| They seem innocent enough; they drive really nice | | | | based on my persuasive logic we went using the |
| cars, but be assured that they are out to take your | | | | meter, well the fare was 150, so Joe being a good |
| money. Usually they seem to be very friendly and | | | | sport picked up the whole fare as a way of thanking |
| most speak pretty good English. Your best chance of | | | | me to enlightening him to the realities of Bangkok |
| running into one is in the areas where you find | | | | taxis. |
| western tourist as these are their only prey. Some | | | | So back to the robbing hoods they lurk near the |
| people might even argue that they are modern day | | | | western hotels and they refuse to take anything |
| Robin Hoods, which is very close to a true | | | | that is under 400 baht and they will not use the |
| statement; they are indeed taxi driving robbing | | | | meter. The other place that you run into them is in |
| hoods. | | | | the airport at the arrivals gate they will offer you a |
| Anyone that has been to Thailand will tell you 2 | | | | limo and then you will negotiate down from a BMW |
| things to watch out for the cute "Tuk Tuks" that for | | | | to a Camry and you will pay usually 5 times more |
| the most part have screwed themselves out of a | | | | than if you went to the taxi stand. |
| decent living from the tourist by their antics of taking | | | | If you look in the front of the cab on the passenger |
| you to every jeweler and tailor that they are even | | | | side there is a sign that they are required by law to |
| remotely related to | | | | have, if you don't see it don't take the cab. If the |
| The 2nd thing they will tell you with the taxis always | | | | driver insists on a flat rate say no, get out of the |
| use the meter. I love to share the story where Joe | | | | car, and leave the doors open and walk away, which |
| New Guy (not his real name to protect the gullible) | | | | makes the driver lose face as all the Thai's know |
| and I were heading to Pattaya and a taxi pulled up | | | | that he just did something slippery enough for you to |
| and offered to take us for only 350 baht. I said no | | | | make him knowingly lose face. Maybe we will all get |
| we want the meter and Joe New-Guy said, that | | | | lucky and a cop will see it and see what the problem |
| sounds like a deal let's take it, I said no we want the | | | | was and he will take some the money back in the |
| meter or I am catching the next cab by myself. So | | | | form of a stiff penalty. |