Thanks, this was a useful one to know. With taxis I am usually just worried about them not turning on the meter or that they have fixed it in some way. Once I thought the driver was taking me the long route on purpose in order to increase the fare. But, later I found he was avoiding a one way road. Sometimes we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

Most people would fall for this scam because most of us are decent people and when there is a problem we would help someone. Well I know I would help anyone who is in need if I think I could. Good scam, but damn very harsh.

No way, his cab breaks down, som nam na, get out and find another cab, if he is trying to scam you all he loses is the fare, if it is broken down proper, well I haven't got time to help someone jump their car...

This is not a scam its out and out robbery and your friend was a fool

The one thing I think is that when the driver speaks English he has more of a chance of being guilty, of what I don't know, but I am more aware. I like the drivers from Roi Et with no English skills at all.

Yes, I agree , I can also speak Thai not fluently but enough, the only times I have been ripped off by BKK taxi drivers is when I talk to them in Thai, (not every time) I don't have any idea why this is, the only thing I can think is that they feel offended that we can speak their language better then they can speak ours, the whole loosing face thing maybe, Now I find it's best not to talk at all or in English if you have to... and make sure they switch on that meter before you get in..

Ben, Like Burt said his friend was a "decent guy". You on the other hand are not with a comment like that!!

I reckon I could have fallen for that one, but as noted, it is robbery not really a scam.

Thais have a weakness: losing face. Exploit it to the max! When you catch them cheating you, keep asking them questions, exposing their fraud, making them lose face. Never empower them, they will only cheat you more. You should break them down, badger them, make the cry. This is the only way to deal with the crmininal element that is out to steal your money.

first off this is not a scam. your friend should not have given him his cell phone. if he really has been living in thailand for 5 years he should know that all meter taxis have cb radios, thats how they keep in touch with the company if some uses the call center to get picked up, your friend was just a fool.

kev: if one is a fool because he is decent, then I prefer to be called a fool

How can you say this man is a fool, we are all fools then if we are decent. that taxi driver is a lowdown scum, he even might of stolen the taxi for all we know, you have got to keep your wits with you in this scamming country

If a taxi got problems, just pay the meter fare and get a new one, there are millions of taxis around.

Its dangerous to be good in a bad world. Machiavelli knew that already. Prooved here once again.

dangerous stratigy

"Thais have a weakness: losing face. Exploit it to the max! When you catch them cheating you, keep asking them questions, exposing their fraud, making them lose face. Never empower them, they will only cheat you more. You should break them down, badger them, make the cry.

this may get you a beating.

loosing face is a major deal to asians.

Guys i have 1 nice story to share.

I stayed in bangkok and out the frot was Taxi Mafia....

i met a guy out the front of my hotel early in the morning when i was having a cigarette and he was around these othere taxi drivers i was chating to and laughing to i had ben to BKK before and knew not to trust them. i liked just mucking around talking crap to them ....then he pulled me aside and said for me not to show my thai amulet to these thugs....(amulet was a gift from a thai friend in aussie).. i was like why and one of the other drivers came over and stoped talking to me i caught on and played along and was like so wheres the Palace.. when the other driver went away.... he said these people are very bad do not trust them,,,, i was skeptikal on him seeing he to was out the front of my hotel such a early time.... but i walked with him and went to 7 11 got a drink he asked him about some things i could do with my girlfriend....

at first when using his taxi i was not kind because of to many scams i didnt trust him at first. and asked use the taxi meter do this bla blaa it all changed as he stuck to his word always.

Now this guy was amazing...

he showed us a side of BKK that was unseen he knew where to take us.. to make it enjoyable he speaks english and is totaly honest.. he would take my girlfriend and i far out of BKK to see things 3 to5 hours out full day tours we would go off and come back and he would be in his car sleep.or waiting for us out where he arranged with me. he never asked for money he always said if you happy iam happy i didnt know what to pay him he took us on whole day tours in to the mountains and to tourist attractions... and i was always asking how much do you want and he conyinued to say for the week that i had used him if you happy iam happy... now we payed him well at the end of our trip our first time in BKK was a nightmare this time was unbelivable i cant explain everything about what happend but 1 true thai taxi driver. also to add i had a good friend of mine stop over in BKK on his way back from amsterdamn. i gave the contact of this guy and he called him i said trust me you opnly have 10 hours first time in Thailand call this guy.. now he did and he met him at the airport took my frind to MBK and walked with him took him to what things my friend wanted and stayed with him the whole 9 hours and took him back in time for his flight.if my friend had never knew anyone he would have been lucky to find a shopping place. this taxi guy did everything and even helped barter prices down with him.....

theres alot i can say here but yes i was amazed that we met a really honest taxi driver..

Wow Diamond, that was a nice one. Could you share us the contact of this guy?

Diamond in the Rough...... lovely to hear such a great story, and yes goes to show people can wonderful experiences in this great country... what a wonderful ambassador this man was for his own country.

*yes goes to show people can have such wonderful........

What a shame. We are now shocked when we hear of an honest taxi driver.
Too bad Thailand is getting a reputation that is not good.

i do have his mobile number
but iam not going to post it here. poor guy will not appreciate getting calls all night hehe.
feel free to email me Tx and i can pass you on his details
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During the airport blockade, I had to make a few trips to Thai Airways Office. Taxi's dropping people off usually hang around to take others back into the city. The Thai Airways staff tell them which hotel and to use meter.

Driving out one time, I noticed the taxi driver had not switched on the meter, so I indicated and said Meter. He shrugged and turned it on. A little bit later i noticed that it was already at 121 baht, when the base fee should have been 35. I said " sahm si hah" (Thai for 35) and he pressed one button which brought it back to 35.

Wonder how many anxious tourists were conned

LoL. You know what would be really funny? If this "Diamond in the Rough" guy was a Thai Scammer!!! AhahAHAHAHA^^ (you have to admit his english language skills are not very sharp)