Deal with Bad Taxi drivers

[Chatty]

Have you ever had bad experience with the taxi drivers?

1. Over price fee, I always get that problem cuz they thought I was a chinese tourist. I tried to get taxi in front of MBK once, it was rain storm there... he had no "Namjai" at all... he spoke English to me "200 baht". and same situation happened to me around tourists area, Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam. Makes me think how many tourists deal with that problem, unfair!!

2. They deny to pick us up. It always happened to me after they knew that I wasn't tourist, and my place is too close or too far. Some of them wait for only foreigners. I had experience after I got back from dinner on the river cruise (can't remember) I wanted to get off at Si praya pier. It's some where near a luxury hotel, might be Sheraton. Every taxi denied me. Some drivers didn't look at me at all cuz I spoke Thai with Thai accent. So my Thai baht is worthless. May be.

Once in front of Siam Paragon, I went to see a concert with my friend, it was after midnight, there was raining. Forget sky train, it stop running after midnight. We just wanted to go to our workplace at Soi Nana, it wasn't that far... I couldn't believe no one take us. I remember I smashed a Taxi with something... I lost my tempure. I asked him where did he wanna go and why did he drive on the street if he didn't wanna take any passenger... he didn't answer.

I just got a number from a nice taxi driver, he said he never deny, he go to any place that passengers wanna go. He told me if I have any trouble, don't let them get away cuz they are breaking the laws.

take the plate number, the time that you take taxi or the time that situation occured, call 1584

[MisterMatlock]

Have you ever had bad experience with the taxi drivers?

1. Over price fee, I always get that problem cuz they thought I was a chinese tourist. I tried to get taxi in front of MBK once, it was rain storm there... he had no "Namjai" at all... he spoke English to me "200 baht". and same situation happened to me around tourists area, Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam. Makes me think how many tourists deal with that problem, unfair!!

2. They deny to pick us up. It always happened to me after they knew that I wasn't tourist, and my place is too close or too far. Some of them wait for only foreigners. I had experience after I got back from dinner on the river cruise (can't remember) I wanted to get off at Si praya pier. It's some where near a luxury hotel, might be Sheraton. Every taxi denied me. Some drivers didn't look at me at all cuz I spoke Thai with Thai accent. So my Thai baht is worthless. May be.

Once in front of Siam Paragon, I went to see a concert with my friend, it was after midnight, there was raining. Forget sky train, it stop running after midnight. We just wanted to go to our workplace at Soi Nana, it wasn't that far... I couldn't believe no one take us. I remember I smashed a Taxi with something... I lost my tempure. I asked him where did he wanna go and why did he drive on the street if he didn't wanna take any passenger... he didn't answer.

I just got a number from a nice taxi driver, he said he never deny, he go to any place that passengers wanna go. He told me if I have any trouble, don't let them get away cuz they are breaking the laws.

take the plate number, the time that you take taxi or the time that situation occured, call 1584

Welcome to the pain that IS "being farang". I really enjoy the "300 baht for a a 3 minute ride because it's raining." Capitalism at its best.

[CiaranM]

it is annoying taxi drivers refusing ur fare because it is too far !! get another f**king job !!!

but the way the meters r set .... 20 baht/km for the first 2 kms and then 5 baht/km after that means the shorter faster runs r better for them !!!

[Matthew]

just lie about your destination then once driving tell the truth

[MisterMatlock]

just lie about your destination then once driving tell the truth

Yeah... That's not a good idea at all...

[Chatty]

Welcome to the pain that IS "being farang". I really enjoy the "300 baht for a a 3 minute ride because it's raining." Capitalism at its best.

I don't think "being farang" IS my point na... It was just about greedy Thai taxi drivers, who like foreigners money, and set up the over price fares. Believe me I'm glad to see tourists around Thailand... I hope them have happy time. I don't like to see they are cheated.

Plus by laws they should take every passengers no matter they are farang or Thai.

[MisterMatlock]

Welcome to the pain that IS "being farang". I really enjoy the "300 baht for a a 3 minute ride because it's raining." Capitalism at its best.

I don't think "being farang" IS my point na... It was just about greedy Thai taxi drivers, who like foreigners money, and set up the over price fares. Believe me I'm glad to see tourists around Thailand... I hope them have happy time. I don't like to see they are cheated.

Plus by laws they should take every passengers no matter they are farang or Thai.

The point IS taxi drivers fleece farang... Everyone knows it. If I'm in a tourist area and refuse to pay the overpriced ride, the driver will deny me and wait for an "easier farang target"... Someone who doesn't know better. I highly doubt that taxi drivers fleece Thai nationals anywhere NEAR as badly as they do farang.

[PJack]

i hate it when uneducated folks from up country act like.......... uneducated folks from up country while driving a taxi.

it drives me crazy.

[Admin_2]

I can't stand this...I always get it outside of MBK (Thais as well).

Their eyes light up right when they see me waiving them in...When I say "Pai..." (I go to...) the smile fades and then they quote 200 baht for a 60 baht ride.

If I get pissed off, I just don't shut the door and walk back to the next taxi. I haven't been hit with a steel pole yet.

[Chatty]

i hate it when uneducated folks from up country act like.......... uneducated folks from up country while driving a taxi.

it drives me crazy.

Are you serious?? Is it just sarcastic or some kinda joke?

[PJack]

i hate it when uneducated folks from up country act like.......... uneducated folks from up country while driving a taxi.

it drives me crazy.

Are you serious?? Is it just sarcastic or some kinda joke?

all three. since you asked.

[PeeMarc]

I would say that about 80% of the taxis I get in bkk are ok and no trouble at all. Of those, about 10% are great. I always tip those 10% great ones.

I never, ever go in a taxi without the meter. I never put up with bullshit and no matter how much I am inconvenienced, I will stop the taxi and get out if I don't believe I am being treated fairly. I wish more people would stop being so 'mai pen rai' about bad drivers and arseholes.

I do notice that if I'm in a tourist area then there will a higher proportion of arsehole drivers. I particularly notice lately that the pink taxis are often the worst offenders. I cant change them, and I cant change the tourist are 'factor', but I CAN take these things into account and find ways to minimize.

I also know that it takes a minimum IQ to drive a taxi, so I dont expect too much whenever I go in one.

[Chatty]

ahh got it. I should move my topic to the Thai forum.

[Admin_2]

ahh got it. I should move my topic to the Thai forum.

It's a good question to ask foreigners. We see with this a lot more than Thais, and its a lot more difficult for most of us to deal with since most of us don't speak the language well enough, nor do we know how to react properly to this kind of BS (in most of our countries, this would not last more than a minute once reported).

PJack's comment, though sarcastic, was fine. These drivers don't really get the long term effects of what they are doing. They are thinking about now now now, and don't think they are hurting their industry and country image by trying to to make an extra 100 baht. I blame this on education as well.

[zeusbheld]

all true but i think if you live near a train it borders on madness and/or torture to take a taxi to or from MBK anyway. the traffic is far more aggravating than taxi drivers refusing to use the meter (or just refusing).

taxis here are still cheaper than in most countries (even when the relative cost of living is taken into account). it's a pain in the ass getting a taxi to agree to take you where you want to go, but once they do, and agree to use the meter, i've found them to be far more honest than taxi drivers in most other countries. but then, my comparator group consists of places like Bombay, Beijing, and New York City (actually Beijing's not too bad overall).

[MisterMatlock]

PJack's comment, though sarcastic, was fine. These drivers don't really get the long term effects of what they are doing. They are thinking about now now now, and don't think they are hurting their industry and country image by trying to to make an extra 100 baht. I blame this on education as well.

It's not just taxi drivers. This is a pervasive attitude in MANY businesses in BKK. They'd rather screw the customer for 100 baht at the present than do the right thing and count on the customer returning in the future. You are correct about there being a "now now now" train of thought.

[DJTX]

I wonder how many Thai's have got into a taxi in Bangkok and asked to go to the airport and got the 'no meter' discussion.

[Chatty]

ahh got it. I should move my topic to the Thai forum.

It's a good question to ask foreigners. We see with this a lot more than Thais, and its a lot more difficult for most of us to deal with since most of us don't speak the language well enough, nor do we know how to react properly to this kind of BS (in most of our countries, this would not last more than a minute once reported).

PJack's comment, though sarcastic, was fine. These drivers don't really get the long term effects of what they are doing. They are thinking about now now now, and don't think they are hurting their industry and country image by trying to to make an extra 100 baht. I blame this on education as well.

So you agree if they have well educated they will be good people?

You know what in the past I thought education is everything. Right now I have learnt that good IQ doesn't mean that person has good EQ.

Have you ever seen well educated ppl act like a**hole. They might be the worst person you have ever deal with on earth. I have deal with those kind of PPL. and from the newspapers, how many Ph.D. ppl are the criminals?

So better don't look down the uneducated ppl with the high moral.

Plus, I don't think well education ppl will take this kinda job.

[PJack]

PJack's comment, though sarcastic, was fine. These drivers don't really get the long term effects of what they are doing. They are thinking about now now now, and don't think they are hurting their industry and country image by trying to to make an extra 100 baht. I blame this on education as well.

It's not just taxi drivers. This is a pervasive attitude in MANY businesses in BKK. They'd rather screw the customer for 100 baht at the present than do the right thing and count on the customer returning in the future. You are correct about there being a "now now now" train of thought.

I disagree with the characterization that "many businesses would rather screw the customer for 100 B". My experience with Thai shops (over a total of 10 years) is that overall they do their utmost best to give me fair treatment. If they are inept that is different, and many are just inept at what they do. But I dont see over charging or price gauging for the most part.

And that goes for taxis, too. The only problem I encounter with any regularity is that around 3 pm some taxis (occasionally) wont take me where I want to go. By the way there is a reason for this - they are changing shifts and going home or have to turn in the taxi so they want a fare going near their destination. That said, some taxis wont go into the traffic jam like Rama IV in the evening, but that almost seems understandable.

Having said all that, I attribute all of my positive experiences in Thailand (taxis included) to speaking Thai fluently and being a polite person who engages people in friendly chit chat. That sh*t goes a super long way with Thai people, particularly uneducated ones.

[DJTX]

Have you ever seen well educated ppl act like a**hole. They might be the worst person you have ever deal with on earth. I have deal with those kind of PPL. and from the newspapers, how many Ph.D. ppl are the criminals?

Very good points. Remember, a good education doesn't make people act like a**holes, it just allows them to act better like a**holes :shock:

Plus, I don't think well education ppl will take this kinda job.

Not sure about in Thailand but I used to always hear/read about PhD grads becoming taxi drivers as they could not find work in their field.

[PJack]

ahh got it. I should move my topic to the Thai forum.

It's a good question to ask foreigners. We see with this a lot more than Thais, and its a lot more difficult for most of us to deal with since most of us don't speak the language well enough, nor do we know how to react properly to this kind of BS (in most of our countries, this would not last more than a minute once reported).

PJack's comment, though sarcastic, was fine. These drivers don't really get the long term effects of what they are doing. They are thinking about now now now, and don't think they are hurting their industry and country image by trying to to make an extra 100 baht. I blame this on education as well.

So you agree if they have well educated they will be good people?

You know what in the past I thought education is everything. Right now I have learnt that good IQ doesn't mean that person has good EQ.

Have you ever seen well educated ppl act like a**hole. They might be the worst person you have ever deal with on earth. I have deal with those kind of PPL. and from the newspapers, how many Ph.D. ppl are the criminals?

So better don't look down the uneducated ppl with the high moral.

Plus, I don't think well education ppl will take this kinda job.

ah, yes. there is always the other side of the coin.

[PeeMarc]

ahh got it. I should move my topic to the Thai forum.

It's a good question to ask foreigners. We see with this a lot more than Thais, and its a lot more difficult for most of us to deal with since most of us don't speak the language well enough, nor do we know how to react properly to this kind of BS (in most of our countries, this would not last more than a minute once reported).

PJack's comment, though sarcastic, was fine. These drivers don't really get the long term effects of what they are doing. They are thinking about now now now, and don't think they are hurting their industry and country image by trying to to make an extra 100 baht. I blame this on education as well.

So you agree if they have well educated they will be good people?

You know what in the past I thought education is everything. Right now I have learnt that good IQ doesn't mean that person has good EQ.

Have you ever seen well educated ppl act like a**hole. They might be the worst person you have ever deal with on earth. I have deal with those kind of PPL. and from the newspapers, how many Ph.D. ppl are the criminals?

So better don't look down the uneducated ppl with the high moral.

Plus, I don't think well education ppl will take this kinda job.

bCool I dont think the term 'educated' was meant in the way you describe. Taxi drivers dont need a degree or even any tertiary education. But they should have some training, and that training should involve helping them see a bigger picture than just themselves and the next TB50.

For example, in the UK they have a training scheme called 'the knowledge' for all taxi drivers. I dont believe a taxi driver can get their license to drive without passing that course.

Perhaps there could be *some* training here for drivers because surely it does affect tourists and Thais alive. In fact, I would propose that if all taxis put their prices up just a few percent, and then the taxi companies used that extra money to provide customer service and knowledge courses, 2 things would immediately happen. 1) More people would get better services and less hassles and 2) taxi drivers would have more pride in their work and themselves and maybe even make more money in tips from happy customers.

If places like Starbucks can train their staff and pass the cost of that training on to the customer, then Im sure taxi companies could do the same.

[Admin_2]

So you agree if they have well educated they will be good people?

No, that's not what I said. Education plays a big role in this, however, because of causation: If you do something (all things being equal), something else will change, which in turn causes something else to change, etc...Some do not or cannot think of things in this manner.

Educated people make stupid decisions as well, but they are less likely to (for hopefully obvious reasons). Education isn't everything, you're right. There are plenty of white collar scammers out there. But do you think that if all the scamming taxi drivers received the same education as you did, all of them would still be scamming people for a short term gain?

[nzguy]

this is a good topic and I think more people should call the number when they have a problem with any taxi driver.

a taxi driver told my gf that it is getting harder to overcharge tourists as they have all learnt their tricks.

I guess getting overcharged by a taxi driver is most peoples first experience of amazing thailand.

[SweetieBabie]

Only recently i was impressed with one taxi driver who i told to drop me at the BTS and i would continue my journey on BTS to my destination to save time, but he instead asked me why and insisted he would have drove me to wherever i wanted to go, great attitude. Only because of bad traffic on that day, i decided him to drop me at BTS. He was possibly one in a thousand. I am surprised by this, not by the rejections from many other stupid taxi drivers.

I think it's a great subject of discussion, by the way.

[SweetieBabie]

I guess getting overcharged by a taxi driver is most peoples first experience of amazing thailand.

by most people, you mean tourists...

Taxis make more money out of tourists, which obviously tourists would not mind to pay a little more for convenient, taxis get bigger tips, plus they get a cut or tea money if they are able to take tourists to happy ending destination like massage parlors, wherever adult entertainments are or even diamonds shop.

What happened to hard earned money Thai people?

In some areas, they do not even take Thai customers at all... Along Silom road in evening is notorious, if you are Thai you can forget to hail a cab from there at all. or if lucky, you get one with no meter on after waiting for an hour, non negotiable.