10/29/2015

Taxi in Thailand: From Bangkok Airport to Hotel



Taking a taxi from Bangkok airport (Suvarnabhumi airport) to your hotel can be a harrowing experience. Traffic can get as crazy as Jakarta during rainy days and peak hours. Sometimes, traffic is so bad that I can't tell whether is peak or not. That said, the land of smiles has definitely more to offer.

From Suvarnabhumi airport to hotel

Taking a taxi from Bangkok International Airport to your hotel is a breeze. There is actually no need to read this post, as the signs are very clear and there even is an automated kiosk for taxi allocation. (I'm kidding, just read this post anyway.)
 
There are a few options- 
  • Limousine (you can see a row of travel booths once you exit from immigration.)
  • Metered taxi, head one floor down to level one and you will see a gate that leads to a queue for taxi outside.
  • Train - connected to the terminal and also thereafter you can transfer to the ever clean and comfortable BTS in-city train.

I took the metered taxi and the driver quoted us 500 baht for ride into the city. For some reason they do not go by meter from airport to city. My friend, during his visit, was quoted 1000 baht (raining and peak hour) and he negotiated down to 600 baht. I think a range of 500-600 baht should be ok. 

The people are genuine

Do not bring the fraudulent taxi driver impression that other neighbouring countries have given you to this country. Thai taxi drivers are a genuine bunch, making a honest living.

My experience with taximeter drivers (4 times) has been 100% positive. The only obstacle is the communication - in the one instance where the driver did not understand where we want to go, he asked us to alight. However, you will soon realize that you dont really need the whole suite of vocabulary to indicate where you want to go. I have since quickly learnt from the drivers how to say turn left, turn right and go straight, as well as my hotel address in comprehensible Thai language. And i also quickly learnt that taxi drivers here are anything but scammish crooks.

Get set for an exciting ride if you asked for it

I requested my driver to go fast as i was running late to catch my flight. Boy, i reached the airport in 25mins, a journey that should have taken 40mins. The driver weaved in and out of traffic at an average speed of 120km/h. Even when I said " i am not that in a hurry", He replied," Dont worry, trust me!" And indeed, I arrived at the airport in one piece.

Some other small things to note

Remember the small change for the toll - 50bahts

Oh, and some metered taxis do not issue receipts. Always check before boarding if you need receipts to claim. 


My experience with Uber in Bangkok

Uber rides are great and offer a competitive rate as well. My 6 trips with Uber this round were all positive. Like Jakarta and Philippines, you might have to wait more than 10 minutes for your uber due to the traffic, even if it is just a few minutes away from you.

In terms of the familiarity of the routes, Uber drivers are quite clueless. However, the uber app offers the powerful advantage of preloading your destination through the app, and hence you typically do not need to direct the driver to your destination.

That said, with the convenience that metered taxis are everywhere, I tend not to want to wait for the uber taxi to come.

Hope this is useful for you
EUFASS

10/05/2015

Travel tips: The norms of SEA regional travel for the Singaporean

SEA Travel Singaporean Norm tips


Just a list of travel thoughts based on my regional travel experience. Regional travel can be quite a humbling experience given that Singapore is the most developed country in the SEA region. Prep yourself mentally for the below norms and non-norms which you should be able to observe in our neighbours:

Established infrastructure is not the norm

Think battered roads, rocky internet connection that stalls when you are paying for your air ticket, presence of bus roads but no buses. The opposite is Singapore.


Fast service is not the norm

Do not get frustrated if your food doesn't come in 10mins, or your bill doesn't come after calling the waiter 3 times.


Expensive food is not the norm

Whether its Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, enjoy restaurant food at at least 50% off. What kind of prices are we paying for food in Singapore???
In any case, be awed by the power of the Singaporean dollar.


Chaos is the norm

Do not expect your train to come every 5 mins, but expect to hop on any bus that brings you to your destination, even if it does not reflect the ticket that you have paid for. Quickly get acquainted with the system within the chaos, and embrace the culture and you should be fine. 


Touting is the norm

Expect a swarm of taxi drivers to approach you for their 'affordable services'. Some look and dress their part that I nearly got conned. 

What other norms can you think of?
EUFASS