HuaLamphong luggage trolleys

[margaretcarnes]

Many of you will no doubt have spotted the new system for luggage trolleys at HuaLamphong railway station in Bangkok.
But after a 2 year absence it was new to me when we rocked up there in a taxi a few weeks back.
Having a fair amount of stuff for friends in HH, including a suitcase to return, we had 3 cases plus hand luggage. I did the usual dash for a trolley to unload the taxi - only to find a posse of 'trolley minders' and a scale of charges for hiring a trolley based on weight and number of items.
Having explained the amount of luggage I was relieved of 100 baht - fair enough. Then the trouble began.
We loaded the trolley and the 'minder' asked me which train we were getting. No have train yet - I need to get tickets. Hopefully the 1 pm to HH.
He wasn't pleased and trailed after me to the ticket office. 1 pm full. Got tickets for the 3.30. He was even less pleased by this and wanted to take trolley - plus my luggage - to the platform straight away.
Unfortunately there was no way we were going to wait 2.5 hours on a no smoking platform thank you very much. As any rail users will know it's much more comfortable to hang around the concourse - get a newspaper - drinks - food - nip out for cigs etc while waiting.
But, having paid my 100 baht for the trolley, which it was highly unlikely I was going to run off with or sneak onto the train, the 'minder' has to stay with his trolley at all times.
Two hours later the 'minders' boss turned up saying 'you go now get on train'. The kind of offer you don't refuse.

Admittedly I may be one of the odd ones in that I rarely bother to book a train in the LOS. I don't usually mind waiting.
No doubt having taken the fee the minder had a contractual obligation to stay with his trolley.
But the system just doesn't work in such a situation. I have no objection at all to paying for the use of a trolley (even though they are free most other places.) But being saddled with a minder for what turned out to be quite a wait shows, to me, a basic failure in the system and one which the Trolley Minders Federation have failed to take into account.
True it gives people jobs - but what's wrong with a simple coin-in-the-slot supermarket style trolley hire system?

So train travelling farang beware. Don't cross these guys, and travel only with luggage you can handle without help.

[JimmyGreaves]

That must mean he was losing money all the time the trolley was with you, very bad system for all parties!

[margaretcarnes]

Exactly - it hasn't been thought through. TIT

[chopsticks]

Similar situation at Southern Bus Terminal, if you use need to use a trolley pusher and don't want to go downstairs immediately, where the buses depart from, they will want extra money to wait or will offer to return again closer to the actual bus departure time if you agree to a second payment.

[thehamok]

The 100 baht was a sort of 'bar fine'.

In this case you failed to say you wanted 'long time' and instead paid for a 'short time'.

Obviously this was not explained to you.

[margaretcarnes]

I'll remember that next time!