Ratt or Julie
 

Ok, So I e-mailed both Ratt and Julie of Julie's taxi about a car and driver in Chiang Mai. They both e-mailed back and seemed so nice -- Ratt has her sister & not sure who Julie will use (she's based in BKK). Now, can't decide between the two. I know Ratt is fabulous, but has anyone used her sister in CM? What about Julie's taxi? Also, the rates they quoted seemed higher than what others on this site have mentioned they paid. Ratt said her sister would charge 250 Baht per hour + gas for out of town. Julie was a little less I think. Would it be appropriate to negotiate by e-mail? I don't want to start out on the wrong foot for less than a dollar per hour... Thanks again for everyone's help. I can't imagine how I could plan a trip without this website. Invaluable!

I know people who have use Julie's cousin in CM and been very satisfied (I think I am the one who originally poted re Julie but u never know!). I would say there is no harm asking both of them nicely via e-mail if that is the best rate they can offer - do not think they will take it amiss. Maybe u could tell them u do not expect it to be very strenuous days or something.

ratt charges 220B per hour in town and adds 1B per kilometer outside of town...

thais are used to negiotation for everything and i do not feel that they would object to you asking for some lesser fee....i do think however it may depend too on how much you intend to use them and how busy they are...rat is a real businesswoman...

personally i would not ask for a negiotation....

in a ten hour day you are talking about $7.50 differential...i would deal with any price adjustment in what i gave them for a tip... the other driver that i used in bkk charged 250B per hour and the cars were identical..
what rat's sister uses i do not know...you should ask her...

This is less than the minimum wage in the UK. And this for a guide, that gets such rave reviews.

As you said - you are trifling over a $1 an hour or so. It's probably nothing to you, you are not being ripped off, and that $1 will go a long way out there.

I've booked Ratt for several days as well as her sister but have never used either. I checked my emails and her sister seems to drive a Benz One and she drives a Toyota.

Walter & Bob, You're both absolutely right about the cost. Don't know what I was thinking. Guess the numbers in Baht seemed large, but then when I did the math & converted into dollars...realized how cheap I was being.

Anyway, Gloria, Please let us know how you like Ratt's sister when you come back. And would appreciate hearing from anyone who has used either Ratt's sister or Julie's taxi in Chiang Mai. Thanks.

CFW-- when are you going? I'm not going until December.

End of january. So be sure to give us a full trip report when you get back. I know you have been to Thailand many times. What is your itinerary for this trip.

CFW-- My itinerary this trip is very simple. 6 nights in Bangkok, 4 nights in Chiang Mai (but really only 3 days) and then 4 more days in Bangkok. It's really to show my oldest friend why I love Thailand so much and I don't want to run all over the place. So will spend most of the time in Bangkok. I gave her the choice of the Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle area of Chiang Mai and she picked the latter because she is very interested in crafts. But she's also a gardener so I want to make sure we go to the botanical garden, do the elephant conservation center etc and a driver seemed essential. I'll email a report as soon as I get back and, if I can, will send info on Ratt's sister from Thailand.

Does RATT have a web site or correct email to contact him for early March for 3 days? Thanks