Taxis, Tuk-Tuks, and Motorbike Taxis

Most taxi drivers are hard working, honest people who simply want to get you where you want to go in exchange for whatever the meter shows. There are however, unscrupulous drivers waiting to take advantage of the inexperienced or gullible. If you remember the following you have a much better chance of having a trouble-free ride to your destination.

In Thailand there are rarely queues for taxis. Walk out to the nearest street and when you spot a taxi with it's red light out, put your arm out.

Take taxis that are moving, not sitting. Moving taxis aren't generally waiting for a victim.

If a taxi outside your hotel refuses to use the meter, ask the hotel to hail a taxi for you. If they decline, find another hotel! 

If you do have problems, photograph or write down the yellow identification plate on the inside of the taxi door, the driver's identification card on the front left of the dashboard, or the license plate number. Call the tourist police at 1155 or the regular police at 191. Do not argue with the driver or engage in a physical confrontation. Many drivers carry bats or machetes and they're willing to use them.

Whenever possible:

Take note of the color of the taxi.
Take note of the driver's name. Make sure the photo matches the driver.
Take a photo of the taxi ID number on the inside of the taxi door (discreetly).

If you have a problem with a driver, for example, if they refuse to take you via the route you told him you wanted to take, they driver erratically or too fast, become aggressive, call the Land Transportation Department Hotline at 1584 to complain. If a driver receives three complaints on his record he can be banned from driving a taxi, thus this threatens his livelihood.  

As of September 1, 2012 it is illegal for a driver to refuse to pick up a passenger. Nevertheless, drivers regularly deny passengers. They'll use an assortment of reasons; my shift is almost finished and I don't have time, I don't have enough gas, there's too much traffic. Some may give no reason at all. This can be a huge source of frustration if you're standing in the rain or in a hurry — by all means call and complain — just do not tell the driver.    

Taxis

• Taxis in Thailand use meters. If a driver refuses to turn on the meter, find another taxi. If the driver makes an attempt at negotiating a fare, ask him to turn on the meter. If he still refuses, keep walking.
• If you take a taxi from the airport taxi stand, 50 baht is tacked on to the fare shown on the meter. In addition, you are responsible for any highway toll charges.  
• Once you reach your destination, exit rear-end first. This gives you one last opportunity to check if you've left anything behind. When I first came to Thailand I lost several phones and two pair of expensive sunglasses. Since using the rear-end exiting method, I've lost nothing.
• If your fare is 41 baht, give the driver 40 baht. This is what Thais do. If by chance the driver complains, give him the one baht. Only the nastiest of drivers will make a stink over it. 
• If the fare is 97 baht, give him the 100 baht. Although tipping is optional, tip up to the next highest tenth. So if your fare is 117 baht, give the driver 120 baht. If the fare is 113 baht, many drivers will hand you five baht. This is perfectly acceptable. 
  

Tuk-Tuks

In the above section regarding taxis I stated that most taxi drivers are hard working and honest. The opposite can be said about Tuk-Tuk drivers when it comes to their interaction with foreigners. Tuk-Tuks are often seen by foreigners as romantic, cool methods of transport. While they can be, only experienced expats, Thais, and those who speak the language should attempt to deal with tuk-tuk drivers. New visitors, those who do not speak Thai, and inexperienced travelers should give them a pass!

• Do not believe you a driver who tells you that you can ride around all day in his tuk-tuk for 20 baht. It's not true and if you refuse to go to a gem shop or pay more, things can turn dirty very quickly. 
• Never go to a gem shop with them, no matter how much they beg and plead. 
  

Taxis and Tuk-Tuks

• Never engage a taxi driver or tuk-tuk in a physical manner. Arguing should be avoided at all costs.  
• Do not believe someone who walks up displaying his "official badge" at a tourist destination. If a foreigner can buy a college degree from Khao San Road, a Thai can easily make an official-looking government badge.
• Do not go to hotels suggested by taxis or tuk-tuks. They're making a commission off of you and you're the one who is paying. So a hotel that would normally cost you 2000 baht may end up costing 2400 baht!
• The same goes with massage parlors. If you want to go to a massage parlor, don't go to one suggested by a taxi or tuk-tuk driver! You're throwing money away if you do and it's totally unnecessary.
  

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