Tuk Tuk Drivers

[Guest kjun12]

Am I alone or do others feel that Bangkok Tuk Tuk drivers are amongst the most low class thieves in the world. Their attempts to rip off any farang silly enough to try to engage them make them most despicable. Their thievery causes me to wish them a less than happy future. Some taxi drivers are almost as bad. Especially at night as one leaves a club. However, the tuk tuk drivers cause me more angst. I really dislike the buggers.

[Guest fountainhall]

I gave up taking Bangkok tuk tuks a long time ago. They quote virtually the same price as a taxi on short distances and will not negotiate. So, tough on them! But I don't agree they're thieves. Obviously some farangs are paying their prices, so why should they bother negotiating? If you don't agree the fee in advance, 'tho, then you're certainly in trouble!

 

As for taxis, those that park outside nightlife areas always want a negotiated fee and will rarely agree to use the meter. But all you have to do is walk a couple of hundred yards and pick up a cruising taxi. I have never failed to get a driver to use the meter after any night out - unless it is raining really heavily.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I gave up taking Bangkok tuk tuks a long time ago. They quote virtually the same price as a taxi on short distances and will not negotiate. So, tough on them! But I don't agree they're thieves. Obviously some farangs are paying their prices, so why should they bother negotiating? If you don't agree the fee in advance, 'tho, then you're certainly in trouble!

 

As for taxis, those that park outside nightlife areas always want a negotiated fee and will rarely agree to use the meter. But all you have to do is walk a couple of hundred yards and pick up a cruising taxi. I have never failed to get a driver to use the meter after any night out - unless it is raining really heavily.

I couldn't agree with you more on all points. The last time I used a tuk tuk was on a Saturday and I wanted to go to Chatuchuk (weekend) Market. The driver insisted it was only "Sunday Market" and wanted to take me someplace else. Fortunately, I was knowledgeable enough not to be taken in by his crap, so I told him to stop and I got out of the tuk tuk and walked off in the opposite direction from where he was going. He shouted at me and I just kept walking.

[Guest]

Of course all visitors have to take a Tuk Tuk at least once for the fun.

Negotiate the price first.

[Guest shebavon]

Am I alone or do others feel that Bangkok Tuk Tuk drivers are amongst the most low class thieves in the world. Their attempts to rip off any farang silly enough to try to engage them make them most despicable. Their thievery causes me to wish them a less than happy future. Some taxi drivers are almost as bad. Especially at night as one leaves a club. However, the tuk tuk drivers cause me more angst. I really dislike the buggers.

Pattaya's Song Tow drivers are even worse. With Tuk-tuk's, basically tourist attractions, one has the option of superior and cheaper taxis, but here in Pattaya, the choice is Song Tow's or motortaxis. both a helluva lot more expensive than taxis in Bangkok. And don't even point out the new taxis in Pattaya. Try and get one of them to do a local run on the meter.

 

It is the rudeness and ridiculous practices of Pattaya Song Tow drivers that has driven me to operate my own motorbike. It was part of my practice of doing things to reduce my blood pressure.

[Up2u]

Never had a song tow driver try to sell or take me to a gem or gold shop. I always pay a 10 baht fare and have no problems. But I know the system and do not engage them in a conversation for hire. If one stops and ask me "Bhai nai?" I just wave him on and wait for the next and pay my 10 baht. Over all it is pretty good system.

[Guest pingalicker]

In Bangkok with the traffic being so congested, I use motorbike taxi's as often as I can. They are normally used for short distance rides, but some will go long distance's if asked. Sure beats sitting in the back of a regular taxi stuck in traffic for a long time when one has to be somewhere on time. If I have a boy with me, we use a regular taxi, but I have hired two motorbike taxi's to go to the same destination. In Pattaya I always rent a motorbike by the week, and really enjoy riding around to the beach, up to see the Big Budha, the scenic overlook etc. I carry a cheap rain poncho under the seat, just in case.

I don't care for the Tuk-Tuk drivers in BKK also. One time leaving the Suam Lan Night Bazzar there were no taxi's anywhere, the ones we managed to flag down wouldn't go where we wanted to. I finally re-nogoiated the fare with a Tuk-Tuk driver, and jokingly asked if I could drive. To my amazement he said yes and I drove a short distance in the parking lot! We had a ball with him.

[KhorTose]

I have ridden in Tuk-tuks in several Thailand cities, and the worst in the whole country are in Chiang Mai. I would rather walk then take one of those A.. H...s anywhere in town. However, the song tow drivers are honest and very good! Go figure.

[Guest fountainhall]

I have ridden in Tuk-tuks in several Thailand cities, and the worst in the whole country are in Chiang Mai.

 

The worst - and the most expensive!

[Gaybutton]

My own experience has convinced me that the tuk-tuk drivers in Bangkok are out to rip off farang as much as they can. I won't use them. I don't know why anyone would prefer a tuk-tuk to a taxi anyhow. The drivers charge more (there are no meters). Because the roof slopes down, you can't see. You're out there directly breathing in the exhaust fumes from all the traffic. There is no air conditioning. I fail to see the pleasure in doing anything more with a tuk tuk than maybe taking a photo of them once in a while.

 

In Chiang Mai I have have not had any negative experiences with the tuk tuks that I can recall.

 

In a metered taxi anywhere in Thailand, it is illegal for a taxi driver to fail to use the meter when taking you anywhere within the city limits. If you're going to try to get a taxi driver to take you to another city, then of course the driver will want to negotiate with you, and I think that's perfectly ok. However, when taking a taxi for routine purposes, any driver who refuses to turn on the meter for me just lost a fare. I doubt it would do any good, but you can report taxi drivers who refuse to turn on the meter. I'll often ask the driver, if he won't turn on the meter, how much he wants. I've been to Bangkok often enough that I know he approximate fares to and from the places I usually go. If he's within 50 or 60 baht of the price I normally pay, then I usually accept his price. I'd rather do that than go through the hassle of changing taxis, unless the weather is bad.

 

For me, the most aggravating experience in taxis is when I tell the driver where I want to go, and after a few minutes it becomes obvious he has absolutely no clue where my destination is. I've learned that when I can, I always make sure to have the telephone number for my destination saved in my mobile phone. I call the destination and have them explain where they are to the driver. Of course, if I feel the driver is only trying to jerk me around to get a higher fare, he loses a customer too.

 

I most cases, if I feel the driver has been honest with me and did his best to get me to where I'm going in a timely manner, I'll thank him and give him a good tip. The ones who are screwing around get nothing except the exact fare.

[Guest Astrrro]

and jokingly asked if I could drive. To my amazement he said yes and I drove a short distance in the parking lot! We had a ball with him.

 

I'd like to drive a tuk tuk. Where is the gas, shift, and brakes.

 

[Guest pingalicker]

Tuk-Tuk is operated much like a motorcycle with the gas on the right handle bar (twist-grip) and the clutch is operated with the left foot. The one I drove had a VERY touchey clutch, seemed like it was either in or out, making for a rather jerky start. If I remember correctly, the front wheel brake is on the left handle bar, and the rear brakes operated by the right foot. It was fun!