I just posted an article on scams in Thailand. There are scams related to taxis and tuk tuks, but taxis in Bangkok are a whole subject themselves. I use the sky train, subway, canal boats, walking and the standard air conditioned taxi-meter as the best ways to get around in Bangkok. I have a car here in Thailand. If I do drive it into Bangkok I leave it at the hotel until I am ready to leave Bangkok. I just don’t like driving in the city, and gas is expensive. I’m not sure I save anything by using my own car in Bangkok.
Taxis are cheap here, and they are versatile. The other transportation forms I listed are limited in where they can practically go. The Taxi can go anywhere – at least once the flood waters recede.
Everyone wants to ride the tuk tuks in Bangkok. By all means do so, once. They charge as much as an air conditioned taxi and may be hard to dissuade from stopping by their friend’s jewelry shop on your way. Once there you can participate in a scam so famous it has its own Wikipedia article.
A standard taxi tuk tuk has a yellow license plate, like a normal car taxi. The privately owned tuk tuks have a white plate. I’ve heard the greater portion of the scamming is done by those with the privately owned ones.
A Bangkok Taxi. They’re not all blue, but all should say “Taxi-Meter” on top. The lit up sign in the windshield on its left means he is looking for a fare.
The best way to get somewhere in Bangkok is with a standard air conditioned taxi. They’re usually cheaper than a tuk tuk for any trip and can take you much farther if you need that. They should say “Taxi Meter” on the top. They should use the meter. I ask them to use it before or as I enter. If they won’t I just get another cab. Otherwise negotiate the price before you get in. Also tell them your destination, or show them a card (in Thai) that your hotel desk clerk made up of your destination. A particular driver may not go to some areas.
At a bus station or the airport, don’t go with anyone who approaches you regardless of their uniform. Their price will be more than double and your ride less secure. Always ask for the “taxi line”. These lines have never taken more than about a minute for me, and the taxies will use the meter. If you don’t see the red lit up meter numbers, point to the dash area and say “meter! meter!”.
Be aware that there is an additional charge, about 50 baht, if you get a taxi in the meter line at the airport. This is what the airport charges the driver. There is no charge like this if you are going to the airport. Also, the driver often asks “highway?”, to which you can answer “highway OK” or just “no”. I normally use the highway when it is an option. Bangkok is famous for traffic jams and you may avoid some. The toll booths can charge from 25 to 65 baht, and you may go through one or two on a typical trip. The normal custom is for you to hand the toll money to the driver. If there is change he will normally give it right back.
Have small bills! You get to your destination and are in a hurry to catch a bus or plane and hand the driver a large bill. Guess what! No change! If I’m going to my hotel I don’t worry. I just tell him to wait and get change from the desk clerk. Another thing you can do is ask to stop at a 7-11 for water or something and break your big bill there.
If you need a station wagon or small van taxi for extra luggage, they won’t use the meter. Then you just have to negotiate the price up front. Beware, all taxis in Bangkok use propane. The vans have a big tank in the back taking up a lot of luggage room. You may not get as much in there as you think.
Some drivers speak English. Never ask a cab driver about a good restaurant. They will take you to their friend’s place. This may be situated where it is very difficult to walk away, and hard to catch another cab. Of course, after you eat their bad food at inflated prices, they will be glad to call you another cab. Better to find great places, and there are a lot of them, on your own. If you must ask, ask at your hotel concierge or desk clerk, not their limousine/shuttle driver, and you will normally get an honest, if not informed, answer.
If you tell the taxi driver you want to go to some shopping center and he says it is closed, either just tell him to take you there anyway or get out and get another cab. If the driver stops or wants to stop at a place other than your destination, tell him no, you will only go to your destination.
Check your wallet as you get out and as you move away from the taxi. Amazing how many people leave their wallet in a taxi. Especially during the confusing time of getting out, paying, getting your luggage, etc.
Tip: At the left above the dash is the driver’s name and taxi number. If you record that and discover a problem later it is really great to know. For some hotels (Holiday Inn did this) the bellboy getting your taxi will record this number automatically before your taxi leaves.
Tip 2: if you are leaving the airport and don’t have much luggage, go up to departures, go out and catch a taxi just as they drop someone off. I’m not sure they’re supposed to do this, but I have never been refused and save the airport fee. The driver is pleased with his quick turnaround, and is not unhappy when I say “meter!”.
Tip 3: It is usually easier to get a taxi you flag down (their front window red light must be on) to use the meter than one waiting in front of a hotel or some other place.
Tip 4: The propane tank in the trunk limits the cab to one large piece and one or two carryons there. Even then the trunk lid must be tied. Two of you can still get your maximum four large bags into a normal cab. I prefer two balanced on end in the front passenger seat using the seat belt to steady them, one in the back seat on end with us and one in the trunk. Some drivers will insist on only one in the front and two in the back seat with us. A bit tight but it still works. BTW I keep a small bungee in my carryon. Amazing how many drivers have nothing to tie the trunk lid down.
