2 Russian tourists assault Koh Samui Taxi Driver

[robsamui]

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.

That's an easy one to answer. It's for the same reason that you will often see 40 or 50 stalls by the side of the road - every one of them selling oranges. Why doesn't someone have the entrepreneurial spark to set up an apple stall or a soft drinks stall here? Answer - because everyone here sells oranges, of course - this is what people do here.

The reason is that - back when the very first Samui taxi driver had the amazing stroke of inspiration to honk his horn as he came up behind a pair of wandering tourists - this is what taxis do. Because one taxi did it, then to be a proper taxi on Samui, you have to honk your horn.

Also note that it's not permitted to have a honk that stands out from the rest of the crowd. Western thinking might go like ". . . aha! All the tourists are so used to hearing beep beep that they don't even notice it any more. So I'll get a horn that goes WAGGA WAGGA WAGGA, and they'll be so shocked they'll turn round, see me, and maybe decide to go for a nice taxi ride."

But Thai thinking isn't the same as this. If you're on Samui and drive a taxi, then you have to do it all the same as all the other taxis do. Because this is what taxis do, on Samui.

R

[thelongshoot]

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.

Christ on a bike CALM DOWN! He isnt condoning what happened and he wasnt even there to watch. He is just relaying a story that the motobike taxi driver told him. And anyway, even if he did watch it happen what would you expect him to do? Knock out the two BIB's and carry off the rusian???

[robsamui]

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

It is illegal for 1) a taxi to refuse to accept a fare and 2) for a licenced taxi fitted with a government regulated and locked meter to refuse to use it. How and in what way this law is enforced depends on those doing the enforcing.

Obviously you're new to Thailand! Just do a search of the forums on ThaiVisa.

It seems that each of Thailand's regions admin centres have their own Department of Land Transport offices and each one has a different ruling on the matter. Bangkok is quite strict, and has issued a problem centre phone number for members of the public to call when they want to report infringements, and with fined being levied and licences withdrawn for continued offenders. Phuket is heading in the same direction. Pattaya has no such problem as their 'baht buses' are so plentiful and so cheap - same price of 10 baht anywhere on their route (night-time too, I think) - that there is no need for anyone to complain.

And that just leaves Samui as the last outpost of the Wild West. Four or five years ago the BKK police came here en masse to try to put an end to the taxi fiasco. They started fining and even impounding taxis. The taxi mafia union held a massive meeting ( I recall seeing hundreds of taxis lining the street outside the venue for miles) and then went on strike, taking all their taxis off the roads.

Within days there were hundreds of calls from hotels and resorts complaining that their customers couldn't get a taxi around the island or to and from the airport or ferries. It only took a few days more for the police to head off back to BKK with tails between legs. Face was however saved, as the taxi mafia union agreed they would use their meters, but insisted on a ridiculous local variation that set the meter initially at something like (I forget the exact amount) around 200 baht for the first kilometre (instead of the regulated 35 baht) and then something like 50 baht a kilometre (instead of the usual 5B).

Face having been saved, the thieving, scamming, greedy untouchable Samui taxi mafia bloodsuckers were back in full throng again, not using their meters and completely flaunting and ignoring what had just been agreed on.

I love this little island. It's still idyllic, despite the over-development in some places. To my mind the only stink here, the only blight, the only vile blot on Samui's lovely landscape is the taxi thing. It's blatantly illegal. It's an embarrassing situation for the Thai admin (who are being blackmailed into having to turn a blind eye) and a world wide joke that broadcasts the lawless bribery and corruption that seems to have come to symbolise Thailand.

What a crying shame.

Rant rant rant rant.

Edited March 17, 2014 by robsamui

[BigC]

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.

Yes problems are happening allot with tourist problem with taxis

Samui is a tropical island off the golf of thai

It is not esaan or bangkok or anywhere else it's samui

People don't want to pay then walk

I don't agree with it but it is what it is

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[pokerspiv]

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?.

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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 ...

Local thais taking taxis on Samui are not villagers living in sheds mate. Some of them are multi-millionaires even in UK money. They still get a cheaper rate than a white backpacker. The pricing is entirely based on race, nothing else.

If you as a white taxi driver in the UK charged Asian tourists double you would be thrown in jail.

Edited March 18, 2014 by pokerspiv

[Mole]

If you offered to pay 20bt, then it may be a bit forgiving, but offering 5bt, this dude was definitely trying to insult. On top of that "I will give you extra more special for you", and handles another 5, that's it...

If a a taxi driver wanted 5000 bt from me, I'd probably punch him too.

But 600bt, well who knows, perhaps I was the only ride he had that whole day and it was kind of my fault to be in Nathon and needed to go to Lamai at that hour.

One should also use some judgement together with the logic...

Otherwise if a taxi overcharge 1bt, then with logic only, we should punch him.

Or to be complete pacifist, if you offer 25 satang for your ride, of course the driver should not be offended and not wanna punch you...

Edited March 18, 2014 by Mole

[nod]

The trouble is with Samui taxi drivers is that 98% of them give the rest a bad reputation

[Tchooptip]

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.

In Lamai, one month ago, when I bought something too heavy for my motorbike at Tesco I took a Taxi to bring me home not far IT center I paid 200 Baht!

If you can't even sit in one for less. ...Why me 200 Baht ?????

[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.

Christ on a bike CALM DOWN! He isnt condoning what happened and he wasnt even there to watch. He is just relaying a story that the motobike taxi driver told him. And anyway, even if he did watch it happen what would you expect him to do? Knock out the two BIB's and carry off the rusian???

I'm perfectly calm thank you and my point is he clearly agreed with the thug behavior and i stand by my original post.

Its par for the course here that type of behavior but it doesn't make it right in a civilized world does it

[evadgib]

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.

In Lamai, one month ago, when I bought something too heavy for my motorbike at Tesco I took a Taxi to bring me home not far IT center I paid 200 Baht!

If you can't even sit in one for less. ...Why me 200 Baht ?????

Their delivery truck is free & would invariably beat you home!

Edited March 18, 2014 by evadgib

[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.

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

That would require honesty and integrity.

[Mole]

Well, in a civilized utopian world, one would not taunt a motorbike taxi driver by giving him 5bt for a ride.

You reap what you sow and karma and all that...

Forgot to mention that he told me it was agreed in advanced that the ride would cost 50bt.

That's what the driver started to say when he told the story, which I immediately commented that that's not much, normally it should be around 100bt for such a distance, but the driver said he was heading towards Chaweng anyway, so he was OK with 50bt. But then he said this dude gave only 5bt when they arrived, and I was like what the...? This dude was already getting a very good deal on this ride, then he do something like this???

I seriously doubt that he heard wrong and thought it would be 5bt.

Edited March 18, 2014 by Mole

[Mole]

When I think about it, there is really no reason why the taxis should overcharge like this.

A few years back, their usual excuse was that there were no cheap LPG available on the island, so the cars had to run on expensive petrol&diesel. But now there's 2 LPG stations on the island and any taxi that I know of should have already converted.

There must be some people with serious "power" behind this who are able to keep this going despite it being blatantly illegal.

I've heard that especially on Samui (and nearby islands) there are many well connected families so there's many things which are allowed to go on this island without the people from BKK being able to interfere much. Any police big shots who tried to do something soon found out it was a bad idea.

Especially the mentality of the southerners, I've heard they're very "family-oriented", and you really don't want to p. any of them off or you'll get the whole extended family after you.

All taxi drivers that I've ever spoke with are native Samuians or are in some way connected. No outsider would ever be able to get a taxi license here.

[BigC]

Yes confirmed they did launch an attack on the driver with multiple people

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[NHJ]

Let's hope it happens more often and teaches these taxi guy real life

Edited March 19, 2014 by NHJ

[BigC]

When I think about it, there is really no reason why the taxis should overcharge like this.

A few years back, their usual excuse was that there were no cheap LPG available on the island, so the cars had to run on expensive petrol&diesel. But now there's 2 LPG stations on the island and any taxi that I know of should have already converted.

There must be some people with serious "power" behind this who are able to keep this going despite it being blatantly illegal.

I've heard that especially on Samui (and nearby islands) there are many well connected families so there's many things which are allowed to go on this island without the people from BKK being able to interfere much. Any police big shots who tried to do something soon found out it was a bad idea.

Especially the mentality of the southerners, I've heard they're very "family-oriented", and you really don't want to p. any of them off or you'll get the whole extended family after you.

All taxi drivers that I've ever spoke with are native Samuians or are in some way connected. No outsider would ever be able to get a taxi license here.

Allot if the locals rent their taxis out

Then the driver had to pay rent and stand by fees if they want to standby at green mango for example

Stand by fees are up and down depending on the location

Also where is in bangkok there is constant work over Lin range

Here the range is limited

Akso if a driver excepts a cheap fare to go a short distance

When he or she returns to their stand by they have to go to the back if the cue

I had to pay 300 baht to go walking distance from Phuket airport but I had heavy luggage

This occasion I was really pissed off because there was a stand by run by the airport saying taxi meter

But the person in charge of he taxis would not let anyone go to the standby box neither would the woman in that box serve me

So it was 300 baht or walk plus I was the last flight in so there was no cue to go back to

Just so e examples of how it works I try and get an understanding from both sides of the coin

Yes there are allot of rich people with taxis but most of them did not get rich from taxis they got most of their money from land sales but they can make a stable living

Allot of the drivers don't make much unless they work long hours and they have to go by thier rules

But having said that I if agree that the rate is very high which is why all of of hotels are getting private contracts to drive just guests around

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[BigC]

maybe should try this taxi 800 USD for a 2 mile ride lol

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/woman-charged--787-33-for-two-mile-cab-ride-202344033.html

[Larz2013]

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

I was there holding one of the women down. Opp kc soi, just up from samui inter hosp. Is that the right one?

She was laced with drugs. Mother daughter combo.

She assaulted everyone, tried to steal a thai guys bag, so my partner & i sat on her until police came.

She's lucky we stopped, otherwise the thais would have beat her to death.

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[BigC]

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

I was there holding one of the women down. Opp kc soi, just up from samui inter hosp. Is that the right one?

She was laced with drugs. Mother daughter combo.

She assaulted everyone, tried to steal a thai guys bag, so my partner & i sat on her until police came.

She's lucky we stopped, otherwise the thais would have beat her to death.

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So you were at the taxi smashing sorry I bit baffled

The to people were woman

I herd that there were up 2 seven ruskies

Well this is what I was told and the taxi took then from Chaweng to Manam and back 300 baht seems cheap

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