Bangkok Airport Transfers - I got stung - TWICE!

[robd]

I did read up on this before arriving in BKK, but I guess after the flight from CDG, I was just too tired to question the taxi driver. I was concerned that I didn't have enough baht on arrival for the taxi, so after extracting 5000 baht from the atm (5 x 1000 baht denominations), we were delivered to the taxi rank in BKK airport by the TG First Lounge escort. The escort advised the taxi driver that we were going to the Hilton Millennium. I was given a hand written receipt from the taxi rank with the taxi details & destination on it. We headed off and after about 500 metres, the driver said that the fare would be 800 baht, (which was listed on a laminated sheet slung over the back of the drivers seat). What do you do?

Further on, reading the receipt that I had been given from the taxi rank, it clearly states that a meter must be used and it is advised that you should report the taxi for non use of the meter.

Returning to the airport from Hilton Millennium, a pink taxi arrived, but the Hilton concierge said no and waited for the blue (or was it green) one. After travelling for a couple of minutes, again I was told 800 baht. I told the driver that I only had 700 baht (which was true) and he said "ok".

I am interested to know what procedure I should have undertaken.

 

[yohy?!]

as soon as they take off just keep saying "meter" until they switch it on - if they refuse tell them to stop and get out. they try it on everyone.

 

[drron]

Second that but I would also drop an email to the GM of the Hilton millennium.The doorman insisting that you not take the first taxi to me raises suspicions that he may be getting a kick back from the taxi drivers.
I also say this because a taxi driver tried it on us going to the Hilton millennium and wouldn't open the boot until we paid an extra 300baht.I got the doorman to intervene who said you will have to pay the 150 baht airport fee which is bull****.
A similar thing happened going to the Royal Orchid Sheraton but there the doorman began yelling at the taxi driver,turned to me and said you don't owe him anything because he knows that I will report him if he persists.

 

[robd]

as soon as they take off just keep saying "meter" until they switch it on - if they refuse tell them to stop and get out. they try it on everyone.

My experience was that they drove a little way away from where you can easily catch another taxi, and then tell you the fare, pretty much leaving you stranded if you choose to challenge them on their quoted fare and exit.

 

[robd]

Second that but I would also drop an email to the GM of the Hilton millennium.The doorman insisting that you not take the first taxi to me raises suspicions that he may be getting a kick back from the taxi drivers.
I also say this because a taxi driver tried it on us going to the Hilton millennium and wouldn't open the boot until we paid an extra 300baht.I got the doorman to intervene who said you will have to pay the 150 baht airport fee which is bull****.
A similar thing happened going to the Royal Orchid Sheraton but there the doorman began yelling at the taxi driver,turned to me and said you don't owe him anything because he knows that I will report him if he persists.

I was thinking at the time, that like Bali, there are good taxis and one's which you should avoid. I trusted that the concierge from the Hilton was doing the right thing for me.

 

[dajop]

Not uncommon, but none have ever tried 800 THB on me. Usually it's 500 THB. But there can be variation between hotels/city pickup, but never had any real issues at the airport - maybe because I usually sit in the front seat (with operational seatbelts) they don't try it on too much. Interestingly I have had big issues with hotels around Sukhumvit (pick up taxi's at Aloft was the worst - all three times I had to deal with it), have also had them try it on at Hilton. But in well over a dozen taxi pick ups at Le Meridien, not once have I had to even ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter.

 

[Mundi]

If you are not keen on the train, then go up to the Departures level and take a taxi that is dropping off pax. Insist on the meter.
It's been a while since I went in that direction, and gas went up on the 1st Sept but I would expect it would cost about 300THB

 

[JohnK]

Insisted on the meter and if they refuse then ask to be let out of the taxi.

From memory the taxi fare including tolls is ~350THB depending on the route taken and if you are coming from airport then add-on 50THB surcharge. Some taxi drivers try to add-on the surcharge coming back to airport as well.

But I would not worry as Thailand is a place anyone can get ripped off easily. I still get ripped off regularly but choose which battles I want to win and which ones to let go.

 

[Sprucegoose]

You get used to the bull**** in Asia, just remember they need your money more than you need the taxi! Take them on.

And in most cases, it's all about the principle.

 

[ashleyn]

Not uncommon, but none have ever tried 800 THB on me. Usually it's 500 THB. But there can be variation between hotels/city pickup, but never had any real issues at the airport - maybe because I usually sit in the front seat (with operational seatbelts) they don't try it on too much. Interestingly I have had big issues with hotels around Sukhumvit (pick up taxi's at Aloft was the worst - all three times I had to deal with it), have also had them try it on at Hilton. But in well over a dozen taxi pick ups at Le Meridien, not once have I had to even ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter.

Have I got this right ? 300THB is about $9.10. So everyone is getting bent out of shape over $10 ! Just curious that's all.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Have I got this right ? 300THB is about $9.10. So everyone is getting bent out of shape over $10 ! Just curious that's all.

Not the point

 

[ashleyn]

Not the point

What is the point then ? I've obviously missed something.

 

[AdMEL]

Many years ago, I got stung similarly, but at the end of the day, we are only talking about a few AUD. Call it tourist tax. Having been in Hong Kong recently, got stung by the taxi tourist tax - about 200 HK$ to get from the bottom of Victoria Peak to the top! Taxi fare on a meter should be less than half of that. And this is despite signs everywhere saying there is a 10,000 HK$ fine for not using the meter! Paid it though - no other choice! At the end of the day, we're still talking about a few AUD. Took the bus back though, as the taxi fare was even higher! Bus cost about 10 HK$, but had to wait a while.

 

[dajop]

Have I got this right ? 300THB is about $9.10. So everyone is getting bent out of shape over $10 ! Just curious that's all.

When I said usually it's 500 THB, I meant usually that's what they want me to pay. The meter is typically 250-300 THB (plus add 50THB if picking up from airport), ie a difference of 500 THB or around $16.

It's really the principle of the thing, and I have no problem paying a bit extra over and above the meter, if they put it on without asking, but 800 THB does seem steep. If you were in a small local restaurant and the meal came to 300 THB, would you want to pay a 500 THB tip?

 

[ashleyn]

Many years ago, I got stung similarly, but at the end of the day, we are only talking about a few AUD. Call it tourist tax. Having been in Hong Kong recently, got stung by the taxi tourist tax - about 200 HK$ to get from the bottom of Victoria Peak to the top! Taxi fare on a meter should be less than half of that. And this is despite signs everywhere saying there is a 10,000 HK$ fine for not using the meter! Paid it though - no other choice! At the end of the day, we're still talking about a few AUD. Took the bus back though, as the taxi fare was even higher! Bus cost about 10 HK$, but had to wait a while.

I totally agree. Many of these people rely on tourism for their livelihood , $10 could feed their family for a day, week ?

 

[JohnK]

Have I got this right ? 300THB is about $9.10. So everyone is getting bent out of shape over $10 ! Just curious that's all.

That is not the point.

They try this on everywhere more than once a day. Do you just say it is only $10 each time? Sorry I will pay the rightful price for goods and services not the price they think I should pay.

 

[robd]

Insisted on the meter and if they refuse then ask to be let out of the taxi.

From memory the taxi fare including tolls is ~350THB depending on the route taken and if you are coming from airport then add-on 50THB surcharge. Some taxi drivers try to add-on the surcharge coming back to airport as well.

But I would not worry as Thailand is a place anyone can get ripped off easily. I still get ripped off regularly but choose which battles I want to win and which ones to let go.

Thanks JohnK. I actually feel a bit better now, considering you are a very frequent visitor to BKK from what I've read. 800 THB is less that AUD $30, and given the distance from BKK to the Hilton, I reckon it would be at least $80 to $100 in Australia based on the distance. Still, it's all relative and I hate being ripped off. If I got good, honest service, I'd probably fling them the extra bucks anyway. Like you said, you have to choose your battles and at the end of the day, we got to where we needed to be, safely and on time.:-|

Another concern though, was the speed at which the taxi drove, and at one point on a 2 lane bridge, he managed to create a third lane on the inside, still travelling at a stupid speed.

When I was younger, I used to be fearful of flying. Now, I always imagine that my family back home are going to be informed of my demise in the taxi on the way to the airport. BKK taxi was scary and so was CDG taxi at 140 kmh. Speed limits totally disregarded. I would happily pay a bit more to go slower.

 

[robd]

What is the point then ? I've obviously missed something.

So you're happy to pay what you would normally pay in Australia then? For taxi, hotel, clothes, food, entertainment, wherever you are in the world?

Is that what you do?

 

[JohnK]

Another concern though, was the speed at which the taxi drove, and at one point on a 2 lane bridge, he managed to create a third lane on the inside, still travelling at a stupid speed.

I book private cars to go from BKK airport to Pattaya and ended with a pleasant lady driver a couple of weeks ago who actually told me she was going to drive slowly (it was raining heavily) and refused to go past 100km/h and when we hit traffic was letting everyone past her. Strange to see in Thailand but this time I was in a hurry as I was trying to get to golf bar before 10:30am. Didn't quite get there and had to organise for them to pick me up along the way and bring some breakfast as well.

When I was younger, I used to be fearful of flying. Now, I always imagine that my family back home are going to be informed of my demise in the taxi on the way to the airport. BKK taxi was scary and so was CDG taxi at 140 kmh. Speed limits totally disregarded. I would happily pay a bit more to go slower.

That is one of my fears as well.

Remember going to Hua Hin last year in pouring rain and the guy doing 130km/h all the way and I lost count of the number of phone calls he answered holding the phone to his ear. Somehow fell asleep and woke up safe at the other end.

 

[drron]

And from January 1 next year we will all be paying 500 Baht tourist tax as well.
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