Taxi Scam On Pattaya Hill....

[LaoPo]

I know my way around in LOS a bit, coming here for almost 30 years, but would like to share this nasty experience with you.

The end of July my wife and me (than staying in a nice resort on Pattaya Hill) wanted to 'greet' and pick up a friend from Beijing/China, arriving late at night at BKK airport.

Now, that's more than 5 hours driving up and down and I'm not very keen on that kind of trips, BUT you've to do something for your friends, right?

So, we asked the resort -very beautiful and quiet- to call a taxi for us to take us to the airport-and-back....................

To make a long story short:...a certain 'Thai Limousine' service was called by the girl behind the desk and she asked the price.

Obviously she felt ashamed by the price he mentioned because she turned almost white and gave the phone to me...............

I thought I misunderstood the 'gentleman' on the other side but after asking and reconfirming the price he said....

Baht 6.300 Sir....

I wished him 'many clients and hang up.

I asked the girl to phone me another taxi-company but she said 'she was not authorized' to do so as she was instructed by the management to only 'work' with this 'Thai Limousine' company.

Obviously they had an 'agreement' with this Thai Limousine service...but than again, an expensive and exclusive resort like this one should pamper their guests and not be part of of a 'scam' limousine service!

I asked for the Yellow pages book/tlephonebook but she said she had none in the ofice; offered to look for her..........but she denied my friendly offer.

She felt very upset, the poor girl, and phoned her boss, since I became a little annoyed... about the scam of this Limousine service.

Anyway, after a tough discussion she was allowed by her boss to give me another phonenumber for another taxi-company who took us to BKK airport-and-back for Bht 2.000 and who gave a very good service.

Hmmm....................

what do you think?

PS: when we checked out of the resort here was a Baht 10 item on the bill for a phonecall....for phoning a taxi-company

TIT

LaoPo

[kurgen]

A friend of mine flew to the UK last night.We were discussing taxi prices.

He ordered a limousine for 2000 baht to the airport, which I think is OK.

For a taxi ride of 120 miles once he lands, which is pretty much the same distance as Pattaya to DM airport, he will have to pay 300 pounds, or roughly 20,000 baht

I know petrol is more expensive the other side of the pond but that's just taking the piss

[Thaiquila]

Yes, that taxi scam sounds rude, but that sort of thing is to be expected at high end resorts. You are there to be milked, right, and you wouldn't be there if you couldn't afford it, right?

Also, the employee was only doing her job. If you don't like their policies, don't go there again, and by all means, tell us the NAME of the resort. After all, that is their policy, I am sure they would be thrilled with the FREE ADVERTISING. That is the best revenge.

Anyway, all anyone would have to do is go in to town and talk to the first character sitting next to his car. Its not like airport taxis are a rare thing in Pattaya.

[Mobi]

To be honest, given that your resort was tucked away , so to speak, it doesn't surprise me that you were quoted such a high price. It's not uncommon.

As you have been coming here for 30 years, it might have been an idea, when you were downtown, to check out some of the many billboards and signs in shops advertising for limos, or even called one advertising in the local newspapers. You could have booked one to pick you up at your hotel, and saved all the aggravation.

I live 12 kms outside Pattaya, and have no problems arranging limos to pick up and take people to the airport.

In the circumstances , you did quite well to get the cheaper one from the hotel staff.

[Mighty Mouse]

Managers of major hotels regard tourists as a means of making more money....their annual bonus depends on it.

[alexth]

Well, actually there is no scam. The hotel has a contract or some kind of agreement with that taxi company and I think I already kniow what the company is, I think that maybe imagelimo should ring a bell. I paid 3200 baht for a trip from Bangkok to Nan Phe Pier in Samet. I do admit that is very expensive, but the service is great, the drivers are very good, the car is very comfortable, you can choose from a good selection of movies and watch them on the DVD system installed in the car, a good service overall, but maybe we're not talking about the same company. It is very expensive, but I wouldn't take it as a scam

[skippybangkok]

Not a scam, evey hotel ( i.e. Bali ) has the same arrangements. Its called revenue enhancement. With regards to that "luxurious" hotel on the hill, I consider it a tourist trap. Yes, big, but way over priced compared to the quality of the buildings and rooms. It had its hey day 20 years ago.... stayed there once, never again. ( service also quite bad )

[LaoPo]

I agree that it would have been wiser to have a taxi booked in advance, dowtown Pattaya, but I simply didn't even think about it since we never asked to book a taxi at our resort. We just took the tongsaews who were standing outside.

That's why I didn't think about it.

Another lesson learned I suppose

TIT

LaoPo

[CGW]

I pre book and happily pay 2800 Baht for "quality" car and driver, so not so much of a scam really?

[skipper]

I know my way around in LOS a bit, coming here for almost 30 years, but would like to share this nasty experience with you.

The end of July my wife and me (than staying in a nice resort on Pattaya Hill) wanted to 'greet' and pick up a friend from Beijing/China, arriving late at night at BKK airport.

Now, that's more than 5 hours driving up and down and I'm not very keen on that kind of trips, BUT you've to do something for your friends, right?

So, we asked the resort -very beautiful and quiet- to call a taxi for us to take us to the airport-and-back....................

To make a long story short:...a certain 'Thai Limousine' service was called by the girl behind the desk and she asked the price.

Obviously she felt ashamed by the price he mentioned because she turned almost white and gave the phone to me...............

I thought I misunderstood the 'gentleman' on the other side but after asking and reconfirming the price he said....

Baht 6.300 Sir....

I wished him 'many clients and hang up.

I asked the girl to phone me another taxi-company but she said 'she was not authorized' to do so as she was instructed by the management to only 'work' with this 'Thai Limousine' company.

Obviously they had an 'agreement' with this Thai Limousine service...but than again, an expensive and exclusive resort like this one should pamper their guests and not be part of of a 'scam' limousine service!

I asked for the Yellow pages book/tlephonebook but she said she had none in the ofice; offered to look for her..........but she denied my friendly offer.

She felt very upset, the poor girl, and phoned her boss, since I became a little annoyed... about the scam of this Limousine service.

Anyway, after a tough discussion she was allowed by her boss to give me another phonenumber for another taxi-company who took us to BKK airport-and-back for Bht 2.000 and who gave a very good service.

Hmmm....................

what do you think?

PS: when we checked out of the resort here was a Baht 10 item on the bill for a phonecall....for phoning a taxi-company

TIT

LaoPo

Visiting Thailand for allmost 30 years I'm suprised You don't have connections with a privat taxi driver much cheeper.

Visiting Thailand for only 3 years now I allways call the same taxi for my trips from/to Pattaya- Don Muang. The price in April 2006 was 1500 Bath including higway fees.

Hope You find a honest taxidriver, they do are out there.

Regards

[LaoPo]

Visiting Thailand for allmost 30 years I'm suprised You don't have connections with a privat taxi driver much cheeper.

Visiting Thailand for only 3 years now I allways call the same taxi for my trips from/to Pattaya- Don Muang. The price in April 2006 was 1500 Bath including higway fees.

Hope You find a honest taxidriver, they do are out there.

Regards

Well, coming to LOS for so many years doesn't mean I was coming to Pattaya that long....and yes I had taxi-connections before but as you know they come, go or fade away, leaving no trace or phonenumber.

But thanks for your message.

LaoPo

[Phil Conners]

I think one problem is many of those services are Bangkok based so when you want a ride Pattaya-Bangkok-Pattaya they dispatch a car from Bangkok to pick you up in Pattaya, go to Bangkok, then back to Pattaya with your friends, then finally back home to Bangkok.

If you find a local company from Pattaya and not through your resorts switchboard (those cats ALWAYS pad the bill, do you think service is free?) you're sure to find prices around 1500-2000.

[LaoPo]

If you find a local company from Pattaya and not through your resorts switchboard (those cats ALWAYS pad the bill, do you think service is free?) you're sure to find prices around 1500-2000.

Correct, and that's what I paid; 2000 Baht for Pattaya-BKK airport-Pattaya. It took 6 hours, including some waiting, up-and-down. Not a bad price I would think.

LaoPo

[kurgen]

Hope You find a honest taxidriver,

Nice one Skip

[roytheboy]

Hope You find a honest taxidriver,

Nice one Skip

"Honest taxi drivers" They do exist ! call up, or look into the roof garden inn, they have a Taxi guy there with a nice new Toyota air con, he is a nice pleasent guy 1400 bhat pick up from airport.

When I flew from Sydney to BKK, we hit a tropical storm, plane flying round and round, could not land, and nearly run out of fuel ! so we landed 4 hours late, not 11.pm but 3.pm in the morning.

I though shit where to sleep this time in the morning, airport lounge ?Thought my taxi was long gone home.

After going through customs, the first person I saw was my family name on a card being held up by a nice smiling face ! "well relieved" after a safe journey back with some great banter, I said how much do I owe you, his reply 1400 baht.

I said your joking mate here is ...............baht See you next year for sure ! There are good and bad all over the world, but I can never see this happening back in Uk, I would have been left stranded.

[fxm88]

I asked the girl to phone me another taxi-company but she said 'she was not authorized' to do so as she was instructed by the management to only 'work' with this 'Thai Limousine' company.

This is the real problem: management making no provision for the customer who does not wish to pay for "first class". Your hotel was probably mostly empty, too, but they would never dream of discounting the price just because there aren't any customers.

Of course, without the instruction you might actually have been scammed when she charged for the limousine then arranged for her "brother" to come fetch you in an old, junky car.

[chez]

I pre book and happily pay 2800 Baht for "quality" car and driver, so not so much of a scam really?

i use image limo and am happy to pay the price for the excellent service. it is no where near 6300 baht

http://www.imagelimo.com/rates.htm

you makes your choice and you pays your money each to their own

chez

[britmaveric]

Well it is taking the piss when prices are around 800-1000bht to Don Muang from Patters and about 1500 or so back. That being said you have options so I think politely decline and point out the error of their ways, ie lost customer.

[Demodokos]

I hope you TIPped the honest receptionist.

I know my way around in LOS a bit, coming here for almost 30 years, but would like to share this nasty experience with you.

The end of July my wife and me (than staying in a nice resort on Pattaya Hill) wanted to 'greet' and pick up a friend from Beijing/China, arriving late at night at BKK airport.

Now, that's more than 5 hours driving up and down and I'm not very keen on that kind of trips, BUT you've to do something for your friends, right?

So, we asked the resort -very beautiful and quiet- to call a taxi for us to take us to the airport-and-back....................

To make a long story short:...a certain 'Thai Limousine' service was called by the girl behind the desk and she asked the price.

Obviously she felt ashamed by the price he mentioned because she turned almost white and gave the phone to me...............

I thought I misunderstood the 'gentleman' on the other side but after asking and reconfirming the price he said....

Baht 6.300 Sir....

I wished him 'many clients and hang up.

I asked the girl to phone me another taxi-company but she said 'she was not authorized' to do so as she was instructed by the management to only 'work' with this 'Thai Limousine' company.

Obviously they had an 'agreement' with this Thai Limousine service...but than again, an expensive and exclusive resort like this one should pamper their guests and not be part of of a 'scam' limousine service!

I asked for the Yellow pages book/tlephonebook but she said she had none in the ofice; offered to look for her..........but she denied my friendly offer.

She felt very upset, the poor girl, and phoned her boss, since I became a little annoyed... about the scam of this Limousine service.

Anyway, after a tough discussion she was allowed by her boss to give me another phonenumber for another taxi-company who took us to BKK airport-and-back for Bht 2.000 and who gave a very good service.

Hmmm....................

what do you think?

PS: when we checked out of the resort here was a Baht 10 item on the bill for a phonecall....for phoning a taxi-company

TIT

LaoPo

[Mobi]

I 've had very nice, friendly limos come out from Pattaya to the wilds of Mabprachan and pick up friends and deliver them to the airport for the grand sum of 1,300 Baht per trip. The last one was last week, so the price is current.

6,300 Baht is defimitely over the top, but as I said in my previous post, all but the most naive visitors should be able to arrange their own cars without using the hotel rceptionists.

Not necessarily right, but a fact of life in LOS.