If you go outside on ground level to to the taxi stand on the curb, where the line is (there are 2 or 3 of them) you should get a taxi that will go by meter.
Don't go with the cab/limo drivers or companies inside the terminal.
If you get in the taxi, and the meter isn't on, say to the driver "go by meter". If he doesn't turn it on, tell him to stop, and get out, walk back to the taxi line, and report him. If they give you any problem ask around for a tourist police officer. There are plenty of honest drivers there. You should be able to find one

Actually, it's the person sitting at the taxi stand desk who is doing the dirty deed... I took a taxi from Sunavarbhumi to the US embassy, and was in a real damm hurry, so I chose not to argue over the strangeness of it. I waited in line, the lady wrote on the ticket 450 baht (got the usual ticket) and brought it to the Meter Taxi driver. He did not turn on the meter, and did ask me if I want to take the expressway. I said yes, then he asked if I will pay? I told him no, in Thai now, as I finally realize the scam. So, 50 Bht airport fee, 60 bht expressway fee, and it should be about 250 bht on the meter door to door, new airport to US Embassy in Ploenchit, I got ripped off by about 100 bht. And it's from the actually registered taxi stand...
So, best is to tell the desk person you want meter taxi, if the answer is no, then simply tell them you will go to speak to tourists police about why "no meter taxi" in a "METER TAXI STAND?"

TAXI SCAM SUWARNABUMI AIR PORT (SEP 2007)

The public taxi rank down at the ground floor is runniung a scam by teling the rider no meter and it will cost 450 baht just aride to" Pratunam" area or down town . The person who writes the ticket does the dirty. He writes the amount on the ticket/docket. The docket got a telephone number to complain but it is all written in Thai.
He gets a kick back from the driver. I said firmly NO and demanded a taxi with meter. The meter to Pratunam (Indira Regent ) cost 200 baht plus air port express cost 40 20 Baht. The Toatl cost being 260 Baht. A saving of 190 bht (USD. 6.33) .
The airport authoriteis should stop racket. Even on the other floors variuous pepole approach with taxi services. The signs to the Public taxi stand is not well placed. One has to search or ask for it.

Take heed, when you arrive at Sunavarbhumi make your way to the departures level, walk outside to where in-coming passengers are being dropped off, hail taxi, give address details and lastly, make SURE driver switches on meter.

PAY 50 BAHT TO AIRPORT TAXI SERVICES AS SERVICE CHARGES AND U WILL GET A PREPAID TAXI THERE

It seems 'sameer' has missed the plot. Go up 2 flights on the escalator to the Departures exit and hail a taxi from the ramp. They know that if you are clever enough to avoid the Arrivals mafia, you are wise enough to expect the ride to be on the meter.

Did anybody get ripped off by the "Hostesses" working for the limousine companies at the departures area?

If you have a digital camera, and if you feel you are being cheated by the taxi stand person, take a photo of him/her, then say, "I WANT METER". When they hesitate to think, then point to your camera and say, "POLICE". She/he will get the message and write you a correct ticket.

If the cabbie tries to cheat you, do the same. I like to take a pic of the rear license plate first before entering the cab and make sure he sees me. Believe me, he is thinking, "what is the farang up to? I better play it straight". You see, once you have the advantage, you are in control. Call it blackmailing the taxi, i don't care. Just get the advantage on him 1st and let him know it. It's better to have more bargaining chips than less. That's the way to play the game in Thailand! Use the advantage of the digital camera for intimidation purposes! Haha! Too bad!

Jo, Do you really take photo's of number plates?

When you go up to the departures lounge make sure you the driver resets the meter and it shows 35 baht before you set off. It's been known for them to leave the meter running whist they wait.

I would like how much it would cost to go from Sunavarbhumi Airport to Pattaya, i would like to know the meter price. I have been to thailand many times and i cant get a taxi driver to turn there meter on. I am thinking of renting a car for my next trip, The taxi scam is getting old and i am sick of fighting with them.

1200 to 1400THB.

1200 to 1400THB for Suvarnbhumi to Pattaya taxi ride. Even if you get taxi from taxi counter, they won't use meter.

Even after I told the taxi driver that i would report to the police,
he just said... police friends with us.... do no things us..
Funny, but it's only a 400 baht ride from the Airport to Pratunam

I'll be going to BKK soon in May. So should i get the taxi at the outside of arrival hall or the outside of departure hall if i want a meter taxi?

Once you arrive in New airport, clear customs and go straight outside, you will see a taxi stand, the man or woman at the stand will give you a ticket and tell you how much it costs into Bangkok, normally between 350 and 400

I always go upstairs to the arrivals hall then outside. Many drivers may still try and get a fixed price out of you so be prepared to hang around until you find one that is willing to use his meter. Also, ensure he resets the meter - it should be at 35 baht before he sets off.

Sorry, I must add - I wouldn't start taking photos of the cab / driver / license plate before you set off. They'll probably think you are suffering from paranoid delusions.

Hi Anna-brighton,
The man/woman at the stand gives ticket and tell the cost into BKK that means it wont be a metered taxi?

Hi Owl,
So i once i arrive, i just have to go out of the arrival hall right? no need to go the departure hall? I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice.

Tisha For inexperienced and nervous travellors, I would recomend going to the ticket booth for the added security. I have been in Bkk many times and found that taxi meters have a set price for Bkk.

Thanks Anna for your advice. :)

Yes Tisha,

After you go through passport control you will go to the arrivals hall (you will nearly be outside the building now). Then, you can catch a lift upstairs to the departures lounge and go outside. Whenever getting a taxi just be firm but polite and insist on the meter. There's an abundance of taxi's in BKK (I live here) so you can bide your time, and many will not try anything untowards.

Don't worry too much about coming here, the scams happen to a minority and you're wise to most already. Enjoy your trip :)

Lots & lots of tnx Owl...i think i'm just being too nervous for nothing...
Thank you once again..

Once you arrive at BKK, walk outside to the front of the airport and look for a "Public Taxi" sign. There should be someone sitting behind a desk asking you where you are headed. S/he will write down the name of the place/city/district you are going and will give you a slip that shows the name of the cab driver (but this is usually the name of the cab) and other instructions on how to file a complaint if the cab driver is not being honest.

Once you are given this sheet, hand it to the person who will point you to your cab driver. The cab drivers are usually in a line facing the line you were in. Proceed to the taxi meter and make sure the cab driver turns on the meter. This hasn't been a problem.

Note: The complaint sheet explicitly says that passengers are required to pay all toll fees within the greater Bangkok area. It may be different for areas outside of the greater Bangkok area.

Try to stop taxi at level 4 departure level,these taxis drop off paxs for return flight charge more reasonably,at my first trip to bangkok at new airport ,I was charged 900bht from airport to pratunam using airport taxi service.
Then I know the trick,from departure level ,agree to an amount with taxi drivers before you hop in,I manage to get 200bht to Pratunam then.:)

thanx guys....

Try the UK where you are legally ripped off by taxi charges.

I am from Sydney. I have been to BKK for more than 20 times. When dealing with taxi drivers, be polite, but firm. The Thai people don't like threat. My great grandmother is a Thai woman, but I speak broken Thai, they detect that straight away when I speak. I get through almost very difficult situation by being polite, a good smile and a knod of my head. What the local hate the most is rich people from 1st world countries. They are usually think money will does everything for them, unfortunately, this is not the case in BKK.