In Thailand and especially in Bangkok there are dozens of ways to get around. From motorcycle taxis to songthaews, underground subways and elevated sky trains, you never have to walk in the Thailand heat if you don’t want to! Outside of Bangkok, your most common form of transportation will be a taxi, but just because it’s a standardized system of transportation doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be aware of certain things you can do to not get scammed and arrive at your destination without a hitch.
1) Ask for the meter
Taxis should be on a meter system, so always point to it and say “Meter?” before accepting a ride. If the driver refuses a metered ride, always negotiate the price of the taxi. If it sounds like something that typical Thai people cannot afford, chances are that you are getting ripped off.
2) Walk away from the tourist areas
Of course it’s easier to just walk outside of a major shopping mall or a nightclub and stick your hand out (keep your arm below your head to hail one), but you will attract taxi drivers who want to charge you a flat rate, aka a very expensive price. You will get a better deal and avoid drivers who are looking to get the best possible price from you if you simply walk to a main road away from tourist spots.
3) Look up the location before you get in
If you have just checked in/moved into a hotel or condo in Thailand, ask the receptionist for a business card that you can show to a driver (it will have the address in Thai for the driver to read) and ask her how to say the address in Thai. This is very important because often the way things are spelled in English is not at all how they sound.
If you don’t speak Thai and do not know how to give your driver directions on where you want him to take you, it can be difficult to communicate your destination if it is not in an extremely well known area. If you want your ride to go smoothly, it is best to bring up a map or get someone on the other end of your phone who can tell the driver directions in the Thai language.
4) Be aware of non-monetary negotiations
Many taxi drivers get paid a commission if they take you to certain establishments, such as gift stores, tailor shops, massage parlors and nightclubs. It is very common in Bangkok especially for a driver to ask to drop you off at one of these places, which seems harmless enough but if you are in for a long ride and don’t buy anything then the driver may ditch you along the way which can be very inconvenient depending on where you are. On the flip side, if you want to go get a massage or go out dancing, you can also negotiate for a free ride.
5) Remember these phrases
In Thailand, a street is called a “soi.” It will be helpful for you to learn how to count in Thai so you can say the name of the street. For example, the famous street soi 11 will be more easily understood by a taxi driver if you say the number in Thai: “Soi sip et.”
Here are the most helpful tips when taking a taxi in Thailand:
- leow sai – turn left
- leow kwaa – turn right
- jort tee nee – stop here
- Tong nah – it’s right there
- krab lot – turn around
- Soi – street
Don’t forget to add the polite word “kap” for males or “ka” for females to the end of everything you say, just as Thai people do. This will show that you respect the culture you are in which will in turn make your driver treat you with more respect.
The same tips will help you out if you ever take a motorcycle taxi in Thailand as well.
