2 Russian tourists assault Koh Samui Taxi Driver

[AlfGarnett]

My Wife said there was a news report on channel 3 claiming that two Russian tourists hit a Koh Samui Taxi Driver, apparently over a 300 baht fare, which the Russians took exception to. Have looked today and yesterday online but have not seen anything reported in English. Anybody hear anything ?

Regards

AF

[PiPiFFS]

It can't possibly be true as even a 1km taxi ride starts at around 500 baht. You can't even sit in one for less.

[AlfGarnett]

My Wife said that the reporter was saying the Russians only went a very short distance for 300 baht, and went crazy when the price was given. Seems the reporting might have been a bit biased towards the Taxi driver, probably 1300 baht was the real figure !

[Mole]

300bt is standard starting fare (for farangs) even if you're going only 1 km.

We native Thais can get away with 200 or if it's within the same area sometimes 100bt.

The Russians obviously didn't know how things works on this island.

I presume they must be tourists because any Russian expats will know to stay away from taxis and always take the cheaper song-thiaw or have their own motorbikes.

A couple of days ago, a motorbike taxi dude told me he brought a Russian dude from Big Buddha to Ghost Road somewhere and then he paid 5bt. When the motorbike dude complained, the russian said he'll give extra for you 5 more bt.

The cops was called and the russian refused to pay more. So the motorbike dude punched the russian while the police just watched and said it's enough after a couple of well placed punches.

Edited March 17, 2014 by Mole

[robsamui]

It can't possibly be true as even a 1km taxi ride starts at around 500 baht. You can't even sit in one for less.

Maybe the fare was actually 300 baht, the Russians insisted that the driver took 500, and and argument followed?

R

[carmine]

I don't really understand where this is going.

No real facts, just speculation, secondhand flakey info!!

Maybe this should pause to allow time for some actual facts to emerge rather than hearsay?

[PattayaPhom]

300bt is standard starting fare (for farangs) even if you're going only 1 km.

We native Thais can get away with 200 or if it's within the same area sometimes 100bt.

The Russians obviously didn't know how things works on this island.

I presume they must be tourists because any Russian expats will know to stay away from taxis and always take the cheaper song-thiaw or have their own motorbikes.

A couple of days ago, a motorbike taxi dude told me he brought a Russian dude from Big Buddha to Ghost Road somewhere and then he paid 5bt. When the motorbike dude complained, the russian said he'll give extra for you 5 more bt.

The cops was called and the russian refused to pay more. So the motorbike dude punched the russian while the police just watched and said it's enough after a couple of well placed punches.

When I lived on Samui I found the Thai price was almost always higher....things must have changed.

[AlfGarnett]

I don't really understand where this is going.

No real facts, just speculation, secondhand flakey info!!

Maybe this should pause to allow time for some actual facts to emerge rather than hearsay?

that is why I posted it, wondered what really happened. Fact is that it was reported on National TV, so something happened involving two Russians and a Taxi driver over a disputed fare.

[Mole]

Standard price for native Thais is 400bt from Nathon to Lamai or Chaweng.

I've personally paid only 200 from Big Buddha to Tesco Chaweng. Early (6 AM) one morning (after all night party) from Maenam red light junction, I was able to get a ride to Chaweng (Dao Seafood Market) for 200.

Within Chaweng I've even actually managed to pay only 50bt. It was one evening I went in the taxi in front of Chaweng Post office going to Reggae Pub.

I presume if I was gonna go anywhere within Chaweng, I should eventually be able to find one who is willing to go for 100bt.

Edited March 17, 2014 by Mole

[carmine]

300bt is standard starting fare (for farangs) even if you're going only 1 km.

We native Thais can get away with 200 or if it's within the same area sometimes 100bt.

The Russians obviously didn't know how things works on this island.

I presume they must be tourists because any Russian expats will know to stay away from taxis and always take the cheaper song-thiaw or have their own motorbikes.

A couple of days ago, a motorbike taxi dude told me he brought a Russian dude from Big Buddha to Ghost Road somewhere and then he paid 5bt. When the motorbike dude complained, the russian said he'll give extra for you 5 more bt.

The cops was called and the russian refused to pay more. So the motorbike dude punched the russian while the police just watched and said it's enough after a couple of well placed punches.

what a thoroughly horrid individual you sound like. You think its acceptable, even amusing watching a scenario of police officers watching a local thug punching tourists do you. What a nasty uncivilized attitude and i for one would prefer you would keep to yourself.

[Mole]

If you read carefully what I wrote, I didn't watch anything.

The motorbike taxi driver told me his story.

To be honest though, it was quite insulting by that guy to only first pay 5bt, then added just 5 more, so he was kinda asking for it...

[churchill]

300bt is standard starting fare (for farangs) even if you're going only 1 km.

We native Thais can get away with 200 or if it's within the same area sometimes 100bt.

The Russians obviously didn't know how things works on this island.

I presume they must be tourists because any Russian expats will know to stay away from taxis and always take the cheaper song-thiaw or have their own motorbikes.

A couple of days ago, a motorbike taxi dude told me he brought a Russian dude from Big Buddha to Ghost Road somewhere and then he paid 5bt. When the motorbike dude complained, the russian said he'll give extra for you 5 more bt.

The cops was called and the russian refused to pay more. So the motorbike dude punched the russian while the police just watched and said it's enough after a couple of well placed punches.

what a thoroughly horrid individual you sound like. You think its acceptable, even amusing watching a scenario of police officers watching a local thug punching tourists do you. What a nasty uncivilized attitude and i for one would prefer you would keep to yourself.

A Bit OTT , he was only passing on a story ..... How does that make Mole 'a thoroughly horrid individual '

[evadgib]

300bt is standard starting fare (for farangs) even if you're going only 1 km.

We native Thais can get away with 200 or if it's within the same area sometimes 100bt.

It's high time the same group put a stop to this nonsense instead of condoning it.

Edited March 17, 2014 by evadgib

[churchill]

I don't think there is anything wrong with locals paying a bit less than tourists, why not ? , but I think there should be a published fare or a taxi metre ...not a barter situation..

[nontabury]

I don't think there is anything wrong with locals paying a bit less than tourists, why not ? , but I think there should be a published fare or a taxi metre ...not a barter situation..

Is it usual for locals to pay less for a taxi In your home country, than it is for tourist?.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[churchill]

I don't think there is anything wrong with locals paying a bit less than tourists, why not ? , but I think there should be a published fare or a taxi metre ...not a barter situation..

Is it usual for locals to pay less for a taxi In your home country, than it is for tourist?.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

No but there are many handouts or free passes to those who are unemployed in the UK anyway and they get benefits housing etc !!, what support is there for the local village thais ? can they afford the same rates as tourists , they still have to get to the market , be fair ...

[Skint]

If you read carefully what I wrote, I didn't watch anything.

The motorbike taxi driver told me his story.

To be honest though, it was quite insulting by that guy to only first pay 5bt, then added just 5 more, so he was kinda asking for it...

I don't believe this story, it's as bad as the ones you hear in the bar. where is BS man?

[Opl]

Mole reported " The cops was called and the russian refused to pay more. So the motorbike dude punched the russian while the police just watched and said it's enough after a couple of well placed punches"

Whatever the reason, I feel very uncomfortable reading that someone of the police somehow supervised all this, allowed and measured how far violence could be let given for such a dispute.

What happens next?

[robsamui]

I don't think there is anything wrong with locals paying a bit less than tourists, why not ? , but I think there should be a published fare or a taxi metre ...not a barter situation..

Is it usual for locals to pay less for a taxi In your home country, than it is for tourist?.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

It depends on what country it is.

There are quite a few where it is established government policy (Egypt springs to mind, as does The Gambia) and dual prices are displayed for all state-owned amenities like admission to galleries and museums, taxis, road and rail fares etc. I fail to see any problem with this. In an impoverished country where the natives have little and the tourists are comparatively rich, it seems a reasonable system.

What I object to is everything being hit and miss and under the table, with prices being the first and highest number that the thieving barstewards hope they can get away with. Particularly in a country where taxi rates are set and fixed and it is illegal for public taxis not to use their meter in the first place - that really is rubbing everybody's nose in it. And the blind eyes of the law here seem to be a reflection of what all the fuss is about in BKK at the moment - corruption is corruption and illegal is illegal. Full stop.

R

Edited March 17, 2014 by robsamui

[Mole]

It's not that there's different price for us locals.

Since it's a bargaining situation, you can just think it this way that we natives are better at bargaining and getting better deals than you farangs.

That's why I tell any farangs to never take a tuk-tuk in BKK. Always take taxis, like we Thais do.

In any other country where you have to negotiate a fare, I presume tourists will always be the ones getting the worse rates.

Of course what would be unfair is if for example there were 2 meter settings on taxis, 1 rate for Thais and another rate for farangs.

[robsamui]

Mole reported " The cops was called and the russian refused to pay more. So the motorbike dude punched the russian while the police just watched and said it's enough after a couple of well placed punches"

Whatever the reason, I feel very uncomfortable reading that someone of the police somehow supervised all this, allowed and measured how far violence could be let given for such a dispute.

What happens next?

How about some enterprising farang resident with a death wish posting thousands of stickers around the island on every wall, tree and lamppost, on which is printed the following:

IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A LICENCED TAXI TO REFUSE TO USE ITS METER.

THE DRIVERS LICENCE MAY BE CANCELLED IF THIS HAPPENS.

IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT, DO NOT CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES HERE.

PUT THE SUBJECT - "SAMUI TAXI OFFENCE", INCLUDE THE TAXI NUMBER, AND WRITE OR EMAIL DIRECTLY TO:

and the the relevant Government office in BKK of which I have no idea about whatsoever.

That should start the ball rolling!

R

[Mole]

I'd like to add that I don't always get my Thai rates though.

Like last month I was in Nathon and it was after 6PM and the regular song-thiaw has stopped running and I needed to get to Lamai and all the taxis said 600.

For 300 I could take a motorbike taxi, but the dude was like, "Lemme take 1 more zip of my beer before I go" and I'm like "Never mind man, I'm definitely not going with you!". It was getting dark and there were some rain.

So I had to bite my teeth and go with the taxi.

Even some song-thiaw can be tricky and it's always a good idea to try to have the exact amount to give them.

Last week I was sitting on one from Chaweng to Nathon and handled him 100 and he gave me back 20, I told him it's 60bt man, and he said "70 then" and gave me back 10 more and immediately speeded away...

[churchill]

Mole reported " The cops was called and the russian refused to pay more. So the motorbike dude punched the russian while the police just watched and said it's enough after a couple of well placed punches"

Whatever the reason, I feel very uncomfortable reading that someone of the police somehow supervised all this, allowed and measured how far violence could be let given for such a dispute.

What happens next?

How about some enterprising farang resident with a death wish posting thousands of stickers around the island on every wall, tree and lamppost, on which is printed the following:

IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A LICENCED TAXI TO REFUSE TO USE ITS METER.

THE DRIVERS LICENCE MAY BE CANCELLED IF THIS HAPPENS.

IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT, DO NOT CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES HERE.

PUT THE SUBJECT - "SAMUI TAXI OFFENCE", INCLUDE THE TAXI NUMBER, AND WRITE OR EMAIL DIRECTLY TO:

and the the relevant Government office in BKK of which I have no idea about whatsoever.

That should start the ball rolling!

R

'IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A LICENCED TAXI TO REFUSE TO USE ITS METER.'

everyone is aware of this which is why the crook taxi drivers have such a bad reputation........ they would have a much better business if they were straight and used the metres rather than ripping off anyone they think they can

[dom samui]

Why not use the minivans taxis ?efficient and price ok. Use them for my customers 10 times/day. Gave their number to the guests, they call the taxi themselves. No problem since 7 years.

Pm for numbers

Dom

[dom samui]

And please dont talk about anything illegal here .... Nobody understand this word , in any language and we know it all :-)

Dom

[nontabury]

I don't think there is anything wrong with locals paying a bit less than tourists, why not ? , but I think there should be a published fare or a taxi metre ...not a barter situation..

Is it usual for locals to pay less for a taxi In your home country, than it is for tourist?.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

No but there are many handouts or free passes to those who are unemployed in the UK anyway and they get benefits housing etc !!, what support is there for the local village thais ? can they afford the same rates as tourists , they still have to get to the market , be fair ...

Yes, and some of those unemployed have no intention of ever doing a days work.

Back on subject - can they afford the same rate as tourist. Well today I visited a tourist attraction,

Entry fee for foreigners, adults 200 bht children 20bht. For Thais the price quoted in Thai was adults 20bht children10bht , I'm guessing that if Dhanin Chearavant or any of the other mega rich Thais were to visit this attraction they would pay the lower amount.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[monkeycountry]

If you read carefully what I wrote, I didn't watch anything.

The motorbike taxi driver told me his story.

To be honest though, it was quite insulting by that guy to only first pay 5bt, then added just 5 more, so he was kinda asking for it...

Using your own logic, that it is ok to assault someone for paying too little, would it then not also be ok to assault someone for charging too much? If so, I assume the 2 Russians did the right thing by assaulting the taxi driver (if the story is true) and that it is ok to assault all taxi drivers on Samui, since they all charge way too much.

If we can agree that it works both ways, then I am with you, I think all taxis on Samui are criminal scum and anyone who stands up to them in any way have my blessing.

[desmondspencer]

Russian mafia, taxi/moto sai rouges..

What's new?

Both of them synonymous in making the "news" almost every other week.

Is anyone feeling bad for either of them?

Also, how is it illegal for a metered taxi to not use the meter?

Do all tourist know the way?

If I were the driver, I'd turn on the meter, take you for a scenic ride and demand you pay the metered fare

Edited March 17, 2014 by desmondspencer

[Tropicalevo]

Do all tourist know the way?

If I were the driver, I'd turn on the meter, take you for a scenic ride and demand you pay the metered fare

Just like taxi drivers do (to tourists) all over the world.

So back to the Russians.........?

[monkeycountry]

On the subject of taxis. Does anyone know why they keep honking their horn every time they see a tourist (especially on Chaweng beach road)? In my experience it is a Samui thing, as I have not experienced it anywhere else in Thailand (and obviously not outside Thailand).

If it works, then why do they not do it everywhere else in Thailand? And if it does not work, then why do they keep doing it?

The problem is of course that the constant noise annoys everyone around, inlcuding diners, shoppers etc.