Do Thai Taxi drivers not get paid well. Why do almost half of them feel like they are entitled to

[Sojuncoke]

more than the meter? I mean Taxi drivers in countries I have visited elsewhere (Korea, Singapore, Malaysia) do not ask for more than the meter. Only other place where they expect more than meter is America but they have the tipping fiasco.

I am truly trying to understand this and ask if anyone knows how much their average wage is. I know Korean, Singaporeans and Malaysian Taxi drivers get more money but they also live in a place with higher living costs.

I want to find out the average wage of taxi drivers so I can pin point if they are getting too low wages or if some of them really are getting greedy or just shady.

I know this is not a foreigner thing because they do this to Thai people too.

[David48]

Before we start this hot topic off, may I ask the OP what the 'I know Korean, Singaporeans and Malaysian Taxi drivers get more money' ... just what are their average wages?

As for directly asking about the Thai Industry.

Are you asking about a Bangkok Taxi, Udon or Ubon one, a Pattaya or Phuket one or, a rare breed a Saumi one?

Does the Taxi driver an Owner driver or a hired hand?

Does the Taxi driver rent a newer or older taxi?

... or do you just wish to generally beef about been asked for more money by a Taxi Driver ...

BTW, for the record, I've never been asked for more then the fare ... and that based on hundreds of fares, though not thousands like many here living in Thailand permanently.

[Hardened Spanker]

You say Malaysian taxi drivers never ask for more than the meter,are you serious?

And if so have you never been to Kuala Lumpur?

[Mosha]

Meter Kap is all it takes. If he doesn't go on about him in Dubai, I'll tip

[bkkgooner]

There are taxi drivers who make very solid earnings because they are smart, work hard and own their own car. Most of the lads in the hired taxis are pure lazy, they line up outside shopping malls refuse customers and then drive off to the next place and refuse the next customer. A lot of them don't understand the point of working the same location all day like a hospital, theme park, airport and instead drive around randomly looking for customers that are going to give them a big pay off until the next customer in 2 hours. Taxis in Bangkok should either be restricted to districts and customers pay an additional charge to go to the next district or they should be forced to pick up every customer they stop for as this 1,000 baht fine for not picking up customers clearly causes no fear for any of them.

Someone in my family here is a taxi driver and he makes a pittance due to the fact that he doesn't have any clear strategy when he goes to work and he just doesn't have the work ethic to make money doing it. There is a 30-40k salary to be made driving a taxi in Bangkok if you're smart and work hard which is excellent considering it's a job that requires very little skill.

Edited December 27, 2013 by bkkgooner

[nisakiman]

As I understand it, most taxi drivers rent their cabs by the day, so they have to make that rental cost plus the fuel and doubtless some sort of insurance in fares before they start to earn. Given that Thai taxis must be some of the cheapest in the world, I would guess that the drivers barely scrape a living.

And like David48 above, I've never been asked for more than the meter fare either. I've usually tipped, though.

[Ulysses G.]

In general, they don't get paid well after paying rent for their cabs. They don't get paid well at all.

[mca]

In general, they don't get paid well after paying rent for their cabs. They don't get paid well at all.

I got into a chat with one about this and he said for his 12 hour shift he rents his cab for 600 baht a shift ( 3 year old Toyota).

I've talked to a couple of motorcycle taxi blokes and apparently those orange vests they wear are 40000 baht to allow you to join that concession. I was surprised to learn that on a very good day they can earn 1000 baht.

[kikoman]

I have not had that problem as I always insist the meter price, If they do not want to use the meter, I look for another taxi,

Bangkok, I have not had any problems, always use the meter or an agreed upon fare for a longer ride, the only places I found with bad taxi service was in Chiang Mai and Phuket

I believe that most Taxi drivers make a poor wage for a day of work due to, over supply of taxi's, cheap rates, renting cars and instead opt for more money by flat rate vs using the meter.( many tourist will pay the flat rate) But will go with the meter instead of losing a fare!

Thailand has one of the lowest Taxi fares then any country I ever visited, I never use taxi's in the home country the rates are unbelievable!

Cheers

[baconbkk]

The taxi drivers that I know that are hard working earn over 30kbht a month so are considered well paid.

They have to work hard but then again don't we all if we want to earn?

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

[brewsterbudgen]

Not only are they the cheapest, Bangkok taxis must be the only ones in the world where they're happy for the meter fare to be rounded down.

[tombangkok]

Malaysian taxis being honest???? Is that a joke? I used to live four years in Kuala Lumpur and the taxi system over there is a total failure! taxi drivers being probably the most dishonest drivers in the whole world!

As for Singapore, the main I uses over there is that ... there are no taxis available at the leak hours. Nearly me missed a couple of flights on a Friday night in Singapore just because not a single cab would pick me up at the taxi stand and the waiting list on the various taxi company hotlines was just crazy.

Bangkok taxi drivers may not be perfect but the system is much much much better than in any other Asian countries (and probably even worldwide)

[robblok]

In tourist area's usually you got to get a driving taxi driver not one standing around else they wont turn on the meter. I hate it when they don't but i just take the next one or the one after that and so on.. in tourist area's it could take a while. Normal area's its easier to get a taxi.

Some are lazy some are not some are stupid some are not. I known hard working ones in our village to make good money but they in general own their taxi and work hard.

[PaullyW]

Malaysian taxis being honest???? Is that a joke? I used to live four years in Kuala Lumpur and the taxi system over there is a total failure! taxi drivers being probably the most dishonest drivers in the whole world!

As for Singapore, the main I uses over there is that ... there are no taxis available at the leak hours. Nearly me missed a couple of flights on a Friday night in Singapore just because not a single cab would pick me up at the taxi stand and the waiting list on the various taxi company hotlines was just crazy.

Bangkok taxi drivers may not be perfect but the system is much much much better than in any other Asian countries (and probably even worldwide)

Better than any other Asian countries and maybe the world?

You've not traveled much have you?

Better than Singapore? (safer and less stressful? English speaking?)

Better than Japan? (safer, more professional, cleaner?)

Better than Seoul?

Get real. They are cheaper, Yes. If that's all you care about, then they might be better for you. These Thai country 'bumpkins' who drive the taxis are often dangerous, barely literate, drugged abusing, loud music playing, poor driving (fast, not observing road regulations), cheap, dirty car driving criminals willing to rip off or assault / kill you over a fare.

[mrtoad]

I have a dislike of Taxi drivers in places like Phuket, Koh Chang and Pattaya, where none use meters, drive like morons and ask for idiotic prices. The majority in Bangkok are fine, although there are the usual chancers. They get the exact money, absolutely no tip. I've got two taxi drivers I now use regularly, both that I initially got from the airport. Always the merger, polite and friendly. Last week, a trip from Swampy to Kanchanaburi was 1600 baht. He also picked me up two days later for the same price. He got a decent tip on top of it and will now have regular business.

[tartempion]

Well I am getting tired of Bangkok taxi drivers behavior.

For my next Bangkok trip early January I booked a Blacklane limousine from Don Mueang to my Sukhumvit hotel for 900B, curious how it will turn out.

[Estrada]

There are taxi drivers who make very solid earnings because they are smart, work hard and own their own car. Most of the lads in the hired taxis are pure lazy, they line up outside shopping malls refuse customers and then drive off to the next place and refuse the next customer. A lot of them don't understand the point of working the same location all day like a hospital, theme park, airport and instead drive around randomly looking for customers that are going to give them a big pay off until the next customer in 2 hours. Taxis in Bangkok should either be restricted to districts and customers pay an additional charge to go to the next district or they should be forced to pick up every customer they stop for as this 1,000 baht fine for not picking up customers clearly causes no fear for any of them.

Someone in my family here is a taxi driver and he makes a pittance due to the fact that he doesn't have any clear strategy when he goes to work and he just doesn't have the work ethic to make money doing it. There is a 30-40k salary to be made driving a taxi in Bangkok if you're smart and work hard which is excellent considering it's a job that requires very little skill.

That is gross. Based on a 5 day working week and the B200/hour the meter will clock up, plus assuming they get a new fare very quickly after a drop off, they can earn B30,000 to B40,000 gross. However, the cost of the taxi rental(B600-900/day), fuel and other associated costs, are around B22,000/month, so their net salary is around B8,000 to B18,000(if they work 12 hours/day). Problem is that the government does not like to allow the taxi meter charges to rise to cover the extra fuel costs. If the fuel costs rise or the traffic is heavy, I usually tip 10%. If he asks for extra money, or takes a detour to rack up extra kms, then I don't tip.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Estrada

[steveyinasia]

In general, they don't get paid well after paying rent for their cabs. They don't get paid well at all.

I got into a chat with one about this and he said for his 12 hour shift he rents his cab for 600 baht a shift ( 3 year old Toyota).

I've talked to a couple of motorcycle taxi blokes and apparently those orange vests they wear are 40000 baht to allow you to join that concession. I was surprised to learn that on a very good day they can earn 1000 baht.

The motorcycle guys have a great system in place and they take everyone where they need to go. Granted they are always short trips however have you notice how well controlled they have there distribution point. Taxis could learn something from these guys.

[thrilled]

It is what it is.30 days A month,30000 baht.1000 baht A day.It's not good.They have to eat.I don't have problem with Bangkok taxi drivers.The ones I've had all use the meter.I tip 10-15% of the fare?If I didn't have extra money I wouldn't come to Thailand.It's called trickle down economics.

[Estrada]

In tourist area's usually you got to get a driving taxi driver not one standing around else they wont turn on the meter. I hate it when they don't but i just take the next one or the one after that and so on.. in tourist area's it could take a while. Normal area's its easier to get a taxi.

Some are lazy some are not some are stupid some are not. I known hard working ones in our village to make good money but they in general own their taxi and work hard.

I was desperate for a taxi to take me home and the taxi drivers were refusing until I lost my cool and started to write his number down. Then no argument (they can't refuse a fare by law).

[appwill]

I was desperate for a taxi to take me home and the taxi drivers were refusing until I lost my cool and started to write his number down. Then no argument (they can't refuse a fare by law).

Haha! That's the one thing that really puzzled me about the taxi system here. Sometimes I can understand if they don't want to go to some place because of traffic, but I still need to get home!

Do you just write down the taxi cab number or the driver's number (that sign in the front seat)?

Other than that, I think the taxi system here in BKK is pretty good. I always like giving a tip (rounding to the nearest 20B). But there are times where the driver would round down (71 baht fare or some such).

[LucidLucifer]

In tourist area's usually you got to get a driving taxi driver not one standing around else they wont turn on the meter. I hate it when they don't but i just take the next one or the one after that and so on.. in tourist area's it could take a while. Normal area's its easier to get a taxi.

Some are lazy some are not some are stupid some are not. I known hard working ones in our village to make good money but they in general own their taxi and work hard.

I was desperate for a taxi to take me home and the taxi drivers were refusing until I lost my cool and started to write his number down. Then no argument (they can't refuse a fare by law).

That's a sure fire way to end up at the hospital rather than at home.

[KhunBENQ]

It is what it is.30 days A month,30000 baht.1000 baht A day.It's not good.They have to eat.I don't have problem with Bangkok taxi drivers.The ones I've had all use the meter.I tip 10-15% of the fare?If I didn't have extra money I wouldn't come to Thailand.It's called trickle down economics.

You think thats not good? I do not really disagree, but:

1000 Baht/day? I doubt that many drivers reach this amount.

And 30000 Baht/month is definitely not a bad salary for an unskilled person in Thailand.

Average (younger) teachers will not earn more.

Wish I could find this link with some insight reports from Bangkok taxi drivers.

Most are happy with less than 1000 Baht per day.

Not the link that I was searching for, but goes in a similar direction in terms of income:

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/Reader/reader1983.htm

What does that bring us to?

- Inexperienced / dumb driver who rents his cab: +/- 6,000 baht per month

- Honest, experienced taxi driver who rents his cab: +/- 12,500 baht/month

- Honest, experienced taxi driver who owns his cab: +/- 27,500 baht/month

- Borderline cabby with flexible morals who rents his cab: +/- 20,000 baht/month

- Borderline cabby with flexible morals who owns his cab: +/- 35,000 baht/month

- Criminal **** who owns his car: 50,000++ baht/month

Edited December 28, 2013 by KhunBENQ

[StreetCowboy]

Generally speaking, wherever I've been, if you flag down a passing taxi you'll get the meter fare, while if you approach the crooks loitering outside nightclubs, hotels, they'll haggle for a fixed fee. That's true in Bangkok, KL and Singapore. In Hong Kong, there is the added complication of Tunnel Taxi Ranks, and restrictions on New Territories and Lantau Taxis; I used to live just on the Urban side of the border with the New Territories area, and the Green taxis were often reticent about coming into the Estate.

Some people I know insist on a fixed fee in preference to the meter, for fear of a long unnecessary detour.

The airport surcharge in Bangkok is the lowest of any I have encountered, I think. Although the fixed price limos from KLIA may be cheaper than the meter.

SC

[simple1]

In general, they don't get paid well after paying rent for their cabs. They don't get paid well at all.

I got into a chat with one about this and he said for his 12 hour shift he rents his cab for 600 baht a shift ( 3 year old Toyota).

I've talked to a couple of motorcycle taxi blokes and apparently those orange vests they wear are 40000 baht to allow you to join that concession. I was surprised to learn that on a very good day they can earn 1000 baht.

My wife owns two queue licenses in Pattaya. The motorbike taxi queue licence holders pay the 40k+. Mostly the drivers are renting from the queue owner and paying around 1,500 baht a month. Licence and rental costs vary by location of the queue and number of drivers permitted by the queue license.

[evadgib]

Are you asking about a Bangkok Taxi, Udon or Ubon one, a Pattaya or Phuket one or, a rare breed a Samui one?

David Attenborough wouldn't be able to find the latter & he's been at it for years!

Edited December 28, 2013 by evadgib

[Samaaw]

Stop and take a look around you !! It's not just the Taxi drivers who think you owe them something....it's the whole nation !

Beneath all the "wai-ing" (and I have seen Farangs Wai - shame) - they are out to get the next $$

[farang000999]

Much different than farang back home, the government has already paid them all their benefits electronically before they wake up.

[Potter]

I think Bangkok taxis are great and very good value. I use them a lot if in Bangkok.

In Chiang Mai they don't go by the meter. They have fixed fares. I guess, they should have picked an other name taxi meter. But then somehow, it is same same. If I arrive at the bus station and need to go to town, they are cheaper and safer than a tuk tuk. And even the motorbike taxi wants more money than the air conditioned car (120/150/200 for a couple of kilometers).

In many places in the world, arriving at airports, it is normal you pay an additional price to the normal price. This is because the taxi driver have spend time waiting to pick you up. And those airports where there are no taxis. I guess I don't need to say what I think about those.

If in Chiang Mai. Usually I drive when going back home. I guess if the taxi system was more well developed I would be taking air conditioned by the meter a lot more instead of driving myself. I simply refuse to get ripped off by the tuk tuk.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Potter

[Suradit69]

Before we start this hot topic off, may I ask the OP what the 'I know Korean, Singaporeans and Malaysian Taxi drivers get more money' ... just what are their average wages?

As for directly asking about the Thai Industry.

Are you asking about a Bangkok Taxi, Udon or Ubon one, a Pattaya or Phuket one or, a rare breed a Saumi one?

Does the Taxi driver an Owner driver or a hired hand?

Does the Taxi driver rent a newer or older taxi?

... or do you just wish to generally beef about been asked for more money by a Taxi Driver ...

BTW, for the record, I've never been asked for more then the fare ... and that based on hundreds of fares, though not thousands like many here living in Thailand permanently.

"BTW, for the record, I've never been asked for more then the fare..."

Yes, about the only time I take a taxi (of the car variety, not the motorcycle version that I sometimes use in Pattaya) is on my infrequent visits to Bangkok, but I have never been asked for anything more than what's on the meter. I mean if the fare is 90 baht I hand over a Baht 100 and (big spender that I am) don't ask for change, but no one has ever asked me for anything beyond what's on the meter.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Suradit69