Saw_Dee_Ka

On the whole, I've always found them to be polite and helpful. However, lately it seems more and more of them claim they lack correct change. Four times yesterday. Sure, its usually for only 5 to 15 Baht, but..... . I really get pissed when they refuse to break a 100 baht note, going, I guess for a huge 65 baht score Not going to happen. I made one wait while I went into a 7-11 and got change. Sorry for the rant, off now to get a sissy purse with lots of 10 baht and 5 baht coins.

Anybody else notice an increase in the "no change" pleas lately?

Curt1591

I am amazed you ever found taxis with change!

"No change" has always been standard policy.

Craig

No change is SOP throughout the developing world.

Saw_Dee_Ka

I guess I've been pretty lucky in the past. Saved a bundle, right? Well, guess the "standard policy" has finally caught up to me. My thai friends find it mildly amusing, and say its just another farang rip-off. That the drivers have change, but expect the change as a tip from farangs since they are all rich.

kuluk

In 30+ visits I have luckily always been given correct change by taxi drivers, except for once when he hesitated and I had to ask for it. However, on a trip this month the metered taxi at the airport asked for 500 baht after the car was already out of the airport. I told him no way, and he then asked for 350, to which I said no, use the meter. He then circled around town until the meter read 300 and I ended up paying him the 350 (meter plus 50). He actually chuckled as I got out of the taxi, and I was going to report him, but completely forgot about it until just now...next time I will report it...grrrr

Curt1591

Although many drivers will try to gouge by asking a set fare, few are going to "circle around" to run up the meter. After the 35 baht meter drop, that 1.25 baht per click doesn't pile on the big baht. It's much more rewarding to find another fare.

Ever wonder why taxi drivers drive like they are in F1? It's not that they are concerned with your busy schedule; they want to offload and get to the next fare.

The biggest question might be why, after being a jerk, did you reward him with a 50 baht tip?

Saw_Dee_Ka

Kuluk, I had one ask for 500 baht after leaving the airport, but he gave up when I just ignored him.

Sounds like your jerk verged on kidnapping to drive you around town until the meter ran up. I would have given him 250 after unloading at the hotel and then would have had the hotel report him.

rhkkmk

the same thing happened to me in italy yesterday... cost me an extra 3+ euro

gmoz

I have been having trouble too with the airport taxis recently. Asking for extra money and claiming the meter is broken etc. it appears there is a 'taxi mafia' operating out of Bkk airport.
The ways to avoid these scams are to grab a taxi from the departure drop off on the 4th floor or catch the train into town and then get a taxi.I have never had trouble getting change but I do speak thai.
The taxi situation at the airport is getting as bad as it was at Don muang 30 years ago before meters.

thursdaysd

I didn't have trouble going FROM the airport, just TO the airport (last month). The first time the driver got really annoyed with me when I insisted that he use the meter (and I do suspect him of running it up a little). The second time I was hit with the "no change" scam.

stitchintime

In Feb, after getting an airport taxi, he wanted 500 b after we left. I told him no, use meter, and when he tried again, I told him to take me back to the airport taxi stand. Meter came on. It does state at the taxi stand that there is a meter change plus 50 b surcharge.

rhkkmk

i have had very little problem in the last few years... it used to be worse.

Saw_Dee_Ka

I had the hotel arrange for a taxi to the airport on Monday. I paid 400 baht (taxi paid tolls). He went race car driver fast. Had to tell him to slow down twice. When I gave him the money, he frowned and just turned away. Guess he was insulted that I did not give him a tip.

gearsau

In Bangkok, I make certain I always have plenty of 20 Baht and 100 Baht bills.

Never have any problems that way. Sure, I still get taxi drivers who want to play the game and quote 300 baht for a 150 baht fare,and I just tell them " METER "

I dont mind giving a driver a 20 or 30 baht tip, as the taxis there are cheap compared to Australia.

Mucky

We got a taxi from the Airport to Bangkok Marriot last year, the driver was fantastic. Gave change and politely chatted to us all the way.
Arranged there and then for him to pick us up in a few days to take us to Hua Hin, he gave us the price up front, which matched the hotels estimate. We then asked him to collect us from Hua Hin 9 days later and took us back to the airport. He was great. Honest price, clean car and a good service.

I still have his card somewhere, probably use it again.

Another time we wanted a taxi to a restaurant in Hua hin, the doorman got his brother round in the car to drop us and collect us.lol

Gave him half the taxi price, he was very happy, so were we.

kuluk

At the time, I was tired and didn't want to argue about the 50 baht airport service charge or the outrageous behavior on his part. Sometimes, I have also gone to the departure area to get taxis dropping off fares, but then again, I weighed my fatigue against dragging bags around and emotional cost of arguing. I know, if they get away with this cheating it encourages them to keep doing it...now that I am sitting at home and relaxed I do regret it.

Worse, yet, once I was staying at an obscure hotel that I know taxis have a hard time finding, so I paid the hotel for the pick up service, thinking their own cars would know the location and I wouldn't have to dither around in circles trying to find the gate! Well, turns out their own car couldn't find the hotel either! We drove around for an extra 40 minutes circling around. (this before cell phones and roaming service were common) For anyone who has never been to Bangkok before, and is thinking of having the hotel do the pickup, forget it! Not worth it.

Saw_Dee_Ka

"For anyone who has never been to Bangkok before, and is thinking of having the hotel do the pickup, forget it! Not worth it."

That has also been my experience as well.