mini buses and swampy airport

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:57 pm

OK i need to know
Mrs Sarge just rang our regular minibus for collecting my sister from swampy on saturday 29th
he has told mrs Sarge he must park outside swampy and we have to get a taxi to the airport meet sister and get a taxi back to the mini bus

1... is this correct
2... does anyone know of a minibus that can go into the airport and collect without that BS

If this isnt the kiss of death for tourism i dont know what isnt screw the holiday before it starts and make sure they go home really pissed off

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:21 pm

Why a minibus? Surely a taxi or limo would be much more comfortable, and probably cheaper. If a taxi or limo is acceptable, then there is plenty of advice on the forum.

Mrs BB was picked up by taxi no problem mid-Jul and returned by taxi just over a week ago - no problems at all.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:27 pm

I think sarge may be referring to the fact that "unauthorised" transport is not allowed to pick up directly from the airport. Swampy had this trouble when it first opened.
The idea was to stop touts, but has descended into the "little mafia" again - it's my patch.
Sorry, sarge. Don't know the answer to your question as havn't been through the airport for years.

Post by **STEVE G** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:54 pm

It wasn't a problem a couple of weeks a go, but I did read in the Bangkok Post recently that they were going to have a crack-down on illegal activities following all the bad publicity caused by the duty free shop scams that were in the international media.
Maybe unlicensed minibus operations are being hit by this.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:12 pm

Such restrictions are going to really enhance tourism

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:38 pm

Mrs Sarge has now booked another mini bus he will drop us of to collect sis but then he goes off airport and we will have to get a taxi to him cost 3200 but he will pay the 200 for the taxi

BB mini bus size BB three of us are rather large to say the least plus Mrs

plus i have done it this way for 4 years with no problem

maybe this scam should be in the international press because that is all it is

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:49 pm

2,600 for a limo, and you know that I make 2 of you - much more comfortable. Still, your choice. Personally, I hate the mini bus.

Post by **Khundon1975** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:11 pm

I bet the Hi So's in their Mercedes mini vans don't have to take a taxi to pick up their ride home.

What a rip off, (if true) typical of Swampy and the scams there.

Post by **Condoking** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:46 pm

During my recent visit in July, my regular limo driver had no problem meeting me as the car was parked in the carpark. However on return he dropped me in the Car park as, apparently, he is not allowed to drop at the normal drop off point.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 12:19 am

Condoking wrote:During my recent visit in July, my regular limo driver had no problem meeting me as the car was parked in the carpark. However on return he dropped me in the Car park as, apparently, he is not allowed to drop at the normal drop off point.

Maybe I have got it the wrong way round? But there was before and now is again an issue with non-authorised taxis either dropping off or picking up.
It just seems to make sense that it's getting a fare.

Post by **hhfarang** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:45 am

Ok, maybe it all boils down to this... if there are authorized carriers that can drop off and pick up at the airport, and they are the only ones (legally) able to do so, how do you find/recognize one of these authorized carriers ahead of time to make a booking (is there a government/airport website?) and are there any of these authorized carriers based in Hua Hin so that one can be booked for a round trip as in Sarge's example?

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 1:48 pm

BB i dont like mini buses either however once a year i will grin and bear it although my sister is taking the pee twice this year next time she gets to hua hin under her own steam lol lol
HH This is purely the BKK taxi Mafia its BS as you correctly say what about people from Hua Hin Phuket and more to the point if i owned a mini bus are they going to stop me picking up and dropping my own family in my own vehicle
see you 1200 tommorrow same place i will in amongst all this bs need somed thrapissed stress management lol

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 3:31 pm

As I've already said, Mrs BB came back to the UK on 10 Aug with no problems, so if correct, this is truly Breaking News.

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:47 pm

I think as this tread cooks and simmers, were going to find that anyone can drop off at the airport, except perhaps those who have the blue lettered license plate which designates a limo service. Even with these guys, I don't think they pay to the government at all, but to the mini mafia who runs the transport there. The thugs the government is now trying to crack down on.

Those with normal black or green lettered license plates, who is to say they are not just dropping off or picking up family or friends. It would be impossible to tell at the departure level.

Picking up at the arrival level is perhaps a different kettle of fish. The government is active in trying to stop touts and shady tour operators but I don't know how they are going about it. Perhaps you cannot pull up along the curb and wait for more than 3-5 minutes. You then have to leave and cruise around in circles until you see the party you're picking up. It works this way in the West if you don't park in the lot and walk in to meet your party. Pete

Post by **thehamok** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:54 pm

I got picked up last Wednesday evening by taxi to Hua Hin.

Driver was at the arrivals area with my name.

We walked to car park and out of there in no time and no problems with anyone.

If you go outside yes you'll get hassled by touts wanting to bring you anywhere.