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. Maybe, the powers to be should look into the taxi meter problem in Chiangmai and the pricing disparity as well. I am not going to hold my breathe though.

Unless you're going out into the middle of whoop whoop the taxis are a set price of 160 baht from CNX to anywhere around the city. Never had a problem once.

Completely agree OP. Having lived here for over 10 years taxis have always been a problem. I live in Sansai and going to the city is 350 baht although some even try for 400/450.  In BKK, this journey would be between 100-150 baht. I was hoping for an improvement when GRAB started but unfortunately at the moment GRAB doesn't work well here either - there are not enough cars yet. UBER is not here yet AFAIK. My Thai gf even tears her hair out when dealing with them it is not just a farang rip off.

Far out (Hang Dong) it is 200B.

Arrived back at CNX with a friend 2 days ago.  The set fare for the centre (where i was heading) is 160 baht and my friend, just outside town 200 baht. We wanted to share the taxi and for the driver to literally drop me off on route. For this they wanted to charge 360 baht ( the price of 2 taxis) but only use one. Am not sure if it was an attempted scam or silly rule but i walked off in a huff, out to the main road and grabbed a tuk tuk for 80 baht.

My goodness we can get a "meter taxi" to take us from our home near Nakorn Ping to visit a friend who lives in far-out San Sai Noi for 300 baht one way.  And that's not starting from the airport, but rather from our condo near Kad Suan Kaew.  

 

I admit, it's frustrating that the taxis have signs that say "meter taxis", but compared to what the tuk-tuks charge, they're still a bargain.  Nice, new vehicles.  Air con.  Drivers who are clean, speak some English.  Ability to phone ahead to book a taxi.  

 

Sure, it's not Bangkok rates, but it's a well-known fact, that one of the best bargains in Bangkok are the taxis.

Two issues here.

-) the fact that the taxi system in CM should be improved, is absolutely true.

-) the fact that you have to haggle over fares at the CNX counter, is in my  experience not true. I use them at least 1-2/month, and the prices are always rather consistent.

 

 

 

I was also inclined to think that charging double fare for an on route stop was also a rule and not a scam.