The "Problems" Of Getting A Taxi In Lower Sukhumvit...

[berybert]

I bet Bert is great fun in a social setting.

You better believe it. I'm off to the quiz in the Robin Hood tonight. I shall start a thread if the bar wenches serve me.

[berybert]

Did he also return the 45 million baht you left on the back seat ?

Funny enough I was walking along by the U.S. Embassy last week when a guy stopped a taxi and said to the driver he wanted to go to Asoke.

To which the driver said no and drove off.

In fact I see more people having to ask more than one taxi before they get a lift to where they are going. So maybe people who are unfamiliar with Bangkok shouldn't expect every taxi will take them to where they want to go. Meter or not.

But they should expect to see and hear the continued banal responses to something that actually happens regularly such as..."Did he also return the 45 million baht you left on the back seat ?"

Any more witticisms, Coco?

Sorry you are telling us a taxi driver took you home in his taxi. I could use one of your favorite saying now "it happens all over the world"

I think when you feel the need to post that someone has done their job, then you yourself are admitting there is a problem.

I bought a diet Coke from the 7-11 yesterday and the girl behind the counter served me. She served me because that is her job. She is paid to serve people.

Will you be starting a new thread on everyone in Bangkok who does their job ?

I got a taxi and the taxi took me home... That deserves a thread for sure. I hope you have arranged for said taxi driver to be awarded Thailand's highest taxi drivers medal award.

A man did his job and got a thread dedicated to him for doing so. Praise be the lord.

I think he was being ironic mate

I don't think he is capable of irony.

[Minnehaha]

This is a real problem in certain areas of town - lower sukumvit is one, another is silom.

I have experienced it numerous times.

The wife (Thai) has had same experiences in same locations whether I am with her or not or standing in the shadows.

Sometimes there is no choice. We were down near suriwong on rama 4 and told the driver to take the expressway to avoid the traffic, and finally one took us. we made the trip in 12 minutes of driving time, 4 minutes idle time - as seen on the meter.

What makes it such a pain in the ass is that the cops could easily stand around these areas and see it all and fine the drivers. There must be a reason. They love to stop motorcycles for any reason (including good ones such as no helmet) but never (rarely) do that with taxis... yet taxis are more likely to have cash on them as they are working in a cash business. so they are more likely to have money to pay off the cops. it is probably something like professional courtesy as in the legal business. for example why don't sharks bite lawyers? professional courtesy.

[Swampypoom]

I don't mind paying the 200THB non-metered rate to go from BTS Sala Daeng to BTS Saphan Taksin late at night as I figure it averages the same since I took the Skytrain one-way.

Now, if we could have the BTS Skytrain and Airport Link run until 3 a.m. or so, then we can show those dishonest cabbies who's boss!

200thb?! It's less than 15 minutes by car.

If I take a taxi on the meter to KS Road it takes almost an hour and still is only 150

I need to work on my negotiation skills at this late hour. Thanks for the info! I'll definitely seek a lower off-the-meter rate next time.

Genuinely I think 100 is more than fair - they will get a decent tip from that. Alternatively install grab taxi and you order a taxi to your location and enter your destination before they even accept the job (it sends it out to all the drivers in the area.

It helps to speak a little thai or be with someone who does as they will likely call to confirm your location. It's 25 on top of a regular taxi far but so far for me it's been great. Can order in advance too.

Is grab taxi similar to uber? And I can see 100THB being more than reasonable based on your previous example. Usually I am leaving from Sala Daeng to 65, Charoen Krung, which is about ~5 blocks at the late night hour.

I speak some Thai, but would not be able to take a phone call.

But this is all very helpful as I should learn and practice and memorize a practical scenario when a cab calls to confirm an appointment. I will do this next for my Thai Lessons!

Nemo app for iPhone is very useful for learning Thai.

[smokie36]

Grab taxi is excellent and offer 50 baht off for the first three times you use them.

[Swampypoom]

Grab taxi is excellent and offer 50 baht off for the first three times you use them.

In terms of payment, is it only via credit card (e.g.- uber, lyft, ...) or can you pay in Baht?

[Katipo]

Slightly off topic..... but I would think of 'Lower Sukhumvit' as down On Nut Bang Na way, not up near Asoke or Nana.

Reason being is that those areas are further south and further down from the beginning of the road. Is my logic flawed?

[CajunCruiser]

Maybe slightly off topic but my first evening back in town in six months, yesterday after dinner, around 8pm, I was surprised to have trouble getting a taxi in upper Sukhumvit, Ekamai Soi 63. I asked the restaurant security guard to find me a taxi to my destination across the river, and the first two taxi drivers declined. I was tired, jet-lagged, and ready to offer a bonus on top of the meter if the next one was strike three, but fortunately the third guy readily agreed, which earned him a "keep the change" tip of about 30 baht.

First time I've had this problem. I would rather pay a bit higher fare than go back to the early 1980s before "taxi-meters" when every ride had to be negotiated in advance, often without reaching agreement, requiring a new negotiation with a different cabbie.

[CajunCruiser]

Slightly off topic..... but I would think of 'Lower Sukhumvit' as down On Nut Bang Na way, not up near Asoke or Nana.

Reason being is that those areas are further south and further down from the beginning of the road. Is my logic flawed?

Even a nonresident like me quickly understood "lower" to mean lower numbers.

[smokie36]

Grab taxi is excellent and offer 50 baht off for the first three times you use them.

In terms of payment, is it only via credit card (e.g.- uber, lyft, ...) or can you pay in Baht?

You pay the driver in cash and get a receipt sent to your phone....useful for expenses.

[CajunCruiser]

This is a real problem in certain areas of town - lower sukumvit is one, another is silom.

I have experienced it numerous times.

The wife (Thai) has had same experiences in same locations whether I am with her or not or standing in the shadows.

Sometimes there is no choice. We were down near suriwong on rama 4 and told the driver to take the expressway to avoid the traffic, and finally one took us. we made the trip in 12 minutes of driving time, 4 minutes idle time - as seen on the meter.

What makes it such a pain in the ass is that the cops could easily stand around these areas and see it all and fine the drivers. There must be a reason. They love to stop motorcycles for any reason (including good ones such as no helmet) but never (rarely) do that with taxis... yet taxis are more likely to have cash on them as they are working in a cash business. so they are more likely to have money to pay off the cops. it is probably something like professional courtesy as in the legal business. for example why don't sharks bite lawyers? professional courtesy.

One part of Silom definitely had a problem getting a taxi to go anywhere for the meter. At least that was the case last July when I visited Patpong to see some sights I hadn't seen in 25 years. (The sights weren't worth seeing.)

None of the taxis on Silom displayed a meter light or would go anywhere for the meter fare. I walked a few blocks up toward the river where I could hail a cab that could turn right before getting near the BiB around Patpong.

[ALFREDO]

I don't think he is capable of irony.

He is not and has no humor also in my opinion, but can be grumpy easy.

I had a run in with him with PM, just recently, in which I asked friendly innocent questions

and got a rude reaction and respond. More in PM.

[watcharacters]

I think it's really hit and miss and depends on what side of Sukhumvit Road you're on. About 2 months ago I left Soi 11 at around 3am and the taxis wouldn't take anyone western or Thai on the meter. I stopped 5 taxis myself and must have seen more than 20 taxis turn down fares. Crossed over the road and walked down to McDonald's on the other side and the second one I stopped took me.

I don't think they are as bad as some people make out but at certain times in certain locations you can have a nightmare.

I've started using the Grab Taxi app and it is proving to be a godsend - every time I've used it I've had a friendly driver with a clean car and no quibbles about turning on the meter as they have chosen the job via the app.

Thanks for the tip about the Grab Taxi app. Rarely in Bangkok but when I am there I'll certainly make use of this based on your description.

[inbangkok]

Just though I'd post my experience, which also happens to be very typical as far as I'm concerned.

Last Friday night/Saturday morning I left the Lounge Bar/New Wave in Soi 7 just after 3.00 am and walked down to Sukhumvit. I stopped a taxi, told the driver where I wanted to go (a 30/40 minute trip), got in, he turned the meter on and took me home. When we got to my destination he charged me the amount that was showing on the meter.

People who are unfamiliar with Bangkok should be aware that it is very rare that anything different happens.

Really? So all the Thai people complaining about taxis are "unfamiliar" with BKK? Even though they are Thai and live here? It is becoming increasingly rare to get a taxi to take you where you want to go on the first try.......... Ask any Thai person and they will tell you the same.

Of course not, I'm not talking about Thais or other locals complaining, I'm setting the record straight from my perspective and suggesting to people that are unfamiliar with Bangkok that not every taxi driver is a scammer and fraudster despite ThaiVisa posts. Your post is a prime example of why I posted my experience.

Um, no. What you suggested is that it is rare (your words) to experience anything other than this..... Simply not true. The vast majority of people living in BKK these days seem to be having trouble with taxis.

And no one ever said every taxi driver is a fraudster or scammer. But a very disturbing number of them certainly are.

[Toany]

I don't mind paying the 200THB non-metered rate to go from BTS Sala Daeng to BTS Saphan Taksin late at night as I figure it averages the same since I took the Skytrain one-way.

Now, if we could have the BTS Skytrain and Airport Link run until 3 a.m. or so, then we can show those dishonest cabbies who's boss!

200thb?! It's less than 15 minutes by car.

If I take a taxi on the meter to KS Road it takes almost an hour and still is only 150

I need to work on my negotiation skills at this late hour. Thanks for the info! I'll definitely seek a lower off-the-meter rate next time.

Genuinely I think 100 is more than fair - they will get a decent tip from that. Alternatively install grab taxi and you order a taxi to your location and enter your destination before they even accept the job (it sends it out to all the drivers in the area.

It helps to speak a little thai or be with someone who does as they will likely call to confirm your location. It's 25 on top of a regular taxi far but so far for me it's been great. Can order in advance too.

I only used Grab taxi once and the driver called me up after 5 minutes to tell me to call another taxi as he was not coming. It seems that even Grab Taxi drivers turn down fares.

[alfalfa19]

So, it seems that you are quite proud of yourself because you are able to get a taxi on a regular basis, which takes you where you want to go for an agreed on price. Well, good for you. For many other people, myself included, the situation is often, not "very rarely" , quite different.

[steven100]

Just though I'd post my experience, which also happens to be very typical as far as I'm concerned.

Last Friday night/Saturday morning I left the Lounge Bar/New Wave in Soi 7 just after 3.00 am and walked down to Sukhumvit. I stopped a taxi, told the driver where I wanted to go (a 30/40 minute trip), got in, he turned the meter on and took me home. When we got to my destination he charged me the amount that was showing on the meter.

People who are unfamiliar with Bangkok should be aware that it is very rare that anything different happens.

What a load of horse s"#t .... I'm surprised you remember what happened at 3.00am.

Try getting one at 6.30pm and see how you fair.

I'm not saying you are incorrect regarding your trip but to try to say it's rare for anything other to occur is utter crap.

[alex8912]

This is a real problem in certain areas of town - lower sukumvit is one, another is silom.

I have experienced it numerous times.

The wife (Thai) has had same experiences in same locations whether I am with her or not or standing in the shadows.

Sometimes there is no choice. We were down near suriwong on rama 4 and told the driver to take the expressway to avoid the traffic, and finally one took us. we made the trip in 12 minutes of driving time, 4 minutes idle time - as seen on the meter.

What makes it such a pain in the ass is that the cops could easily stand around these areas and see it all and fine the drivers. There must be a reason. They love to stop motorcycles for any reason (including good ones such as no helmet) but never (rarely) do that with taxis... yet taxis are more likely to have cash on them as they are working in a cash business. so they are more likely to have money to pay off the cops. it is probably something like professional courtesy as in the legal business. for example why don't sharks bite lawyers? professional courtesy.

One part of Silom definitely had a problem getting a taxi to go anywhere for the meter. At least that was the case last July when I visited Patpong to see some sights I hadn't seen in 25 years. (The sights weren't worth seeing.)

None of the taxis on Silom displayed a meter light or would go anywhere for the meter fare. I walked a few blocks up toward the river where I could hail a cab that could turn right before getting near the BiB around Patpong.

Here is a tip for Silom even at PRIME late hours. Never get a taxi on the pat pong side even if that is the best direction to go. Simply get a taxi near soi sala Daeng or soi convent by flagging one down ( or on that side even just going to one of the dozen parked ones). Open the back door and say in Thai where you are going and start to get in. Even if you have to go a little out of the way you are only going for example from Silom down soi sala daeng then the taxi will take a left into Satorn and from there get you to where you are going easily and the trip around the block will cost maybe 5 or 7 baht more. Much less than the 200 they ask for on the pat pong side. I guarantee if you are going somewhere normal. ( not bang Na) you will get the first taxi and on rare occasions the second taxi by meter.

[Sviss Geez]

Slightly off topic..... but I would think of 'Lower Sukhumvit' as down On Nut Bang Na way, not up near Asoke or Nana.

Reason being is that those areas are further south and further down from the beginning of the road. Is my logic flawed?

Yes you're off-topic and your logic is flawed, lower Sukhumvit refers to the lower numbered sois.

[Sviss Geez]

I don't think he is capable of irony.

He is not and has no humor also in my opinion, but can be grumpy easy.

I had a run in with him with PM, just recently, in which I asked friendly innocent questions

and got a rude reaction and respond. More in PM.

Clearly you know or understand nothing about me or many other things. I can be ironic when it is appropriate or when I choose to be but perhaps you actually don't understand what it is? You didn't have a run in with me recently, you PM'd me with a ridiculous message, not in English, then started, as a complete stranger, to question me about my nationality.

I hope you two get on well together, maybe you could pair up for a regular cozy quiz night.

[Sviss Geez]

Just though I'd post my experience, which also happens to be very typical as far as I'm concerned.

Last Friday night/Saturday morning I left the Lounge Bar/New Wave in Soi 7 just after 3.00 am and walked down to Sukhumvit. I stopped a taxi, told the driver where I wanted to go (a 30/40 minute trip), got in, he turned the meter on and took me home. When we got to my destination he charged me the amount that was showing on the meter.

People who are unfamiliar with Bangkok should be aware that it is very rare that anything different happens.

Really? So all the Thai people complaining about taxis are "unfamiliar" with BKK? Even though they are Thai and live here? It is becoming increasingly rare to get a taxi to take you where you want to go on the first try.......... Ask any Thai person and they will tell you the same.

Of course not, I'm not talking about Thais or other locals complaining, I'm setting the record straight from my perspective and suggesting to people that are unfamiliar with Bangkok that not every taxi driver is a scammer and fraudster despite ThaiVisa posts. Your post is a prime example of why I posted my experience.

Um, no. What you suggested is that it is rare (your words) to experience anything other than this..... Simply not true. The vast majority of people living in BKK these days seem to be having trouble with taxis.

And no one ever said every taxi driver is a fraudster or scammer. But a very disturbing number of them certainly are.

Um, no, let's get this right, what I said simply is true.

The vast majority of ThaiVisa members have an agenda to Thai-bash at every opportunity. Please don't confuse the vast majority of ThaiVisa members with the vast majority of people living in Bangkok, there is no correlation between the two, the vast majority of those people have no idea what ThaiVisa is, for example, even the vast majority of customers of New Wave/ThaiVisa Lounge have never heard of ThaiVisa.

So many posters here do insinuate that all taxi drivers are scammers, a very small number of them actually are.

[Sviss Geez]

So, it seems that you are quite proud of yourself because you are able to get a taxi on a regular basis, which takes you where you want to go for an agreed on price. Well, good for you. For many other people, myself included, the situation is often, not "very rarely" , quite different.

Well, good for you too!

As this is a thread I started about my experience I think my thoughts are relevant, don't you? Your tone suggests that you don't like them but then you don't have to participate.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Sviss Geez

[Sviss Geez]

Just though I'd post my experience, which also happens to be very typical as far as I'm concerned.

Last Friday night/Saturday morning I left the Lounge Bar/New Wave in Soi 7 just after 3.00 am and walked down to Sukhumvit. I stopped a taxi, told the driver where I wanted to go (a 30/40 minute trip), got in, he turned the meter on and took me home. When we got to my destination he charged me the amount that was showing on the meter.

People who are unfamiliar with Bangkok should be aware that it is very rare that anything different happens.

What a load of horse s"#t .... I'm surprised you remember what happened at 3.00am.

Try getting one at 6.30pm and see how you fair.

I'm not saying you are incorrect regarding your trip but to try to say it's rare for anything other to occur is utter crap.

You seem to know a lot about crap and horseshite, and I will defer to you on that, but you do not know enough about my experiences with Bangkok taxis to dismiss them so eloquently.

[berybert]

So, it seems that you are quite proud of yourself because you are able to get a taxi on a regular basis, which takes you where you want to go for an agreed on price. Well, good for you. For many other people, myself included, the situation is often, not "very rarely" , quite different.

Well, good for you too!

As this is a thread I started about my experience I think my thoughts are relevant, don't you? Your tone suggests that you don't like them but then you don't have to participate.

The idea of starting a thread is to stimulate conversation. Just because the conversation you started seems to be 90% to 10% against you doesn't mean you should be telling people not to post.

That would be pretty much like driving a taxi while avoiding people who want to take a taxi.

[Shaunduhpostman]

I was surprised last week around 11 pm to get turned down by multiple taxis parked bumper to bumper between Soi 3 and 5 and get quoted 150 baht to go to Asoke, no meter, no way, by those that were willing. Finally, near the end of the pile up one guy was nice enough to agree to use the meter which he did. I remarked to him during the short drive that I had never been asked to pay 150 baht just to go to Asoke by multiple drivers along that same stretch. I asked what was going on and he said the police were charging them to park along the sidewalk and wait for customers. I didn't probe any further, didn't want to piss him off, but I was also wondering why the dickens they were all parked all up an down that stretch. Seems to me, you'd just go to some other spot, where the police weren't so notorious, but then again, I wouldn't know I'm not out there all night scrabbling for a fare.

Just sayin', and your mileage may varying as per usual, of course.

[SoiBiker]

Never get in a cab that's parked.

[Shaunduhpostman]

I was surprised last week around 11 pm to get turned down by multiple taxis parked bumper to bumper between Soi 3 and 5 and get quoted 150 baht to go to Asoke, no meter, no way, by those that were willing. Finally, near the end of the pile up one guy was nice enough to agree to use the meter which he did. I remarked to him during the short drive that I had never been asked to pay 150 baht just to go to Asoke by multiple drivers along that same stretch. I asked what was going on and he said the police were charging them to park along the sidewalk and wait for customers. I didn't probe any further, didn't want to piss him off, but I was also wondering why the dickens they were all parked all up an down that stretch. Seems to me, you'd just go to some other spot, where the police weren't so notorious, but then again, I wouldn't know I'm not out there all night scrabbling for a fare.

Just sayin', and your mileage may varying as per usual, of course.

[BKKdreaming]

I was surprised last week around 11 pm to get turned down by multiple taxis parked bumper to bumper between Soi 3 and 5 and get quoted 150 baht to go to Asoke, no meter, no way, by those that were willing. Finally, near the end of the pile up one guy was nice enough to agree to use the meter which he did. I remarked to him during the short drive that I had never been asked to pay 150 baht just to go to Asoke by multiple drivers along that same stretch. I asked what was going on and he said the police were charging them to park along the sidewalk and wait for customers. I didn't probe any further, didn't want to piss him off, but I was also wondering why the dickens they were all parked all up an down that stretch. Seems to me, you'd just go to some other spot, where the police weren't so notorious, but then again, I wouldn't know I'm not out there all night scrabbling for a fare.

Just sayin', and your mileage may varying as per usual, of course.

Jump on any bus at Soi 3-5 and you can go to Asok , it will drop you off in front of Robinsons or the next stop is the other side of Asok at Soi 23 ,

15 baht or less and some are even free

just hand then 20 baht and get change.......

[richard_smith237]

I use UBER where ever I can to avoid the likelihood of issues...

Last night I had to use a normal taxi... First I had to correct his directions when he nearly took a wrong turn potentially costing me time and money.... Then I had to ask him to calm down after another taxi cut him up and he retaliated in a fit of road rage on the expressway...

A lot of the taxi drivers are idiots... I find myself limiting my exposure to them as much as possible....

[jacko45k]

Not much of a night out without being searched by the police, robbed by ladyboys and then having an argument with a taxi driver over the meter.

Edited February 2, 2015 by jacko45k