Arrival report

[reader]

Arrived shortly before midnight Wednesday. Many flights arriving and immigration very busy. But luckily, being 70+, I was welcomed to use priority lanes. All immigration agents now attired in snappy new uniform: navy blue jacket, white shirt and tie. Very professional. Greeted with “Happy New Year” and on my way in about a minute. Bag appeared five minutes after arriving at carousel. Taxi used meter and fare to Silom came in at about 270 plus 85 in tolls and 50 baht airport fee. 

Traffic from airport light at 12:45 am. 

Foodland has added young man to evening staff along with those other regulars we have come to know and appreciate. It’s always first stop!
 

[jason1975]

1 hour ago, reader said:

Arrived shortly before midnight Wednesday. Many flights arriving and immigration very busy. But luckily, being 70+, I was welcomed to use priority lanes. All immigration agents now attired in snappy new uniform: navy blue jacket, white shirt and tie. Very professional. Greeted with “Happy New Year” and on my way in about a minute. Bag appeared five minutes after arriving at carousel. Taxi used meter and fare to Silom came in at about 270 plus 85 in tolls and 50 baht airport fee. 

Traffic from airport light at 12:45 am. 

Foodland has added young man to evening staff along with those other regulars we have come to know and appreciate. It’s always first stop!
 

There is a 50 baht airport fee for taxi? I never noticed it.

New young waiter at Foodland? I must meet him soon!

[reader]

1 hour ago, jason1975 said:

There is a 50 baht airport fee for taxi? I never noticed it.

It has been in effect for years. Only applies to departures (finances meter queueing and space allocated to taxis).

[Raposa]

@reader Welcome back!

[reader]

Buying or renewing sim card

Went to AIS in Silom Center to renew card but learned that my old 300 Baht plan no longer offered. Closest was now 375 which I accepted.

You need to pay attention because plan brochure they show you offers 275 baht plan immediately beside 375. It looked tempting but I was accompanied by Thai speaker who noticed that was for one week only.

The 375 plan does not allow you to make traditional phone calls but you can use LINE or other apps to do that.

The next plan offering more speed and data is 500+. I believe True has similar pricing.

[reader]

1 hour ago, jason1975 said:

New young waiter at Foodland? I must meet him soon!

Have no doubt whatsoever that you will. 😉

[tm_nyc]

40 minutes ago, reader said:

There is a 50 baht airport fee for taxi? I never noticed it.

It used to be that cab drivers at Suvarnabhumi would ask for 500 THB as an all-inclusive number for the trip into town but the last couple of times, in Fall 2024 & January '25, I have been quoted 600 THB instead.  Also, going back more than 10 years, it seems like every Bangkok taxi was a Toyota Camry.  On my last trip from BKK, I realized that the cab was an anonymous Chinese sedan which sort of looked like a Camry.

[Pantherz]

1 hour ago, reader said:

Buying or renewing sim card

Just fyi you can buy an eSIM from AIS through their website and activate it yourself without ever needing to speak to anyone. 

[10tazione]

3 hours ago, reader said:

Buying or renewing sim card

Went to AIS in Silom Center to renew card but learned that my old 300 Baht plan no longer offered. Closest was now 375 which I accepted.

You need to pay attention because plan brochure they show you offers 275 baht plan immediately beside 375. It looked tempting but I was accompanied by Thai speaker who noticed that was for one week only.

The 375 plan does not allow you to make traditional phone calls but you can use LINE or other apps to do that.

The next plan offering more speed and data is 500+. I believe True has similar pricing.

I installed the Ais app, where you can choose a plan yourself, in english.

I also went to Ais shop and changed the sim to an eSim, keeping the same phone number.

[reader]

You guys are smart. I have old phone  no eSIM option.

[Zipper]

16 hours ago, reader said:

Arrived shortly before midnight Wednesday. Many flights arriving and immigration very busy. But luckily, being 70+, I was welcomed to use priority lanes. All immigration agents now attired in snappy new uniform: navy blue jacket, white shirt and tie. Very professional. Greeted with “Happy New Year” and on my way in about a minute. Bag appeared five minutes after arriving at carousel. Taxi used meter and fare to Silom came in at about 270 plus 85 in tolls and 50 baht airport fee. 

Traffic from airport light at 12:45 am. 

Foodland has added young man to evening staff along with those other regulars we have come to know and appreciate. It’s always first stop!
 

Did you ask the driver at the airport or use the meter? I’ve always paid a flat rate. 

[reader]

3 hours ago, Zipper said:

Did you ask the driver at the airport or use the meter? I’ve always paid a flat rate. 

Driver was very professionaly. He explained fees (meter, plus tolls and 50-baht airport fee)as soon as I got into cab. if he hadn’t,  I would have asked him to start meter. 

i’ve paid flat rate of 500 in past but several times driver didn’t take expressway to increase his profit. Now I clarify details before we depart.

I tipped him well for his honesty and good driving. He was an older guy and my experience is that they make best drivers. I ended up paying almost 500 but had better control of my trip.
 

[colmx]

Arrived into BKK 10 days ago and the driver pulled out his calculator as soon as BF and I settled into the (very nice Chinese brand) sedan. 

We insisted on using the meter but he refused so we made to get out of the car, he then agreed to use the meter but told BF that he would be charging an extra 50b because of my suitcase.

As we got near to silom, heading for the Raya, I believe that he deliberately took a detour to ensure that we were stuck in traffic at one set of lights near Chong Nonsi to ensure that the meter was run up to what he was looking to earn (it cost 550b - and we had paid tolls)

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, colmx said:

Arrived into BKK 10 days ago and the driver pulled out his calculator as soon as BF and I settled into the (very nice Chinese brand) sedan. 

We insisted on using the meter but he refused so we made to get out of the car, he then agreed to use the meter but told BF that he would be charging an extra 50b because of my suitcase.

As we got near to silom, heading for the Raya, I believe that he deliberately took a detour to ensure that we were stuck in traffic at one set of lights near Chong Nonsi to ensure that the meter was run up to what he was looking to earn (it cost 550b - and we had paid tolls)

Those are typical tricks of taxi drivers everywhere and I can't even say  Bangkok ones are particularly bad. No doubt because there are so many options. 

[colmx]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

Those are typical tricks of taxi drivers everywhere and I can't even say  Bangkok ones are particularly bad. No doubt because there are so many options. 

yes but i was with my (allegedly savvy 40+) Thai BF at the time, so didn't expect the driver to also try it on and almost succeeed with him!

[spoon]

Even when they didnt want to use meter, if they ask between 500-600, i usually agree, with 600 only for certain cases like after midnight or bigger taxi. In the end, that will be what im paying anyway, 300+ meter rate with 80-100 toll, and 100 tip. 

I used to insist on meter only before, but nowadays, i figure itll be similar outcome anyway, so why add more stress.

[vinapu]

100 baht tip seems generous for 300 fare

[floridarob]

3 hours ago, vinapu said:

100 baht tip seems generous for 300 fare

The correct question would be, does he do the vinapu tuck when he gives it to him....

[spoon]

3 hours ago, vinapu said:

100 baht tip seems generous for 300 fare

I usually feel generous whenever i step back on thailand lol

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, spoon said:

I usually feel generous whenever i step back on thailand lol

This I can easily understand ! 

[jason1975]

I leave it to taxi driver. Some automatically use meter. Some ask for flat fee 500 baht. I will accept both. I always believe a happy driver leads to a happy (and safer) journey!

[ToTheCore]

8 hours ago, jason1975 said:

I leave it to taxi driver. Some automatically use meter. Some ask for flat fee 500 baht. I will accept both. I always believe a happy driver leads to a happy (and safer) journey!

Bingo!  @jason1975 wins the "perspective" award.  

If you budget multiple tens of thousand of baht for airfare, hotels, boys, booze and fun, why waste an ounce of energy fretting over a difference of 100 baht ($3) for a ride into the Center Zone of Happyness!!