I am currently working overseas, but I return to see my family every 3-4 months. 

On returning back to Chiangmai, I am filled with frustration as I have to run the gauntlet of both of the airport taxi providers to get home. I can speak Thai to a reasonable standard and I can give detailed directions to where I want to go. It is a famous location in Chiangmai and there is no error in my pronunciation. However, to the taxi meter reps, the conversation goes back and forth. To them I am not speaking to them in their own language, but all they can see is a foreigner who they think is a cash cow.  I can hear them talking to each other "What should we charge this farang 350-450 Baht?" In the end I just say to them in Thai "400 Baht. I just want to get home". Suddenly, the location becomes well known to them and the problem dissipates. During the ten minutes I had to repeat myself constantly, I heard many non -Thais negotiating with the taxi meter reps. many of them complaining bitterly over the excessive fees they were being given. My question is why we have to negotiate a price for a taxi journey when on top of their cabs they have the sign 'Taxi Meter'. The government has publicised its recent successes after its crackdown on taxis in Bangkok. If they can crack down in Bangkok, Why don't they enforce this nationwide? Tourists and ex-patriates are looked upon as cash cows, but not all are gullible. The disparity in pricing between Thai and Foreigner fees paid for National Parks, Zoo's, transportation and fun parks are just a few examples. Thailand needs tourism, tourism has been badly hit by recent events and tourists will look elsewhere for a holiday destination if they feel they are constantly being looked at like they are a walking wallet.

Duplicate topic of this one.

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