Bangkok Taxis
 

Another interesting article from the Bangkok Post...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...ie-blacklisted

I've decided to get the ARL from the airport when we arrive on 3 February. When the train gets to the terminus at Phaya Thai I'll flag down a taxi to take us to our hotel in Banglamphu. Be interesting to see if he automatically puts the meter on, or whether he'll need a bit of encouragement.

We just got back from Thailand; used Uber several times in Bangkok, which worked very well.

I have been waiting a long time for any Bangkok taxi driver to automatically put the meter on!

The bigger issue is getting a taxi to use the meter going TO the airport!

I find it interesting that you have both had so many problems with taxis in Bangkok. I've been going there since the mid-1980s, and I have only had one time when the driver didn't put the meter on as soon as I asked. And I've had plenty of times when the driver has put on the meter before I asked. I wonder what the difference is...

Friends (Thai) who live in Bangkok like to use Uber.

Used UberX from BKK airport to new Marriott (suk soi 22) last week. B325 including one B25 toll.
Uber wanted B710 for return to the airport so I took a metered taxi that ended up costing B340 (including B75 tolls).

i didn't say I "had so many problems" Kathie, it is merely that my experience is that that many taxi drivers don't automatically switch on the meter when one enters the taxi. I usually tell the driver where I want to go in Thai and then the issue does not arise. When giving instructions in English, it happens more often than not. If it does, I just ask them, in Thai, to turn on the meter which invariably works.

Taxi drivers refusing to use the meter to the airport is rampant. I suspect that many here use car services rather than taxis and so the problem won't arise. The going rate for either airport seems to be 5-600 baht compare with a metered fare of 250-350.

It is a long standing issue in Bangkok. If you don't have a similar experience then lucky you!!

we have had our share of taxi issues in Bangkok... I am a very frequent taxi user, rarely using the skytrain.

from the airport we generally use "large taxis"--a SUV at the flat rate of 600 or 700 B to most city hotels. No need to use meter. the normal meter taxi ride is 275-400B

flag drops I find are automatic 60% of the time. Other times I have to ask once or twice. on rare occasions the driver refuses and we exit the taxi.

areas frequented by tourists are the most common areas for no auto flag drop... also in the "adult areas", like soi 4 Nana a flag drop is almost impossible.

some hotels like anantara siam, anantara riverside, renaissance, where there is a long driveway from the taxi standing point, I find the flag has been dropped when I get into the car... not a problem.

We have had a few taxis where the driver is sleepy, high on something, or sniffs "ordors" from a nasal cartridge of some sort---YIKES.

we love bkk taxis and the drivers on the whole and they make my getting around so easy. USE THEM...

s/b "odors" above

I try to avoid taxis as much as possible and prefer to either take the skytrain or walk. But, sometimes I have to take them and if I haven't walked over to a hotel and taken one from there, then I tell the driver, in Thai, to turn on the meter.

Happy Travels!

Generally Bangkok taxi drivers did not turn on the meter themselves..I think they need some encouragement..;-)

Uber Uber Uber!

We always asked for a metered fare before we even got in a taxi in BKK. Relatively few drivers refused and if they did, we declined the ride and waited for another car. Never took us long to find one that would use the meter.

I avoid parked taxis in the city area. They most often want a flat rate. I wave over a moving taxi and give the driver the destination and tell him to use the meter. I don't get in unless the driver agrees to use the meter.

In around 20 years in and out of Bangkok I rarely have problems with taxi drivers. If a driver indicates he wants a flat rate I say "no thanks" and wave another taxi over.

Have small bills and coins for paying meter fares. Even a 500 baht note might be hard to change. I find some coins are handy in the city area too. When you change a little money at the airport also get some smaller notes too. (Direct from the airport the first toll booth you stop at will also change a big bill too.)

For Bangkok I prefer to choose hotels where I can use the Airport Rail Link together with the Skytrain or subway. That way I avoid many taxi rides altogether. There are even hotels in Pratunam area where you can just walk from Rail Link stations. (Quite a few near the Ratchaprorop Rail Link stop.)

http://www.urbanrail.net/as/bang/bangkok.htm



Good luck.

I live in Thailand 4 months out of the yr. I've never had a problem with the
Taxis.