Meter taxi fare to go up from Dec 13

[buksida]

The transport ministry has given a green light for taxis to use the new metre rate beginning tomorrow.

The new rate will see a phasal rise in taxi fare from 8 -13% , and two baht/minute rise in case of traffic jams that the vehicle can move no more than six kilometres an hour.

Under the new metre fare system, the starting rate for the first kilometre will be 35 baht.

Over 1-10 kilometres will be 5.50 baht/km, 10-20 kilometres will be 6.50 baht/km, 20-40 kilometres will be 7.50 baht/km, 40-60 kilometres will be 8.00 baht/km, 60-80 kilometres will be 9.00 baht/km, and over 80 kilometres will be 10.50 baht/km.

In case of traffic jam which the vehicle can not move or move slowly of not more than six kilometres an hour, an extra fare of 2 baht per minute will be added.

Taxi service via taxi call centre, 20 baht extra charge will be added.

For taxi service at taxi stands arranged by authorities at the Suvarnabhumi airport, extra charge of 50 baht will be added in addition to the rates.

The new taxi rates will become effective tomorrow after it was published in the Royal Gazette today.

Source: Thaipbs

[dtaai-maai]

I would have thought the rate per km would be higher for a short distance, but the further you go, the higher the rate...

[GLCQuantum]

I would have thought the rate per km would be higher for a short distance, but the further you go, the higher the rate...

I think it's because the further you go (outside of central Bangkok) the less chance the guy has of getting some sort of return fare passenger, so it covers the drive back as such.

[Jose]

great news,

the good ones deserve a pay rise

[GLCQuantum]

great news,

the good ones deserve a pay rise

I'll agree with that. I'll generally use a taxi drive as a free Thai lesson (people have to pay me money for general conversation lessons ) and I've found the majority to be pretty decent chaps. I don't live in Central Bangkok though and I know it's somewhat different there.

A good, reliable taxi driver can bring in around 20-30,000 on a good month if they own the car. That's a 12-14 hour shift mind.

Unfortunately, from others experiences, I think there are many taxi drivers (the ones who rent the car and couldn't care less about their customers) who shouldn't be in this profession. I remember a friend some 6 years back who enjoyed those little red pills. He would just flag down taxi drivers in BKK and ask if they could get them for him. It would only take him a few times to find one who would.

Always have a look at the guys eyes before you decide to jump in the taxi in BKK.

[Gérard]

I just read this about thai taxis :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transpo ... -work-here

I found it quite informative !

[HHTel]

A hilarious article. Sarcasm at it's very best.

Loved it.