BKK Taxi scam

[Beno777]

Just a gentle reminder to all going to BKK to be careful when dealing with the taxi drivers.

Just a recount of wat happened:

My friend, together with her parents, booked the taxi which fetched them from airport to hotel on the previous day for a day trip to grand palace and wat pho, after which to yaowarat and eventually back to hotel at night. Taxi driver quoted 1500 bahts.

Started journey, taxi driver suggested some floating market, and they went along. Reached there, not much ppl there as it was near noon. In the end asked to pay for a boat ride at 2000bahts per pax

Left the so called floating market in less then 30 minutes time to go grand palace. Taxi driver supposed to wait for them but instead he demanded to be paid the 1500 bahts as he is going off (miscommunication??). After much arguement, and threatening to call in the police, in then end friend still need pay 1000 bahts to the taxi driver.

My 2 bahts advise: if you intend to visit places like floating market, it is better off to arrange with the hotel tour desk. As for taxi, fair enough, there are both good and bad drivers, so just use it for point to point travel and nothing more.

 

[aileen99]

Why would she want to hire taxi as a day transportation. Never do that. Pls. Hire a tour agent transport safer.

 

[Beno777]

For convenient sake and also maybe cos that taxi driver appeared to be trustworthy by giving them a lot of advises on first day, thus let off guard.

Yes, please do a bit of research before go and know what you gonna pay for. Money lost is small matter but such event will spoilt the mood for the entire holidays.

Even up to today, the so called 'lucky buddha' scam is still around

 

[rVn_mUfC]

if u wanna hire taxi in Thailand.. need to do research on who are the reputable one. can ask around in tripadvisor forum.

 

[dede1217]

Think so far the pink ones always ask for 200b onwards.
Normally will take the green yellow ones.

Having said that, but some pink ones still go by meter, but is minority.

 

[Wanderer-in-Time]

is this still a debate?

Taxi's in bangkok is only for emergency and that is if you are there on a short stay and have a real emergency I either rent a car, travel by train or take a motorbike taxi but never in my senses would I go for a taxi unless you can speak thai you are giving yourself away in platter to them..

 

[beanstalk6]

Even up to today, the so called 'lucky buddha' scam is still around

Even till today, the "palace is closed" scam is still around. So is the ruby scam. The tiger show scam... etc etc

Well this is Bangkok. Recall the song about the one night?

When something is too good to be true, it is usually too good to be true.
Don't be taken in by free advice easily.

 

[Beno777]

Even till today, the "palace is closed" scam is still around. So is the ruby scam. The tiger show scam... etc etc

Well this is Bangkok. Recall the song about the one night?

When something is too good to be true, it is usually too good to be true.
Don't be taken in by free advice easily.

"palace is closed", "lucky buddha" and "ruby" are chained scam

I only encountered the "lucky buddha" last Novemeber outside Central World. The white hair old man came talked to me in very good english, tell me he is the in charge of the shrines there. I just entertained him talk cock until he pop the magic words "today is the lucky buddha day, once a year" Immediately I ciao, giving excuse my friends waiting me.

 

[beanstalk6]

The white haired old man will sometimes claim to be a stranded Singaporean, I am told. In any case, Bangkok is colourful, and I am making my annual visit to Thailand in June. Bangkok again this time
I have booked early on purpose a place by the river at Saphan Taksin.

 

[Skwisgaar]

Taxi's in bangkok is only for emergency and that is if you are there on a short stay and have a real emergency I either rent a car, travel by train or take a motorbike taxi but never in my senses would I go for a taxi unless you can speak thai you are giving yourself away in platter to them..

I would actually much prefer to take a taxi rather than a motorbike taxi since there is the definite lack of a meter for the latter.