Hua Hin Tuk Tuk minimum prices

[Big Boy]

I think the problem is inconsistency. A Tuk Tuk in Hua Hin costs a hell of a lot more than many other places in Thailand.

And also a lot less than some other places (Phuket and Samui come to mind for starters). A beer on the beach will cost you more than one in town. A meal in town will cost more than one on the side of the street.

Hua Hin has a very good and cheap Saangtheaw service. I don't recall seeing anything like that in BKK.... unless you fancy being couped sweating away in an enclosed city bus, or course.

Very true. I've chosen Hua Hin because it suits me. I am also very aware when I am being ripped off - Hua Hin rip off prices suit me, and yes I'm here because I can afford a much better lifestyle on my pension that I could afford in the UK - I do not deny that.

I posted recently about a taxi from Don Mueng to Suvarnabuhmi. The cost was well under 400 Baht, and we were in the cab about 40 minutes. How far would 400 Baht get you in a Hua Hin Tuk Tuk?

400bt would get me from where I live in HH to anywhere I might want to go for a day or night out and have enough change (in most cases, exactly the right change...) to get back again. If I take the Sangtheaw on the way there, I've as good as halved the price of the journey.

I doubt 400 Baht would get you the 46.8Km that my journey was. Yes, I could have chosen bus routes etc, but on this occasion I chose a taxi for speed, and didn't want the faffing about of changing. The bit you have chosen to quote does not include

I'm always happy to put Mrs BB on the back of a motorcycle taxi, I will walk - a much healthier option, but personal choice.

It is all about personal choice and circumstances at the time.

[Bristolian]

You are right BB, it's all about personal choices and for a good number of us we have chosen HH. Hua Hin does not have the reputation of being a low cost location to live but that also has its benefits.

Like you and probably everyone else posting here, I hate the thought of being ripped-off irrespective of how little but you can not compare the underpriced and controlled transport in BKK with anywhere else in Thailand.

I work here and sell products and services for the best price that I can; and this is very little different to what the local Thais do. Not every customer pays the same

As you rightly say, if there is the slightest feeling that you are being ripped-off.....walk away irrespective of what you might or might not pay in your home country. That is your right to do so

For me, my tuk tuk driver provides an over the top service and turns out whenever needed at a price I am happy with. PRICELESS

[tuktukmike]

As I said earlier I don't think a minimum charge of 150thb is over the top, sometimes these guys wait many hours for their next fare so it's not like they are making huge amounts of money.

The other problem is that the transport office are flatly refusing to allow any further licences to be issued for more tuk tuks in the town, this means any new driver has to pay a fortune to buy an existing tuk tuk.

I had to pick up 2 disco units from the post office each weighing around 36 kilo, the driver loaded them and delivered for 180thb.

That's more than fair in my book.

Ttm

[Big Boy]

I have no problem with them charging whatever they want - if it suits me at that time I'll use the service. If it doesn't, its the kick up the backside I need to make me walk, and get much needed exercise.

The only thing that does mystify me though is that when the Junta took power, taxis and Tuk Tuks were high on their hit list. IMHO Bangkok taxis have been transformed to a very cheap form of transport, whereas Tuk Tuks seem to be doing their own thing i.e. there are several signs around town e.g. outside Market Village that show what the Tuk Tuk driver should be charging. If you study these signs, you cannot help think anything other than Dick Turpin wore a mask

[Nothappyjan]

Big Boy is the only one that understands that this is an emerging problem for HH. What is happening right now is what happened in Phuket.
I hope that it is only a seasonal thing.
To say that they sit around for hours without a fare is ludicrous, it doesn't happen.

[buksida]

Tuk Tuk drivers in tourist towns such as Hua Hin are mafia scammers out to sting unwary tourists with inflated prices. Those that live there should know better and avoid them, do you ever see locals in Tuk Tuks (apart from ones their relations drive)?

As previously said HH now has a very good Songtaew system and moto-taxis are still cheap so why anyone would use a Tuk Tuk is beyond me.

[Juice81]

All in all I think it's irrelevant if tuk tuks are a bit pricey compared to other ways to get around. Mostly tourists use them and they don't care if it costs a bit more. They have the money anyway and they are just happy to get the experience and you also get fast from point to point with a tuk tuk.

[Pleng]

Tuk Tuk drivers in tourist towns such as Hua Hin are mafia scammers out to sting unwary tourists with inflated prices. Those that live there should know better and avoid them, do you ever see locals in Tuk Tuks (apart from ones their relations drive)?

Well yes I do see Thais in tuk tuks. I'd presumed they were generally holiday makers down from Bangkok but I suppose it's also possible that they're related to the driver.

moto-taxis are still cheap so why anyone would use a Tuk Tuk is beyond me.

A moto taxi from centre of town to my home is 100bt. A Tuk Tuk, which can carry both myself and my girlfriend, and baggage, or a couple of other people if we have visitors, is 200bt.

Unless I'm flying solo, I see no real advantage to using a moto taxi...

[usual suspect]

Could be just me, but...
..The blue 4-wheel tuk-tuks seem to be a little more user-friendly than the 3-wheel jobbies.
IMO the drivers of the 3-wheelers will happily scam you, then drive you to your destination at breakneck speed, causing mayhem all the way..then return even faster to score another fare. These guys DO seem like Mafia characters, & by choice will never use one.
The 4-wheeler drivers seem to be a bit steadier, many have their wives/gfs driving for them during the day..most female drivers actually are polite & drive safely..so for that element alone it's worth min 150B.
Plus as stated earlier on..when you have 'your own' tuk-tuk driver he may value your trade & possibly respects the fact your happier with a steady drive there.

[tuktukmike]

I have to say some comments could not be further from the truth the 4 wheel converted pick up vans are let's say owned by one or two individuals that I will not comment on.

I know many of the tuk tuk drivers as they often used to come for repairs or updates and I have never had any problem from them, the majority have saved or borrowed to purchase their tuk tuks and I can assure you it ain't cheap.

To label these guys as mafia scammers is utter nonsense and without foundation.

Ttm.

[buksida]

Its pretty simple really, if they're taking over big chunks of parking space, wont let anyone else muscle in on their turf, and are centrally controlled it is akin to a mafia operation, Phuket is famous for it. If they're quoting stupid prices for short journeys and would rather sit on their arses than take a reasonable fare they are scammers. The military cleaned up the moto-taxis by publishing set rates for trips (it was well documented as even Thais were getting ripped off in Bangkok) - this hasn't been done for Tuk Tuks as far as I'm aware so they can charge what they like, which is usually too much.

[Nothappyjan]

Couldn't agree more, you are spot on with your summation. The young aggressive males fit into the category where they have a take it or leave it attitude, especially at MV where they can scam an unsuspecting Scandie tourist to pay whatever.
If this price manipulation is allowed to continue then HH becomes akin to Phuket where Tuk Tuk prices are sky high.

[Big Boy]

especially at MV where they can scam an unsuspecting Scandie tourist to pay whatever.

Usually whilst stood directly under the notice advising how much it cost to go to wherever.

[bsdk1960]

Couldn't agree more, you are spot on with your summation. The young aggressive males fit into the category where they have a take it or leave it attitude, especially at MV where they can scam an unsuspecting Scandie tourist to pay whatever.
If this price manipulation is allowed to continue then HH becomes akin to Phuket where Tuk Tuk prices are sky high.

Maybe us Scandis just have more money to throw around, than you poor lads

[SydneyGuy]

are there really that many cheap charlies living in Hua Hin, FFS try and pay for a taxi back home and then start complaining:) In Sydney and Melbourne if the taxi drivers suspect its your first time in the city, they will take the longest route to get you to your final destination. Thats some fucked up shit right there!!