h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I stumbled on this entry by chance while Googling.

Having lived in Thailand for more than a decade, including several years in Bangkok, I feel qualified to say that large parts of this piece are simply not correct.

If you want a very much more accurate and balanced critique of Bangkok taxis, you could do worse than to visit these pages (also Googled):

http://www.into-asia.com/bangkok/taxi/
http://www.into-asia.com/bangkok/taxi/problems.php

and

http://www.into-asia.com/bangkok/taxi/fares.php

Why not write a write an update, then?
You can always write an entry yourself, by going to <./>Contribute</.> and pop it into the UpdateForum

Hi Jodan. If I thought I could add anything, I would, but I don't think I could do it any better than the three pages I linked to in my original post. I don't really see the point in duplicating the effort, and the www is, after all, about linking.

I understand
However, we try to be as accurate as possible with our entries, and when told an entry is not accurate, we're going to want to do something to fix it, eh? Could you tell us which parts of the entry are inaccurate, perhaps? If it's minor things, then they can be fixed by going to the <./>Feedback-Editorial</.> forum.

By the way, I don't know if the www is all about linking. I think it's all about creating... after all, if we didn't create, what would there be to link to?

OK, I'll have a go:

I've read the original piece carefully again, and it seems to confuse the non-metered and metered taxis. I've put the original in quotes, and my comments follow each section...

"If you're thinking about travelling to Bangkok, Thailand, here is some advice about taxis."

But first understand that there are three types of ‘taxi’ here:

1. the meter taxi, by far the most numerous and popular means of getting about, taxiwise

2. the ‘tuk-tuk’, relatively few, but still popular with the locals because you can squeeze 6 or 7 bodies into them on the way home from school, or a complete stall’s worth of clothes and the owner on the way to the market.

3. The motorbike taxi, good for getting from the main road to your house at the end of a quiet side-street.

Also, don’t neglect the boats, buses, ‘skytrain’, and underground, that are all good value for money for getting around town.

"General Principles

Once he has ascertained that you do not speak Thai, every taxi driver, no matter what sort of vehicle he drives, will increase the estimated journey cost by at least double. This is only to be expected. In relation to the taxi drivers of Bangkok, you are a millionaire. However, you are not there to become totally broke. Haggling is a national pastime in Thailand. You must become proficient at it."

The vast majority of taxis in Bangkok are “Meter Taxis”, recognizable by the large “Taxi-Meter” sign carried on the roof. Meter taxi drivers should use the meter for all journeys. Payment is according to well laid out rates, minimum 35 baht/2kms, then so much for each kilometer, and so much for each minute spent in jams etc. This has nothing to do with the relative wealth of the driver/passenger, and leaves no room for haggling or bargaining.

Tuk tuks will mark up the price for anyone, Thais included, that doesn’t know the going rate. It’s up to you to arrange a price that you’re happy with. The same applies to motorbike taxis.

"Taxis in Bangkok get petrol coupons for stopping off at 'places of interest' along the way. You may not be as interested in these places as the taxi driver. Common places may include temples, but are more usually gem shops and tailors, selling jewellery, dresses and suits at very 'special prices'. If you have to go to a specific place, and you have to go in a hurry (eg, the airport, for your flight home), make sure the taxi driver is made very aware of this."

I have never witnessed this in a Meter Taxi. (Sight seeing tours, minibuses, tuk-tuk tours – yes. Meter Taxis, no) Definitely not with a motorbike taxi.

"Before you set off, if you are (for whatever reason) unhappy with your particular taxi, simply get out."

Correct!

"If the problem was the extortionate fare, it will rapidly decrease as you walk away."

This is very unlikely. They will have driven off looking for their next fare, and you will be looking for the next taxi.

"If the problem was something else, do not worry. You are in Bangkok. Every vehicle you can see is a taxi. The phrase 'there will be another one along in a minute' has never be so apt. Usually, there will be another five within seconds of you departing the previous taxi."

There is certainly no shortage of taxis in Bangkok.

"Different Types of Taxi

There are three different sorts of taxi, all of which have positive and negative aspects.

Hotel Taxis

These are ridiculously expensive. However, they are reliable, and you don't feel that you're going to die before reaching your final destination. A good choice for travelling to the airport."

I’m not sure what is meant by a ‘Hotel Taxi’, a limousine, perhaps? Yes, relatively expensive, but in a different class. Ridiculously expensive? Depends on your idea of ridicule, I suppose. I'd choose a meter taxi for the airport.

"Meter Taxis

Not too expensive if you haggle, even better if you can get them to use the meter. Most meter-taxi drivers will tell you that their meter is broken. However, it can usually be magically fixed by the simple action of you departing the vehicle. Meter taxis are not so reliable as hotel taxis - they get lost - and they weave through the traffic like a student after a good night out."

Mostly covered by previous paragraphs, but statistically incorrect. The majority of taxis will use the meter. If they say it’s broken, go for another taxi. Driving standards and geographical knowledge do vary. Some are good, some not so good.

"Tuk Tuks

Onomatopoeically1 named, tuk tuks are motorised trikes with one or two padded back seats. They can be very cheap, but with cheapness comes the risk of losing a limb, or your life2. However, don't be put off - they're also fun! The main problem is that while hotel and meter taxis have air-conditioning, in tuk tuks you end up breathing the delicious Thai air, which is so polluted you can cut it up into chunks, and then squeeze the humidity out of it. Tuk tuks are the best form of transport for short distances. It is essential to haggle with the tuk tuk drivers."

Tuk-tuks are fun to experience, at least the first time. They are non air conditioned, and it is essential to arrange a price before embarking on a journey. All the rest of the above paragraph is debatable. Haggling is necessary. If you’re good at it, you may get the price down to the same as a meter (air conditioned) taxi. Most of the time though, you will pay more. In general, even for short journeys, meter taxis are a better and more convenient method of transport.

"Haggling

When you hail a taxi in Bangkok and tell the driver where you want to go, he will a) shake his head, b) make a clicky noise with his tongue and c) say 'Oooh, that's far, verrry far'. He would say this even if you could reach your intended destination by the simple action of crossing the street. He will then suggest a very fair price. However, the price would only be very fair if you had asked him to drive you back home from your holiday, including the petrol required."

This is the sort of reaction you will get if the driver does not want to use his meter. This happens most often at the well known ‘tourist traps’ and outside hotels, where the pickings are easy, and the punters don’t know any better, or simply don’t care. It is illegal, and the proper response is to go and find another taxi.

"This is a generalisation, but very few journeys in Bangkok should cost more than 100 baht. Most should be under 50 baht3. If you think you are being ripped off, simply walk away. The price will plummet with every step you take. Then turn around and offer even less. If he accepts, you may still have been ripped off, but at a greatly reduced price! If he declines, accept his previous lowest offer. Unsurprisingly, the taxi drivers charge more around popular tourist areas."

See the paragraph about meter taxis, and the rates, above. There should be very few occasions that you actually need to get to this level of haggling with a meter taxi.

"Courtesy

As you are reading this, it is assumed you either have enough money to purchase a personal computer, or can afford to get access to one. You are therefore astronomically better off than Bangkok taxi drivers. Tip them, even if it's just a few baht. This may be a small amount to you, but it's a lot more to them."

Tipping taxi drivers is not normally necessary, though, if you feel you’ve had exceptional service, a tip will be graciously received. Taxi drivers here, as anywhere, vary. Perhaps a surprising number speak some English. A few will want to practise on you, some can be quite chatty and friendly, and others (not many, thankfully) are plain rude.

"Enjoy Bangkok."

Problems:

There are some, not many, problems associated with meter taxi travel in Bangkok.

Probably the first that you will come across is the driver will not want your custom (for whatever reason – technically illegal) and shake his head at you when you state your destination. For this reason it is sensible, from an economy of effort point of view, to state the destination before you get in. That way, you have only to close the door and move on to the next taxi if refused.

The next most likely problem is the ‘lack of change’. Do not expect a taxidriver to have change, and most likely you will not be disappointed. Most taxi journeys will be in the region of 50 to 150 baht. Be prepared with some 20s and some coins.

In high density tourist areas, notably at the train station, airport*, and outside hotels, you may have the driver suggest a price to you. In my experience this price will normally be three times the meter price, or even more. Hail a passing taxi from the road. If there isn’t one (highly unlikely, but possible, specially if it’s raining) then feel free to ask him to turn on the meter, or haggle for a better price. It is technically illegal not to use the meter, but there is nothing to be gained by arguing the point. There are many things that go on in Thailand that are illegal, technically.

*At the airport, there is now a taxi booth, where, for 50 baht, they will arrange a meter taxi for you. Be very sure that the driver knows where you want to go, and knows where it is. If in any doubt, ask for one that does.

Additions: some drivers may ask for an fee in addition to the meter for any one of a number of fabricated reasons; traffic, distance, flooding etc. Choose a different taxi.

(The one exception to this is in the case of a taxi that you have telephoned for: there is a 20 baht fee for the phone service)

I've just dropped in to the website for the first time in a while. I'm sorry bravebigkay doesn't rank the article highly!

However, I've read the re-write and the links and don't really think they add very much. Most of the re-write just extends what I've said, probably in too much detail. I don't really want the article to become unreadable for the sake of pedantry.

All of the examples of scenarios in the article are things I have personally experienced, so I feel I am justified at putting them in.

I can't comment on motorcycle taxis, having never used them. No-one's ever getting me on a motorbike!

Hotel taxi's will be known to anyone who's stayed in a large hotel in Bangkok. They usually have a desk in the foyer, and ply their trade to tourists, offering them trips to the palace, temples and brothels. It's not important to explain this in the article, as it seems fairly self-explanatory. My first EVER Taxi journey in Bangkok was with one of these, and cost me 600baht. It should have been 50. That experience is the reason I wrote this article many years later!

I still think tuk-tuks are best for really short journeys. This is an article written for tourists - hitchhikers - and tuktuks offer a real Thai experience. My cheapest journeys are always in tuktuks and this is probably due to the amount of tuktuk drivers available, standing round to haggle with! Obviously, for business and every day use, meter taxis are more comfortable, but where's the fun in that?

The one thing I perhaps would put in is the need to pay for any toll roads you use, and to have change ready for this. I also liked the bit that bigbravekay said about having change ready at all times as the taxi-driver won't volunteer any.

I didn't mention the other forms of transport available in bangkok. This is not an article about getting round bangkok, it is an article about taxis!

So, in short, I'm not going to put in any changes at the moment.

Judge

I'd forgotten all about this! Thanks for the response.

I don't know when your last visit to Bangkok was, but I suspect that this is a dated view of taxi travel in the Metropolis.

I think, on reflection, the original piece is unfair to the majority of taxi drivers here who are honest, hard working, use the meters and do not try to take advantage of tourists or foreigners.

You mention personal experience as justification - there are events I could mention that I have experienced personally in my time here, but that doesn't necessarily make them commonplace or routine.

The fact is that there are now many more meter taxis than tuk-tuks, and that the most common problem with hailing a meter taxi is that they either a) do not know the way to your destination, or b) simply don't want to go there.

The meter drop has been increased once since meter taxis were introduced in 1990, from 30 to 35 baht.

I have never been in a tuk-tuk for less than 35 baht (the minimum fare for a meter taxi) A motorcycle from the top of my road to my house costs 10 baht. A meter taxi would cost 35 baht. Tomorrow, for fun, I will ask how much for a tuk-tuk. (It's a five minute walk)

If it's a short, but largely inaccurate account of taxis in Bangkok you were seeking - this is it. Personally, I would rather have a slightly longer, more representative view.

Still, it's your piece.

I didn't find it entertaining at all. After living in Bangkok for a year I can safely say that the author of this article doesn't know much about taxis. Maybe he got his vast experience from a two day stop between the UK and Oz?

"Once he has ascertained that you do not speak Thai, every taxi driver, no matter what sort of vehicle he drives, will increase the estimated journey cost by at least double."

Utter rubbish. Not worth reading further.

Thanks bigbravekay,

I liked your response, it's well-judged and in retrospect I was pretty stuffy when responding to your first suggestion.

I'm going to write a longer response to this as "reply" to sukhumvit's comment, who seems slightly less impressed with the article.

Give us a hand, and we'll try and improve it. Your experiences would be great.

Judge

Hello Sukhumvit,

I'm really sorry you didn't like the article at all.

I suppose I should start by declaring my experience! I have travelled to, and through Bangkok 5 times, with a total of (as far as I can work out) 20 days in the city itself. For several years I have been travelling through on my way to Chiang Mai where I worked with people with HIV, and AIDS orphans (in my capacity as a doc). I realise that this is pitiful next to your entire year, but it is not quite as bad as you made out!

In retrospect, my initial statement is DEFINITELY harsh on Thai taxi drivers. However, I can most assuredly defend myself when I say that about half the taxis I got into in Bangkok would initially deny the meter was working. You lived in the city for a long time, perhaps therefore you did not go around with the word "tourist" (or, to put it another way; "sucker") written on your forehead! Given that this article is designed to help tourists, I would argue that my experiences (visits were between 2002 and 2006), are valid.

Bigbravekay does state on this thread "You mention personal experience as justification - there are events I could mention that I have experienced personally in my time here, but that doesn't necessarily make them commonplace or routine." - this is true as well, but what else should I base my piece on, experiences I DIDN'T have? That's not really the point of this guide. Kay also mentions that meter taxi's outnumber tuk-tuk's (I'd agree), that detours to "tourist traps" (e.g. tailors and gem shops) so that drivers get gas coupons and uncommon (I'd disagree on the basis that I was generally travelling from major hotels to tourist attractions, therefore was more likely to get "diverted", and that motorcycle taxis are very useful (I'm never going on a motorbike, not ever, so I'll have to take bigbravekay's word for it!)

Lastly sukhumvit, it's not entirely helpful for someone with your excellent experience to scrawl a six-word summary of a piece that took some time and effort to write. As somebody who knows Bangkok well, your only reason to read this article could be to critique it, or even add to it, perchance. To dismiss it flatly is a) rather rude, and b) not very helpful for developing the guide.

If it's bad, why not make some suggestions for improvement? If it's unsalvageable, why not write your own?!

Kind regards,

Judge