Taxi Fares to Rise After Songkran

[Strangebrew]

It is the cheap Charlie's that bitch about fare rise if you can't afford a couple extra baht rise in fare then Walk. I drove a cab in the US I know how hard it is and if it were me in charge I would have raised it 25% But with the understanding if you reject one fare your out. no fine no exceptions. If you follow simple rule never get rejected by cab just open back door get in say donbai they drop flag and your on your way.

[SoiBiker]

This place makes me laugh. People say they're all about getting away from the nanny states of the west. Slipping a cop a few dollars to avoid a ticket? No problem. Overstayed your visa? These things happen. Drunk driving? Fine. Ignoring the licensing laws so you can get a beer when you like? Thank you very much.

But if a taxi driver dares to break a rule in a way that delays your journey by a minute or so? Bring down the full vengeance of the righteous farangs upon him!

[Rayk]

So I assume the people that defended the minimum pay being risen to 300 baht a day causing the cost of living to rise will have no problems with this. Keep putting the minimum wage up and the prices will keep increasing.

The taxi's are incredibly cheap as it is. Costs 10 times more in Australia.

How many taxis im Australia reget passengers? I'd bet it's somewhere around 0.

[rubl]

Fair enough. They're ridiculously cheap after all.

Considering the service is generally terrible and the drivers often have a very poor attitude, I would say its priced right where it should be.

Also, taxi drivers can easily make 2 or 3 times the minimum wage per day if they actually stop rejecting passengers. They pay 700 baht to rent the taxi for 12 hours. It should not be hard to garner 2,100 baht in fares per day. That already puts their daily earning far above the minimum wage (300 baht) after paying the 700 rental fee. The gas (NVG) that taxis run on is very cheap as well.

2 or 3 times minimum wage is between 600 and 900 Baht. Take a customer to a difficult location (even staying in Bangkok) and it's getting difficult to make that money. Still need to make at least 700 Baht rental AND a bit for fuel. The slow stop/start/crawl movement doesn't improve fuel consumption either.

All-in-all we have had a starting fee of 35 Baht for many years already. Only the initially included distance/time seems to have decreased.

[Bangkok Barry]

So yes it cost the driver 600 -700 Baht to hire the taxi for a 12 hour shift, plus 600 Baht for gas LPG NGV. The driver need to make 1200 -1300 baht to break even. Not a job I would be queuing up for thank you.

No-one makes them do the job. If they can't make a living wage then try something else. Not too difficult to work out, surely.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Bangkok Barry

[Roomuck]

Anyone complaining about a 5% increase on what is an incredidably cheap rate anyway is just a tightwad.

The reason they reject jobs is because some jobs just are not worth it at the current rates. Pay them more and they won't need to do it as much. I don't think 5% is enough.

There are some rogues but I find most of them pretty good.

[anotheruser]

I am sure the relevant training will be given to the drivers to justify the new rates.

[inbangkok]

It is the cheap Charlie's that bitch about fare rise if you can't afford a couple extra baht rise in fare then Walk. I drove a cab in the US I know how hard it is and if it were me in charge I would have raised it 25% But with the understanding if you reject one fare your out. no fine no exceptions. If you follow simple rule never get rejected by cab just open back door get in say donbai they drop flag and your on your way.

Yeah... Must have been super hard driving a car......Probably on par with flipping a burger at McDonald's or swiping an item along the bar code scanner at Big C. I have no doubt you worked long and tiring days..... But that does not really qualify as hard work that deserved a large paycheck.

Sorry you think you deserved a 25 percent raise for a job anyone can do..... But that's just not how life works.

Edited March 7, 2016 by inbangkok

[inbangkok]

Forget comparing the price to other countries. Even WITHIN Thailand, Bangkok taxis are cheap. Go see how far 50bht will take you in a taxi the north or south.

That is due to corruption and organized crime. Plain and simple..... There is no reason taxis should not or cannot operate everywhere as they do in BKK.

Not due to corruption, it is about the availability of taxis & distance and passengers,
Korat to Khon buri 56km= 600 baht if you know the driver 700 baht if you do not,
a set price by the company as hugely unlikely to get a fare on the return journey,

That was not my point. My point is that other cities like Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc. could also have good taxi companies if not for corruption. CM doesn't even have a public bus system!

And if there was more taxis in these places, you would definitely be able to find someone to take you....... Even if 5 taxis reject me in BKK... Sooner or later one won't and I will get to where I am heading.

And you're happy to accept being rejected by five? The idea of being licenced to drive a taxi is that you take people where they want to go, without arguing the point. It's not intended as a business of negotiation. But the likes of you, blithely giving the drivers carte blanche to choose rather than reporting them, create issues for everyone who uses taxis.

Are you high? When did I say I am happy about it? But what can I do? Physically assault any driver who rejects me......

And what do you mean "by the likes of you"...... How the hell do you know if I do or don't report them.

I mean seriously, read my post again and then see how incredibly stupid and nonsensical your reply was.

[inbangkok]

This thread is truly ridiculous. This is not about anyone being a cheap charlie or whatever. It is about an entitlement attitude among taxi drivers.

I mean seriously..... Get your heads out of the sand. A university graduate generally gets a job in BKK making 15,000 a month if they are lucky. That's after 4 years of school and tuition.

How much do you really think a taxi driver should be getting paid?

Quite clear a good portion of posters don't understand the free market and basic economics.

Just thought I would add.... This is not me trying to be nasty. It is just reality. I have done my fair share of shitty, low wage jobs. One of them was physical labor and still only made a bit above minimum wage at the time and it was killer on my body. Looking back, I was paid what I was worth for these positions because many, many other people could do the exact same thing . Not like it required a law degree or anything.....

Edited March 7, 2016 by inbangkok

[Khon Kaen Dave]

Well,i have to say,they are pretty cheap here.we ran all over khon kaen the other night and the meter was used on all occasions.It was 40 baht ride on each one of them.It was worth the 20 b tip i gave each one.

[Thian]

Yes taxi's cost more in the West...but there you get an inspected taxi of good quality, good driver with real driverslicense and manners, clean fresh car, driver who knows the routes, a receipt, no refusals, no reckless driving, drivers speak english, carry suitcases and so on.

If taxi's have to cost more then let it be ATT and the other ones with brand new cars. Not those crooks who show up at night in old smelly barrels.

[Roomuck]

Yes taxi's cost more in the West...but there you get an inspected taxi of good quality, good driver with real driverslicense and manners, clean fresh car, driver who knows the routes, a receipt, no refusals, no reckless driving, drivers speak english, carry suitcases and so on.

If taxi's have to cost more then let it be ATT and the other ones with brand new cars. Not those crooks who show up at night in old smelly barrels.

So the poorly paid taxi drivers should all learn English so they can serve YOU? If you want to pay western rates in Thailand you could get a nice clean car from a private operator with a English speaking translator thrown in and it would still be cheaper.

I suppose the government/ Thai taxpayer should foot the bill for the English classes, along with your free health care to save you money on paying for your own insurance? I think you might be overestimating your importance in Thailand.

I expect the taxi drivers in your country also speak fluent Thai for their Thai passengers?

Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps YOU should learni the Thai language or should everyone here study English in case they come across you?

[Thian]

Yes taxi's cost more in the West...but there you get an inspected taxi of good quality, good driver with real driverslicense and manners, clean fresh car, driver who knows the routes, a receipt, no refusals, no reckless driving, drivers speak english, carry suitcases and so on.

If taxi's have to cost more then let it be ATT and the other ones with brand new cars. Not those crooks who show up at night in old smelly barrels.

So the poorly paid taxi drivers should all learn English so they can serve YOU? If you want to pay western rates in Thailand you could get a nice clean car from a private operator with a English speaking translator thrown in and it would still be cheaper.

I suppose the government/ Thai taxpayer should foot the bill for the English classes, along with your free health care to save you money on paying for your own insurance? I think you might be overestimating your importance in Thailand.

I expect the taxi drivers in your country also speak fluent Thai for their Thai passengers?

Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps YOU should learni the Thai language or should everyone here study English in case they come across you?

Mau mai?

Thailand begs for Quality tourists, do they think they can speak Thai?? Have you ever seen Japanese or Singaporeans in Siam Paragon trying to conversate with the personell? They can't speak a word english which is a big shame. Even in Tokyo they all speak english and it's cheaper there to shop as well.

The Thai taxpayers pay the highest budget of the world for education of Thai students, they get nothing back from it though, it all disappears in corruption.

In my country there are only Thai in grouptours since they are too scared to travel alone. It's a very safe country though and everybody speaks english and more languages.

I can speak Thai dude, but i refuse to sit in an old smelly taxibarrel which would be on the scrapyard in my homecountry. Once the taxi even told me to go out because he lost his brake-pressure while driving. Another time the engine fell out which he fixed on the mainroad in superbusy bangkok while i had to sit in his barrel. 5 minutes later it happened again!

Why do i even reply to you?

[SoiBiker]

Another time the engine fell out which he fixed on the mainroad in superbusy bangkok while i had to sit in his barrel. 5 minutes later it happened again!

The engine fell out of a car, and the driver fixed this at the roadside?

I don't think so somehow.

[Thian]

Another time the engine fell out which he fixed on the mainroad in superbusy bangkok while i had to sit in his barrel. 5 minutes later it happened again!

The engine fell out of a car, and the driver fixed this at the roadside?

I don't think so somehow.

Reading isn't your strongest point right? He fixed it ON the road on the middle lane while all other traffic was racing along us at both sides. Thailand only!

[SoiBiker]

Another time the engine fell out which he fixed on the mainroad in superbusy bangkok while i had to sit in his barrel. 5 minutes later it happened again!

The engine fell out of a car, and the driver fixed this at the roadside?

I don't think so somehow.

Reading isn't your strongest point right? He fixed it ON the road on the middle lane while all other traffic was racing along us at both sides. Thailand only!

He lifted the engine back into place without a hoist, repaired the engine mounts, plus the damage to the drivetrain and chassis caused by the engine falling out while the vehicle was in motion, not to mention the damage caused to the engine itself, and got it running again, by himself, in the middle lane of the highway?

Sure.

[swerver]

Fair enough. They're ridiculously cheap after all.

Considering the service is generally terrible and the drivers often have a very poor attitude, I would say its priced right where it should be.

Also, taxi drivers can easily make 2 or 3 times the minimum wage per day if they actually stop rejecting passengers. They pay 700 baht to rent the taxi for 12 hours. It should not be hard to garner 2,100 baht in fares per day. That already puts their daily earning far above the minimum wage (300 baht) after paying the 700 rental fee. The gas (NVG) that taxis run on is very cheap as well.

So yes it cost the driver 600 -700 Baht to hire the taxi for a 12 hour shift, plus 600 Baht for gas LPG NGV. The driver need to make 1200 -1300 baht to break even. Not a job I would be queuing up for thank you.5% is ok. Not sure about the airport surcharge why is that justified nothing changed there in fact now it more organised it better for driver at the airport at least a SB not sure about DM.

BKK taxi drivers can increase their takehome pay by insisting the city government installs TAXI STANDS like you find in most metropolitan cities in the world. TAXI STANDS eliminate the useless driving around while polluting the air with carbon monoxide without a fare in the backseat.

[swerver]

Fair enough. They're ridiculously cheap after all.

Considering the service is generally terrible and the drivers often have a very poor attitude, I would say its priced right where it should be.

Also, taxi drivers can easily make 2 or 3 times the minimum wage per day if they actually stop rejecting passengers. They pay 700 baht to rent the taxi for 12 hours. It should not be hard to garner 2,100 baht in fares per day. That already puts their daily earning far above the minimum wage (300 baht) after paying the 700 rental fee. The gas (NVG) that taxis run on is very cheap as well.

They can still further their income when the city fathers install taxi stands across the city instead of the now useless fuel burning carbon monoxide spewing cruising around without a fare paying passenger.

Years ago there were taxi stands around BKK the problem then was the drivers figured they had a captive audience so they wouldn't use the taximeter, instead of clamping down on the taxidrivers it was easier for the city to remove the taxi stands, another problem taken care of without confronting it.

[timendres]

Yes taxi's cost more in the West...but there you get an inspected taxi of good quality, good driver with real drivers license and manners, clean fresh car, driver who knows the routes, a receipt, no refusals, no reckless driving, drivers speak english, carry suitcases and so on.

Don't know what western city you are talking about, but it sure ain't NY or Chitown!

[Scouse123]

Yes taxi's cost more in the West...but there you get an inspected taxi of good quality, good driver with real driverslicense and manners, clean fresh car, driver who knows the routes, a receipt, no refusals, no reckless driving, drivers speak english, carry suitcases and so on.

If taxi's have to cost more then let it be ATT and the other ones with brand new cars. Not those crooks who show up at night in old smelly barrels.

So the poorly paid taxi drivers should all learn English so they can serve YOU? If you want to pay western rates in Thailand you could get a nice clean car from a private operator with a English speaking translator thrown in and it would still be cheaper.

I suppose the government/ Thai taxpayer should foot the bill for the English classes, along with your free health care to save you money on paying for your own insurance? I think you might be overestimating your importance in Thailand.

I expect the taxi drivers in your country also speak fluent Thai for their Thai passengers?

Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps YOU should learni the Thai language or should everyone here study English in case they come across you

Your argument holds no water. English is recognised as the international language for communication around the world.

These guys are working in a metropolis for god's sake, of course they should be at least able to make themselves understood in English if they are doing this job, just like they should in hotels and restaurants.

Why would you expect a driver in native U.K., USA or Australia to speak Thai, a country with 68 million inhabitants only and a language which is not recognised as a form of communication outside Thailand.As far as education goes and speaking English,outside the elite and privileged classes mainly in South Thailand and Bangkok, Thailand ranks very low in the world ratings to say it is supposed to be far more advanced than Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Scouse123