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Disclaimer: The comments on this website do not necessarily match the views of the administrators. Slanderous and unfounded comments are not welcome. We reserve the right to delete comments and not publish content submitted by visitors. We log and keep all ip addresses and website activity for a period of 365 days. Click here to report abuse.
Airport taxi to Pattaya scam
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Can anyone tell me why a meter taxi costs 1300 baht from the airport to Pattaya?

From my place in BKK to the airport is less than 250 baht, and Pattaya is only about twice the distance from the airport. So why does it cost more than 5 times as much?

I was at the airport on Friday night (around 11:30pm) to pick up a friend. On the way out to get a taxi a woman approached us and asked where we were going, from her manner and the way she spoke I'm sure that she wasn't your average tout.

She quoted us 1500 baht to Pattaya, but I said no thanks because we were happy enough to ride in a taxi. The price quickly went to 1300 baht, which the woman told us was the same as a taxi. Now I was not inclined to believe any airport tout, so she told me to ask the price at the desk. Which I did, and they tried to ignore me initially and then, when pressed, one of them said "meter". A security guard came and tapped me on the arm and (politely, with a smile) told me to get to the back of the queue.

Anyway, we eventually got to the front of the queue and were asked where we were going. The girl refused to tell me the price, wrote out the destination on the slip and handed it to me. Eventually she mumbled "1300 baht".

So we stepped over the rope and took the limo, saving ourselves 50 baht on the airport surcharge + tolls all paid for + a lot more leg room and head room and luggage space (Volvo). Not to mention that the driver knew Pattaya like the back of his hand, unlike most BKK taxi drivers.

A few heated words were exchanged between the tout and the taxi people, and a man chased after me and snatched back the slip.

I strongly suspect that the inflated taxi prices to Pattaya are a scam and that the taxi queue operators and the drivers and security are in on it and getting a cut. We got a little rant about corruption from the tout, she was quite worked up.
Comments (55)Add Comment
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written by Kris, Sat 31 Jan 2009 10:38:16 CST
1300B from the airport to Pattaya is reasonable.
The other way around is often cheaper because the taxi don't like to go back without having passengers.
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written by Jim, Sat 31 Jan 2009 12:50:26 CST
BKK Taxi drivers must pay a fee to make a pick-up in Pattaya for a return to BKK.
All Taxi and baht Busses are controled by the Thai Mafia and prohibit Bkk Taxi's
from taking from their area without paying the fee. Thus 1300 baht covers their round trip.
I have spent 6 months in Pattaya, traveling all around Thailand.
...
written by Dave, Sun 01 Feb 2009 11:50:16 CST
Taxis from Pattaya to the airport are advertised as 800 baht plus tolls (60 baht). When the old airport was open it was the same price, now the new airport is 45 minutes nearer.
A cheaper option is the bus from the airport for 150 baht, but that seems to finish after 7pm. Also the taxi touts will deny that there is a bus terminal at all.
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written by Jay, Wed 04 Feb 2009 12:57:36 CST
Kris is correct, the fee covers trip back as well. Rarely they get return fare when going out to Pattaya from Bangkok. Also the fees are published in most of the taxis, normal trips in and around Bangkok are per meter and longer trips fixed fees (per kilometer) and usually shown inside taxis.

So it's not a scam really, publicly available prices and most of the staff at airport speak thai, not english as their first language so even if they want to, they are not aways able to communicate it to you.

More likely you get scammed by the touts hanging outside the airport shouting and trying to get your attention. Most of them must be paying the security or the limo mafia to be allowed to hang out in the no park zone.
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written by the riddler, Wed 04 Feb 2009 16:50:56 CST
1300 isn't way off course. Kris is correct that is acceptable. Of course you could find it cheaper but like with anything that you question from a television to anything of why something is so expensive you can only find out info from searching for info.

For about 2 or 3 times I have paid 1200 baht from the Sukhumvit area to Bangkok and only recently found a cheaper alternative for 1000. I'm sure as the economy's around the world get worse and worse taxi's may become cheaper, but then again in Thailand they usually do the opposite and raise the prices.
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written by HT, Sat 14 Feb 2009 12:53:11 CST
Dave is correct about the bus. There is a small bus terminal at the airport, and the trip to Pattaya was about 150 baht when I did it a while back. You have to ask an airport security officer where it is though because the touts and cab drivers will lie to your face outside the terminal and deny it even exists, or tell you it cost some outrageous amount for the bus ticket. Another way is to just follow all the Thais leaving the airport, you can bet most of them are heading for the bus terminal and not throwing their money away on cabs.
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written by Kris, Mon 16 Feb 2009 15:54:23 CST
The busterminal is far from the airport. It's not that small. If you want to go there you can take the free airport shuttle. To be honest, after 20 hours traveling I am willing to pay for a taxi. But when I go to the airport I take the bus until the busterminal and after that the airport shuttle.
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written by The Gentleman, Sat 28 Feb 2009 14:15:03 CST
I've queued up and paid 1400 at the taxi rank.

Previous to that I just used to walk out into the hordes of taxi drivers and get one for 900 to 1000.

Now, I arrange one of two guys to come pick me up in their brand new Camry or Honda with seatbelts for 1200 including tolls.

I work offshore and after a month or so of helicopters, flights and no sleep I just wanna go home ASAP .
Find a decent guy and use him and he won't talk, fart or cough.. he'll take you their safe in one piece.

I see accidents all the time. What's a few hundred baht more piece of mind.

i
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written by Micky, Sat 28 Mar 2009 03:30:13 CDT
I always go to Pattaya by bus, If you arrived Bangkok in the day time, I suggest you take the Bell Bus Service. they had staff stationed at the Ground Level < Level 1 > . The price is 150 Baths including transfer passenger from North Pattay Bus terminal to your hotel by van. The bus leave airport every 2 hrs.(?). You can also book your return trip at their office at Pattyay Bus terminals. they will pick you up at your hotel and the fee is included in your ticket. Only around 1 and half from Patt to Airport.
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written by Sammie, Thu 09 Apr 2009 15:16:27 CDT
Australia issues a new warning today to travellers to exercise a high degree of caution due to political instability in Thailand!
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written by pighoglet, Thu 09 Apr 2009 18:31:04 CDT
Because of the very strict split in politics now, it is very easy to say the wrong thing.

Things are more strained than ever here and its getting nasty, a farang has only to say something disparaging about the yellows or the reds and they could end up in a violent situation.

Be careful what you say amongst those you dont know. Easy to do and hard to get out of.
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written by Mikey, Thu 09 Apr 2009 22:51:20 CDT
easy to say anything and have it misunderstood

evil is in the ears of the listener
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written by Sammie, Fri 10 Apr 2009 02:59:20 CDT
Excellent advice Pighoglet and Mikey!
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written by Khun Issan, Tue 14 Apr 2009 04:41:50 CDT
Eric, its one of the cheapest places for the non euro countries to go to, so leave Turkey be! It has too many human rights issues to be accepted!
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written by Darrell Ling, Thu 16 Apr 2009 02:01:54 CDT
I got a taxi from Nana to Pattaya for 1200 bht witch seem high, compared to taxi from Pattaya to airport in Bangkok for 800 bht. You can get a bus from pattaya to airport for 200 bht Bells Bus. If you call them a day before they will pick you up from your hotel or a hotel near by. I know you can get a bus from Ekamai bus terminal to Pattaya for 200 bht also and they will take you to your hotel
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written by The Riddler, Thu 16 Apr 2009 21:55:04 CDT
Suvarnabhumi is closer to Pattaya then Bangkok is. I'm assuming taxi's probably charge that ridiculous price because it is much less likely for them to get a fare to return to Bangkok then from Suvarnabhumi.
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written by Theo, Mon 20 Apr 2009 09:15:35 CDT
Can anybody explain to me whats written above? May be my english isnt good enough. Enough ingredients for a Thai soap story it seems. And more complicated than the Matrix. Where is the airport taxi in this story?
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written by Theo, Mon 20 Apr 2009 10:46:25 CDT
There was a Fa or Micheal Farady inventor of the electromotor. He passed away in 1867
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written by Sammie, Tue 21 Apr 2009 03:08:30 CDT
Theo mr Eric Young from the Un has much to teach us, look listen and learn lol
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written by Theo, Tue 21 Apr 2009 08:26:11 CDT
Yes, but this proza is slightly different from what was published yesterday! Uncle Fa, not to mention other issues disappeared! May be some diplomatic strings have been pulled!! Anyway, I suggest to make Thailand a full member of our EU!! Its an example of democracy and has undoubtedly one of the most honest goverments in the world!!
Eu funds will, without any doubt, be well spent by the Thai government
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written by Khun Issan, Tue 12 May 2009 14:34:17 CDT

**






This was forwarded to me. Be careful

BEWARE.... Bangkok's Airport Duty Free Shops.- You can get jailed for shopping there.

hey buddies: spread news to ur family members,freinds,relatives to be careful at bangkok airport fraudlant arrests are being made ,due to duty
free shops staff purposely put some extra stuff in ur purchased stuff, then police arrests,and they share such money with each other for their
own needs,or greed,but you may suffer humilation ,arrests,and money losses,

INDIANS' ASSOCIATION OF TAIPEI

An Indian was detained in Bangkok for stealing a box of cigarettes in a duty-free shop in Bangkok International Airport. He had paid for chocolates and a carton of cigarettes. The cashier put a packet of cigarettes into his bag and he thought it was a free pack. He was arrested for shop-lifting and the Thai Police extortion price was 30,000 Bhat for his release.

He spent two nights in jail and paid 500 Baht for an air-cond cell, 200-300 baht for each visitor, and 11,000 baht for his final release. The Police shared the money in front of his eyes. On top of that, he was charged in court and fined 2,000 baht by the magistrate and handcuffed and escorted to his plane. His passport was stamped "Thief". While there, his relatives requested help from the Indian Embassy and was told that they are helpless, many Asians are victimised similarly daily and letters and phone-calls to the Thai Authorities are ignored.

He shared a cell with a Singaporean the 1st night who paid 60,000 baht for his release. The 2nd night was an Malaysian national who paid 70,000 baht

Mind you this was not in a shanty shop in downtown Bangkok but in a duty free shop in Bangkok Int'l Airport.

BE WARNED.
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written by Todd, Tue 12 May 2009 15:30:29 CDT
Khun Issan, are you the same Khun Issan that works in Patpong by any chance?
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written by Todd, Tue 12 May 2009 15:34:21 CDT
Khun Issan, any chance you can provide a credible link, as the one you gave is just a forum for ex-pats?
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written by Khun Issan, Tue 12 May 2009 15:44:11 CDT
Todd what are you insinuating! yes I have credible links, but due to your disgusting remark, find it yourself pls
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written by Todd, Tue 12 May 2009 16:06:30 CDT
Khun Issan, whats wrong with selling t-shirts, why are you upset?
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written by Todd, Tue 12 May 2009 16:08:17 CDT
You sold me several t-shirts about 2 weeks ago, don't you remember me?
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written by Khun Issan, Tue 12 May 2009 17:06:42 CDT
Todd, what the hell are you talking about, I dont know you at all.
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written by Todd, Tue 12 May 2009 18:18:45 CDT
I'm confused, so why did you call my remark "disgusting"?
You can't be the same Khun Issan then?
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written by Sammie, Tue 12 May 2009 19:04:44 CDT
Its sad when a small minority are choosing to ruin this site which can be so invaluable to tourists etc. Todd, obviously this is not someone you know and from what I see, the person (Kh Issan) was just giving a warning about what could happen at Bangkok Airport. I have seen other threads relating to this scam, and maybe it is advisable for women to lock their handbags, and for men to carry their wallets, passports keys etc in a small shoulder bag (lockable) to avoid those plastic trays which I have never felt very safe with anyway, just a thought.
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written by Khun ham noi, Wed 13 May 2009 06:16:33 CDT
Buy T shirt too Sold by man named Issan Shrink in washingmachine. Now good for doll my daughter!
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written by Todd, Wed 13 May 2009 06:40:07 CDT
Sammie, I got talking to a lady that had a t-shirt stall in Patpong market, who's name was Khun Issan who's English was really good! I only asked Khun Issan if it was her, why the fireworks, jeez?


Khun ham noi, you are taking the mickey right?
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written by Todd, Wed 13 May 2009 06:44:10 CDT
Khun Issan, any chance of an apology for that horrid remark?
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written by Andrew, Wed 13 May 2009 11:53:14 CDT
you guys do not want to pay a lot, but a clean well maintained taxi with a driver speaking English and.... and that all for next to nothing - get real
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written by Theo, Wed 13 May 2009 14:04:45 CDT
The price is okay. But if you take the same ride (with a taximeter) more often you will find out that it takes this week 20 minutes and next week 45 minutes Same time of the day. The will claim if asked that the take other roadsbecause of trafficjam. But when asked the 20 minute drivers they told me they are not telling the truth. Waste of time. And money.
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written by John, Sat 06 Jun 2009 19:35:20 CDT
The price for a taxi to Pattaya from the public taxi stand putside the airport is now 1500 baht,it seems to go up every Month. I will be using the bus a lot more now.
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written by the riddler, Thu 25 Jun 2009 20:55:27 CDT
Theo sorry you need to study your English more. Line 3 clearly states the poster was at the Airport. Maybe you are reading the incorrect story. Or is that may be.
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written by ELVIS790, Fri 26 Jun 2009 00:07:34 CDT
1300 is expensive, but it seems to be the going rate, well 1000-1500. Amazingly, once the new airport was built, the taxi fares went up by around 200-500 across the board, even though the new airport is NEARER to Pattaya by maybe 20 miles approx.The metre taxis are trying to charge the same for limos, id rather pay the same, or even an extra 200 for a limo. Alot less hastle, and alot comfy. I hate the journy to pattaya from the airport.
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written by blockhead, Fri 31 Jul 2009 03:46:37 CDT
You can phone or e-mail MR T a taxi service based in Pattaya. They charge 1000 Batt from airport to Pattaya and for some reason its 900Batt from Pattaya to airport. This includes motorway tolls. phone 66 38720318 mobile 0812587716 or 0813513612 e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it They will pick you up from your hotel in Bangkok as well. get the receptiones to speak to MR T to explain where your hotel is. I found them pretty good.
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written by Baz, Mon 10 Aug 2009 16:46:52 CDT
i say to all, get your hotel to pick you up, then you wont get robbed from these scammers, or book a car hire and tell the car hire company to pick car up where ever you are staying, exsample, if im say in BKK, i look for a car hire company in bkk near to where im staying then they will not charge you for pick car up, all so go to phuket2u.com or phuket gazette.com or just type in at google taxi from what ever airport you are landing and you will see lots lots of free lancers there, they are very good, you can email phone or text them to ask how much it would be to where you want to go,,,taxi from phuket airport to town is 800 baht, i went on line and found a free lancer and he met me and charge me 500 baht, i use him all the time now.
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written by Bangkokgo, Thu 20 Aug 2009 08:52:55 CDT
Taxis from Bkk to Pattaya charge normally 1200baht. This downwould leg is such as he may not get a return rom Pattaya. Pattaya to airport =800baht (this is for the cab so if 2 people same price). The taxi driver if its a Bkk taxi now gets 500baht & he pays the shop 300baht. If you travel a lot its easy to negotiate a taxi the same one for a second time as they like this run.
Buses: goes from Pattaya North Bus Terminal-Rung Ruan Tour to airport & return := 200 baht
Times: 6.00am, 9am, 11am, 13.00, 15,17 19.00.daily
and another Bus goes from Teeprasit Rd, Jomtien Opposite PanPan Restaurant costs 134 baht to Suvannabhumbui. Time 8am 10am 12noon, 2pm,4pm,6pm,8pm

If you go via taxi: Airport to Nana Suk 3 the cost on the meter is 300baht. The taxi will pay the tolls normally you pay the 50baht fee=Total 350baht. If you are not stingey then think about safety as once you have negotiated the price is set. Taxis going out from Bkk to the airport will try not to use the meter due to their not getting a return--makes sense!. Try getting a cab after 4pm in Pratunam???? Many Thais including myself (foreigner) who has lived here for 16 years will pay the 400-450 baht fee no problem as then you are assured of getting their safely. There have been occassions when those who argue are dropped off in the middle of the expressway No 9??? & left their so for 50-100 baht more its still cheaper than many western airports???
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written by newindi, Wed 16 Sep 2009 09:59:48 CDT
let me know any scams, when you take a bar fined lbfm, or any female for that matter, to your already booked room in a hotel, for night stay. How do you secure your valuables, when somebody else is staying with you overnight. What is the process hoteliers follow, when you are taking a guest, overnight, security, charges etc..
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written by Delhiboy, Wed 16 Sep 2009 10:56:36 CDT
newindi, take them during day and no charges,night time you will pay a surcharge, maybe better to have a massage? I no trusty lady, so no take back a roomy. always were a condom, I hope you bring some from you country.
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written by Louis, Wed 16 Sep 2009 15:45:50 CDT
Newindi my advice to you would be to check with the hotel you book and make sure there is a safe in the room and the hotel is guest friendly, otherwise the hotel may charge a fee to bring the girl back to the room. If the hotel has niether a room safe and has a joiner fee then find another hotel.

Saves a lot of hassle
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written by Matthew, Sun 14 Mar 2010 17:56:32 CDT
Dont get a cheap taxi. I have had 2 breakdowns using cheap taxis. And one nealrly caused me to miss my flight, ended up having to flag down a passing taxi and pay twice.
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written by Perkutut, Mon 05 Apr 2010 15:54:25 CDT
There is one think that I love most of bangkok is the song of perkutut or merbok or zebra dove
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written by Rich, Thu 20 May 2010 13:11:21 CDT
@shameless thats not a scam 1300bht dont create an isue for nothing. Its a long way from bangkok to pattaya. 1300 seems a lot now cos the pound is so week
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written by Rich, Thu 20 May 2010 13:20:30 CDT
@Theo your so cynical I bet you begrudge everything. Your wise though.
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written by mick, Thu 22 Jul 2010 01:40:33 CDT
1300bht is around 25 stirling, thats nothing for a one way trip, considering realscams in thiland i cant belivethose complaining, try and get a taxi from gatwick to luton for under 50 gbp
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written by joe, Sat 04 Dec 2010 20:29:17 CST
Thai people money only, smiling face willing kill you. ever never want you to come back again.bye bye thailand
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written by joe, Sat 04 Dec 2010 20:38:53 CST
in the hotel room ,500 b for you lose the key why why???..... i can pay 20 b for a copy one and deposit 2 times paying room, i have no idea in a dirty room has nothing. why thai people think we will still them things , not understanding.shit
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written by dave, Sun 05 Dec 2010 11:04:44 CST
"1300bht is around 25 stirling, thats nothing for a one way trip, considering realscams in thiland i cant belivethose complaining, try and get a taxi from gatwick to luton for under 50 gbp "

Mick, you cant compare apples and oranges, what do thais get paid a month?
...
written by craig, Fri 10 Dec 2010 20:50:32 CST
1300 is reasonable. Late at night the taxi does not return until the morning when he picks up a scheduled passenger made from taxi stands all around Pattaya. The good news is the return is 1000 THB. That is not bad considering it is a long ride and gas does cost money
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written by Jack Tar, Thu 19 May 2011 01:42:52 CDT
Speaking as a long term taxi driver ,from Brisbane QLD, I would like to set a few things straight. Assuming the drivers follow the rules(not always easy in any country) Taxis have areas, working areas that they are allowed to ply their trade. 99% of fares in this area are done on the meter. If the police or more commonly, the Transport Dept, see you in QLD will report you and probably take away your licence - your private one - as well as your taxi licence.For jobs outside your area, commonly to Gold Coast or Sunshine coast but it is not THAT unusual to get someone who wants to go to Sydney or Melbourne,an 'out of area' fee, off meter, is quoted, which includes the return journey.This is quite legal and has been passed by the QLD government because a taxi is only allowed and licensed to operate in a certain Area. IF a Brisbane taxi tries to pick up fares from the Gold coast or Sunshine coast he will normally be seen by a local cab and reported. He will then definitely lose his licence. As far as Bkk taxis are concerned , if they follow the rules then the same thing applies i.e. you have to pay for the return trip.trip from Bris to Gold Coast runs at $200 up - about $150 to Sunshine coast depending on how far the trip is .Hope this makes sense . I have no problem in payin 1300 baht to go to pattaya. As long as the car is roadworthy and the driver is safe - and sober - it is a far quicker and better trip than it was 10 years ago when we had to go to Don mueang.And cheaper.
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written by John , Sun 26 Feb 2012 05:33:38 CST
Wy would I travel to a country like that ? I guess I f I have no brain or if I m a sex tourist like your people are. Stop complaining you deserve it if you go to a country like thailand.
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written by John, Fri 23 Mar 2012 01:00:49 CDT
why not get the train from airport to pattaya only 50 bht

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