106 replies to this topic

[kliome]

May I just slightly hijack this thread and ask if the same method, of getting a driver at Departures level, will work for heading to Pattaya? And will they tend to go by meter or a set price?

And can you go to the Taxi Meter desk at arrivals level and ask for Pattaya? Or is it just Bangkok bound traffic only?

As I never not what time I'm due to arrive, I don't really have the option to pre-book Mr.T for example, and want to avoid the Limousine companies.

Thanks all.

Either willl work, approaching the desk or going to departiures, almost all taxi drivers will be happy to take you to Pattaya, but I doubt any will use the meter.

You should be looking at paying between 1000 and 1500, with 1200 about the right price for a decent cab.

[dixon cox]

May I just slightly hijack this thread...

With a perfectly valid question... Why not?

kliome's right, I've done exactly that on several occasions.

[Hoot]

I'll apologize in advance for the rookie question -

But RX said the Taxi Desk moved down stairs? This will be the first trip I've stayed in Bangkok in years, and after 20+ hours of travel I don't really fell like playing find the "taxi stand" if I can avoid it.

You clear customs and head down stairs and the taxi desks are inside?

I ask because:
A. I never noticed there was another level down (met my driver and headed up to the parking structure)
B. I remember the taxi stand being a small table outside when I was there several years ago.

[rxpharm]

Hoot, the Arrivals Hall is Level 2, Departures are Level 3. Level 1 is down 1 floor from arrivals. Don't worry they have signage up that clearly indicates where to go for the public taxi stands.

You can always go up to departure levels and catch a taxi dropping people off, but it seems the airport security is cracking down on this.

Fatboy - don't use the AOT stands inside the baggage hall as they will charge you far in excess of 1200 - 1500 Baht for Pattaya.

The public taxi stands are outside on level 1, I think they were outside entrance 6. The signage is quite clear though, so follow those and you will find your way.

Shortly after the airport opened the public taxi stand was down there as well, but far less organized than it is now.

[Hoot]

Cheers RX...

I'm amazed I can still dress myself in Thailand without first getting tips from the forum

[Brit]

Cheers RX...

I'm amazed I can still dress myself in Thailand without first getting tips from the forum

Shoulder pads are coming back into fashion now Hoot.
And a nice floral print for your flowing dress - make sure the skirt is below the knee - you don't want to be seen as a slut.

How's about that !!! hahaha. We aim to please !

[kakila]

Cheers RX...

I'm amazed I can still dress myself in Thailand without first getting tips from the forum

Shoulder pads are coming back into fashion now Hoot.
And a nice floral print for your flowing dress - make sure the skirt is below the knee - you don't want to be seen as a slut.

How's about that !!! hahaha. We aim to please !

fuck thats funny

sorry must be in a good mood for a change and not the usual "grumpy old bastard"

keep up the great post boys

they keep me amused

cheers pela

[goodenough]

I took a limo from the airport to my nana-area hotel. Cost me 800 and i gave the driver a 200 tip. Then I was happy to use the hotel limo for 1500 bath when I was going home.

I dont feel cheated at all and will use limo service again, although, if i am on a budget someday I will for sure use the excellent ideas given in the forum. Thanks for the pics it sure makes it easier to understand how to do it boarhog.

[RobiSLO]

I took a limo from the airport to my nana-area hotel. Cost me 800 and i gave the driver a 200 tip. Then I was happy to use the hotel limo for 1500 bath when I was going home.

I dont feel cheated at all and will use limo service again, although, if i am on a budget someday I will for sure use the excellent ideas given in the forum. Thanks for the pics it sure makes it easier to understand how to do it boarhog.

About hotel limo service. Go to driver, talk to him... and he will take you with same same limo for half price if cash is paid directly to him. I tried and it worked.

BR

[boarhog]

Yet another alternative than the standard fare. Its great to have so many choices instead of being force fed a more expensive option all the time. Thanks Robislo, I appreciate these types of little known tips.

[translover]

Thanks for the tip boarhog. I've gotten fed up the number of times when I got into the taxi at the arrival hall and the driver did not want to use the meter. I did not have this problem when Don Muang airport was the international airport.

BTW, another problem I face is when I flag a taxi along Sukhumwhit Rd, especially near Majestic Suites, to go to the airport most drivers refuse to use the meter. Do you have any solution to this problem?

Ask your hotel (Majestic Suites) to call you a meter cab, that usually works for me.

Standing on Sukhumvit with your baggage trying to flag a taxi oftem attracts the wrong type of cabby.

That's very good advise. I shall try that during my forthcoming trip.

On a similar note, I have tried taking cabs from Sukhumvit to visit Grand Palace and all the cab drivers wanted me to also go for the Chao Praya boat trip so they can get a commission. Damn nuisance!

[translover]

UPDATE: the public taxi queue has been moved back to level 1 (down 1 floor from the arrivals area).

They have made the queue much more efficient - there are now 4 counters that process requests which are manned according to the peak arrival periods for flights during the day. I arrived last night at 10:30 pm and they had 2 counters open. I only waited 5 minutes to get my taxi in a queue of about 20 people, so efficiency is much improved.

There seems to be stricter regulation now, with no discussion from the taxi driver about whether or not to use the meter. He simply switched it on as soon as we started off and I gave him 70 Baht to cover the tollway fees. Grand total for the trip including toll way charges and the 50 baht airport surcharge was 320 Baht. I tossed in a 50 Baht tip as he did not drive like a maniac and we still got to my hotel in around 20 minutes. The official slip from the dispatcher clearly states that the fee will be meter plus 50 Baht airport surcharge and tollway fees to be paid by passenger if that route is taken. If the driver does attempt to negotiate a fixed fee, you can report him to the number on the slip.

No sign of illegal taxi touts as the airport continues it's clean up campaign.

During my last visit the taxi driver took my taxi slip and placed it on the meter in such a way that the displayed is blocked by the slip. By the time I notice this we were already driving on the road. I asked "Got use meter?". The driver gestured to the meter and said "meter, meter" but I can see the display wasn't moving at all during my trip. I paid the toll fees but when I reached Majestic Suites he asked for 400 baht so in total I paid 470 baht.

The official slip has the name of the driver and his taxi's license plate number and on the reverse a complaint form. I filled out the form and posted it. Thank goodness the post office is only a 30 second walk from Majestic.

So the moral of the story the taxi driver can still cheat you even with the official slip. And you are at their mercy once the taxi has moved onto the main road because the last thing you want is a pissed off taxi driver dumping you somewhere along the highway.

Seriously, I did not face such problems 5 years ago. The taxi situation seems to have gone from good to bad. Also try taking a taxi from Amari Boulevard....no one wants to follow the meter.