Thread: Bangkok taxi drivers threaten airport chaos

Originally Posted by Topper

Here in the PI, the wife uses grab because it's only a few pesos more and the rides are something that doesn't have 200K on them.

Would you like to have another go at that?

Originally Posted by cyrille

Would you like to have another go at that?

The taxis ain't worn completely out. Is that better?

Originally Posted by taxexile

so after a long flight you would rather line up in the baking heat at the airport taxi spot, be yelled at by the gestapo girls who give out the tickets and hope that the taxi that corresponds to your ticket number is not a bald tyred beaten up old wreck piloted by a thug with an axe under his seat, a bottle of whiskey under the armrest and a hundred buddhist icons blocking most of his vision out of the window.

take the escalators down two more levels and board the air con train for 45 baht, and find yourself in central bkk 20 minutes later. its so painless and easy.

I was talking about getting to the airport. Which you were talking about in the post I replied to.

Plenty of shit ones going away despite the pain free ticketing system.

Originally Posted by Topper

The taxis ain't worn completely out. Is that better?

Colloquial English is not his strong suit.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Colloquial English is not his strong suit.

Oh ffs

I just put you through the wringer for a week, you fkin dimwit.

Shut up and I'll show some mercy going forwards.

Originally Posted by cyrille

Oh ffs

I just put you through the wringer for a week, you fkin dimwit.

showed yourself up more like, you dozey twat.

Originally Posted by cyrille

We once got a cab opposite the Nielsen Hayes library on Suriwong.

It should have been a giveaway that the cab was so low that to sit down we had to get to virtually 'kerb' level'.

Anyway, by the time we got to the Lumpini intersection the fare was about 180 baht.

It was stopped at the lights and we just got out.

Someone had fitted tiny wheels to this thing to make the meter, based on the rotation of the wheels, run ridiculously fast.

Never been to Vietnam then?

Fuck me, the meters there spin like slot machines if you don't get the right one.

'arry

I have no issue with Swampy drivers.

that's because the drivers can spot a naive patsy a mile off.

"hey somchai, spark me up a krong thip will you, thanks ..... and look at this farang dork coming out of departures. an oldie, calf length shorts, balding, pot belly, bucket hat and beer lao t shirt. looks like a chiang mai to me. probably needs a ride to don meuang for his flight up there. you speak a bit of falang, go and get him, tell him your corolla is a limo, the traffics bad and the expressway tolls have just gone up. easy peasy. i'll take this other dozy prick standing there in socks and sandals who needs a ride to wongamat"

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Never been to Vietnam then?

Fuck me, the meters there spin like slot machines if you don't get the right one.

Yep only use vinasun ,mai lo h or grab. Unless you really want to get taken for a ride and you're pants pulled down

Just posting so I can read page 2.

Originally Posted by taxexile

'arry


that's because the drivers can spot a naive patsy a mile off.

"hey somchai, spark me up a krong thip will you, thanks ..... and look at this farang dork coming out of departures. an oldie, calf length shorts, balding, pot belly, bucket hat and beer lao t shirt. looks like a chiang mai to me. probably needs a ride to don meuang for his flight up there. you speak a bit of falang, go and get him, tell him your corolla is a limo, the traffics bad and the expressway tolls have just gone up. easy peasy. i'll take this other dozy prick standing there in socks and sandals who needs a ride to wongamat"

Thanks for sharing your experience. Follow my advice and you won't have these problems.

Originally Posted by BLD

So, you HAVE had issues but seem to think you got the better of them? But still needed to send in a complaint form to fuck with them taxi somchais who probably make about $30 bucks a day putting up with clowns like you tax

I'd say two dodgy drivers in three+ decades adequately demonstrates that most airport taxis play it straight; to put it in perspective, that's probably out of 150+ airport runs from international arrivals. Hard for them not to play it straight though, as TAT aren't keen on seeing foreigners filling their socials with ripoffs the moment people arrive.

It's not as if bad eggs are unique; I once shared a cab to Heathrow with someone who only learned during that ride that the route from Heathrow to Central London does not go past Windsor Castle.

I keep reading about all these TEFLer's hanging around for hours for a Grab, or vaulting over the arrivals barrier to save the price of a Singha, but have never felt the need to do either.

Good man.

Taxi disputes resurface: 5-Year fight, now targeting Grab

Over the past five years, Thailand’s traditional taxi operators have lobbied for fare increases and policy changes, and many of their demands have been met. These include fare hikes for meter taxis and increased baggage surcharges for airport rides.


Thailand’s Public Taxi Drivers Association is once again calling on the government to amend laws and regulations governing ride-hailing applications, arguing that the current rules create inequality and put traditional taxi drivers and small operators at a disadvantage.


The group is also urging authorities to reconsider or revoke the approval allowing Grab app-based vehicles to operate within Suvarnabhumi Airport, citing unfair competition.


Jirut Wisanjit, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, acknowledged the complaints, noting that some Suvarnabhumi-based taxi drivers have asked the government to ban app-based services from the airport, claiming these services have reduced the number of passengers and income for metered taxis operating in the area.


However, he clarified that the airport currently provides a variety of transportation options — including public buses, interprovincial coaches, metre taxis, green-plate app-based vehicles, and limousines — to cater to passengers across different budgets and preferences.


A follow-up meeting to discuss the issue will be held on May 28, with key stakeholders such as Airports of Thailand (AOT) and taxi driver representatives expected to attend.


The Ministry of Transport reaffirmed its policy of ensuring coexistence between traditional and tech-driven transport services. Officials emphasised the need for all operators to adapt to technological advancements, while ensuring that consumers retain the freedom to choose their preferred service.

As for threats by some groups to block airport operations, authorities warned that any such actions would be illegal and dealt with accordingly under the law.


While taxi drivers continue to demand fairer regulations in the age of app-based ride-hailing, a review of the past five years reveals that several of their protests have resulted in tangible policy responses from the government.


August 7, 2019


The Ministry of Transport responded to a set of taxi driver complaints by approving a fare adjustment for metered taxis operating in Bangkok. The fare for the first 1–10 kilometres was increased from 6 baht to 6.50 baht per kilometre. For traffic delays, the waiting-time surcharge was raised to 3 baht per minute.


In the same resolution, airport taxi surcharges were revised: small taxis were allowed to charge up to 70 baht (up from 50 baht), and larger taxis up to 90 baht. As for baggage, the first two oversized items (over 26 inches) remained free, while a fee of 20 baht per piece applied from the third item onward.


The Ministry also ordered the Department of Land Transport to scrap the "TAXI OK" programme, following complaints that drivers were burdened with a monthly service fee of 350 baht.


November 17, 2020


A new regulation under the Ministry of Transport was announced, specifically covering taxi services between Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi airports and other locations. The measure approved further adjustments to baggage fees:

Large baggage (any dimension over 26 inches): up to 20 baht per item.
Multiple small bags (all dimensions under 26 inches): up to 20 baht per item starting from the third bag.
Large sports equipment (e.g., golf bags, bicycles, windsurf boards, or musical instruments over 50 inches): up to 100 baht per item.
Boxed or bundled cargo or tools (50 inches or more): up to 100 baht per item, whether boxed or simply bundled.


December 15, 2022


The Ministry of Transport issued a new regulation adjusting taxi fare rates in Bangkok, citing the rising costs of fuel and living expenses.


The revised fare schedule applies to public taxis with a seating capacity of up to seven passengers, including standard sedans and van-style vehicles. The new rates are as follows:


For standard sedan taxis (e.g., three-box cars and vans):


First kilometre: 40 baht


1–10 km: 6.50 baht per km
10–20 km: 7.00 baht per km
20–40 km: 8.00 baht per km
40–60 km: 8.50 baht per km
60–80 km: 9.00 baht per km
Over 80 km: 10.50 baht per km
For other types of public taxis:


First kilometre: 35 baht


1–10 km: 6.50 baht per km
10–20 km: 7.00 baht per km
20–40 km: 8.00 baht per km
40–60 km: 8.50 baht per km
60–80 km: 9.00 baht per km
Over 80 km: 10.50 baht per km
In addition, a waiting time charge of 3 baht per minute will apply when the vehicle moves at less than 6 km/h.


Other service fees include:


A 20 baht surcharge for rides booked via a call centre or digital platform
A 50 baht surcharge for taxis picking up passengers from designated queues at Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi airports


The Ministry stated that the fare adjustments aim to strike a balance between supporting drivers and maintaining fair pricing for passengers, while encouraging the integration of technology and regulated services.

Taxi disputes resurface: 5-Year fight, now targeting Grab

Jirut Wisanjit, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, acknowledged the complaints, noting that some Suvarnabhumi-based taxi drivers have asked the government to ban app-based services from the airport, claiming these services have reduced the number of passengers and income for metered taxis operating in the area.

However, he clarified that the airport currently provides a variety of transportation options — including public buses, interprovincial coaches, metre taxis, green-plate app-based vehicles, and limousines — to cater to passengers across different budgets and preferences.

the needs and convenience of customers should always come first. and service providers must adapt to those needs. thats how progress works. bangkok taxis have a bad reputation and spectacularly failed to adapt to the times, thanks both to the unprofessionalism of their drivers and the governments intransigence regarding an overhaul of their metered pricing system, but trying to ban a competitor that provides a better service will always end in tears.

thanks to limo services, apps, intercity coach services and the airport link passengers are no longer dependent on the lottery of being taken into town in a poorly maintained vehicle driven by a drugged up loon with a death wish.

Chances are one will have more issues with the dodgy Grab circles than with their "regular" counterparts [who are not all 100% sainted in their practices either].

Originally Posted by HuangLao

Chances are one will have more issues with the dodgy Grab circles than with their "regular" counterparts [who are not all 100% sainted in their practices either].

you do talk some shyte, Jeff.