Taxi scam at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Tourists and expats alike should be wary of taxi driver scams such as meter tampering. This was once again evident from a letter submitted to the Bangkok Post.
Below is the story of a German expat who returned from a visit to Germany with his Thai wife. He took a taxi through the official taxi stand at Suvarnabhumi airport. Despite this, the driver tried to scam them.
After arriving at the airport in Bangkok, he and his wife walked to the taxi rank. There were no queues and after specifying the destination Sathorn/Silom they received the white taxi ticket and a taxi. The man is always on guard and checks that the meter is turned on. That happened. After five minutes, the taxi driver asked to give him the white taxi receipt. That aroused suspicion and the man kept an eye on the meter from that moment on. He immediately noticed that the meter was much higher than usual. After 15 minutes and before the first toll gate, the meter was already at 400 baht. The passenger remained calm and asked for the taxi driver's white receipt back.
During the ride, the expat took more than 20 photos of the meter. When he arrived at his condo in Sathorn, the meter read 255 kilometers, a payable fare of 2077 baht and zero waiting time. The ride to Sathorn normally costs 270-300 baht plus the 50 baht surcharge.
Once at his apartment, he felt safe because security people at his condo work well and would help him if the taxi driver was annoying. The taxi stopped, they took the luggage from the taxi and put it in the reception hall.
His Thai wife gave the taxi driver 300 baht. The man, of course, began to complain. She told him that if he didn't agree, he should call the police. The taxi driver chose eggs for his money, slunk off and drove off.
The German thinks that tourists will fall for this kind of practice more easily. That is why he felt it necessary to warn others about this form of fraud.
Source: Richardbarrow.com
I once experienced a scam in the following way. The driver simply turned on the meter and it started at 35 baht. Don't know why, but I kept looking at the meter and it jumped from 35 to 85 baht. Mentioned this to him and he hit the meter a few times and shrugged his shoulders. I paid for it according to the meter, minus the 50 baht. He didn't make any problems. So stteds pay attention.
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You hardly dare to take a taxi .
I am alone , do not speak Thai , and would be afraid if I see the meter that is not correct .
What can you do ? in my case nothing. I don't want a knife in my body.
They are not ashamed to do that.
Like the last stabbed someone to death for 50 Bath.
Then try to get a bus.
I don't like that you don't know where you're getting in!
@Richard That 50-baht story is persistent. Also read the follow-up to this post: https://www.thailandblog.nl/nieuws/taxichauffeur-vertelt-fabeltjes-ruzie-met-amerikaan/ The chance that you will be scammed by a taxi driver is small. Don't let your head run wild with these kinds of stories.
Don't panic Richard. I've been driving a taxi for years and I've never been ripped off. You can just keep an eye on the taxi meter. Then you know where you stand. If you don't like it, give your order to stop and you just pay what is on the meter. Every taxi driver has his name in the taxi visible to everyone. In addition, you write down the taxi number. Then you can complain. Result:
if you're faked, you're only partially faked, and you survive. It is of course also possible that 50 Baht is worth more to you than your own life. I'm not going to do crazy things in Bangkok = Thailand for about 1 Euro loss-differenz. I'd rather give 50 Baht foot, but that's actually wrong.
Dear Richard,
The taxi drivers do know some English. You will also know a few words of English as a Thailand visitor. If you politely inform the driver that the meter is not on, he will apologise.
If you don't turn it on, be clear and tell him you don't agree and want to stop/get out. Incidentally, I only have good experiences with BKK taxis, although you can sometimes meet a speeding driver. Make that clear to him too, if you don't want to. Do it in a calm polite tone, but stay firm.
The driver is Thai and sensitive to facial expressions that indicate that someone does not feel dull. Since he's dealing with you, he'll care. You'll see him peeking into the rearview mirror more often to see how you're doing. If you notice that, give him a friendly nod.
Let him have his way in Bangkok traffic, and don't tell him how to drive. You have to trust the other.
You don't have to be anxious in Thai traffic, not even in BKK. Certainly not in a taxi. And not at all with Thai people like taxi drivers. Are only people with a hellish job for little pay under sad circumstances. But I understand that you can get a frightened feeling when you read all those murderous stories. Very often it says nothing about the Thai itself. Well about those who dig up all those stories like this. Go on your gut. If you feel good, relax. If you have a 'gut feeling', literally take a step back and say 'head-coon-crab' or 'thank you, sir'. These 3 words do a lot of good anyway.
If you don't speak the Thai language, and the Farang are few and far between, pay close attention to facial expressions and body language. That is already a good thing to do in all circumstances, including Dutch. Your feeling tells you how someone's mood is. Move a little with the mood you find. Is someone grumpy and cross: leave him alone. (Particularly applies to Dutch people. Just kidding!) If someone is happy, nod to them in a friendly way and smile. Is someone irritated, excited or bossy: stay a little under his mood, try not to rise above the other in attitude and/or gesture, but let him be, or as they used to say with us in Brabant: you must leave the other in his being. The other will calm down.
I think Thai has a bit of Brabant. They do not interfere with others, are calm, like socializing, are helpful. And love good and tasty food and a drink. Sometimes too much. Dutch people too, by the way. They can actually be together.
Well I just hope you can just step into Thai life without fear. It would be great that you are already scared at the entrance when you see a Thai taxi driver. Idiots are everywhere. I won't tell you the places where you can find them. You may even go there. Be wary of it, as with anything in life, but don't assume. And tip the driver. I wish you a pleasant stay in beautiful amazing Thailand.
Regards, Rudolph
Don't go to the official street level taxi place if you want to go from suv to town. Just mafia. But go to the departures level and hail a taxi coming from the city. Check the meter and drive into town for 350 baht.
@ Klaas, what you propose here is actually not allowed, but I always did that too. But if the police sees this, the taxi driver will be fined. Nowadays I take the Airportlink for +/- 35 bath that connects to the Sukhumvit skytrain, there I take a taxi or the skytrain to my hotel. The advantage is that you will not end up in traffic jams on the Hi-way and you will not be bothered by this scam.
This is no longer the case. There is a lot of checking and resolute fines are handed out. Been to SUV a number of times last January and always the same image.
You better take the airport raillink if you need to be in Bangkok. And take a taxi from the city with another destination. Of course you don't have to travel to Makkasan or Phaya Thai, but you can also get off at an earlier station.
hahaha, nothing new at all. Has been happening for decades and many times daily.
I always agree on a price very clearly in advance and make sure I have the exact money.
The only way to parry those scammers.
But remember: such practices happen in ALL countries, including the Netherlands.
And what guarantee does a price agreement offer? As if he can't change his mind upon arrival. If he wants to scam you, a price agreement will not change this.
The driver will feel whether he can still scam you. I have the agreed amount in cash in my hands and if he asks for more, I make it clear to him that this was the deal and then immediately walk away.
Just a little while before it starts to look like chatting
Making price agreements with the drivers is usually already a form of fraud and you are usually already scammed before you leave.
The drivers know perfectly well how much a trip from A to B costs and will not make it unless he is sure that he can earn more from it than with the meter.
By the way, responding briefly and sharply and walking away is not something I would immediately recommend when dealing with scammers. This could well provoke another short and sharp response. Remember, we are talking about the scammers among the taxi drivers... not wimps at all
You must already be well known in BKK to make a correct price agreement and there will certainly be bloggers here who know BKK well and succeed in doing so.
For the average tourist or those who only occasionally visit Bangkok, it will be different, I think, or you must have often performed the route or know it well.
Make a correct price agreement for a project that is unknown to you... I'd like to see it. You can look at a plan to see how far it is, but the shortest distance is not always the fastest or cheapest
I also sometimes work with a price agreement, but that is with a taxi driver from our circle of friends and usually for longer journeys, such as when we visit our family from BKK to Ayutthaya. We always take some stuff with us because they are not well off and it is easier to transport it in a taxi than by bus.
Whether taxi scams go so far that they happen on every corner and go so far that you have to be afraid to take a taxi?
I'm not going to say that this doesn't exist, because that's like saying that all monks live by the book. Everyone will sooner or later have to deal with it or at least with attempts
I personally take a taxi in BKK, perhaps not every day, but the frequency is not far off, and I have to say that it is not too bad.
In my experience, it is rare or rare that I have to deal with a taxi driver who does not turn on his meter, or who tries to scam me. Most drivers are honest people who work long hours to earn a decent wage.
The time of day (day or night), or the place of departure (bus station, airport, somewhere in the city or certain neighborhoods or tourist attractions) naturally attract a certain type of taxi driver. A combination of those times and places will determine the risk factor and whether there are more or fewer scammers hanging around.
Personally I will not leave the taxi and think it is a good means of transport just like the others that I regularly use such as bus, train or boat.
I let Tuk-Tuk and motorcycle taxi pass me by. Most Tuk-Tuk drivers are real scammers and the motorcycle taxi always gives me the fright of my life, so I will only use it in case of extreme emergency.
@Dick, I am extremely disturbed by your comment:
Richard said he was SCARED, because in this country you can be stabbed to death for 50 Baht. That fear is justified! I myself am also afraid. The victim's widow will now also be forever afraid or traumatized to ever dare to set foot in a taxi again!
And now you're saying Richard shouldn't let his head spin over something like "probability"…. Do you think Richard and I are suddenly not afraid anymore? Are we now reassured by your “Follow up”?
How do you think the victim's widow would feel if you told her not to let her head spin, because "I think the chances of being scammed by a taxi driver are slim"? The chance that you will be KILLED, Dick, is much smaller in my opinion. But that American is dead, Dick! Even if the chance was so small!
Your intention to reassure Richard was undoubtedly good, but I find your comment hurtful, disgraceful and devoid of any empathy. I don't want to offend you, but I find your technique of helping someone to get rid of their fear by coming up with probability calculations below par.
@ Robbie May I point out again that the story of that 50 baht is a myth, based on the driver's statement, who will only try to exonerate himself. I find your reproach to me that I do not feel empathy so absurd that I will not even go into it. A few more facts: In 2012, three taxi drivers were murdered. Bangkok has 75.000 taxis.
If you want to get from the Bangkok airport to the city, why pay 300-400 Baht and possibly get faked by the airport Taxis Boys. Take the Airport link to the middle of Bangkok for less than 100 Baht. From there with a taxi or tuk tuk for a short ride to your Hotel. Or just let us pick you up free of charge per Hotel Suttle. Then you are sure.
Several Hotels around the airport have this free pick-up and drop-off service. Better hotels in Bangkok also do this (if you want by Rolls Royce), but there is a price tag attached to that. You can find out about this extra service + costs in advance on the Hotels' Web site. This service is even included in some types of rooms-suites.
I myself was also scammed from Suvarnabhumi Airport a few months back. Also stupid of me because I thought that these taxi drivers were checked, by means of the white receipt that is issued.
We had to go to Moo Chit, a ride that normally costs only 300 baht. He snatched the white receipt from my hands and said he would pay for it. I should have been on my guard then. When boarding he had a cloth hanging over the meter that he folded down when we started driving. Even then I should have got out immediately. Once on the highway, he said he wanted 700 baht. I agreed because I didn't feel like a hassle. I did take a picture of the taxi number and passed on a complaint to the central reporting number.
My advice, make sure you keep the white receipt with you, don't hand it over. If the taxi driver asks about it or does he want it, then it's wrong. Continue to pay close attention and check that the meter is on. If there's anything suspicious don't get in, plenty of taxis.
With us here in Khon Kaen, most taxi drivers are no better.
They are parked in long lines at Big-C.,Khon Kaen Airport etc.
If you want to take one of these many taxis, they ask for triple cash,
and without turning on the meter.
Nice those guys to cheat their employer like that.
That is why it is advisable in Khon Kaen never to hail a moving taxi,
or approach a parked taxi.
Just call the exchange on 043-465777 and you will pay at least three times cheaper, and they can no longer cheat you.
Taxi scam:::???
For over 20 years I have been taking the TAXI METER to Pattaya and still to my complete satisfaction! Agree on an amount when boarding and if you think it is too expensive, take the next one.
And if you are going for the first time / get information about how much it should cost!
Halfway through I always want to get my 1st chang beer at the 7-eleven and bring an energy drink for my driver, never had any problems again! No worry…
Gr;Willem Scheveningen…
Taxi Clann[scam]:
I think that the driver who takes the "farang" has so much human knowledge, knows exactly which "farang" can be fooled and which cannot!
They work very long days/only have a room in Bangkok and his family in Isaan also has to transfer the necessary coins and see each other little.
What would you do; be honest?
William Scheveningen…
It's all well and good, agree on a price for the ride. But if you have never been to Thailand and you have to take a taxi, you have no idea how many km. is the distance to the desired target. How on earth can you agree on a price! When you get in and the meter is turned on, you always have an initial amount, but how do you know how high that initial amount is in Thailand or any other country! I find the advice quite vague!
You are right T vd Brink. When you come to a city for the first time, you are not cheated. This is no different in Paris-London-Amsterdam. I think you have something else to do than to explain the facial expression and body language of the Thai taxi driver for yourself when you see a Thai for the first time in your life. Some good tips have already been launched here. I stick to the train (Airport-Link) from the airport to Thai Pray= Bangkok Zentrum. There you transfer to the BTS. Book a hotel in advance that is not far from a BTS stop. The BTS plan with the stations can be found in the Internet. In addition, the BTS stations can be seen in Google Earth, including your Hotel. Most Hotels have a city map where you can see where it is. If you land late, choose a hotel near the airport. Most Hotels have a free shuttle service. Make a note of the telephone number at home beforehand and have the Hotel called via the Tourist Service Desk at the airport. Then you are rid of the entire taxi nagging. Then have a taxi ordered from the Hotel later (free of charge). Because now the phone number is known, these taxi drivers have other things in mind to scam you. Good luck.
The height of the starting rate for a taxi in BKK can be found out by using available information, which is provided by a blog like this one. At least, I assume that someone who reads (parts of) this blog and responds to items does so for reasons that can benefit him. In short, if it is so often indicated that a taxi ride starts with 35 ThB, then it is a piece of cake to keep an eye on that amount. You can also see from the facial expressions and attitude of a driver whether he has other plans. I also assume that a Thailand traveler is not an idiot and knows his stuff.