Very hard to find a cab that agrees to turn on the meter

[Lukecan]

So like only 1 out of 10 cabs agree to turn on meter. Tried to get a cab to go to siam paragon, normally by meter its 50 baht from my place, but when I hail a cab they at least ask for 150thb

I dont know whats harder to find here, virgins or honest cab drivers.

I think I have the word sucker written all over my forehead, because other TV members seem to have a good impression of thai cab drivers.Seems they only refuse the meter for me.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Lukecan

[smokie36]

Its a crappy area to find a xab I agree.

[richard_smith237]

Use UBER (App) - Its simple and avoids virtually all of the Taxi associated issues....

Alternatively Use GrabTaxi (App)

Both of these smart phone Apps are taxi booking applications.

UBER Books Limos (i.e. Toyota Camry and is about 1/3rd to 2x the cost of a regular taxi - service is excellent.

GrabTaxi books regular Taxis (who have signed up with GrabTaxi) - this is standard metered taxi service +20 baht booking fee.

The only issues you may find with these services is that the driver will usually phone you to confirm pickup and location... Your Thai will have to be passable.

Edited January 16, 2015 by richard_smith237

[kkerry]

1 out of 10 cabs using the meter is not normal... unless you are only getting in cabs waiting outside tourist attractions or major shopping centers. If you walk 100 metres and hail a passing cab you will have fewer problems.

[Lukecan]

1 out of 10 cabs using the meter is not normal... unless you are only getting in cabs waiting outside tourist attractions or major shopping centers. If you walk 100 metres and hail a passing cab you will have fewer problems.

I stay at soi 4 lol, I know pretty touristy location. But last time I was in siam, had exactly the same issues. Tried hailing one from the street as wel, he also negotiated without opening the meter, I said open the meter, he then refused me.

[Lukecan]

Use UBER (App) - Its simple and avoids virtually all of the Taxi associated issues....

Alternatively Use GrabTaxi (App)

Both of these smart phone Apps are taxi booking applications.

UBER Books Limos (i.e. Toyota Camry and is about 1/3rd to 2x the cost of a regular taxi - service is excellent.

GrabTaxi books regular Taxis (who have signed up with GrabTaxi) - this is standard metered taxi service +20 baht booking fee.

The only issues you may find with these services is that the driver will usually phone you to confirm pickup and location... Your Thai will have to be passable.

I'll def look into this, thanks!

[sipi]

It helps if you can speak a little Thai. We have caught a cab from Khao San Road to the airport during Songkran 2013 (typical "rip-off' route at the worst possible time), and the wife told them "use meter or no fare". We got the second taxi, and tipped him for his honesty.

[draftvader]

Sadly in high footfall areas, particularly those full of rich people (and, more specifically, foreigners), this behaviour increases. Even speaking some Thai has done me no favours with this bar them not even letting me finish my sentence! Just take a deep breath and admire the amount of taxi drivers that are queuing for your business. One small tip - try to position yourself on the side of the road in the direction you're travelling as that takes one small objection out of the way. Also if you live far out can you think of a decent halfway point where you know you can catch another taxi?

Finally, as others have said, Grabtaxi, Uber and EasyTaxi will help you too.

[Costas2008]

"I dont know whats harder to find here, virgins or honest cab drivers."

Don't know about cab drivers as I live in the sticks, but plenty of virgins round here.

Prime example my wife.

Only had 2 sons from her previous marriage........

[The Dancer]

"I dont know whats harder to find here, virgins or honest cab drivers."

Well, honest cab drivers will be virgins because they don't make enough to get laid. Oh, relax, just kidding.

Actually, 9 of 10 cabs wanting to quote a fare to a farang going from one touristy spot (Soi 4) to another (Siam Paragon) ain't surprising. It's my experience too. But I always end up going by the meter. Here are some tips:

(1) Allow time. If you look like (or, maybe, actually are) in a hurry then you're going to get screwed.

(2) As someone above said walk (or take a 10b. motosai ride) to a less "promiscuous" spot. E.g., all the cabs outside the Patpong soi late night are waiting for the happy farang with arms around his lady of the night. Walk 100m. north and every man and his meter is at your service.

(3) If the cab started off by asking a high fare, don't take it even if he relents after seeing you're not going to agree. My experience is there might be problems down the road. Only take one that agrees to the meter the first time.

Edited January 16, 2015 by The Dancer

[alantheembalmer]

This might sound like odd advice, but stand at the nearest bus stop, as if you are waiting for a bus. Cab drivers are always pulling up to bus stops because they know, obviously, that the people there want to go down the road, and they might get a fare. Many Thais get their taxis in this manner.

[SoiBiker]

Never take a taxi that's parked - always flag down one that's driving past.

[kkerry]

1 out of 10 cabs using the meter is not normal... unless you are only getting in cabs waiting outside tourist attractions or major shopping centers. If you walk 100 metres and hail a passing cab you will have fewer problems.

I stay at soi 4 lol, I know pretty touristy location. But last time I was in siam, had exactly the same issues. Tried hailing one from the street as wel, he also negotiated without opening the meter, I said open the meter, he then refused me.

Do you open the door of the cab and stand there asking if the driver will take you where you want to go... or do you just get in and tell him?

Flagging down a cab going in the direction you need to go, and just getting straight in and telling the driver your destination will work most of the time, even around Nana.

[His Masters Voice]

Never take a taxi that's parked - always flag down one that's driving past.

Only way to ride.

I made that mistake once - once was enough.

Driving by, red light on, only way to ride.

[His Masters Voice]

Sadly in high footfall areas, particularly those full of rich people (and, more specifically, foreigners), this behaviour increases. Even speaking some Thai has done me no favours with this bar them not even letting me finish my sentence! Just take a deep breath and admire the amount of taxi drivers that are queuing for your business. One small tip - try to position yourself on the side of the road in the direction you're travelling as that takes one small objection out of the way. Also if you live far out can you think of a decent halfway point where you know you can catch another taxi?

Finally, as others have said, Grabtaxi, Uber and EasyTaxi will help you too.

What is 'high footfall areas'?

Is it a typo or a new term I don't know.

(difficult to keep up with all this newfangled expressions)

[chiang mai]

Sadly in high footfall areas, particularly those full of rich people (and, more specifically, foreigners), this behaviour increases. Even speaking some Thai has done me no favours with this bar them not even letting me finish my sentence! Just take a deep breath and admire the amount of taxi drivers that are queuing for your business. One small tip - try to position yourself on the side of the road in the direction you're travelling as that takes one small objection out of the way. Also if you live far out can you think of a decent halfway point where you know you can catch another taxi?

Finally, as others have said, Grabtaxi, Uber and EasyTaxi will help you too.

What is 'high footfall areas'?

Is it a typo or a new term I don't know.

(difficult to keep up with all this newfangled expressions)

It refers to lots of passing pedestrian traffic, people walking by. Aka, lower/mid Suckie. is a high footfall farang (ghetto).

[brewsterbudgen]

As others have said, don't take parked taxis, always hail a moving taxi and you'll be fine.

[frankwhite]

Use grab taxi app

They have to use meter

[LuckyLew]

If they are parked and waiting = no meter

If the drive upto you and roll down the window = no meter

If avoid both, we never go near a parked taxi, if drive drives up and rolls down the window we just walk away

Why no just take the BTS?

[nithisa78]

nice try. it isn't sucker. take a closer look, pay the money and be glad about it.

[samsensam]

OP you must be doing something wrong or look like a tourist or a mug because i use taxis all the time and they almost always use the meter and take the most direct or sensible route. and they are so cheap. honestly i can not complain about the vast majority of taxis here.

[xen]

If they are parked and waiting = no meter

If the drive upto you and roll down the window = no meter

If avoid both, we never go near a parked taxi, if drive drives up and rolls down the window we just walk away

Why no just take the BTS?

Why not take the BTS?

It depends on the number of you but if the kids are with us it is cheaper and more convenient to grab a cab than to pay 4 times the BTS fare plus bus to the BTS etc , and most cabbies are reasonable to excellent when they see kids with you. The kids can be precocious little shits at times and hold a conversation on the same level (or above) as the cabbie and if you can get the cabbie laughing then you will be okay..

Getting a cab from the airport is totally different - that is why we always book a cabbie that we know to pick us up and we get a reasonable deal. Most of the ones we use we have known for years from the neighbourhood so they will not rip us off.

Must try Uber .

[draftvader]

Re: Airport. I have to say that on my own I will catch a taxi back from the airport no problems. Just stand up to their rubbish and you'll be fine. With my family (all English) it is a different story, they see a tired white family and they know they've got you. Even when speaking Thai they will not budge and try to set flat rates that are roughly double the meter. After a long haul flight back from Blighty there is only one answer and that is http://www.limousine.in.th/

Well worth the extra money to walk out of customs and have all our bags taken. The next time we touch them they are inside our house. No begging for tips, easy pass on the expressway and a polite, safe, well-dressed, considerate driver. I have learned the hard way on that one. Well worth the extra cash after travelling for 24 hours with a well meaning but SERIOUSLY tired toddler.

[Bakeman]

No meter no ride. I get out. Their loss of a fare and a nice tip.

[SoiBiker]

I got a taxi back from the airport the other day. The new system works fine, the driver was polite and turned the meter on immediately.

[mca]

In my time in Bangkok I've only had a couple of taxis try to negotiate the fare. My usual problem is waving one down that wants to take me to my destination which happens quite frequently.

[PaulHamon]

peak season, everyone want to make the most of it.

[bdenner]

I was under the impression there was a long awaited fare increase approved for the 1st Jan. Could be many cabs still awaiting there meters to be re programmed thus trying to apply the new fare by guess work -- OK, in their favor!

Not trying to defend them, just an opinion. From my experience 90% use the meters, each time I get in, without suggestion from me.

[realenglish1]

Learn to speak Thai It helps Now that I speak Thai most 98% of the taxi drivers do not ask for a fee They turn on the meter

[asdecas]

Stop waving the Tourist Map of Bangkok when you hail a taxi. It's a giveaway that you're a greenhorn.