Rip off red songtheaw drivers.

[thaibeachlovers]

[ 20 baht is not the 'official " price for a" trip around CM "...it may be the "official " price if the songthaew operates on a fix route from point A to point B..

going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..

There is no "standard route" for the red songthaews and the official rate is 15 baht, but even Thais pay 20.

Thank you for correcting the wrong information chuang gave. Where did he get <a fix route from point A to point B..>

<going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..>

Leaving aside that there is NO standard route, he obviously is another one that doesn't read the OP, as I said that after leaving Central they have to go down to the airport to do a U turn, so it is part of the journey anyway, not going somewhere extra, and why does chuang think a one minute drive is worth 80 baht or more?

One would think that he has never been to CM to be writing such erroneous waffle.

[thaibeachlovers]

Airport taxi to my condo here 120 baht. Airport taxi to my old home in Texas - about the same distance - $18.00 US (approx. 590 baht at todays rate). I wouldn't squeak about 100 baht, though in all honesty, the most I have ever paid a songtheaw was 60 baht and that was from the train station to my condo. Was I overcharged? Maybe but I haven't missed any meals because of it.

David

Clearly you have not picked up on the sarcasm in my post. To complain about a $3 charge to take the OP to the airport is rediculous. How do people expect a songtheaw driver to feed his family if he can't charge a $3 fare for this type of trip? I often see posts here that indicate that some farang think that the rediculously low wages paid to Thais are adequate or that they can somehow tap into a secret economy that allows them to live like kings on 5,000 baht a month.

So you obviously think you should pay a lot more for rice, as the workers only get 3,000 a month.

If a Thai only pays 20 baht to the airport, why should I pay more, based on my skin colour?

Why are you using $ when writing about Thailand? They don't use $ here. They also have a lower cost of living than where they do use $. Your argument is flawed and irrelevant.

Really? You're going to get on my case because I used dollars rather than baht,as if that somehow invalidates my comment. Why did I use $ because it puts it into a perspective that everyone can understand. The OP is complaining about a 100 baht (are you happy now?) charge to take him to the airport. He goes on to make it out to be a case of run away rip off just as you are trying to make it out to be a racial issue rather than what it is, a poor driver trying to increase his revenue so that he can provide a little better for his livelihood. I buy my rice at Rimping so I pay the going rate but I always tip the taxi drive 50-100 baht, the waitress 25-50 baht for their service as a way of acknowledging that their wages are inadequate. That's my choice just as it is yours to increase your blood pressure over such a paultry sum of money. If you live or die because 100 baht in Thailand then maybe it's worth the outrage but maybe it's also time to go home.

<I always tip the taxi drive 50-100 baht,> ( that is worth a 10 icon post )

[thaibeachlovers]

US$3.06 to get to the airport!!!! Disgraceful. What were they planning to do with all that money? Buy a Mercedes? One things for sure they wouldn't buy food for their children with it.

Airport taxi to my condo here 120 baht. Airport taxi to my old home in Texas - about the same distance - $18.00 US (approx. 590 baht at todays rate). I wouldn't squeak about 100 baht, though in all honesty, the most I have ever paid a songtheaw was 60 baht and that was from the train station to my condo. Was I overcharged? Maybe but I haven't missed any meals because of it.

David

Clearly you have not picked up on the sarcasm in my post. To complain about a $3 charge to take the OP to the airport is rediculous. How do people expect a songtheaw driver to feed his family if he can't charge a $3 fare for this type of trip? I often see posts here that indicate that some farang think that the rediculously low wages paid to Thais are adequate or that they can somehow tap into a secret economy that allows them to live like kings on 5,000 baht a month.

So let me get it straight- you SUPPORT double pricing for farangs in Thailand, and you believe it is our mission in life to give Thais more money than the going rate simply because you are white.

<a secret economy that allows them to live like kings on 5,000 baht a month.>

What about the rice farm workers then? They get 3,000 baht a month. Shouldn't you be up in Issan giving them all your money, not wasting it telling me I'm wrong for wanting to pay the correct price for a service?

[thaibeachlovers]

[ 20 baht is not the 'official " price for a" trip around CM "...it may be the "official " price if the songthaew operates on a fix route from point A to point B..

going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..

There is no "standard route" for the red songthaews and the official rate is 15 baht, but even Thais pay 20.

I believe that UG is correct. As I recall, for example, students only pay 15 baht. The few Thais whom I have ever asked pay the 20 baht.

I don't doubt that a few drivers take advantage of tourists (or try to), as in the story about the Chinese above, but I am among those who have never had a problem beyond waving one off with a smile. This happens rarely. I basically need a destination within the superhighway limits.. Beyond that I would expect to pay somewhat more depending where it is.

The one exception of which I am aware is the price from the Arcade bus station, say, to the center of town or elsewhere within the Superhighway limits. I forget how much, but I think more is expected than 20 bhat. I suspect that the reason for that is that access to fares might be somewhat controlled, and that individual drivers have to pay the "starter" a little something. There are somewhat similar situations, I believe, at the airport (maybe the railway station) regarding access to songtaew or tuk tuks. I believe you would find this sort of situation in almost any city worldwide.

And some routes should be negotiable when they take a driver out of the way, especially when few fares along the route are anticipated.

And I think it very reasonable for a driver to refuse some destinations. For example, the traffic chaos on some routes these days during "rush hours." The songtaew aren't responsible for that. The increase in private cars is responsible. The songtaew are not metered. It costs them! Of course, that is a heavy demand time,so those drivers can, in some instances, do well.

I do not have the foggiest idea what an average songthaew driver makes, but I can not imagine it is much. Sometimes, especially in the evenings, I see husband-wife teams together --- and I don't think it is because the wives don't trust the husbands! Maybe I am a romantic, but it has always struck me as their spending "time together."

I wouldn't want to be a songthaew driver, thank you, nor a taxi driver, here or anywhere. So, when there are so many posts suggesting that Thais think farang are "ATMs," or, as in the accusations of some posters during the very busy holidays that the drivers are some sort of ripoff mafia when the road up Doi Suthep was closed except to them by the police because of enormous traffic problems during the holiday, I believe that such accusations are not reality-based (to say the least!), or, as some have suggested, they really are not happy in Thailand and might --- although I doubt it --- be happier someplace else.

For the rest of us, enjoy the convenience of a very inexpensive sensible (for the circumstances) almost always point-to-point transportation system. But, as I have posted often, the diesel-fuel system is very harmful, and there absolutely needs to be a radical fuel change for those trucks. That is indeed not just possible, it is absolutely feasible over time.

<they really are not happy in Thailand and might --- although I doubt it --- be happier someplace else.>

I would be perfectly happy in Chiang Mai if I knew that when I tried to take a songtheaw, I would not be ripped off simply because of my skin colour, which is racism, and how many of you support racism?

[thaibeachlovers]

<I find it helpful when approaching a Songthaew to say hello in Thai>

Do you wai them as well?

The official price for a trip around C M city is 20 baht, not whatever they think they can get away with because it's a farang ATM. If some posters on here think they should pay more just because they are rich, do they also pay 5 times the meter price when using a Bkk taxi?

20 baht is not the 'official " price for a" trip around CM "...it may be the "official " price if the songthaew operates on a fix route from point A to point B..

going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..so you expect to be 20 baht..holy cow..wake up.

if you don't like the asking price don't take it, unless the driver forces you with a machete..how long have you been in CM..

Given the INCORRECT information you have written, I doubt you have lived in C M long enough ( or ever ) to know anything about the C M songtheaw service.

[mikemac]

I am by no means an expert on the pricing arrangement of CM songteows, but I don't think it is black and white. There are a lot of factors involved, eg. if a songteow does a standard run from Thapae Gate to Loi Kroh Road, down to the Night Bazaar area and then back down Thapae to the gates, then it is probably a 20 baht charge, no matter where you get off. Depending on how busy it is at the time, and where you want him to deviate to, like the airport, there is most likely a higher charge.

We have used songteows to go to the airport on occasion, like when we had too much luggage to carry in a tuk-tuk, and sometimes it is hard to find one willing to take us, depending on the hour of day. But the price has always been quite reasonable when we did use them.

If we need to go early the people in our condo office book one for the next morning. A bit different to hailing one on the street during the rush hour I suppose.

I cannot help noticing something about some of the foreigners I have known in Thailand over the past 8 years or more, but the ones who are racists at home are the same ones who moan the loudest when the shoe is on the other foot. Ironic Karma I call it.

I also believe Thais can spot a racist "farang" a mile off and treat them with the contempt they deserve. So glad I was raised by parents who taught me to treat people the way you find them, not by their skin color or religion.

[Ulysses G.]

I also believe Thais can spot a racist "farang" a mile off and treat them with the contempt they deserve.

It must be a, "It takes one to know one" thing as most Thais are somewhat racist themselves.

[mikemac]

It must be a, "It takes one to know one" thing as most Thais are somewhat racist themselves.

That may be so, although I believe two wrongs don't make a right.

And a foreigner in an overseas country like Thailand acting like a good ol' boy is never going to get a good deal, ever.

[chuang]

[ 20 baht is not the 'official " price for a" trip around CM "...it may be the "official " price if the songthaew operates on a fix route from point A to point B..

going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..

There is no "standard route" for the red songthaews and the official rate is 15 baht, but even Thais pay 20.

Thank you for correcting the wrong information chuang gave. Where did he get <a fix route from point A to point B..>

<going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..>

Leaving aside that there is NO standard route, he obviously is another one that doesn't read the OP, as I said that after leaving Central they have to go down to the airport to do a U turn, so it is part of the journey anyway, not going somewhere extra, and why does chuang think a one minute drive is worth 80 baht or more?

One would think that he has never been to CM to be writing such erroneous waffle.

By standard route i mean routes that the songthaews primarily operate example if you take one from opposite the Airport Plaza that it plys along Hang Dong road i think maybe 20 baht..but if you asked to be taken to say Nong Hoy...then its deviation from his normal route..if he is willing to take you to your destination then the price is subjected to mutual consent..I did not say or think "a one minute drive is worth 80 baht or more".

I may not be dependent on songthaews but i got all these notions from the locals and common sense...

[Paangjang]

Some do take the piss with price. I understand inflated quotes if off the beat and track or put the way of their normal route... But some prices are daft. As I said play then off each other and the price goes down for sure. Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Do you mean off the beaten track? Sounds similar though lol

[sharktooth]

What's a songtheaw?

[MESmith]

What's a songtheaw?

They mean "songtell" but have spelling problems

[Paangjang]

What's a songtheaw?

They mean "songtell" but have spelling problems

Songteaw (สองแถว) has a ว at the end of it "Whor when" (W sound.) It literally means 2 rows. สอง song (2) แถว teaw (row)

[MESmith]

What's a songtheaw?

They mean "songtell" but have spelling problems

Songteaw (สองแถว) has a ว at the end of it "Whor when" (W sound.) It literally means 2 rows. สอง song (2) แถว teaw (row)

Nevermind....

[sharktooth]

Is that like a taxi for poor people?

[saroq]

US$3.06 to get to the airport!!!! Disgraceful. What were they planning to do with all that money? Buy a Mercedes? One things for sure they wouldn't buy food for their children with it.

Airport taxi to my condo here 120 baht. Airport taxi to my old home in Texas - about the same distance - $18.00 US (approx. 590 baht at todays rate). I wouldn't squeak about 100 baht, though in all honesty, the most I have ever paid a songtheaw was 60 baht and that was from the train station to my condo. Was I overcharged? Maybe but I haven't missed any meals because of it.

David

Clearly you have not picked up on the sarcasm in my post. To complain about a $3 charge to take the OP to the airport is rediculous. How do people expect a songtheaw driver to feed his family if he can't charge a $3 fare for this type of trip? I often see posts here that indicate that some farang think that the rediculously low wages paid to Thais are adequate or that they can somehow tap into a secret economy that allows them to live like kings on 5,000 baht a month.

So let me get it straight- you SUPPORT double pricing for farangs in Thailand, and you believe it is our mission in life to give Thais more money than the going rate simply because you are white.

<a secret economy that allows them to live like kings on 5,000 baht a month.>

What about the rice farm workers then? They get 3,000 baht a month. Shouldn't you be up in Issan giving them all your money, not wasting it telling me I'm wrong for wanting to pay the correct price for a service?

I don't see how it costs me any money at all to tell you that you are wrong. My post says nothing about double pricing, that's your incorrect interpretation of it. My post says that a 100 baht charge to take you to the airport isn't worth getting worked up over. If I owned a rice farm in Issan then I would certainly pay them more than 3,000 baht a month but I don't so I spread a little out of my excess to smooth my path and make others who are less fortunate than myself happy. I guess it depends on the world you live in, one where the powerful do nothinbg to make the lives of those without economic power better or one where you try to do a little to improve someone's day. Maybe I'm just fortunate that I had the sense to build wealth from an early age so I don't have to get worked up over a few hundred baht here and there the way some TV members do.

[saroq]

Clearly you have not picked up on the sarcasm in my post. To complain about a $3 charge to take the OP to the airport is rediculous. How do people expect a songtheaw driver to feed his family if he can't charge a $3 fare for this type of trip? I often see posts here that indicate that some farang think that the rediculously low wages paid to Thais are adequate or that they can somehow tap into a secret economy that allows them to live like kings on 5,000 baht a month.

So you obviously think you should pay a lot more for rice, as the workers only get 3,000 a month.

If a Thai only pays 20 baht to the airport, why should I pay more, based on my skin colour?

Why are you using $ when writing about Thailand? They don't use $ here. They also have a lower cost of living than where they do use $. Your argument is flawed and irrelevant.

Really? You're going to get on my case because I used dollars rather than baht,as if that somehow invalidates my comment. Why did I use $ because it puts it into a perspective that everyone can understand. The OP is complaining about a 100 baht (are you happy now?) charge to take him to the airport. He goes on to make it out to be a case of run away rip off just as you are trying to make it out to be a racial issue rather than what it is, a poor driver trying to increase his revenue so that he can provide a little better for his livelihood. I buy my rice at Rimping so I pay the going rate but I always tip the taxi drive 50-100 baht, the waitress 25-50 baht for their service as a way of acknowledging that their wages are inadequate. That's my choice just as it is yours to increase your blood pressure over such a paultry sum of money. If you live or die because 100 baht in Thailand then maybe it's worth the outrage but maybe it's also time to go home.

<I always tip the taxi drive 50-100 baht,> ( that is worth a 10 icon post )

What you mean that you don't have a spare 50-100 baht to tip a driver?

[thaibeachlovers]

[ 20 baht is not the 'official " price for a" trip around CM "...it may be the "official " price if the songthaew operates on a fix route from point A to point B..

going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..

There is no "standard route" for the red songthaews and the official rate is 15 baht, but even Thais pay 20.

Thank you for correcting the wrong information chuang gave. Where did he get <a fix route from point A to point B..>

<going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..>

Leaving aside that there is NO standard route, he obviously is another one that doesn't read the OP, as I said that after leaving Central they have to go down to the airport to do a U turn, so it is part of the journey anyway, not going somewhere extra, and why does chuang think a one minute drive is worth 80 baht or more?

One would think that he has never been to CM to be writing such erroneous waffle.

By standard route i mean routes that the songthaews primarily operate example if you take one from opposite the Airport Plaza that it plys along Hang Dong road i think maybe 20 baht..but if you asked to be taken to say Nong Hoy...then its deviation from his normal route..if he is willing to take you to your destination then the price is subjected to mutual consent..I did not say or think "a one minute drive is worth 80 baht or more".

I may not be dependent on songthaews but i got all these notions from the locals and common sense...

The ones that go to Hang Dong are yellow, and they do have a fixed route, so yes, it is extra to go off route. The red ones that this thread is about do not have a fixed route and are supposed to take you anywhere in the city area for 20 baht, but they can pick up other passengers as well, and do not have to take you by a direct route to your destination. Had I asked for the driver to only take me directly to the airport, yes, it would cost one hundred or more, and I would not be complaining about it.

Pattaya has a far better system.

[thaibeachlovers]

So you obviously think you should pay a lot more for rice, as the workers only get 3,000 a month.

If a Thai only pays 20 baht to the airport, why should I pay more, based on my skin colour?

Why are you using $ when writing about Thailand? They don't use $ here. They also have a lower cost of living than where they do use $. Your argument is flawed and irrelevant.

Really? You're going to get on my case because I used dollars rather than baht,as if that somehow invalidates my comment. Why did I use $ because it puts it into a perspective that everyone can understand. The OP is complaining about a 100 baht (are you happy now?) charge to take him to the airport. He goes on to make it out to be a case of run away rip off just as you are trying to make it out to be a racial issue rather than what it is, a poor driver trying to increase his revenue so that he can provide a little better for his livelihood. I buy my rice at Rimping so I pay the going rate but I always tip the taxi drive 50-100 baht, the waitress 25-50 baht for their service as a way of acknowledging that their wages are inadequate. That's my choice just as it is yours to increase your blood pressure over such a paultry sum of money. If you live or die because 100 baht in Thailand then maybe it's worth the outrage but maybe it's also time to go home.

<I always tip the taxi drive 50-100 baht,> ( that is worth a 10 icon post )

What you mean that you don't have a spare 50-100 baht to tip a driver?

Why would I do that? A 10% tip of 20 baht is 2 baht, but if they don't try to gouge me on the price and take me for the correct price, I'll give them 5 or 10 baht, depending if they had other passengers as well.

[thaibeachlovers]

Is that like a taxi for poor people?

No, it's the standard way Thais get about if they don't use a car. Have you not been in Thailand long?

[sharktooth]

Is that like a taxi for poor people?

No, it's the standard way Thais get about if they don't use a car. Have you not been in Thailand long?

Haha, four years. They also seem to very popular with farangs according to this thread...

[DeeMockMark]

Took one from the airport into town recently. 40 Baht.

He didn't actually state a price, but 40 Baht seemed reasonable, weighing in that it was late at night (10:30pm or so), but that there were other passengers besides me. Airport to half way down Loy Kroh.

I think they're one of the best things about Chiang Mai.

This is something I don`t recommend.

Always agree a price with a taxi driver prior to starting the journey, than there can be no disputes and no unpleasant surprises at arrival of destination.

Getting into a taxi and hoping the driver will be a decent chap and charge a reasonable fare, is a taking a big gamble in Thailand.

I agree about negotiating the fare or using meter for taxi's.

A terrible tragedy about the dead expat of course. But why people

continue to let these things get out of control for a dollar or two is just stupid.

I remember reading on TV a little while ago about a member who got a belting

after arguing with a bus driver over a 20 Baht fare. Crazy!

Interestingly the American who is murdered in that video had lived in Thailand for three years and spoke fluent Thai, according to a report in the NY Daily News. He also had a Thai wife, so he knew and understood the Thai culture. If he can make a mistake like that, anyone can.

Be careful here in Thailand. One miscalculation can cost you your life. The Thais do not think they way farangs think. Sometimes they don't think at all, and react like animals, as in this case.

Just because you speak fluent Thai and have been here 3 years and have a Thai wife doesn't mean you have lost your sense of superiority and entitlement and false sense of security or understand a crucial thing about 'Thai' psychology. I think the taxi driver did this in a fit of rage. Something set him off. Many Thais have a deep reservoir of rage hid by a veneer of a smile. (Sometimes not even that. A Tuk Tuk driver was staring at me today like he wanted to eat me for lunch. I mean a CRAZY stare.) They can be set off by thinking they are being disrespected. I am sure in his crazed rage filled mind the Thai taxi was thinking he was teaching this Farlang a thing or two. There may have been percieved slights in the past he had had with other Farlang that has built up over time and 'he had taken all he could and could take no more.' And he snapped! BIG TIME! What I get from incidents like this is TO RESPECT THAI ANGER AND RAGE. We have all heard of the Thai urban legend of the farlang driver flipping the bird at a Thai driver for driving Thai and getting shot in the head by him as a reward. I don't know if that actually happened but this is a folk warning I have heard and will heed in Thai society. So I say 'krup' a lot and will parlay to avoid angry confrontations at all cost. If you have your nose in the air and walk rough shod over Thai people you are a train wreck ready to happen in my opinion. And sooner or later Thai fluency and Thai wife and 3 years in Thailand or no.... you will probably meet your own'Thai driver and samurai sword.'

Now there is the other case and that is..... perhaps the Thai taxi driver just woke up that morning and said to himself. "I think will I hack a Farlang to pieces today after overendulging in my favorite drug of choice.' Now coming across a person like that is just really really bad luck.

[Ulysses G.]

We have all heard of the Thai urban legend of the farlang driver flipping the bird at a Thai driver for driving Thai and getting shot in the head by him as a reward.

It is not an urban legend. It happened at least once, here in Chiang Mai.

[WorkingTourist]

[…] Something set him off. Many Thais have a deep reservoir of rage […]

Where by “many Thais” we could probably say “many people”.

This week an American shot another American for texting during a movie. This stuff is not isolated to Thailand.

As for taking a songthaew to the airport, I normally offer them 100 baht (normally for two people).

Once I did this at Huay Kaew Road two Canadians wanted to go to Tapae Gate and also offered the driver 100 baht (he was waiting for a red light). The driver accepted. I told the Canadians that we would be going to the airport first, so it was a bit of a detour for them, and they should only pay 20 baht per person for Tapea Gate.

Their reply: “it’s still much cheaper than Canada, and we have plenty of time”. That’s the proper attitude when you’re a farang in Thailand!

[arunsakda]

Wanted to go from Sirimankalajarn to Siam TV yesterday at 3pm. Stopped 4 songthaews in a row, none had passengers. The first gent sized me up and asked for 60 baht. I was surprised as this is not common during day time for me. Smiled and waved him off. Next guy asked for 40, third said no thanks. I started to imagine some traffic jam or road closure. Aligted on the 4th try. A straightforward route with 2 u-turns, and we picked up one more along the way who got off near Chiang Mai gate. There was no traffic to speak of

Good luck to guys who demand double and treble fare for a short drive. Took me of all of 5 minutes to find a fair deal, no problem. I'll save my haggling for a tuk when necessary.

[northernjohn]

Thank you for correcting the wrong information chuang gave. Where did he get <a fix route from point A to point B..>

<going from Thapae gate to the airport is deviation from the standard route..>

Leaving aside that there is NO standard route, he obviously is another one that doesn't read the OP, as I said that after leaving Central they have to go down to the airport to do a U turn, so it is part of the journey anyway, not going somewhere extra, and why does chuang think a one minute drive is worth 80 baht or more?

One would think that he has never been to CM to be writing such erroneous waffle.

By standard route i mean routes that the songthaews primarily operate example if you take one from opposite the Airport Plaza that it plys along Hang Dong road i think maybe 20 baht..but if you asked to be taken to say Nong Hoy...then its deviation from his normal route..if he is willing to take you to your destination then the price is subjected to mutual consent..I did not say or think "a one minute drive is worth 80 baht or more".

I may not be dependent on songthaews but i got all these notions from the locals and common sense...

The ones that go to Hang Dong are yellow, and they do have a fixed route, so yes, it is extra to go off route. The red ones that this thread is about do not have a fixed route and are supposed to take you anywhere in the city area for 20 baht, but they can pick up other passengers as well, and do not have to take you by a direct route to your destination. Had I asked for the driver to only take me directly to the airport, yes, it would cost one hundred or more, and I would not be complaining about it.

Pattaya has a far better system.

The basic fare I believe is 17 baht most every one pays the 20 baht.

No where in any code law or rules does it say they are supposed to take you any where in the city for 20 baht. Also common sense tells us that.

Try telling a songthaew driver he has to take you from the bus station to the university for 20 baht. Traffic being what it is he might balk at taking you there from the North West corner of the moat. These people do this in order to make a living and feed their families they are not a charity.

The Pattaya system is OK if you know the city and the places the baht busses stop and start at. Also in many cases are willing to walk a bit. They have set routes and just like the yellow songthaew's here in Chiang Mai will charge you extra to deviate from that route. Not that familiar with the various routes I don't know if they do service as much of the area in Pattaya as the red songthaew's here in Chiang Mai.