Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 30/09/2012 at 12:13 AM

don't understand the problem. Just follow the sign to the public taxi stand and everything is fine and make sure he switches on the meter. Everybody who travels should now by know that everybody who approaches you is most likely a scam. It is not only in Thailand like that .. even in Europe it happens a lot. Somebody who does not prepare his trip decently will get ripped off sooner or later. I have never ever been ripped off at an airport, I just take the effort of using google.. some people really are naive. But I don't deny that the authorities should give more effort to contain this issue from iPhone application.

Discussion 2 : 29/09/2012 at 10:58 PM

When I first arrived in Bangkok I did not know where to go. SO I halted at the booth in the arrival hall that sells hotels. They sold me a shitty hotel for far too much. And then took me to a private taxi that cost far too much. Why isnt a government tourist information in place instead of a private buisiness? That the police and security cant do anything is bullshit. These guys arent hiding out and it should be easy to keep the airport clean and these guys far away. But as usual some gets paid to look the other way.

Discussion 3 : 29/09/2012 at 10:26 PM

aussie, discussion 42, I appreciate your sense of humour :) All those “thumbs down” suggest I’m lying, but fact is that it was real life. I too was very surprised - and awake - in the broad daylight of the early afternoon. Amazing Thailand, in a positive way, for a change.

Discussion 4 : 29/09/2012 at 09:52 PM

It's a very sad situation, but I often find that the first thing I utter on arriving back in Thailand is "F*** off" to a tout in the arrivals hall. It's a terrible thing to start off angry but it's rather satisfying to abuse a lowlife in public and he can do nothing about it.

Discussion 5 : 29/09/2012 at 09:44 PM

The airport arrival hall is badly designed. Licensed tour guides are squeezed into a small narrow area at each exit, arriving passengers are confused and are uncertain where to focus to find their guides. However prior to this they've already been approached by 'suits' selling everything from taxi, limousines, hotels, and sightseeing tours BEFORE they've passed through customs, to create even more confusion there's a counter named Travel Agent. Another set of 'suits' are available in the secure passageway after customs clearance, but it's the same bunch. Basically you get accosted visually and mentally before having a chance to get focused.

Discussion 6 : 29/09/2012 at 09:28 PM

People should be given information on the plane or when they cue for immigration give them a leaflet in there own language.Give them info via TV screens whilst in the cues.It would help pass the time and be cost effective.Thy said they were thinking outside the box with the water pushers.think outside the box here.It not rocket science is it.

Discussion 7 : 29/09/2012 at 09:12 PM

point off ewww Dis#35 , Was it then , that you awoke ?

Discussion 8 : 29/09/2012 at 08:31 PM

2-3 years ago i arrive at airport with 2 friends we want to take a taxin to go to KAOSAN the taxi driver dint want to take us because we where 3 except if we pay more fore the third person he said it was max 2 person per taxi ...i never had that experience before but i am always with one friend usaly ....anyway everybody knows about the situation and nobody will do to solve the problem ...no big deal because i never travel with taxi after i arrive ..i prefer bus and metro...it a fix price and dont need to argue for the fare

Discussion 9 : 29/09/2012 at 07:16 PM

alive555, Disc 32. Your comments are vicious and I totally agree with them. I have just made three recent round trips between Bangkok and Singapore. It is a nightmare returning to Suvarnabhumi after being in Changi. To give your comment a boost, not only are the touts illegal pests, but AOT limousines are helping them by charging more than 4 times that which a taxi would cost, the fist time visitor will gladly take the touts price of about 2/3 the price of AOT and think it is a good deal, these touts hang about close to the AOT counter. Then they find out the truth that they were ripped off, before returning home with bad memories of Thailand and telling all their friends.

Discussion 10 : 29/09/2012 at 06:25 PM

@ringmaster, d3. I think one has to hurt, kill or at least threaten to hurt or kill other people in order to be declared a terrorist? What do you think? Refresh my memory, was it in 2008 or 2010 demonstrators hurt and killed several people (before the army cleaned up) and thereby got labeled terrorists?

Discussion 11 : 29/09/2012 at 05:48 PM

"Authorities couldn't keep the terrorists out of Suvarnabhumi in 2008, what makes people think they can keep other types of criminals out now." I saw them. About 8000 middle-aged ladies with yellow clappers, They sat around and sang songs. As I recall they didn't shoot anyone or burn the airport to the ground when they left (4 days later rather than 2 months). Besides which, what law did they break? Going to the airport with too many friends?

Discussion 12 : 29/09/2012 at 04:32 PM

"Authorities couldn't keep the terrorists out of Suvarnabhumi in 2008, what makes people think they can keep other types of criminals out now." They couldn't even keep them from taking over downtown Bangkok in 2010.

Discussion 13 : 29/09/2012 at 04:26 PM

"Jealousy is such that anyone who appears to have more is therefore a legitimate target." Thanks, Udon Red, you have just explained the red shirts to us.

Discussion 14 : 29/09/2012 at 02:46 PM

Arrived @ Suvarnabhumi last week, queued only 10-15 minutes for immigration, walked to the belt where I waited less than 5 minutes for my luggage, walked through customs, was not harassed or even approached by any 'tour guides', 'limo services' or other gang members, walked to the taxis on the 3rd floor and immediately got one at standard fare. All that would not have been possible a year ago.

Discussion 15 : 29/09/2012 at 02:08 PM

So Bangkok is hosting 2014 F1. 60% sponsored by the tax payer and the balance by Red Bull and Singha. It will be a night race through the city. Hope Jenson don't knock over any food stalls.

Discussion 16 : 29/09/2012 at 01:25 PM

Put a farang in charge of policing such things. Farang aren't as easily intimidated by taxi mafia and tourist biz tough guys, as a Thai authority would be. Plus a farang would get off his tuff and do the things which needed to be done.

Discussion 17 : 29/09/2012 at 12:51 PM

Thailand is one of the most corrupt countries in the world . Where do you think the Mercedes Benz all come from ? Graft and corruption! Corruption is engrained in thai culture - something to be admired. How you get money isnt important ; and those who are rich through corruption will be well respected. The whole place is a cess pit - not going to change 1 bit To my mind there has been zero improvements in 20 years While you have the largest organized criminal gang in the world enforcing the so called joke that calls itself Thai law - you wil get what you deserve

Discussion 18 : 29/09/2012 at 12:42 PM

Suvarnabhumi airport is a microcosm of all that ails Thailand. No enforcement, hence the place turns into a den of thieves.

Discussion 19 : 29/09/2012 at 12:17 PM

'AoT plans to install one-way gates by the end of this year to block passengers from exiting on the fourth floor.' This makes me so angry! This has been the only way to possibly avoid these nasty thieves. Now, the only way is to take a bus to the bus station and pick up a taxi there, but they rarely come in the middle of the night when many flights arrive. Thanks for the warning.

Discussion 20 : 29/09/2012 at 11:56 AM

The Thais accept culture, at every level, as part of their culture. They just don't understand why the foreigner can't accept it as well. Jealousy is such that anyone who appears to have more is therefore a legitimate target. It will never change. With the developments of Cambodia and Myanmar it means Thailand can look forward to a bleak future.

Discussion 21 : 29/09/2012 at 11:50 AM

khunbj Dis#9 , i think the touts are relying on the fact that it`s quite shocking the first time , not every tourist is a seasoned traveller and wise to Thailands scamming vultures , many unsuspecting honest folk leave disheartenned that it is obviously allowed and on such a scale , taking the gloss off an otherwise enjoyable holiday ! Your call to "just ignore them" , would end up with them doing as they pleased and what they are doing right now under yinglucks Bro`masters government , your own logic would see the vultures waiting on the runways for the tourist planes doors to open , afterall it is first in best dressed right ? They all know it`s wrong , they have all been told over and over , time to start getting serious and impound their vehicles for a first offence , if the same vehicle is found again in breech confiscate it permanantly , i can`t for the life of me think why this has not been done already , hmmm , then again ?

Discussion 22 : 29/09/2012 at 10:58 AM

Nonsense they cant do anything .They choose not too .Every security guard the could tell you who is doing what .I have never seen another country where you have to buy a ticket to take a public taxi .The whole arrival hall is basically empty as people have to walk ot of the hall and somehow figure out that they need to walk to the other side of the building to get out .AOT are getting paid to look the other way .As usual greed is the source of the problem .This included with immigration lines for 2 hours makes a real bad first impression .

Discussion 23 : 29/09/2012 at 10:49 AM

Last July we had a farang tout, Dutch or Belgian I think, try to help us out at 5.15am by offering his services with a taxi ride and hotel in Pattaya. We were heading for central Bangkok. Has anybody else come across this guy?

Discussion 24 : 29/09/2012 at 10:32 AM

Lots of hot air, as usual. And, as usual, NOTHING will be done. All talk, no action. Corruption prevails over everything. Absolutely Amazing Thailand.

Discussion 25 : 29/09/2012 at 10:26 AM

This problem would never be solved because the police are having a great share in whatever these touts are earning. Nobody is going to break their piggybanks.

Discussion 26 : 29/09/2012 at 10:21 AM

I ride Bangkok taxis almost every day and rarely have a problem. The majority are friendly and happy to chat with someone who speaks their language. However, I know enough to avoid taxis that are parked and waiting to "ambush" a foreigner. Always flag down a moving taxi, especially in tourist areas. As to the airport, play by the rules. Take the legal taxis. I've never had one of them fail to be polite.

Discussion 27 : 29/09/2012 at 09:54 AM

Many prey on foreigners from 11pm to 2am when many flights arrive from Europe and only three security officials are on duty. But the report says there are 3 teams of 39? But, not at night? When many flights arrive from Europe! So, the airport doesn't care about those from Europe? At night, when the airport rail link is shut and most want to get to their hotels, safely and without a big chunk of change removed by thses touts and taxi's!

Discussion 28 : 29/09/2012 at 09:44 AM

@jwatch Disc 15: Agree fully. The only problem is that there is absolutely no assurance that the powers-that-be will appoint honest and trustworthy individuals. It is a vicious cyle here in Thailand. You might ask: Can we change the people behind the power? Now that's a monumental task to do.

Discussion 29 : 29/09/2012 at 09:15 AM

Yea.. we all know about this. The most effective solution is to educate the foreigners to ignore them and continue to the legit cabbies. Severe penalties would also be helpful. Since tourism is so important to Thailand, I like the idea of confiscating their vehicles upon conviction!

Discussion 30 : 29/09/2012 at 09:10 AM

I saw the one-way gate being tested earlier this year. It is in fact a turnstile, which is totally impractical for people with luggage. So, instead of providing enough security staff to catch the crooks AOT prefers to inconvenience tens of thousands of passengers each day. I have no idea how you get suitcases through a turnstile. Another scheme that hasn't been thought through. Classic 'Thainess'.

Discussion 31 : 29/09/2012 at 09:07 AM

There's a sucker born every minute, and as long as that statement holds true then there'll never be a stop to this kind of scam and con activity. Stupid is, as stupid does.

Discussion 32 : 29/09/2012 at 08:52 AM

Confiscate their cars. No car, no job, problem solved.

Discussion 33 : 29/09/2012 at 08:48 AM

I solved this problem a long time ago, I simply arrange for a taxi from my village in Nonthaburi province to collect me. However the tourist, particularly a first time tourist, cannot do this, as AOT seems unable to do anything effectively it seems the best we, those that live here, can do, is to continue to spread the word, as this article does.

Discussion 34 : 29/09/2012 at 08:33 AM

Change the management if they are too incompetent to figure out how to stop the scams.

Discussion 35 : 29/09/2012 at 08:27 AM

Nothing will change, because the "puppet master" is probably some high officer(s) inside the Airport Authority Office...

Discussion 36 : 29/09/2012 at 08:10 AM

@Nordevil, D! That's funny. I never have any problems with cabbies in BKK. They always use their meter, are usually courteous and a great source of info on Thai politricks. Just don't get into taxi's "waiting" in tourist areas. They'll rip you off.

Discussion 37 : 29/09/2012 at 08:08 AM

AoT have no intention of solving the problem or it would have done so long ago. The "influential people" are probably from AoT.

Discussion 38 : 29/09/2012 at 07:51 AM

Klaus has said it all. So many issues in the country effecting tourists and poor people are addressed with a big show, big promises, sympathy, etc., etc., and then die away. All because scamming is a bigger industry for those who run things than treating people right. Push it just past the limits to get all you can while you can.

Discussion 39 : 29/09/2012 at 07:48 AM

of course the conmen,the gangsters,the scammers will continue a five year ban idsnt enough ?

Discussion 40 : 29/09/2012 at 07:11 AM

Just follow the normal procedure when arriving or traveling anywhere, don't take advice from strangers, something that sounds too good to be true always is . And you will be safe anywhere. Everywhere around airport and other installations where a lot of people come and go, there will be crooks waiting for easy prey, just be alert use common sense and you will be just fine.

Discussion 41 : 29/09/2012 at 06:51 AM

I for one will not be lured into using the mafia taxis on the ground floor with their 50 Baht extra charge and their "My meter is broken." The queue there are sometimes long. I'll still use the 4th Floor Departures taxis and just exit through the doors when a passenger arrives from a taxi. No queues as well. I disagree with my right to choose a taxi being taken away from me under some fake pretext. The AOT just wants to increase its income.

Discussion 42 : 29/09/2012 at 06:46 AM

Larger signage inside the airport warning passengers would also help. The big question is if AOT really want to get rid of the scammers........

Discussion 43 : 29/09/2012 at 06:34 AM

Let's see what has been said above: "He said the wrongdoers mainly target foreigners." "..... many prey on foreigners from 11pm to 2am when many flights arrive from Europe..." "...only three security officials are on duty." So they know who the target is, they know when the target arrives and then they remove security so that the targets are easier to get to. That is just so Thai. I will bet that they even know who the culprits are, as they have been arrested many times. The fleecing of the tourist starts the moment they arrive and does not stop till they leave.

Discussion 44 : 29/09/2012 at 06:25 AM

It's only incompetence that allows these nefarious people to operate...like everything else in Thailand that targets tourists. Incompetence and apathy!

Discussion 45 : 29/09/2012 at 06:00 AM

Had the Governemnt built and insisted on the infrastructure linking the new airport to thew old one and also a link to skytrai n which was promised, half the problems about scammers and taxis would go away. I and many friends pick up our friends arriving as the taxis and others are still bad. WHY does the GOVERNMENT not do something positive istead of blating. Also when international flights arrive WHY is their no staff just three, really Thailand wake up tourists are money yet you treat them so badly.

Discussion 46 : 29/09/2012 at 05:39 AM

Authorities couldn't keep the terrorists out of Suvarnabhumi in 2008, what makes people think they can keep other types of criminals out now.

Discussion 47 : 29/09/2012 at 05:19 AM

'Illegal taxi services at the airport are often run by organised operations backed by influential people.' Maybe that's the reason only 16 have been charged out of 4,000 arrested. I think some large signage alerting passengers to the dangers/possibility of illegal services might help.

Discussion 48 : 29/09/2012 at 05:02 AM

Guess Bangkok is also full of illigal taxidrivers then because finding a taxi that will use the meter when going to the airport is justabout impossible.The taxidrivers in Bangkok and Pattaya has their own tricks and as long as the police and politicians refuse to do anything things will just get worse.Try finding a Taxi at Sala Daend BTS at night that willingly use the meter.Several drivers demanded 300,- Bath from Sala Daeng BTS to Lumpini Park.In Pattaya they now have metertaxi's but they also refuse to use the meter.