taxis at the airport

[mascarabertha]

I use the taxi service at the airport as often and 3-5 times a week. They offer taxi (meter duh) and the other . Both are reliable and plentiful however the rates jumped a while back from 120 Baht city run to 160 Baht city run (still a bargain). City was always chang klan, huay kaew, nong hoy

A month ago I booked a taxi to Hillside 4 and they said it was 200 Baht. I questioned the price and the said a "city" destination was now only the old city.

Just a heads up

[eyecatcher]

Did you read the story about the tenders that were out, I think last September for renewing the airport taxi contract. Just going from memory now so my facts may not be 100%.

The company that had the previous contract for the last 3yrs I think called Jed Yod brothers were the original company and that boss, also became the licencee to all taxi drivers in the city. Essentially you had to go to him to apply for a taxi licence.

Then there was another company competing against them for the airport slot and over the years the two alternated the contract.

Now there is a new kid on the block. so 3 big taxi firms now all put in a tender for the airport service.

The first two bid circa 350k baht and 600k baht per month !!! yes per month.

New kid on the the block, obviously with some ability to do market research and calculate the number of planes coming into CM from China in particularly. I remember reading this coming high season there will be 4000 passengers per day JUST coming in from China.

So, New kid bid accordingly: 1.5 million baht per month.

Thats basically the rent they pay the airport to have the privelege of parking at the airport; no one else is allowed to stop at all.

A month later Jed yod brother who lost the bid by a country mile had a tantrum and decided to stage a protest at the airport. so he and his drivers set up camp trying to prevent the winning bidder from leaving the airport. sour grapes; he said; well i am the person who issues taxi licences for everyone in this city, so i will not issue any licences to this company.blah blah blah

The police and army came in and shafted him from all sides.

And now, new era....I have used the new taxi company, all have beautiful new cars and vans, service is great, and quick.

at the office, there is a price on the wall telling you how much to every part of town. i dont think the prices have risen more than 10bt in the last 5 yrs.

But think about it; they are paying 50k baht a day rent. at 200bt a ride thats 250 rides from the airport every day just to break even.

did someone ,miscalculate or is it a cunning move.

[Greenwich Boy]

Slightly off topic.

If you arrive at International do you still turn left, walk through domestic, out the door at the end and get a taxi there?

Not had to queue that way before

[naboo]

Lots of info here, here and here.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

A month ago I booked a taxi to Hillside 4 and they said it was 200 Baht. I questioned the price and the said a "city" destination was now only the old city.

Yup, I'm done with this. Fortunately though with so many flights arriving and departing, you just stroll to the curb and get a passing red bus for 40-60 baht anywhere in town.

The taxi mafia can go $($ themselves in the %#*&

[seeker108]

Does anyone have phone numbers for the 2 taxi booths at the airport.

Which one of the 2 is cheaper to Huay Kaew say at 11:45 PM when you are coming out at the international gate? Left one or right one?

[TheAppletons]

Does anyone have phone numbers for the 2 taxi booths at the airport.

Which one of the 2 is cheaper to Huay Kaew say at 11:45 PM when you are coming out at the international gate? Left one or right one?

Little difference. Once advertises 150 thb and the other 160 thb. Apologies but can't help with the phone numbers.

[seeker108]

Thanks much, that information is enough for what I really need at the moment. I have a young guest arriving tonight and my car just had to go in the shop today.

When the wife and I arrived at noon last weekend on CMU graduation day the rates were 200 and 250 at the one that is normally the cheaper. Special circumstances with the traffic grid locked

[Paul944]

The last time I was in CM I walked to the Hertz desk to get a car key

[kanook]

A month ago I booked a taxi to Hillside 4 and they said it was 200 Baht. I questioned the price and the said a "city" destination was now only the old city.

Yup, I'm done with this. Fortunately though with so many flights arriving and departing, you just stroll to the curb and get a passing red bus for 40-60 baht anywhere in town.

The taxi mafia can go $($ themselves in the %#*&

I am so annoyed by CM taxis in particular and public transport in general (red trucks are cheap, but doesn't anyone else notice the diesel smoke). I think it's finally time for the city to stop including these clowns in any future plans for a proper, environmentally friendly public transportation system.

[Dante99]

Another case of mistaken location. What a pain in the ass annoyed people are,... for themselves too.

[ramrod711]

The taxi mafia can go $($ themselves in the %#*&

Does that mean what I think it does, and would you consider it to be politically correct?

[inzman]

Fuel price goes down 30 % and they raise the taxi rates, TIT, I just don't get the mentality of Thais.

[Chicog]

Fuel price goes down 30 % and they raise the taxi rates, TIT, I just don't get the mentality of Thais.

a. Less customers, put the rate up so you'll maintain your income.

b. More customers, keep your gob shut and enjoy the extra money.

Then return to a.