Is there an official Tsong-Tao (red car) price?

[banagan]

I've been here a while and pay what I consider to be the general flat fee, 20 baht. Of course sometimes they ask for more, 30, 40 baht, but I just keep my poker face and give em 20, most of the time that works, or, I just wait for the next one.

For friends coming into town, or any tourist for that matter, they'll just come up with a price they think they can get away with, 40 - 100 baht.

Considering this is Chiang Mai's public transport system, is there any official price? I mean, is it stated anywhere? 1 - 5k 20 baht etc...

It's a bit of a joke that there's no busses at least and we're stuck with these clowns, is it really down to how well you haggle, or of course if you're Thai.

Is there an official Thai website that states the fare?

[elektrified]

This is NOT Chiang Mai's public transport system Those buses are privately owned either by the drivers themselves or owned by a company.

They can charge whatever they like. Use your best negotiating skills.

[uptheos]

"Is there an official Thai website that states the fare?"

Even if there is, what are your friends going to do wave a paper with www. songtheaw.com at the driver and insist they go to the nearest office of fair trading? Just tell them to chill out, state their destination and if the driver nods yes then 20 baht, everything other than a yes nod and it's bargaining time. Wherever they go in town won't cost much.

As far as no buses are concerned, I think the songtheaw's win hands down.

[zeichen]

There are quite a few that have a price written on the outside. 20-30 baht is standard. The problem is asking how much. If you are on a normal route the driver is on and others in the truck just give him 20 and walk away. If it is a longer route pay 30.

If you cannot even manage to say the numbers in Thai, pay more for being a moron.

I overheard one woman arguing in English "I'm not a tourist I'm a local, I won't pay the tourist rate" Well, it might have been more convincing if she knew more than sawadee.

[Loaded]

song tao = two benches

[WorkingTourist]

As others have pointed out, there is no fixed price, but the norm is 20 baht for reasonable distances (on route), 30 baht during night time (but not always the case), and you can charter the car for 100 baht, i.e. go directly to your destination without picking up other passengers, and/or skip waiting for more passengers when hiring the car at a mall’s parking lot or similar.

As implied above, it’s best to just state your destination without asking about the price, as it should then be implied that it’s the standard rate of 20 baht.

If a driver gives me an inflated price, I just say “mai-ben-rai” and walk away. They are generally willing to negotiate, but there are plenty of songthaows, so I see no reason to give my money to someone who tries to overcharge, and hopefully if enough people do the same, they’ll learn to give foreigners the standard price by default.

[elgordo38]

This is NOT Chiang Mai's public transport system Those buses are privately owned either by the drivers themselves or owned by a company.

They can charge whatever they like. Use your best negotiating skills.

They charge whatever the traffic will bear. They size you up and set the rate accordingly. The tuk tuk's are worse and more uncomfortable. Its the reason my g/f and I bought a pair of push bikes. We only use song-taews when we have to go out to the edge of the city like immigration. They usually start off with 100 bahts for 2 people for this trip. You have to be patient eventually you will get one for 40 to 60 bahts. Time of day is another factor in the morning its more expensive as most have school runs.

[MrBrad]

song tao = two benches

Song taew is สองแถว, literally "two rows". The vowel in the second word (or second syllable) "แอ" is pronounced similar to the "a" in "apple" followed by a "w".

[Chiengmaijoe]

song tao = two benches

Song taew is สองแถว, literally "two rows". The vowel in the second word (or second syllable) "แอ" is pronounced similar to the "a" in "apple" followed by a "w".

Sometimes referred to as a sii-lor too, which translates as 4 wheels, of course.

[WorkingTourist]

song tao = two benches

Song taew is สองแถว, literally "two rows". The vowel in the second word (or second syllable) "แอ" is pronounced similar to the "a" in "apple" followed by a "w".

Sometimes referred to as a sii-lor too, which translates as 4 wheels, of course.

Never heard that, but many call them red cars (rot sii dang).

[eyecatcher]

song tao = two benches

Song taew is สองแถว, literally "two rows". The vowel in the second word (or second syllable) "แอ" is pronounced similar to the "a" in "apple" followed by a "w".

Sometimes referred to as a sii-lor too, which translates as 4 wheels, of course.

Ah now I understand the word saam lor. The 3wheeled bicycle taxis.

Just remember with only 3wheels you should be able to negociate a 25% discount very easily.

[Chicog]

song tao = two benches

Song taew is สองแถว, literally "two rows". The vowel in the second word (or second syllable) "แอ" is pronounced similar to the "a" in "apple" followed by a "w".

Sometimes referred to as a sii-lor too, which translates as 4 wheels, of course.

Never heard that, but many call them red cars (rot sii dang).

Easier just to call them Baht Buses.

[bangmai]

This is NOT Chiang Mai's public transport system Those buses are privately owned either by the drivers themselves or owned by a company.

They can charge whatever they like. Use your best negotiating skills.

They charge whatever the traffic will bear. They size you up and set the rate accordingly. The tuk tuk's are worse and more uncomfortable. Its the reason my g/f and I bought a pair of push bikes. We only use song-taews when we have to go out to the edge of the city like immigration. They usually start off with 100 bahts for 2 people for this trip. You have to be patient eventually you will get one for 40 to 60 bahts. Time of day is another factor in the morning its more expensive as most have school runs.

It seems that they will go to AP Plaza for about half of what they charge to go to Imm. It's a very easy 10 minute walk on a good sidewalk. Using Yellow to take you from CM Gate to AP Plaza is still only 10 thb. So if you live around Smith Residence or anywhere in the OC...that is a good option. Buy a nice lunch with the savings....

[masuk]

song tao = two benches

Song taew is สองแถว, literally "two rows". The vowel in the second word (or second syllable) "แอ" is pronounced similar to the "a" in "apple" followed by a "w".

Sometimes referred to as a sii-lor too, which translates as 4 wheels, of course.

Ah now I understand the word saam lor. The 3wheeled bicycle taxis.

Just remember with only 3wheels you should be able to negociate a 25% discount very easily.

and I recently learned that a train is a "rot fai". 'rot' being car and presumably fai is 'fire'?

Same in Malay - kerata api = car fire

Maybe we should ask Thai Visa pundits to start up a 'word a day' - I might even be able to absorb these at that rate!

[Chicog]

and I recently learned that a train is a "rot fai". 'rot' being car and presumably fai is 'fire'?

Same in Malay - kerata api = car fire

Maybe we should ask Thai Visa pundits to start up a 'word a day' - I might even be able to absorb these at that rate!

Yes, I learned that when I was telling everyone about the "train market" in Bangkok....

[Papayabokbok]

Fun Fact there a TON of these trucks in KK..

They are all numbered and colored..and all over

the place and there are maps for the routes they drive...

Very good and only 9 baht! for a long ride too,

as i was amazed when the lady gave me change!!!

Cant say i ever saw a farang riding in one with me there..

[WinnieTheKhwai]

song tao = two benches

Song taew is สองแถว, literally "two rows". The vowel in the second word (or second syllable) "แอ" is pronounced similar to the "a" in "apple" followed by a "w".

Sometimes referred to as a sii-lor too, which translates as 4 wheels, of course.

Never heard that, but many call them red cars (rot sii dang).

Or, more commonly just 'rot daeng' or '(rot) siilor daeng'

By far the most common though is rot daeng. Easy, short.

[uptheos]

Any idea why the OP put the T in front of song?

[daoyai]

Any idea why the OP put the T in front of song?

Stutterer?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Tsounds tsexier.

[Chicog]

Any idea why the OP put the T in front of song?

Thinking of Chinese beer I fancy.

[uptheos]

Any idea why the OP put the T in front of song?

Thinking of Chinese beer I fancy.

That's right Tsingtao