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Undercover at the Airport
Written by Richard Barrow   
Sunday, 03 June 2007

One of the most common questions we have been receiving recently in our mailbox and at the ThailandQA.com forums is how to go from the new airport at Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya. I had been planning to pay a return visit to the airport ever since people have been telling us about the limousine scams. Basically, what happens is that when you pass through Immigration and Customs and come out into the arrival lounge, you are accosted by this mob of people who want you to take their so called taxi to your destination. If you ask about public taxis they often say that there isn’t any. Back in April, the Airport Authority of Thailand announced that they will move the public taxis up to the second floor so that it is on the same level as the arrival lounge. Also in the newspaper recently, there were reports of security cracking down on unauthorized tour agents at the airport. I decided to head over there this afternoon to do some undercover work for our sister blogs at BangkokScams.com. I wanted to know whether the situation had improved.

I dressed up to look like a passenger who had just gotten off the plane. I even took along a small backpack to complete the image of a tourist. When you come out of customs you have a choice of turning left or right. On both sides you will pass through crowds of waiting people. My plan was to go in one of these exits, walk around and then walk out the other exit to make it look like I had just arrived in Thailand. They have security at these exits and you are not really supposed to walk through. However, I avoided eye contact and just kept walking. Usually works. In this no-man’s-land I saw some new signs which clearly said which direction to go for public taxi, airport express and shuttle bus. I then walked out the opposite exit. To my surprise, there wasn’t one single taxi tout. There only people waiting were people holding signs with names on and members of the public. Looks like there had been a clean up after all.

There a number of different ways to go to Pattaya. I first wanted to check out the taxi. The newspaper had said that the public taxi would be moved to the second floor by now so I made my way outside. Straight away it was “Hello sir. Where do you want to go?” I said Pattaya and they replied, “No problem sir. Only 2,600 baht!” I told him that was expensive. I asked about the public taxis but he wasn’t interested to help. So, I just kept walking. The problem is, once you stop for one tout, then the rest of the vultures start to circle and swoop. The average price for the limousine service to Pattaya seemed to be about 1,400 baht. However, one shady guy went as far as 800 baht as I was walking away. I asked him why so cheap and he said that Pattaya was his home town and he wanted to go home!

Back inside the arrival lounge, I decided to ask for help. I knew of course that the public taxis were on the level below. But, I wanted to see how much help I would get. I went up to a security guard and asked him where the public taxis were. He correctly told me to keep walking towards the escalators and then go down to level one. At least one honest person. There were a few signs around pointing the way, but I still saw other tourists looking lost and trying to find their way. Downstairs I went up to the official counter for the public taxis. This is the place where you have to pay a 50 baht surcharge. I asked if I could go to Pattaya by taxi. He said yes and that it would be 1,400 baht. I said that was a bit expensive and could I go to Pattaya by bus. He said yes, but I would have to take a taxi into Bangkok first. I asked him if there was any buses to Pattaya from the airport. He again said no and that I need to go to Ekamai bus station. Of course that was a complete lie.

Again, I knew very well how to get to the bus terminal at the airport. But, I wanted to pretend I was a tourist fresh off the boat. Up in the arrivals lounge there were two signs for buses. One said “Airport Express” and the other “Airport Shuttle”. Not too clear which one is which. So, I went to the desk for Airport Express which is next to the taxi rank. They provide a bus service into Bangkok for 150 baht each. I asked the lady on duty where I can catch a bus to Pattaya. She said she didn’t know and suggested I asked the security guard. Which I did and he said I needed to get on the Shuttle Bus back up on level 2 to the bus terminal at the airport. So, up I went to the arrival lounge again and then outside where I had to deal with the limousine drivers again. At first they didn’t want to help me find the shuttle bus stop, but in the end they did help me. Actually, they are easy to find. There are stops at each end of level 2 and also in the middle.

The ride to the bus terminal only took about ten minutes. Make sure you take the express bus and not the ordinary one. The former is not only quicker but has room for your luggage too. At the bus terminal there were buses for destinations inside Bangkok and also other cities. Walk to the far end where you will see bilingual signs above the coaches. The orange ones are for other cities in the country. The ticket office there has a big sign for a company called The Transport Ltd. I asked about Pattaya and they told me there was a bus about to go in ten minutes. How much? Only 106 baht! A big difference to my first quoted price of 2,600 baht for a limo. They have buses going at 6.30 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. I was about to walk away when I noticed another sign in the same window for a different company called Pattaya Bus. These had buses at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. There is a 7–Eleven here if you arrive at the wrong time. I bought some hot dogs and sat and waited to see if the Pattaya bus would leave on time. While I waited, some public buses from Bangkok came and went. They were going to other destinations like Chonburi but I guess there would be some for Pattaya too. The disadvantage about these buses is that they all looked full. However, the private buses I mentioned before started at the airport and were empty.  I think if you have a two hour wait then don’t rush to buy your ticket from the private company. Wait and see if a public bus comes and then pay the driver.

So, not too many scams after all. To summarize, when you come out of customs and enter the arrival lounge, follow the sign to the lower level if you want to go to Pattaya by taxi for about 1,200 – 1,400 baht. Or go outside and take the shuttle bus to the airport bus terminal for the private buses to Pattaya for only 106 baht. The third alternative are the limousines for 2,400 – 2,600 baht.

From the Airport to Bangkok

For most people heading to Bangkok, the easiest and most convenient method is by public taxi. Don’t be fooled by the people that come up to you asking where you are going. They are more often than not private limousine companies. On average, they will charge about 900 baht for a trip into Central Bangkok. It will be cheaper for you if you take the escalater down one floor and then out to where the public meter taxis are waiting. There is more than one taxi rank, and if the nearest one has a long queue, then just walk a few minutes to the next one. There is a desk here where you are expected to pay a 50 baht surcharge. Tell them where you want to go. If you want to go into Bangkok, then insist that the taxi uses the meter. Say to the taxi driver in Thai “bert meter”. For longer distances, it is common to negotiate a price. For example, to Pattaya it is about 1,400 baht. Some taxis into Bangkok don’t want to put on the meter. They might ask for something like 500 baht. It is actually against the law for them to carry a passenger without using the meter. They have been fined by the police in the past. A trip into Bangkok would cost you at least 250 baht on the meter – this includes the surcharge and the 40 baht tollway if you go that way. It shouldn’t be more than 350 baht. Though that depends a lot on the traffic.

Another alternative from the same floor are the Airport Express buses. These run on four set routes for a fare of 150 baht per person. This is alright if you are alone and the bus passes near your hotel. But, two or three people with not a lot of luggage are advised to share costs of using a public taxi. The three Airport Express Routes are as follows:

AE1 Suvarnabhumi – Silom Rd. (by expressway)
AE2 Suvarnabhumi – Khao San Rd.(by expressway)
AE3 Suvarnabhumi – Central World via Sukhumvit Rd.
AE4 Suvarnabhumi – Hua Lamphong Train Station via Victory Monument

The final method is by normal public buses. It is the cheapest method at only 35 baht ($1) however, it is more inconvenient. You will need to catch a free shuttle bus back up on the arrival lounge floor. This then takes you the short distance to the bus terminal in the airport. Here you will find regular buses into Bangkok. One of them even goes past my house in Samut Prakan.  The bus routes are as follows:

549 Suvarnabhumi-Minburi-Bangkapi via Seri Thai Rd.
550 Suvarnabhumi-Happy Land
551 Suvarnabhumi-Victory Monument (by expressway)
552 Suvarnabhumi-Khlong Toei (Customs Dept.) via Onnut BTS station
552A Suvarnabhumi-Samut Prakarn (Praeksa Garage)
553 Suvarnabhumi-Samut Prakarn (Crocodile Farm Garage)
554 Suvarnabhumi-Rangsit via Don Mueang and Ram Indra Rd. (by expressway)
555 Suvarnabhumi-Rangsit via Don Mueang and Central Plaza LadPhrao (by expressway)
556 Suvarnabhumi-Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal via Democracy Monument and Khaosan Rd.(by expressway)
557 Suvarnabhumi-Wong Wian Yai (The Great Circle)
558 Suvarnabhumi-Central Plaza Rama II
559 Suvarnabhumi-Future Park Rangsit via Dream World (by expressway)

Unless you are familiar with bus routes, I would advise you to go by public meter taxi. Just make sure you make a note of the details of the taxi driver. To the left of the front windscreen, on the inside, is the name of the driver in English and Thai and also his registration number. This could be useful later if you forget something in the taxi or you have a dispute with the driver regarding the fare.If you can wait two years, there will also be an Airport Link train with its own station in the basement of the airport.

Comments (68)Add Comment
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written by Alfie Santiago ( Phillipines ), Fri 03 Aug 2007 15:27:53 CDT
Hello Sir,how about the Bus number 389 or 999? Somebody from the net said that there is a pick-up area at the arrival level/2nd floor/inner curb..from Suvarnabhumi airport to Pattaya.Is this True? Do i have to pay the 106Baht fare to the bus driver or do i need to get a ticket to the Bus Terminal?Please reply asap..i am scheduled to go to Pattaya this Aug..Thank you very much.
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written by farangx, Sun 05 Aug 2007 10:06:30 CDT
we were charged 1000 baht to get to nana plaza,
i dont think the taxi meter was on
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written by jc, Mon 10 Sep 2007 18:14:32 CDT
no kidding... 500 baht is the most ive ever been asked... but just say METER... youll either hear ok or mai dai
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written by JD, Tue 18 Sep 2007 08:16:17 CDT
I always take a taxi from the DEPARTURES level. From Arrivals, go up a couple of floors and exit the terminal. Cross the road to where taxis drop off passengers who are departing Bangkok. The taxi drivers are delighted to get a return fare because they don't have to wait in the queue...and neither do you. They aren't meant to pick up passengers from here and the area is patrolled by aiport staff to discourage this practice. However, this is Thailand and the rules are rarely enforced..
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written by Tony, Wed 19 Sep 2007 14:50:42 CDT
I fly to the new airport about four times a year and immediately catch a bus from the airport to Pattaya. I go up to the departures level, go outside and there is always a taxi driver dropping someone off who is willing to take me anywhere in Pattaya fo 800 Baht plus 60 baht for the highway tolls. Be patient. Not all of them want to go to Pattayan but I never wait more than five minutes.
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written by Tony R, Sun 23 Sep 2007 11:51:45 CDT
Why do people haggle over a few hundred baht. Heathrow to central London costs almost 90 pounds (6,000 baht) and Kennedy to central New York is more than 85$ (3,000 baht) - now thats real scamming - leave the poor Thais alone. If you really can't afford 30$ for a two hour taxi drive then what are you doing here on holiday, if not taking advantage of the Thai good nature.
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written by Pete, Mon 01 Oct 2007 16:01:57 CDT
Tony. .I had that experience... I am from Australia, its not that bad there but London is the worst.. I took a cab from Heathrow to Green Park in central London (tube zone 1) and it costs me 50 Pounds... too much
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written by Dave Pearch, Thu 04 Oct 2007 11:58:03 CDT
" Why do people haggle over a few hundred baht. Heathrow to central London costs almost 90 pounds (6,000 baht) and Kennedy to central New York is more than 85$ (3,000 baht) - now thats real scamming - leave the poor Thais alone. If you really can't afford 30$ for a two hour taxi drive then what are you doing here on holiday, if not taking advantage of the Thai good nature. "

Quite simply, its the principle, Thais earn two & a half dollars a day, what do they earn in the UK and the US? As for Thai good nature, its obvious you talking from a TOURIST point of view?
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written by James, Wed 17 Oct 2007 20:25:54 CDT
"Why do people haggle over a few hundred baht."
If you reward bad behavior then that becomes the norm. I travel to Thailand around 10 times a year on business. I always catch the taxi, I always ask for the meter, I always tip if the taxi driver is friendly and professional. Promote the values you want to see.
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written by Joachim, Tue 23 Oct 2007 19:46:57 CDT
"Why do people haggle over a few hundred baht."
I think it is a social deed to try to stop this practise. In the end the local people are the one's who suffer. They will have to pay a day's wage to take a taxi, etc, just because tourists are using their dollars as if it is monopoly money. Give a reasonable amount for a reasonable job or product, and give a reasonable tip if everything is to your satisfaction.
imho
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written by Dave, Tue 30 Oct 2007 19:26:10 CDT
"Why do people haggle over a few hundred baht"
I want an honest driver, I do not like giving money to cheats,
Taxi METER says it all either when taking one from the airport or when hailing a taxi on the street.
If people pay double just for the asking then taxi drivers and other Thais always expect it from stupid farang, the rip-off culture gets worse.
When I catch a taxi I normally tip, usually about 100 baht from the airport, but it is MY choice.
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written by Pattaya Bob, Sun 30 Dec 2007 17:31:25 CST
Why do these clowns support corruption, theft and scams ? Just be cause it is XYZ in their country does not make it right. These people should just stay home.
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written by Peter Gregory, Wed 20 Feb 2008 16:05:41 CST
The police at the gate of the Royal Palace are in on the "Palace is closed" scam: they directed me and my sister to a tuk tuk and of course we were taken to a gems shop. We refused to get out and the driver pretended the tuk tuk woudn't start and then got really nasty and threatening. It wasted hours as no taxi would stop for us outside the gem shop. On the way back to the river, numerous tuk tuk drivers told us the river was too high and we should take a tuk tuk. Overall after many many more scams about train tickets and really just about everything, we decided that everyone now has a hidden agenda when they see foreigners- the sugary smile thing. I'm not stupid and I lived for a year in Bangkok in 1980, and I can speak basic Thai. My sister and I left on the first plane back to Malaysia, where NO-ONE ripped us off. I won't ever go back to Thailand, and recently, on a 10 hour transit at the Bangkok airport I stayed in the terminal rather than go into town and get ripped off again. Go to Malaysia- the beaches are nicer, the sea cleaner and Malays will not rip you off. I've lived here for 4 years.
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written by tisha, Thu 13 Mar 2008 00:46:10 CDT
advice please..... so once i reach the airport..go up to departure level, hail a taxi from there? across the road is it? it is metered taxi right to go into BKK? will there be any officials to chase me away as it is not right to hail taxi there?
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written by baz, Sat 15 Mar 2008 16:16:46 CDT
Dont hail it. You r getting in one someone is just getting out of.Metered taxis have a sign on top.Ask him to put it on .Starts at 35 B.Not across the road.Not soposed to do it.If you dont get in he has to join the Q in arrivals & so do u.
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written by tisha, Mon 17 Mar 2008 14:41:13 CDT
hi baz,

Thanks...will heed your advice.
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written by RORY, Fri 18 Apr 2008 14:23:13 CDT
OK,It's not about the few baht I.E. money.It's the principle of how it's done.We do ,all give alittle extra anyway, because we are traveling/holiday and we are proberly in a better off job etc etc etc.
Maintain the the average price,HAGGLE HARD. otherwise when/if you come back ,your paying double ,because if they can get 100 this time,they can get 200 b next time it's greed, human nature,believe me some are earning alot compared to western wages.
Would you give me well over the odd's if i ask ? how would you feel if i tried to rip you off.
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written by Jae, Sun 18 May 2008 20:31:59 CDT
Brilliant advise. Went straight up to departures and got a taxi immediately into Bangkok, no fuss and on the meter. Taxi driver didn't even try to persuade not to go on meter. Thanks for the hard work.
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written by sairung, Fri 23 May 2008 10:40:55 CDT
i am thai.i feel regret for all scam in thailand .
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written by David, Mon 09 Jun 2008 18:53:16 CDT
Its not just Thailand. I just got back from a trip to Orlando, FL for
a conference. I had to travel top a neighboring hotel twice a day.
When you go to the front and ask for a taxi they give you a "limo"
instead without telling you that they charge twice as much.
Limos have no meters and charge $12. One time I got a regular taxi meter
and was charged only $7.
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written by Rene, Tue 22 Jul 2008 11:07:57 CDT
Peter Gregory...
Yes in M'sia no 1 will bother to scam u... They will juz rob u n hurt u! Worse than Thailand!!
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written by simatrix, Tue 02 Sep 2008 15:01:19 CDT
Hey, whats wrong with haggling! That is why we go to places like Thailand. The Thai's love chance and luck and this is reflected in their business dealings. The meters we can leave in boring UK and the West. Go on get to Bangkok and haggle all the way. Some you win some you lose. Makes for a nice story and at least one party is going to be happy. Theft or Luck its your call :-)
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written by luuk krhung, Thu 11 Sep 2008 06:59:55 CDT
Thai need to ask themselves why they are so racist and dishonest.
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written by Traveller, Thu 11 Sep 2008 12:00:50 CDT
I find Thais very racist and dishonest, they look at foreigners as a meal ticket. I am not bitter and have been in Thailand many times. And this is my honest opinion of Thais in general that live work and or stay in tourist areas. This is why I will never visit Thailand again. But if you are a first time visitor you should try it, but keep your hands in your pockets.
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written by John, Thu 11 Sep 2008 12:16:54 CDT
Traveller I agree with you, Thais are rascist and dishonest. 2 weeks ago after I collected my bags, the Thai limousine company employees started telling me 2600 baht to Pattaya, I told them a taxi outside costs 14 hundred baht and she told me no same same 2600 baht. I told her I live in Thailand and strted speaking Thai and she just walked off. Afetr that it gets worse, when you go through customs the touts get you, why dont the police move them? (because they get paid to leave them there) this happens evrytime I go to Thailand.
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written by theo, Thu 11 Sep 2008 18:47:52 CDT
Thai arent bad. I spent a lot of time in the company of Thais with some money Not extremely rich, but owners o one or two restaurants, shrimp farms Made boat trips with them. Have been to Esan with others. Everytime I produced my wallet everything was paid for already!! Depends who one meets. Usely only the poor and the loosers will seek the falangs company. They want money. Same in Amsterdam. Get hustled at the railwaystation by runners. Drugsellers etc Tourists ripped of by taxidrivers I heard the Australian government even advised their citizens not to go to Amsterdam anymore. Does that make the Dutch bad and racist people? I usely dont go to tourists in the street to talk with them. Why should I? Igo my one way Dont want the tourists money. Same in Thailand. Be lucky and meet some other people there But they wont come up to you in the street
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written by John, Fri 12 Sep 2008 12:19:34 CDT
Theo you sound very innocent and naieve, I have lived in Thailand for over 10 years, yes there are some nice Thais, but generally I find them racist, I have been ripped off by school teachers, policemen you name it. They dont like tourists and see them only as idiots who deserved to be ripped off. I am not bitter just truthful. But I guess its the same in a lot of countries as you mentioned. However this website is dedicated to Thailand and not Holland.
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written by Theo, Fri 12 Sep 2008 17:42:16 CDT
Well I go overthere every year for a couple of months. For many years. Of course I agree. Have been ripped of too. By policeman and taxidrivers But not frequently. Not more then in other countries I visited. Not like South America were I spent two years and had to face gunman sveral times. Spent a yaer in Marocco The Maroccan hustlers. Well the Thai huslers can learn something there. They are persistant and rude. One should not generalise though.
I think no country is entirely populated by racists. Tourists might not always be popular in Thailand. But usely I also dont like the kind people hanging out in Pattaya.I dont go there anymore In Amsterdam we dont like low class English tourists either. They come over with cheap tickets Are drunk all the time smoking pot, fighting. Of course this website is dedicated to Thailand but I am just comparing to explain my point. Besides not only tourists get ripped of by the police They will hustle everybody for money I have seen it.Its a very corrupt society. Well you will know after ten years. But if one decides to go and live in a third world country you always will have to face this kind of things. If one cannot live with it one should only visit developed countries
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written by Theo, Fri 12 Sep 2008 18:06:19 CDT
Another question: Its not by business so you dont have to answere if you dont want. But have you been working there? Or studying? There seem to be falang students overthere. I think the best way to get to know a country is work with the locals. Not on one of those falang or japanese business islands in Bangkok. And of course one has to speak their language fluently. I would like to hear their judgement and experiences.
Toursits and retired people not really get into society.
If I go to Australia and dont live with the Australians (Only with Dutchman) and dont work there I will never know what really is going on there
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written by John, Sat 13 Sep 2008 12:57:40 CDT
I have previously worked in Thailand (construction) and my opinion is the same, there is no integration into their society at any level, unless of course it involves money. I dont visit Thailand anymore simply because they dont like me there.
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written by Theo, Sat 13 Sep 2008 23:01:10 CDT
Well I dont say you are wrong. You have been overthere longer than I have. Cultures and languages involved have so many differences that its hard to understand each other. Usely on this site, there are exceptions, people are ripped off of small amounts of money. The big rip offs usely happens when women are involved. The land and house buying and building and so on well you know. Maybe just stay away from the woman? But maybe thats just the main reason a lot of falangs go there.
Besides it makes difference were you go. On Koh Samet there is less change of getting ripped off then lets say Koh Samui or Pattaya.
I speak some Thai, enough to get arround, but not enough for real serious conversations with Thai people. I saw falang students speak very good Thai on Thai Tv. I would like to hear what their opinion is.
But sometimes they say things that make me think your right. Like this one after the tsunami. Lung Theo why dont you go to Phuket? All the tourist junk has been flushed away. Probably beautifull as it was once before . Besides you start to understand them. They say nasty things about you and think you dont understand. They usely call me a YAK. Those big temple guards I am tall and muscular. But I dont think this is ment to be a compliment. And this falang kee nok (bird shit) because you dont let them rip you off and because you speak some Thai. They dont like that because they dont know anymore what you understand or dont. They like there secret language
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written by John, Sun 14 Sep 2008 13:53:35 CDT
Theo
I agree with you 100 percent, I can understand Thai and speak a little, Thais are very ignorant and tend to belittle you if they think you dont understand. I sat in a bar and the ladies were talking about their walking ATMs (falangs) Even Kho Samet now is a tourist trap.
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written by Vadim, Tue 23 Sep 2008 22:37:46 CDT
Thanks for advice about Level 4 to get public taxi.
if you go on the airport's website, Transportation part tells and shows a diagram of all the ways to get around. I personally would love to take a ride in their (promised to open in October 08) skytrain, which is probably still not finished :(
So taxi it is then.
BTW, if you guys wanna try a really cool place to be scammed at-Beijing is the destination: fake money, foreighn money for change, taxi drivers taking you for a city tour to get around the block, etc...
Good luck, fellow travelers.
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written by Mike, Sat 27 Sep 2008 12:36:36 CDT
had agreed with such a taxi monkey to switch on the meter, he did not do it on the way out of airport, easy way out??? just take your digi camera or phone camera out and shoot a pic of his licsens infront, you will see how quick this monkey are to put on their meters.....no problem
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written by Bangkok Bill, Mon 29 Sep 2008 08:04:34 CDT
Cheat me out of 1 baht or 1000 baht it is all the same to me.I actually look forward to a Thai trying to cheat me.It is the same all over the world.I am a big tipper if everything goes smoothly but try to cheat me and I will get the best of them everytime.Bangkok is a cab town and I have been here 20 yrs.My best response to them trying to cheat me is leaving with the passenger door open.It is always funny looking at them trying to close the door,don't get mad get even.
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written by Dubya, Thu 15 Jan 2009 15:53:22 CST
"Why do people haggle over a few hundred baht"
I think this can easily be summed up - inflation. You start charging foreigners more and then price goes up for locals. Many Thais will tell you that in tourist places (where you can get a lot of Thai tourists unfamiliar with the local setting as well) they will get ripped off as well. And actually foreigners are more likely to complain, haggle etc and get a lower price than a Thai.
If you're happy with your Thai taxi driver, give him/her a tip (I always do if they are straight, drive safe etc). If you want a more upmarket ride into the city, take the limo.
As for London's black taxi drivers - they study for two years to get their license, know the whole city well and the airport taxis are charged a fortune for a permit by the airport owners (BAA) to work there.
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written by harry, Thu 15 Jan 2009 20:27:44 CST
Londons taxi drivers dont just come down country, pay a bribe and straight away theyre a taxi driver like in Bangkok.

what other country do you know where the tourist passenger has to give the directions for the whole journey? Really great when you dont know the place and neither does your driver!

In Japan the houses and streets are similarly labelled confusingly but the drivers at least have an idea of where they are going and can take someone who doesnt know the local lingo where they want to go.

Ok Bangkok taxis are cheap to travel in but your brain could be fried in the process hehehehehe
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written by harry, Thu 15 Jan 2009 20:34:30 CST
Oh yeah, the face thing really hit home the other day.

I asked a taxi driver to take me to Emporium from soi 22 sukhumvit, a 5 - 10 minute drive away. Once we had reached the place instead of stopping he carried on driving all the way down the sukhumvit , really long road. I thought he was just finding a place to u turn to drop me off near the Emporium but no he carried on driving down the road until I was along way from the place.

I asked him to stop and he told me that he did not know where the Emporium was despite being massive having signs etc, because of saving face he could not tell me that he did not know where I wanted to go.

Ended up getting the BTS skytrain back from about 2 stops down the line to get to where I wanted to go- so I had to pay the extra taxi fare to where I did not want to go plus the skytrain fare to where I did------------ All because of face, amazing Thailand!
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written by harry, Thu 15 Jan 2009 21:10:52 CST
Most Thai people are great I might add but every now and then culture shock does occur for everyone who comes to live or stay in Thailand. I could laugh the taxi driver thing off but it did make me late for a meeting undermining my 'face' pr standing with my business client and could have cost me a lost contract.
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written by Khun Issan, Tue 20 Jan 2009 14:25:22 CST
Before arriving at the airport, I think people should do some more research into the country they are visiting, the scams, the human rights issues eg. The Burmese, a lovely breed of people who are so unjustly treated in Thailand.... see alsohttp://phuketwan.com/tourism/similans-tourists-see-boat-people-mistreated/......which was also verified by a Norwegian newspaper.The amount of so called suicides, of young healthy foreigners, too many unexplained horrible happenings in Thailand>>>>>>>all that glitters is not gold>>> apologies to those that I offend (dont forget I am half Thai!) but it is time to get our noses out of the sand and to start asking questions, the unacceptable has been the acceptable for too long, until we can make this country a safe country I think protests outside of the Thai embassies around the world should happen to voice the "so called suicide victims", the mistreatment of human beings, and the scammers. World attention just might make these people sit up and think!
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written by pighoglet, Wed 21 Jan 2009 08:13:26 CST
.....including the latest news of the Thai navy letting loose Bumese migrants that were in their charge at sea without food water or supplies to die.

Provokes extra thought and study to the Thai and asian culture and to the history that makes grudges lasting generations.

These basic human rights and outright racism issues wont be appearing in any tourist brochure in the near future.

The more you know the more there is to know.

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written by Khun Issan, Wed 21 Jan 2009 11:55:34 CST
No Pighoglet thats right, I always wondered why Cambodia was allowed to happen when they are our next door neighbours, but NOW I understand fully !
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written by harry mcfadden, Wed 18 Feb 2009 20:41:49 CST
i was asked for a 1000 baht to go to khao san and i got out of the taxi in the middle of the road when queing at the toll gate
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written by Crocodilexp, Wed 22 Apr 2009 22:19:47 CDT
I don't see what's shady about the 800 baht offer to go to Pattaya. I don't think that's out of line at all for a private car from Suvarnabhumi. Pattaya-Bangkok taxis charge flat 800 baht.
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written by Sammie, Thu 23 Apr 2009 15:04:03 CDT
I agree Croc. 800 equates to £15 or $A31 or even 17 euro, I find that a very fair price and of course they have to come back as well, so hopefuly they get a fare back.
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written by Jimmy, Wed 22 Jul 2009 17:20:58 CDT

I always take the TOT limo taxis. Ok, it costs 950 baht but the car is clean, reliable, the drivers are polite and friendly and I don't get hassled.

I gave up on the standard Airport taxi's 6 years ago.
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 21:49:44 CST
I completly agree with Khun Issan, make some research before coming, it is not the thailand of the 70/80's any more. to be honest i see a huge difference between thailand now and say 3 years ago and surely after another 3 years will change.
Anyway, yes, the Burmese people are perhaps the kindest people i've ever met, i felt bad about myself for days...thai's are extremly nationalistic and discremenatory, not to the farang invasion, but also from their neighboring countries. The only guys the like are Laotians, they are very similar and share border with Esarn ( Issan ) so basicaly they are Laotians, southern thais are mixed with Cambodians, northern part is Lana people ( supposedly from Tibet and northen China ) there is no real east side, and Bangkok people are a breed of their own, most business men are of Chinese origin.
Two ( make that 3 ) things that make me mad about thailand ?
1. double standard of pricing ( it's racial discrementation ) i want to pay the same price as everyone pays, whether it is 100 or 1000.
2. when they act as if they don't understand english, when 2 minutes ago they were perfectly fluent.
3. when they all treat you like an idiot that has no clue of what is going on.

yes, sometimes i understood what they were saying... and i just got up and left without saying a word.
it is the only country in the world where the locals don't appreciate your effort in learning the language even though it is amazingly difficult language ( but also for them english is very hard, but it is freakin international, you see it everywhere, tv, commercials etc. )
so lower you expectations margin...they can really make you feel like c**p and ruin your hard eaned holiday and no giving a damn about you, yes you...the guy who likes to hear
" hey where you go sexy man...go with you "...they just need a few bucks on the spot and don't give a damn to what your name is for what it matters...so don't be flattered...if it were true you would be in your country getting it...
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 21:58:06 CST
by the way please, this is for everyone's benefit...if you "feel" cheated or disrespected after all you have done, don't get mad in public; it's a sign of weakness. So yes, believe it or not just smile : )
that is why i say when you go there, do you're thing, have clear ideas, get it done and GO.
the more you stay in one place the more they get annoyed of you and will be tempted to cheat you even more, if i have to stay "long time" in thailand i make sure not to spend more than 2 to 4 weeks in the same place.
The best piece of advice i receieved from a german lady coming there on vacation was that
" thai's are like little children, and you should treat them that way "
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:10:30 CST
to be honest, the question should be :
" where should our next party/shopping/relaxation destination be rather than Thailand ? "
i would go if there were such a place, cause i'm sick of the thai's looking down at me for no reason other than my white race.
filipinos are great ( BIG Heart, have harder economic life than thai's but warmer and very freindly for no reason) , speak awesome english at all levels of society, fairly cheap ( 3 times less than thailand ) but if you want clean and safe european standards you have to pay european prices.

when i went to Burma and saw how the thai's mistreated those naive people, i really packed my bags and left...they don't deserve my money, they think i'm obliged to pay or something...go ahead think i'm a cheap charlie, it is perfectly fine to me to be a cheap charlie rather than a rich idiot ( and you won't be rich for long in thailand, you think everythink is so cheap compared to home so spend much more and more frequently ) think you live on a "high" thai salary of $ 32,000 baht a month, about USD 1000.
you will always spend more with rent etc. btw we also pay Sophon cheap cable more, also water and electricity, just cause you're white, nothing more nothing less.
believe me guys, if you come to thailand with abroken heart, here the pieces will turn into fine powder.
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:16:55 CST
i'm really thinkin' about crashing in Burma next week...make some research any hints will be grateful : )

TOP 3 and only reason to go to thailand :

1. take advantage of excellent cosmetical and medical facility, even thought the cost of ticket etc. will make it same as at home.
2. some shopping, hotels etc. the " girl " industry is not that good or even worth it in most cases, honestly.
i've lived in pattaya for 2 years and i was looking for a hot 7-11 girl...guess what, they are all butt ugly, if they were any good they would be stripping at a coyote club or working for hot tuna bar.
3. just relax...you know i envy the guys that go there with there falang girlfriend, i just sit around and wait for a couple to break up : ) hawking...
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:25:35 CST
oh the best reason to go to thailand is to make your friends and co-workers DEAD jealous : )

btw, while living in pattaya i got scared S***less the first month or so every night watching "pattaya news" and every day there were 1 or 2 dead people, half falang ( scandinevain or britts mostly, plus so many suicids, why ? cause they cut ties with home thinking to find a better life here and to find real love, but only find out that they just want your MONEY...so the poor guys get it over with...thai's will not appreciate the fact that you sold everything you own inorder to help them and get some love and respect in exchange, perhaps not feel so much like a stranger and perhaps feel as a human being or even a family member. guys watch out, we might feel like an adult in an adult toy store while there etc. but it can get nasty, many farangs died lonelier than before here, and pennyless.
best advice, do what you have to do, relay on no one, and most important forget about relationships
( friend/love )
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:33:18 CST
p.s. if you complain to any thai about your lonelyness here despite the many years of spending in thailand or they tried to cheat you etc, they will systematicaly look at you with that shine in their eyes, smile and say " why you no go home ? "....why you think i left home in the first place if it were such a lovely place i would bother coming to the otherside of the world to argue with you drinking a chang beer at my expense, would i ? ....oh i forget..all farangs are stupid, it;s geneticaly proven.
anyone who is not thai is automaticaly a loser in farangland ??!!!
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:37:26 CST
this is too..i can't stop writting...
a thai lady will make you save money indeed on all purchases, just to ask you to borrow that difference she made you save ( PLUS a little tip ) otherwise you are a cheap charlie...you know what ? i'll pay everything more but pay you the exact amount of money, then tell you to leave when i'm done : )
and that way you won't even badmouth me with the other girls as being cheap...rather Fair : )
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:43:04 CST
btw i'm an arab whose lived in italy and studied in american schools and university there : )

hey the best is to go to thailand with FRIENDS !!! that ia a blast : )

if you are lonely and looking for feeling...defenetly not the right place...in no time you will be back home lonlier than before, minus your money and faith in humanity ( plus self estime )
that is why there are so many people that sucide here, they think they come to heaven but it is actually hell if you plan to live here and learn and get into the local society : )
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:46:57 CST
check this out and then i'm gone guys, if you ask anyone in thailand ( maybe except the northern part which seems less contaminated and probably more Burmese and Laos origin ) what this or that means in thai, they will answer you with another question: systematicaly " why you want know ? thai too difficult for farang " ...well but you speak english, can't i learn your language too so i don't feel cheated like a kid ? ..." no : ) " ( thai smile )
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written by Stavros, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:48:04 CST
@Daniel, hey man, you are a funking cool guy, I love your rawness, honesty and advice. I'll just say one thing, when the Japanese scientists resolve some design problems with there female android, Thailand and places like it will be in a for a humungous shock!
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:50:49 CST
ok last one : )

if you really like to hear " hey sexy man whele you go ? ..go with you " ( pai nai sut low - in thai ) record it at a bar and use it as a ringtone !!!
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 22:53:49 CST
i love telling them that " mmhh thai food is not that great for me, i rather eat italian : ) " with a big fake smile obviously.
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 23:07:26 CST
the point is not that all thai's are fundamentaly evil and just want to cheat out of your money mainly through your lack of knowledge and language barriers. Even if they liked you it would be only for that short moment, and god only knows why : ) but to stay "long" time with a foreigner would only make her look bad infront of the other locals unless she was making really big money off of you to support her family as most of them claim. we just don't fit over the long term. Take one good example, go to one of the high end deparment store in BKK such as Siam Paragon, look at the high-end thai couples there, that is every thai girls dream, not a farang.
( overaged and perhaps overweight that can afford to live there and support her family in Issarn; not like most young guys that come for a few days )
infact notice how the high-end bangkok girls that have it all don't even glance at the freakin farang and you feel like Casper the ghost all the time...that is my conclusion of thai women.
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 23:21:05 CST
next week i'm going back to take care of teeth etc.in BKK and around, if you like what i say then you are welcome to drop me a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

i like to make friends, and i can give useful tips if you plan to go to thailand or stay a few months etc.
take care guys : )

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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 23:38:59 CST
just cause i have it does not mean i have to squander it, i worked too to earn it and god knows what i went through to earn such an expensive trip. what i can't look after my finances myself, should i give my credit card to every good natured thai citizen to pay for my expenses ? or will they accomodate me in their house if i should ever need ? sure it would be until the "money" gets from farangland and i would be expected to pay something, which is perefectly logic in many places around the world in exchange of the hospitality. what makes me tick is their presumption we are all filthy rich and it is their holy right to overcharge us. but we came here in the first place cause we were attracted by the "highish" standard compared to the price paid, but if once i get there i am expected to pay everything more and tipping i end up spending the same for a trip to Montecarlo without having to put up with all their hassle and treated as second class "being" with my money. That is why i will not pay the farang price.
did you know that you pay DOUBLE when you buy the fruit from the vendor in the street, 20 baht for you and 10 baht for the locals. ok, so you make a profit when you sell it for 10 baht to the locals don't you ? and you charge me twice as much makeing 100% pure profit !!! yeah 10 or 20 baht won't make me broke, but there is also the principle of fairness and reason. if i pay him the thai price of 10 baht, he is still making a profit margin ( and believe me fruit is dead cheap ) so technicaly i could stay longer with the same amount of money, WHY NOT ? and still have some fun...i can eat a slice of pineapple tonigh and another one for free tomorow night.
see why you shouldn't put up with their discremenation and extortion...where's the "deal" then ?
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 23:44:53 CST
i'll show you the principle of fairness and being socialy/economicaly useful :

i wash the clothes at a family run shop rather than within the Condo or hotel facility.

i rent a scooter outside the hotel facility, buy gas and pay tickets etc.

i won't take the same girls twice : )

and try to eat at different places so as not to make one guy rich basically, don't charge us more, THAT is really rude and not conform to thai beliefs and hospitality, which we will not take advantage of...unless you try to cheat me out of my money then you will see my farang bad side too, i didn't leave it at the airport on the way here : )
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written by Daniel, Wed 30 Dec 2009 23:50:28 CST
why not pay higher prices ? : )

it is like blackmailing, if you give in once, the requests will always get larger : )
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written by Daniel, Thu 31 Dec 2009 00:12:19 CST
BTW !!! there is no such thing as thai boxing, the sport is properly named Bocator. It has Cambodian origin and it is called Khmer Boxing.
Thank you.
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written by Stavros, Thu 31 Dec 2009 09:11:34 CST
@Daniel, you are a gem, you really are, please keep your comments coming.
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written by Bob, Sat 02 Jan 2010 08:28:21 CST
@Peter Gregory

Regarding no one trying to rip people off in Malaysia, most taxis in KL will most certainly try to rip you off and worse than in Bangkok. And that's assuming you can find a taxi at night when you might need one after going out for some drinks.
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written by Daniel Duong, Tue 09 Feb 2010 22:24:04 CST
It cost us 1,500B to get to Asia Hotel, Ratchatewi from Suvarnabhumi...is it a rip off or is that how much a 'limousine' usually costs?
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written by mikey, Tue 09 Feb 2010 23:57:15 CST
We paid 1200 bht for suv for 5 persons to similar distance


worth it , considering all the stuff ( baggage) we had.

return trip with less stuff was only 700 bht

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