It does not mean you wont get bad taxis just less.

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Try getting a taxi from say KSR, the airport, or from next to a major tourist attraction and speak English to them. They will often assume you are a tourist who does not know meters have to be on etc. But if you speak Thai they won' t bother wasting time trying to fool you as they assume you are not a tourist and therefore know the rules on switching the meter on.

NEWS FLASH!

Person actually does the job he's paid to do, and puts up a sign!

It's not too often you come across someone capable of this. I guess he will be up for some sort of award too.