littl_flier said:
... Having never been to a country where haggling was common, we were bombarded immediately by rude, arrogant men insisting on us taking a limousine into the city. Eventually we found the taxi rank for normal passengers and 30 minutes and 450 baht later, we had arrived at our home for the next week.
Nice report. Brings back a memory or two ...
I note your Taxi ride cost THB450; I guess you accepted a quoted fare.
I did some research on the Bangkok FT forum before heading to 'Land-of-Smiles' late last year. The taxi drivers are supposed to use their Meter. There is also a THB50 for for using a taxi from the airport and you get to pay the tolls (THB25 & THB40) at the booths (hand the money to the driver who pays the booth operator and hands you back any change).
However, most drivers like to play the "
value adding game" on Farangs and get some more "bucks for their bang" by quoting a flat fee, generally well above what it would normally cost.
The metered for a taxi to Sukhumvit from the airport should be no more than THB180. Adding the airport fee and tolls brings the cost to under THB300.
So when I get into a taxi at Suvarnabhumi, I always ensure they put the meter on; taxi drivers will often try to drive off without doing so. Be prepared to get out if they refuse. (It helps not to put any luggage in the boot if possible.)
Here's a post I made in my December trip report:
Star Class Impressions
Another Lurk I've had had tried on me the last two times when going TO the airport is for the drivers to also ask for the THB50 airport fee.
This is only payable when traveling from Suvarnabhumi Airport.