Thread: Taxi Drivers in Bangkok - WTF?

I put my life in the hands of maniacal taxi drivers everytime I step into a taxi. Is it just me or do taxi drivers frighten you too? First off, they drive so fast, both on the highway and in the city, and do what they can to be in the lead. I often wonder if they are in a race against time. Whatever happened to Thai time when it comes to taxi drivers?

I've taken taxi's many times in Bangkok over the last few years as a tourist, and I'm surprised I'm still alive. Take Mac as one example.. As we are literally driving over 120mph on the highway from the airport into the city, he starts talking on his cell phone. I tell him that it is illegal, and he grunts a little 'ya' and puts it away. Sooo dangerous talking on the phone while driving!!

Another thing that pisses me off is that there are no seatbelts in the backseat. Most cabs have seatbelts, but they don't work or are missing a piece. Let alone the fact that they never wear seatbelts either. I vow to sit in the front seat from now on, where I know there are working seatbelts. Amazing Thailand!

I also hate when I get in a taxi, and they want to charge me a flat rate, without putting on the meter.. They have a meter so they should use it. I will get out of a taxi if they don't put the meter on.

Is it just me, or do taxi drivers annoy you too? How many of you, have been in an accident in a taxi or due to idiot taxi drivers?

The only taxis i have been in have driven at a snails pace so they can get more money....Either that or they take a wrong turning or go the wrong way.

I haven't used a taxi for sooooo long now, i've nearly forgotten how they drive.

I've only been in two accidents as a taxi passenger since living here. Not bad going I suppose.

^That is pretty bad, Robi. Thankfully you are still alive.
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I'm afraid to get in a taxi here. Isn't the speed limit 80kph on the highway?

Nope the highway speed is 110. Why not take the bus like I do PB, its only about 5 minutes longer to anywhere and the drivers know where they are going.

They're maniacs, but aren't they the same the world over?

Believe that they have some kind of quasi Government official status inherited to them by a previous Prime minister.

Get a load of this space cowboy. Luv it when after he taps his speedo, looks to nearly craps his daks with hysterics as the speedo doesn't work.

I quite like the taxi drivers in bkk, they are usually friendly, good for a laugh or a discussion of Thai politics. before taxi meters, it was always a hassle to bargain with them, but thank goodness for meters.

Have run into a few who want to bargain about a fare, even with the meter. That is usually because it's a long trip with no likely return fare, fair enough.

Though, the ones who hang out in front of nightspots are to be avoided as many are there to make a quick buck and rip you off. tough guys too, some of them will offer to fight you if you tell them what you really think of their rip off prices (keegohng) as I found out.

They aren't much different in England, drive too fast and show little courtesy to other drivers. Time is money to them.

oooh I just noticed my rep power has gone from green to red. Did I upset someone!!!!!

I hate the taxis that will take the wrong way just to get a longer journey, and I also hate the ones around Siam who won't take you home when you want them to because you aren't a tourist.

I deliberately leave their back doors wide open when they do this.

SD and I got into a taxi and asked for RCA. The driver hadn't heard of it, so SD provided instructions...at every turn. The driver managed to work the vehicle into the wrong lane at every opportunity and allowed one and all to cut in front of him, especially if he had a chance of making it through a light. Using a face cloth as a snot rag, he must have emptied two very productive nostrils a dozen times. What he couldn't blow out, he attempted to excavate...with some success. I'm sure at least one hand was stuck to the wheel with nasal glue. SD gave him a 5 baht tip simply because he didn't want to touch the offered coin.

Most drivers, however, get us where we want to go with minimum fuss and reasonable efficiency.

Yea, no large comlaints about Bkk taxis here.

The one thing I notice tho, is if you speak minimal to no Thai, they may ask you which way you'd like to go......a taxi driver asking his customer for directions! HA!

I guess if he's met with a blank stare he will just take the best direction he knows, but the tollway/paying could become a misunderstanding to a newbie taxi hailer.

They're especially bad around the LoS tourist areas, i.e., refuse to turn on and use their meters--demanding some absurd fare.

Once took a taxi from Don Muang to Silom rd, the driver had Parkinson's disease, was continually jerking the cab ALL OVER the road giving me whiplash, a bloody nightmare.

Also Tuk tuks drivers are downright naughty. Recently had a couple of mates staying at a hotel in town near the Baiyoke Tower. Once by a tuk tuk they were charged 300 baht to go 300 meters. They were frequently asked (demanded) by tuk tuk drivers in arrogant shrieks and childish wails of English, 'hey you!, hey you!, 'how much you pay me?, how much?, how much you pay?', while the drivers knew very well that these tourists have no idea of Banger's layout. On three occasions once inside the tuk tuk after the destination had already been negotiated, drivers refused to take them there, kidnapped and hijacked them (against their wishes and wills I kid you not), then proceeded to take them to jewellery shops. Apparently the jewellers give the drivers some kinda fuel voucher for bringing victims there. However, they must play it all off as jokes made in bad taste, eh? Take a mai pen rai krap attitude? It's all just cultural communication breakdown, right?

Guess if I was taxi driver, or tuk tuk driver, may have to resort to the same, if not sell my bod, or something else similar then.