janet
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Tips for Bangkok newbies: taxis - 2007/05/11 08:03
I think my first tip to those moving here would be to learn a little bit of Thai, particularly enough to talk to a taxi driver. Taxi drivers here are notorious for trying to squeeze as much money as they can from passengers, particularly farang passengers who may be too shy to protest.
Also remember to always stay away from taxi drivers who seem all to eager to pick you up, by doing such things as driving up next to you and asking "where you go." And, when leaving a place popular with foreigners, such as khao san or silom, never take a taxi that is just sitting there waiting for customers. Always walk a bit down the road and hail a cab that is driving down the street. Those guys just sitting or standing by their cars on the street there are simply waiting for a sucker they can drive all over town to make an extra 30 baht.
I would also suggest that if you ever get into a cab, and the driver asks for cash rather than turning on the meter, get out of the taxi immediately! If he does this, he has destroyed his credibility and he therefore cannot be trusted to use the most efficient route to take you where you want to go. And in Bangkok, taking the best route can mean the difference between being in the taxi for 15 minutes, or an hour and 15 minutes.
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