Thanks to the many threads from flyertalk members I was able to secure some great information on many different topics regarding my first trip to this city, including the "taxi" scams.

As suggested, upon arrival at BKK, I went upstairs to the arrival area, and grabbed a cab that had just dropped off an outbound passenger. I told the driver he had to use the meter, and asked him to take me to the Conrad. He didn't understand what I was saying, so I pulled out a piece of paper that had Conrad written in Thai (another suggestion from FT).

The driver clicked on the meter and away we went...201 Baht to the hotel..fair enough...

On my trip from the Conrad to the BKK airport 5 days later was a little bit different...The top of the cab said "metered" and when I jumped in the cab, I asked the driver to click on the meter. On the back of the taxi driver's seat was a list of destinations, the distance and the cost. The driver said these were the fares to various destinations in the area. Cost to the airport would be 400 Baht. I again asked the driver to click on the meter, and was then told they don't use meters going to the airport, and again the fare would be 400 Baht. I was becomming a little steamed and asked him to take me back to the Conrad. At this point, he reluctantly clicked on the meter.

I remember seeing the construction of some type of verticle piers on the left side of the taxi a good deal of the way FROM the airport, perhaps a new Skyway route to the airport. It didn't take long to figure out I was being taken to the airport (meter on) via the "scenic route", passing colorful neighborhoods, airport maintenence hangers, and airport offices..Finally, we arrived at the airport.. the fare was only 280 Baht and the driver seemed irritated that he wasn't able to run it up even more to teach me a lesson.

Thanks to this forum I was well prepared for the taxi scams and was able to focus my attention on this amazing city and the wonderful people who live in it.

If you got a taxi from out front of the Conrad lobby, then shame on them for giving you a cab that doesn't use the meter (send them a letter). If you got it from somewhere besides what the Conrad provided, then.....Never had a problem with cabs from the Conrad that they called for me.

Yep, if you were seeing BTS pillars on the left, you did get the scenic route. But 280 isn't too bad, although 65 baht of that is usually toll fees which you didn't pay.

Very smart move there "Jet Lag." Glad to see this forum has helped people ;) And I agree with SaigonCyclo, if you got the cab from Conrad calling them for you, do write a letter to complain. If they call a cab for you means they have to turn on the meter, regardless.

On Dec. 12 I took cab from ranks at Radisson at 4 AM. I said meter, driver said "no meter to airport, 350 Baht". I didn't know that I could insist on meter and did not want to be late, so I paid 350. This was the same fee I paid inbound on meter including tolls and airport 50 Baht surcharge.

BEFORE you get in the taxi, ask for the meter. Plenty of taxis in Bangkok, day or night.

Rarely do I have to argue with a random taxi flagged down on the street. But more than a few times I have had to argue with drivers of taxis hailed for me by 4-5 star hotels. I have concluded that drivers who hang around nice hotels are LESS honest than the average driver on the street. One time I even had to get out a block away from the Westin and catch the next cab when the taxi driver outright refused to run the meter period. Every other time the drivers eventually relented but I find the process of arguing with taxi drivers distasteful even though I ALWAYS win since rarely will they actually let you get out before relenting and running the meter, and I will get out if necessary. Lately I usually just go out to the street and catch a taxi myself. I prefer to give the honest guys my business rather than forcing a dishonest guy to play by the rules.

I was a little shocked a few weeks back at the SGS.
The bell boy asked me if I wanted to fix the rate at 400THB including tolls.
I said no.
Then the cab didn't start the meter until I threatened to get out. Still on property.

One week later, jumped in a cab at the lobby/bell desk of the BKK Banyan Tree. Wouldn't start the meter. I was out of that cab before we got to the street and immediately reported it to the bell desk. They made sure the next one started the meter.

It's a lot tougher to pull this if all you bags are in the trunk of the cab. Don't forget the amount in question (taht you are being cheated) is between $2 and $5 USD. Still it's the principle.

Regards,

Scho

I have taken taxis dozens of times to/from the Conrad without having to argue or open the door while the taxi is moving :rolleyes: . Most of these trips have been within the city, but ~ 10 were to/from the old airport. I'm always surprised when people report having problems with taxis in Bangkok but there must be something to it as so many people here have negative experiences. Step number one: tell the driver where you want to go, step number two: confirm that they will use the meter, step number three, load both yourself and your luggage into the taxi. If in doubt, ask them to turn the meter on before entering the taxi. Do not get into the taxi if in doubt. Once in a taxi do not argue with the driver, and I still maintain that opening the door of a moving vehicle is a recipe for disaster, no matter how much you wish to make a point.

200 baht sounds right for a trip to/from the new airport and the Conrad, exclusive of the 50 baht departure fee and/or any tolls (65 baht), if going by the Bangkok-Chonburi expressway. 280 baht is reasonable ig going via the Bang Na-Trat Road.

I am forever amazed at the angst people seem to suffer as a result of possibly overpaying a taxi 100 baht, to the point where this is the highlight (or lowlight?) of their journey to Bangkok?

It's not the highlight or the lowlight. It just seems par for the course.
Not every cab, but once every trip or two. Not to mention that my surprise was more with the SGS bell boy than the cabbie.

The funny thing is, if they just flip on the meter they are likely to get 400 from me, but if they try and con me into paying 400 up front, forget it.

Scho

i've just completed a 3wk stay in thailand, and in 6 BKK to/from hotel taxi trips (sukhumvit/conrad and mbk areas) my metered fares came up between 137 and 187 baht. fastest door to door time was 18mins, slowest 40mins. the 187/40 ride was during rush hour, where our saavy cabbie ducked and dodged the "expressway" (jammed) and rerouted towards bang na (sp?). even with a healthy tip, 200-300 baht should do it.

Had the exact same experience as Jet Lag returning from Conrad to BKK on 12/23.

I didn't argure and paid 400 Baht plus toll to the airport. This was a taxi called by Conrad bell boy. It was 4:00AM was not awake enough to argue and later realized I did not receive the taxi card Conrad usually hand me for reporting any problem with the taxi driver.

Had another unhappy taxi experience for my this visit to Bangkok. I had a doctor appointment at Bumrungrad Hospital one day at 7PM. I totally under estimate the traffic and only leave Conrad hotel at 6:30PM. The traffic was really bad, constantly sat on the car for few mins not moving much. When I finally saw the Hospital sign and ask to pay and walk the driver won't let me. I thought at first he didn't understand English well and didn't catch what I mean when I explain by hand gesture of walking. After more sat idle on the car and more time past that I was so late for my appointment, I asked again how far if I walk and I really want to get off, the driver from not understand English to clearly told me that I have to pay 100 baht to get off (the meter was around 70 baht) in a threaten tone. I am not sure if passenage is obligated to reach his/her destination before he/she can get off. But not a very good experience especially for situation of needing a doctor visit.

the driver from not understand English to clearly told me that I have to pay 100 baht to get off (the meter was around 70 baht) in a threaten tone.
This is the first time I've ever heard that one!
Yet another taxi scam in Bangkok, to add to the list.
Thanks, wendySFO, for your report.

-- Peter

.
Tried to get a taxi the other day, in one of the main tourist areas of town.
Each time a taxi stopped for me, I opened the door and told the driver my destination, speaking in Thai.
Two taxis refused to take me, even though the trip was only about 2 Km.
The third driver, after listening to my destination, laughed loudly, then agreed to take me.

Once underway, he asked me a "test question" about the route I wanted him to take.
I answered with my preference, again speaking in Thai.
Not bragging here, but my Thai accent is exceptional for a foreigner.
And my answer demonstrated that I was very familiar with the route.

The driver then said, "Many taxi driver not want take you, because you know too much."

As my Thai language has improved, I have more and more trouble getting taxis in the tourist areas, once I request my destination, in Thai language.
On the other hand, when I am in a Thai neighborhood -- no tourists -- then no problems whatsoever.
The more predatory taxi drivers migrate to the tourist parts of town.

I never thought knowing the local language would be a problem, but, with taxis, it is.
If I speak English, likely to be hassled with the common taxi scams.
If I speak Thai, likely to have a problem getting a taxi in the first place.
With taxis in Bangkok, is there any winning strategy?
.

Hi, Peter, I guess the best strategy I would recommend would be to speak Thai and after the first polite request by you, "Chuay pai sohng tee _____" and expecting the meter to be started -- if the driver started to make excuses or quote fixed fares, etc., I would tell him he knows that is not true, as do you, and you would prefer he go ahead with what you've asked, otherwise let's stop at the first traffic policeman (or police station) we come across so I can file a complaint.

Just the threat and the take charge tone will probably suffice, and if he still is unhappy, I'd gather the information on his license and the taxi license plate and tell him he might get notified by the police or by the taxi company.

I have only had to get tough with a driver one time from what I can remember, and that was from his refusing to slow down in mid afternoon from Rama VI area through Pratunam. After two requests, I just insisted he pull over and stop the cab. I was with a Thai middleaged lady, our secretary, and she was also worried about the speed.

It is definitely tougher when the "farang" or other Asian passenger doesn't speak Thai.

the take charge tone will probably suffice ...[snip] ...It is definitely tougher when the "farang" or other Asian passenger doesn't speak Thai. Those comments from Son fit perfectly with all my observations here.
Most readers of this forum won't be speaking Thai language, but a take-charge tone in English certainly would go a long way towards avoiding taxi problems.
Why is that?
Power & hierarchy are very much alive and well here.
In Thai culture, power is most often demonstrated by a commanding tone of voice.

There is another option:
Hire a local, Thai guide.
The guide doesn't need to be an official, tourist-bureau-licensed guide.
Any Thai person with time available can be your protector.
Many Thais will be happy to have some extra income.

Where to find them?
When I first arrived to live here, I often hired hotel staff to guide me shopping and to tourist sites, after their work shift finished, or on their day off
They handled all the taxi rides with never a problem.
In addition, most bars in Thailand offer guides for hire by the hour or by the day.
It's a normal part of the bar business here.
Those guides often have lots of free time available during the daytime.
Since most "bar guides" in Bangkok come from the same region of Thailand as most taxi drivers (Issan region), chances are good that you will be treated with decent courtesy.

So, how to handle BKK taxi problems:

If you can, speak clear/fluent Thai.

If you can't speak Thai, then speak English in a commanding voice.

If you want someone else to handle taxi problems, hire a Thai as your guide.

Get lucky and maybe have no problems.
-- Peter

I normally take a taxi to the hotels ( conrad / Meredien). This time around the office said they will organise a hotel car. Landed at Swarnabhumi at around 11.30 pm and the hotel car was there. A 7 series BMW...great ride back and the bill Bhat 2400!

That would have paid for a few cab rides. The next time its back to the taxi stand for me. feels criminal!

Cheers

I normally take a taxi to the hotels ( conrad / Meredien). This time around the office said they will organise a hotel car. Landed at Swarnabhumi at around 11.30 pm and the hotel car was there. A 7 series BMW...great ride back and the bill Bhat 2400! That would have paid for a few cab rides. The next time its back to the taxi stand for me. feels criminal!
Feels like a bargain to me.
It's exactly what I always do, and what I recommend to friends arriving in Thailand: Arrange a hotel car, in advance.

I've posted about that before so I'll be brief here.
The hotel driver will know the best way to get you quickly to your hotel.
He's accountable to the hotel, so there won't be any "problems" for you enroute.
And, instead of taking chances with random taxis from the queue, you get a clean, often luxurious, car.

Especially in Bangkok -- where taxi scams are so common -- having a hotel car waiting at the airport is the most sensible option for arriving travelers.

Of course, one expects extra cost for extra service.
That's hardly criminal.

-- Peter

If you got a taxi from out front of the Conrad lobby, then shame on them for giving you a cab that doesn't use the meter (send them a letter). If you got it from somewhere besides what the Conrad provided, then.....Never had a problem with cabs from the Conrad that they called for me.


This kind of taxi scam is common, not only from Conrad, but also from Marriott Resort, Royal Orchid Sheraton. I have first hand experience with all these hotels.

I find that most cabbies will automatically turn on the meter when jumping into the cab and as long as I have the address written in Thai I don't have many problems. The exception being BKK and leaving the Suan Lum night bazaar at closing in which case I have been quoted outrageous figures.

One "scam" not mentioned that has happened to me a couple times is the driver refusing to give change. In one instance I had haggled down the rate to BKK to 320baht (not a good deal but I was in a rush). The driver complained the whole way and when I got out of the cab I handed him 400 Baht and he jumped back in and drove away. My point is to have exact change any time you suspect the driver is miffed at the agreed fare.

I also had one very lucky incident where I had forgotten my wallet in a cab I took from Bangkok to Pattaya. When I noticed I told the concierge who immediately notified the tourist police who set up road blocks on the main roads leaving Pattaya and to my great surprise actually located the driver who came back to the hotel where I received my wallet back with all the contents intact. I can not imagine this occuring anywhere else.

I also had one very lucky incident where I had forgotten my wallet in a cab I took from Bangkok to Pattaya. When I noticed I told the concierge who immediately notified the tourist police who set up road blocks on the main roads leaving Pattaya and to my great surprise actually located the driver who came back to the hotel where I received my wallet back with all the contents intact. I can not imagine this occuring anywhere else.
To my great surprise, too, but for a different reason.
I can not imagine a police road block merely to retrieve a tourist's wallet forgotten in a taxi.
And in Pattaya, yet!
It is very difficult to believe that.
Perhaps there is more to the story than just what was written above.

But, I hope other travelers to Pattaya, who read that post, are not mislead into an attitude of misplaced confidence.

-- Peter