Taxi drivers explain why they reject you
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Taxi drivers posted on their community Facebook page that they are being unfairly “oppressed” and condemned, at least according to them.

Facebook page 'Voice of Taxis,' the online community for taxi drivers, posted a controversial status earlier in November to explain one of Bangkok’s biggest problems: why do taxi drivers silently shake their head when you tell them your destination?

"We don't reject passengers, we just reject your destination," the taxi admin wrote, "We earn THB100 from you, but do you know what we have to pay for it? Do you think it is worth our time?”

The status claims taxi drivers should be able to file complaints against bad customers.

"You recite the law that oppresses us. Make it fair! Taxi drivers should be able to file a complaint when passengers tell them to drive to an area with bad traffic and get out before their destination. That way we'll be equal." it said.

Although the fare hike is expected soon, the status mentions “those of us who don’t want to pay more”.

"You want good service, but you corner us in every way. You want everything to go your way, but you don't wanna pay more. Is that fair?" [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2014/12/01/taxi-drivers-explain-why-they-reject-you


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-12-01

Wwwooooaaaahhhhh!!!

To be fair, taxi fares should go up and the amount of baht the meter jumps during a traffic jam should be increased. It doesn't make sense to be stuck in traffic for an hour and only see the meter jump a few baht.

That being said, nobody likes people who whine about being 'oppressed'. I wish they'd legalize Uber soon and get more drivers. That will teach these idiot taxi drivers.

Yes. There are those drivers. And I kind of underdtand his point. But there are also loads of taxis just hanging around waiting for foreigners to pay tripple the usual fare. Is that fair?

Some areas like oratunam and sukhumvit can be really hard to find a cab that will go for the right price by meter. Especially at night (when there is no traffic jam to blame things on...)

Sorry lads and lasses.You took the job you should be aware of the problems.

Let's be fair a number of these taxi's are better described as fecal matter on wheels, drivers who don't have a clue as where they are going and a number of them are no more than cheap pimps for the sex trade.

However to be fair it is a minority of these taxi drivers those categories..,

"passengers tell them to drive to an area with bad traffic"

Please guys, have some pity on the poor, oppressed working man and only take taxis to low traffic areas?

You have to admit, the taxi driver speaks the truth. Just saw a post where a farang was complaining about a 100 baht fare. Really.

There is another reason, and perhaps the drivers do not want to "lose face" by telling a dumb Farang this, but I don't care.

One thing many Farangs don't understand is that many drivers RENT their taxis from an owner.

They have definite hours they can drive that taxi, and if they keep the taxi too long, past their allotted hours, they have to pay a fine for late return of the taxi.

Therefore, if you ask them to go to a destination that is on the opposite side of Bangkok, they may know perfectly well that will make them late returning the taxi to the owner (who has it rented out again to someone else for that person's shift).

The taxi driver will have to pay a late fee, and often that can cost him the entire day's profit on driving an 8 hour shift right there.

The taxi driver may not be willing to tell you this, again because he will "lose face" to tell a foreigner this fact.

Some of you may already know this, some of you don't.

But now, anyway, I've told you the facts, so at least you can't say you "didn't know".

"What if your salary is not worth your work and not enough to pay for your monthly expenses? Would you be okay with that?"

No. I would find another job I'm qualified to do that pays a higher wage. However, if you are only qualified to drive a taxi and can't find anything better, then you are required to follow the rules. The passenger decides where the destination is. The fare is determined by the honest use of the meter. You are supposed to act respectively towards your passenger...Unless the passenger is being unruly...And "unruly" doesn't mean he wants to go to a destination that is inconvenient for you. If you don't like these requirements for the job, then stop complaining and train to develop a skill which will land you a better job...Or...Do something to convince the powers that be to increase the fares across the board and not have every taxi driver making up his own rules and regulations, and then be upset when passengers are confused and make complaints about being treated unfairly. If you have to return the taxi to the owner at a certain time, then don't stop to pick up any passengers and get the taxi back on time.

Ok ok next time we take a cab ask him where he would like to go and we'll walk the rest.. <deleted> unbelievable!!!

"We don't reject passengers, we just reject your destination," the taxi admin wrote"

Classic twisted Thai logic.

"We earn THB100 from you, but do you know what we have to pay for it?"

Your Local Mafia Extortionist?

"Do you think it is worth our time?”

It had better be you lazy <deleted>. Or, get a real job.

"The status claims taxi drivers should be able to file complaints against bad customers."

More Classic twisted Thai logic.

The Thai really have a knack for endearing others with their Foot in The Mouth approach.

And they love to always blame the customer. Absolutely BIZARRE.

Minds of children...

Just last week a taxi driver told my friend who wanted to go to the airport rail link that it was closed. This was in the afternoon. Do taxi driver have to lie to get a customer? Fair play on both sides needed.

There is another reason, and perhaps the drivers do not want to "lose face" by telling a dumb Farang this, but I don't care.

One thing many Farangs don't understand is that many drivers RENT their taxis from an owner.

They have definite hours they can drive that taxi, and if they keep the taxi too long, past their allotted hours, they have to pay a fine for late return of the taxi.

Therefore, if you ask them to go to a destination that is on the opposite side of Bangkok, they may know perfectly well that will make them late returning the taxi to the owner (who has it rented out again to someone else for that person's shift).

The taxi driver will have to pay a late fee, and often that can cost him the entire day's profit on driving an 8 hour shift right there.

The taxi driver may not be willing to tell you this, again because he will "lose face" to tell a foreigner this fact.

Some of you may already know this, some of you don't.

But now, anyway, I've told you the facts, so at least you can't say you "didn't know".

How much is the late fee ?

Thai taxidrivers explain why they reject you

Sorry lads and lasses.You took the job you should be aware of the problems.

Let's be fair a number of these taxi's are better described as fecal matter on wheels, drivers who don't have a clue as where they are going and a number of them are no more than cheap pimps for the sex trade.

However to be fair it is a minority of these taxi drivers those categories..,

Most of them "took the job" years and decades ago, when fares were a reasonable reflection of the costs and remuneration expectations.

They've seen costs go up. Costs of fuel. Costs of the cars. Cost of feeding their family. Cost of real estate to live in. Costs of sending their kids to decent schools.

When was their last significant fare increase?

There is another reason, and perhaps the drivers do not want to "lose face" by telling a dumb Farang this, but I don't care.

One thing many Farangs don't understand is that many drivers RENT their taxis from an owner.

They have definite hours they can drive that taxi, and if they keep the taxi too long, past their allotted hours, they have to pay a fine for late return of the taxi.

Therefore, if you ask them to go to a destination that is on the opposite side of Bangkok, they may know perfectly well that will make them late returning the taxi to the owner (who has it rented out again to someone else for that person's shift).

The taxi driver will have to pay a late fee, and often that can cost him the entire day's profit on driving an 8 hour shift right there.

The taxi driver may not be willing to tell you this, again because he will "lose face" to tell a foreigner this fact.

Some of you may already know this, some of you don't.

But now, anyway, I've told you the facts, so at least you can't say you "didn't know".

How much is the late fee ?

Or how much is the late fee in the middle of a shift?

Bunch of ass clowns. The good ones will make money. The greedy, lazy shits wont. Good service equals goox tip.

Stop complaining about the passengers who want to use your services, and instead complain about the mafia/rental extortion and get that sorted out to reduce your costs.

A taxi driver has a simple job to do, to take the passenger from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time possible, in a safe manner, in a clean friendly environment and at a reasonable cost.

If the costs or rental agreements or mafia don't allow you to do any of these things, go talk to your lovely General to sort it out so we can just hail a taxi, get in and know we will get taken where we want to go with the minimum of hassles and attitude without all this "me no can" bullshit.

This post is for tbe idiots. Most people either dont pay attention or dont notice that the fare increases even if the car is stuck in traffic. So the customer is paying more for the fare if they are stuck in traffic as compensation for this.

It is ab excuse only good for the dim-witted

You have to admit, the taxi driver speaks the truth. Just saw a post where a farang was complaining about a 100 baht fare. Really.

You are talking about one person, this taxi driver is referring to everyone.

This is ludicrous.

Taxi drivers are complaining about people who want to pay more for good service and offer up the excuse that it is the passengers fault for their bad service.

""You want good service, but you corner us in every way. You want everything to go your way, but you don't wanna pay more. Is that fair?"

​No, what we want is for you to drive and we'll pay the fare as dictated by the meter.

Sheesh, if the passengers are that bad just chop them up with a machete.. not as though that has not happened before.

Hey, I'd gladly pay more if it meant the service was reliable.

Is it not illegal for them to refuse a fare?
No mention of that

I'd rather piss in the gap than shout my destination through the cracked window of a rolling taxi. I dont even talk to these rude motherfs. Just the finger and a smile. If you dismissively wave me off after I've opened the door, expect to get out and close that door yourself.

One of these days one of these ol boys is going to get out and say something, but 3 years in not a one has.

Hey, I'd gladly pay more if it meant the service was reliable.

And safe. Some of the driving is bordering on the idiotic. I generally only use one driver now when in Bangkok. He does pretty well as hes now getting other long trips from some of my friends, mployees and clients as well. He drives sensible, doesnt over charge, is polite and reliable.

This original OP sounds typical of the mafia run taxis.

It's the law. If they don't want to follow it, they should go back to the ricefields they originate from. Hope with the raising prices law inforcement will also increase. Ever tried to go from Chatuchak to Don Mueang? There were dozens of people waiting there and all were rejected, That was with average traffic.

There is another reason, and perhaps the drivers do not want to "lose face" by telling a dumb Farang this, but I don't care.

One thing many Farangs don't understand is that many drivers RENT their taxis from an owner.

They have definite hours they can drive that taxi, and if they keep the taxi too long, past their allotted hours, they have to pay a fine for late return of the taxi.

Therefore, if you ask them to go to a destination that is on the opposite side of Bangkok, they may know perfectly well that will make them late returning the taxi to the owner (who has it rented out again to someone else for that person's shift).

The taxi driver will have to pay a late fee, and often that can cost him the entire day's profit on driving an 8 hour shift right there.

The taxi driver may not be willing to tell you this, again because he will "lose face" to tell a foreigner this fact.

Some of you may already know this, some of you don't.

But now, anyway, I've told you the facts, so at least you can't say you "didn't know".

Agree with most of what you said, but, I hate to be picky taxi drivers work 12 hour shifts, you do not make enough in 8 hours to live on. This is my experience as a taxi driver where the fares are significantly higher than BKK. We do not get fines for being late but if the driver on the other shift is late regularly I ask for and get compensation for the short shift I have to work as a result of his poor planning.

There is another reason, and perhaps the drivers do not want to "lose face" by telling a dumb Farang this, but I don't care.

One thing many Farangs don't understand is that many drivers RENT their taxis from an owner.

They have definite hours they can drive that taxi, and if they keep the taxi too long, past their allotted hours, they have to pay a fine for late return of the taxi.

Therefore, if you ask them to go to a destination that is on the opposite side of Bangkok, they may know perfectly well that will make them late returning the taxi to the owner (who has it rented out again to someone else for that person's shift).

The taxi driver will have to pay a late fee, and often that can cost him the entire day's profit on driving an 8 hour shift right there.

The taxi driver may not be willing to tell you this, again because he will "lose face" to tell a foreigner this fact.

Some of you may already know this, some of you don't.

But now, anyway, I've told you the facts, so at least you can't say you "didn't know".

I have heard that many times, only in the areas always mentioned - lower sukumvit and silom being the worst, but also pratunaam and others.

I am never going out to Kanchanapisek or some town on the road to Samut Songkram. Also, this is applicable 4-6 pm and am, when the shifts change. However, one can hear this excuse any hour.

Why not introduce a system they have in places like Singapore - a driver has a sign for his district in Thai / English and when he is approaching shift change puts this on the windshield. That way everyone knows what is going on. And the driver can even get a fare that takes him on the way home.

No less than 10 taxis were asking from 400 to 600 baht to take me from Pratunam to Praram 4 - 1/2 a km before Hua Lamphong Train Station. That trip would have cost less than 100 baht. Is it fare for those taxis to charge me 400 to 600 Baht?

To be fair, taxi fares should go up and the amount of baht the meter jumps during a traffic jam should be increased. It doesn't make sense to be stuck in traffic for an hour and only see the meter jump a few baht.

That being said, nobody likes people who whine about being 'oppressed'. I wish they'd legalize Uber soon and get more drivers. That will teach these idiot taxi drivers.

Based on what?

Thai needs or foreigner's needs?