Meter Taxis in Khon Kaen

[somchaismith]

Been at KK for the past 2 weeks. Staying in a hotel 10 minutes south of Central Department Store.

Taken a taxi back and forth fron the hotel to Central perhaps a dozen times.

Cost is 50 baht a time, one way, by the meter but every time the driver demands a 20 baht surcharge outside the meter reading bringing the total fair up to 70 baht.

Sometimes the taxi has been phone booked but they still only charge 20 baht extra when I understand that there's a 20 baht booking charge incurred.

Not complaing, 20 baht is peanuts but I'm curious as to the reason why it's being charged even if a taxi is flagged down off of the street.

Is this standard practice?

I have tried to ask a couple of the drivers without receiving satisfactory teplys.

KK locals, facts please.

[CharlieH]

Possibly because they have to travel to get to you from wherever they are when they get the call., flag on the street they dont.

[somchaismith]

Yeah, but they still charge 20 baht extra flagged off of the street, taken off of the rank or phone booked.