Posted 2007-12-04 23:23:10
 CosmicSurfer, on 2007-12-04 16:57:33, said:
Quote A rate increase is long past due. In the past year or so, I always give a decent tip when they deserve it. Unfortunately they don't know that when they pick me up. For that reason they sometimes refuse to take me somewhere that traffic is heavy. Raising the rates should and I believe will improve the already acceptable service. .
NO.. NO... NO...
They will only take the extra money and RUN.... There is no incentive for improving service if they get a Hike free of Charge.
Bkk Taxi drivers are already looking for the cheap way to make their Nut (Daily cost of Business)... Why should they change their ways if they don't have to.
They will still try and avoid heavy traffic.. Its a habit now.. and BAD habits are always hard to break.
Incentive.. Tell them they can get it.. They have a legitimate reason.. but ONLY When they stop ripping off passengers, and ply there trade honorably.
And I know the good get penalized with the Bad.. But it's up to the good to set the standard...
OH.. I almost forgot.. another ILLEGAL Scam -
It is ILLEGAL to refuse to take you to a second location (after dropping somebody off) unless they turn off and restart the Meter... They must take you, without doing restarting the meter. It's Just another SCAM to get a Second "DROP".
Remember.. You hired the taxi from the moment you enter until you pay the meter and Exit....
BTW... The number to call to report a Taxi Scam in Bangkok is - SH*T.. I lost it. 
CS
You mean the tourist police? 55555555 in Samui.
Posted 2007-12-04 23:29:10
I've been here for about two years and always thought the fares were very good value. Cheaper than tuktuks and not bad at all for an air conditioned cab and door to door service. My short trips are only about 40 - 60 baht.
Most of them will use the meter if you ask them to. However if you are trying to catch one from MBK during peak hour you usually get the standard response "150 baht, traffic jam, traffic jam ! "
In that case we have the BTS or strike up a deal :-)
Posted 2007-12-05 00:20:03
I concur with the argument that taxi fares are already sufficiently high to attract more willing participants than are necessary to service the population. It is simple economics.
Whilst the flag fall has not increased since the 90's that I know of, are people saying that the distance you travel for the first Bt35 has not altered (shortened) since then. That I cannot believe. Were that to be true, then taxi drivers have been overpaid for years.
Will people stop trying to compare it to "back home". This is Thailand.
Posted 2007-12-05 00:24:16
SamuiJens, on 2007-12-04 18:16:24, said: blizzard, on 2007-12-04 08:21:01, said: you know. some say one of the reason s they cum here is to enjoy the cheap taxis.  Exactly, I come to JUST drive in taxi's all day for my 4 wwk vacation, since it's soo cheap! 
Not on Samui, it isn't!
Samui is a different world has it's own rules, sorry 'no rules'. Do the locals, farang residents and tourists a huge favour if they were forced to abandon their 'island mentality' and follow Thai law, such as it is. Sorry change of subject I know.
Posted 2007-12-05 00:28:49
About 5 years ago i used once a taxi from Bang Na to Rangsit (Highway) and i payd about 160 Baht for the trip. 3 hours later i used another taxi for the same way back, to return from Rangsit to Bang Na (Highway) and i payd about 350 Baht, for the trip
Both taxidriver used the meter. Highway fees i payd seperatly both ways.
I don't really care about, but what's wrong here? Modified taximeter???
Posted 2007-12-05 01:21:08
I definitely remember the taxis being cheaper in the past.
It must have been something to do with my fuel...
Posted 2007-12-05 01:25:45
I have been in a taxi about twice in the last 6 years, the guys were great and un and did a goo job. My only question is what is what is up with all the new taxi's, they clog the road, troll the inside lanes and 50% are empty, someone has a scam going on in Taxi sales
Posted 2007-12-05 01:26:47
FrankRizzo, on 2007-12-04 23:29:10, said: I've been here for about two years and always thought the fares were very good value. Cheaper than tuktuks and not bad at all for an air conditioned cab and door to door service. My short trips are only about 40 - 60 baht.
Most of them will use the meter if you ask them to. However if you are trying to catch one from MBK during peak hour you usually get the standard response "150 baht, traffic jam, traffic jam ! "
In that case we have the BTS or strike up a deal :-)
Ya.. Thai taxi prices are a great deal.. but so are New York Taxi prices... SO WHAT !!!!
Every time you "Strike up a deal" you feed Thai corruption... and Teach Taxi that they can get away with it.
You are also making it harder and harder to reform the system. Corruption feeds on suckers and the weak.
A Deal is no excuse for allowing yourself to be Ripped off...
But like PT Barnum said... "Never give a sucker an even break".
And Thai taxi drivers know that there will be another Farang sucker along pretty soon to allow themselves to get scammed and ripped off. "Because it's so cheap".. Bull Sh*t
BTW... I have a nice Bridge I'm trying to sell.. Or maybe a nice Wat, by the river... Previous owner is a real Hi-So guy... Only used it for ceremonial occasions...
The only way that you will stop the double standards is to refuse to be a sucker.. and maybe teach the Thais, how to stand up for themselves too...
They know that they are getting abused and ripped off too.. but they just don't know that they can complain, or that they don't have to accept it.
If you aren't willing to fight it.. then bend over... You'll certainly get what you deserve.
CS
Posted 2007-12-05 02:49:16
Our good old friend, INFLATION kicking in................ 
All that unsupported debt.......
First it was the Sub Prime mortgage
now they are talking about all the accumulated Credit Card debt..........
And which country has run up the most debt???
Answers on a post card.
I wish I could get someone to write off my debts.
What is the prognosis on Thai interest rates to try and counteract it all??
Posted 2007-12-05 03:32:39
The drivers make very little unless they own their taxi. Pay to rent, pay for fuel and a cut of the total fare to owner. In some cases they only rent for 4 hours and have to return to shop for the turn around. The driver is not getting rich.
Posted 2007-12-05 06:59:16
blizzard, on 2007-12-04 14:21:01, said: you know. some say one of the reason s they cum here is to enjoy the cheap taxis.
Obviously doesn't take very much to attract some people 
Posted 2007-12-05 07:06:10
moe666, on 2007-12-05 03:32:39, said: The drivers make very little unless they own their taxi. Pay to rent, pay for fuel and a cut of the total fare to owner. In some cases they only rent for 4 hours and have to return to shop for the turn around. The driver is not getting rich.
And there are not too many that own their own car.
The fare increases are modest and are not gonna break anyone's piggy bank.
Still have to deal with the ones who are reluctant to turn their meters on though.
Posted 2007-12-05 09:23:51
madjbs, on 2007-12-04 22:37:49, said: Quote in my Humble, but Educated opinion...................I drove a cab in Montreal Canada for many years hmmm
What is with the hmmmmmm......What a taxi driver cant be educated? His driving a cab isn't an education and experience? I tend to agree with him, he made a lot of valid points. There is more as well, for instance the drivers who don't turn on the meter, also against the law. Or the ones who run down sio dogs and just drive off.
I think if Thailand was a better place they could enforce some of the laws and give taxies better deals (increase fares) at the same time.
I used to live in NYC as well and they drive worse here so far as safety is concerned.
There needs to be real and quantive enforcement of laws here.
I got in a cab last week with a rigged meter, and the driver wasnt the one in his picture. it cost 2x as much as usual to come home from my normal supermarket.
I am tired of taxies. Even if they are cheap.
BTW most drivers can make about 30k+++ a month (a decent wage in BKK), thats why they want to do it in the first place.
I agree that this is for the benifit of the owners, they will profit most from renting out more cars.
I also agree that taxies are pretty cheap (compared to other places) but so are the wages that most everyone makes, so transportation should be cheap. Esp. since there is no other option but a bus in most places.
Posted 2007-12-05 09:32:38
To the poster who said fuel prices had doubled that's not true for all taxis as they use LPG or are NGV.
An average of 8 to 10 baht a trip will hurt many casual users because their wages won't have gone up by that much. Some of my colleagues are already bemoaning the price increaseson public transport over the last 1-2 years because their wages have not kept pace with inflation.
Tips should be for over and above average service, not a given. Don't tip the driver and you'll notice a small difference in outlay for many tourists and expats.
If a taxi won't use the meter then wait for one who will. If you allow yourself to be ripped by the unscroupulous then you deserve it. There are many drivers who will charge a fair price with excellent service and THEY deserve the money.
Most taxi drivers make enough money to live on comfortably and to compare it to the west is just plain stupid. I travel by taxi everyday because my work is not in the centre of Bangkok and 3 bus changes is inconvenient and time consuming, so I pay for the privilege. Talking to the drivers of newer cabs, who pay 800 Baht a day rental plus around 500 Baht LPG, and they tell me that they are making anywhere between 1800 and 2000 Baht a day. That is around 15k Baht a month which is much more than what many jobs in Bangkok and surrounding environs pay. They have transport, aircon and a radio, some even have a VCD/DVD player for the rush hour traffic. You don't have to feel sorry for them. As other posters have said it's the owners who will benefit because they'll put rental prices up again. A truer and fairer comparison is in relation to costs in Thailand NOT elsewhere.
Posted 2007-12-05 09:36:08
moe666, on 2007-12-05 03:32:39, said: The drivers make very little unless they own their taxi. Pay to rent, pay for fuel and a cut of the total fare to owner. In some cases they only rent for 4 hours and have to return to shop for the turn around. The driver is not getting rich.
Again... So What?
Taxi Driver's around the world have exactly the same expenses and the same problems....
How many times did I wonder if I would even make my "NUT" before my shift ended???
How many time s did I go home after only breaking Even ???
How many Times did I work 24 hour shifts (Drive 18 hours - sleep 6 hours) because I could save money on expenses when I rented for 24...
How many times did I find myself falling asleep at the wheel????
None of this is any excuse for Ripping off customers....
ANY of the offenses I mentioned in my earlier posts would have cost me my "Taxi Driver's license"... Some would have even meant JAIL time...
So again I repeat... NO FARE INCREASE... UNTIL SERVICE IS IMPROVED !!!!!
Fares here are reasonable and maybe even low... But until Laws and regulations are respected and enforced... Until there is an INCENTIVE To try harder.. Until there is a REAL PENALTY for infractions, the situation will never get better....
Also.. Stop looking at this through FARANG eyes... How many Taxis would you be taking if you were making a 10,000 Baht or less monthly salary???
Working class Thais already have a hard enough time making ends meet... and nobody if giving them a decent raise in salary.. especially after a horrible job performance record... and why should they too suffer the scams and rip-offs.. because they do..
I hear the stories all the time from my wife and friends... after taking a taxi that they can barely afford.. then getting ripped off, only because the Driver KNOWS his customers WON'T complain (Thai Style strikes again).. So for the GOOD of the people this situation must be changed, BEFORE any Rate increase. (Of course, the last people that are taken into consideration... ARE "THE PEOPLE"... easier to satisfy and Give a goody to a Special interest group.. with KNOWN MAFIA CONNECTIONS like Taxi drivers..
Since When does the Thai government care about THE PEOPLE ??? What have they done for the people really... If they really cared maybe they could fix the education system, or the lousy Internet accessibility.. or How about Only the SIDEWALKS ??? There is not ONE sidewalk in all of Bangkok, excluding around the Royal Palace, that is safe to walk on..... Or even just Enforce the law about DRIVING MOTORCYCLES down the sidewalks ???
JUST WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS TAXI RATE INCREASE REALLY ???? Taxi drivers or Fleet Owners, who will surely raise Rental Rates.. and Their Mafia partners !!!!
Sure there are a majority of GOOD Taxi drivers.. but there are FAR too many BAD APPLES... and the bad ones just ruin the whole barrel.
Think about the cost to the Tourist industry for every bad experience. It doesn't take too many complaints to ruin an industry.
Once burned.. Twice Shy... and they tell their friends back home.. who tell their friends.. and so on.. and so on.. and so on...
CS
Posted 2007-12-05 09:41:12
CosmicSurfer, on 2007-12-04 22:57:33, said: Quote A rate increase is long past due. In the past year or so, I always give a decent tip when they deserve it. Unfortunately they don't know that when they pick me up. For that reason they sometimes refuse to take me somewhere that traffic is heavy. Raising the rates should and I believe will improve the already acceptable service. .
NO.. NO... NO...
They will only take the extra money and RUN.... There is no incentive for improving service if they get a Hike free of Charge.
Bkk Taxi drivers are already looking for the cheap way to make their Nut (Daily cost of Business)... Why should they change their ways if they don't have to.
They will still try and avoid heavy traffic.. Its a habit now.. and BAD habits are always hard to break.
Incentive.. Tell them they can get it.. They have a legitimate reason.. but ONLY When they stop ripping off passengers, and ply there trade honorably.
And I know the good get penalized with the Bad.. But it's up to the good to set the standard...
OH.. I almost forgot.. another ILLEGAL Scam -
It is ILLEGAL to refuse to take you to a second location (after dropping somebody off) unless they turn off and restart the Meter... They must take you, without doing restarting the meter. It's Just another SCAM to get a Second "DROP".
Remember.. You hired the taxi from the moment you enter until you pay the meter and Exit....
BTW... The number to call to report a Taxi Scam in Bangkok is - SH*T.. I lost it.
CS
How do you know all the laws, rules and regulations? You're NOT in Canada Toto. For the pittance they earn, I think most do a great job. If they don't use the meter, I don't use them. I can't remember the last time I was SCAMMED! Maybe you're thinking about Tuk tuks.
Posted 2007-12-05 09:43:32
Bowery99, on 2007-12-05 09:23:51, said: madjbs, on 2007-12-04 22:37:49, said: Quote in my Humble, but Educated opinion...................I drove a cab in Montreal Canada for many years hmmm
What is with the hmmmmmm......What a taxi driver cant be educated? His driving a cab isn't an education and experience? I tend to agree with him, he made a lot of valid points. There is more as well, for instance the drivers who don't turn on the meter, also against the law. Or the ones who run down sio dogs and just drive off.
Bowery99,
Sorry if I wasn't clear... I meant "Educated" as in Knowledgeable about the inner-working of the Taxi industry.... From years of experience.. Not as in "having gone to school".
From your ID it looks like you're from NYC.. Can you imagine a NEW YORK Taxi Driver pulling off this kind off sh*t... They would be canned in a day.
But I'm glad you agree with me about my other points.
CS
Posted 2007-12-05 09:54:07
dantilley, on 2007-12-04 19:16:36, said: lazeeboy, on 2007-12-04 18:06:24, said: Florin, on 2007-12-04 15:12:40, said: This is a reasonable increase given the price changes of the past decade...definitely better than reaching a point where taxis wouldn't bother using the meter anymore.
most dont anyway.
Actually, taxis just about always use the meter.
I've lived in Bangkok for several years now and use taxis every day, sometimes several times a day. Aside from when I was a newcomer and engaged taxis from the queues outside hotels (a BIG mistake as anyone who lives here knows) or was stuck in the boondocks at 2 a.m. with no alternative but the single taxi who came along, I have had excellent service. The meter is always on, almost all drivers are friendly and the ones who aren't leave me in peace to enjoy the ride. I think one of the best things about Bkk are the taxis. I always carry the correct change (another rule for a pleasant trip) and always tip a bit because I think the fares are too low.
Posted 2007-12-05 12:04:48
Gary A, on 2007-12-05 09:41:12, said: How do you know all the laws, rules and regulations? You're NOT in Canada Toto. For the pittance they earn, I think most do a great job. If they don't use the meter, I don't use them. I can't remember the last time I was SCAMMED! Maybe you're thinking about Tuk tuks.
How do I know the laws ???...
I ASKED. I did the research.
I'm the curious sort.. and wanted to know if corruption was legal in Thailand.
The problem is not that laws don't exist... The Problem is that they are NOT enforced, and like all corruption-based offenses in Thailand, the laws are universally ignored.
CS
Posted 2007-12-05 12:15:57
BTW... I have no issue about drivers not using the meter... Generally they all do.
My issues are with the refusal to take you where you want to go, the expulsion from taxis when traffic gets heavy, or they decide that it's lunch time or shift change, the Double meter drop for multi-stop rides, the ignorance of the city streets, the refusal to listen to directions when you instruct them on the route YOU want to take, the taking of Tollways unnecessarily, etc.. all Scams or laziness. ALL ILLEGAL and BAD Customer Service.
Bangkok taxis are generally clean, comfortable and easy to find, besides being REASONABLY priced.. they are not cheap, when compared to the norm of a Thai salary.. They are Only cheap for Expats or Tourists that are NOT in the Norm.
You want CHEAP.. Take a Red BUS without A/C... That's cheap.
CS
Posted 2007-12-05 12:22:18
One more Thing....
WAKE UP PEOPLE - THE Only ones that will benefit from a fare hike are the Taxi Fleet owners and their Mafia Partners.
Do you REALLY believe that the drivers will get to keep a fare raise? I can assure you that if the fares are raised, so will the Rental fees. The owners will cry about their increased overhead and upkeep costs, etc. The Drivers will get to keep NOTHING!!
If Drivers really wanted to increase their take-home income, then all they need to do is increase their Customer Service.. TIPS.. TIPS... TIPS. That is how to generate income that they can actually benefit from..
They Benefit.. We Benefit.. EVERYBODY BENEFITS... Win/Win
CS
Posted 2007-12-05 16:53:41
CosmicSurfer, on 2007-12-04 22:22:15, said: I drove a cab in Montreal Canada for many years.. ...
...
An ABUSED and IRATE Frequent Passenger
 CS
Nothing worse than an ex-taxi driver turned passenger - a bit like an ex-smoker in a smoky pub. And please don't post twice - one rant is bad enough.
I like bkk taxis - lots of 'em, just walk to the end of the soi and there they are waiting for you. If you don't like the one there (smelly, old, torn/patched seat) just say "no thanks" and get in another.
Do they deserve a rate rise? Yes, probably, but there are so many that I can't believe it's not a good way to earn a living.
Posted 2007-12-05 17:16:41
They really need to do something about the extra traffic that taxis can cause. In some areas there are just simply too many of them and they take up 3/4 of the road. In other areas you'll wait forever for one. What they need to do is limit the number of new licenses each year and try to even-out distribution. Maybe even use a GPS tracking system for taxis and assign the closest one to a passenger instead of having drivers cruise aimlessly or wait in a queue that takes up 3 lanes of a road.
Posted 2007-12-05 17:25:04
CosmicSurfer, on 2007-12-05 12:22:18, said: One more Thing....
WAKE UP PEOPLE - THE Only ones that will benefit from a fare hike are the Taxi Fleet owners and their Mafia Partners.
Do you REALLY believe that the drivers will get to keep a fare raise? I can assure you that if the fares are raised, so will the Rental fees. The owners will cry about their increased overhead and upkeep costs, etc. The Drivers will get to keep NOTHING!!
If Drivers really wanted to increase their take-home income, then all they need to do is increase their Customer Service.. TIPS.. TIPS... TIPS. That is how to generate income that they can actually benefit from..
They Benefit.. We Benefit.. EVERYBODY BENEFITS... Win/Win
CS
I like you. You're funny.
Posted 2007-12-05 17:35:41
I have no connexion with the business side, but I recall I was told that the green & yellow ones were owner-driven and others were leased by the day/night. anyone know the truth or fiction of this?
Regards
/edit taken out number of licensed taxi's in BMA, can't find any confirmation. Any know this figure for sure? //
Edited by A_Traveller, 2007-12-05 17:50:08.
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