Baht bus drivers overcharging?

[Mescalito 19]

I've been back in Pattaya for 4 days now, and I've had about half a dozen instances of baht bus drivers taking off without giving me my change. Several times I've hopped off, handed them a 20 baht note expected 10 baht change back, only to have them just drive off. This morning, the smallest thing I had was a 50 baht note when I got off at the RG; I got on at the area near the school where the buses start the route towards Jomtien. I handed the driver the 50B note and stood there looking at him expecting to get my change. He just said "thank you!" and drove off. These were not personal solo trips I had arranged, either; these were buses with other passnegers that I had flagged down.

 

Now I do admit that we're talking a difference of at most a dollar US, but I've never seen this happen before. Are they thinking I'm just remarkably generous? Remarkably gullible, perhaps? I don't get it.

Edited November 9, 2005 by Mescalito

[carlew 0]

Things have been quiet so they are making every baht they can out of you.In their eyes every farang is a millionaire and should pay accordingly.Just hand them 5 baht next timr the same as the locals do.Say thankyou and walk off against the flow of traffic.Watch them get out and chase you then.

[ting_tong 63]

make it a point to have correct change, even if it means you're having to go to a 7-11 and buy a 5baht candy.

 

Never depend on a driver to hand you back change, unless your arm is 1/2 way in their window

 

I been here for 3 months and have always paid 5 baht.......yes I do look like a thai, and know what to say in thai if the driver asks for more

[bangkapiboy 5]

always have correct change! pay separately. dont say thank you -- just walk away. never pay more than 10B. just walk away.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi

 

Always have some 10 baht coins. I have never given a driver the possibility of keeping my change.

[Eneukman 1]

I hoard 5 and 10 baht coins and hardly ever use them for anything other than the baht buses. Having said that the other day, I got on a baht bus at the Central Road end of Soi Buakaow and got off at View Talay and offered a 20 baht note for the fare. I was quite surprised when I got 10 baht change. One honest driver at least.

 

Many other drivers would just have driven off.

 

A few months back, I had to sit in the cab with the driver from View Talay back to the RG where I was still staying at the time and had quite a few moans about the increasing cost of fuel. It's gone up quite a bit since then too.

 

Alan

[Niall 0]

I could fill ten volumes with stories of these guys trying to rip me off.

 

As said, make sure you have a 10 baht coin, hand it to him and walk away. If you need change then leave your arm in the window but don't think this automatically means he won't drive off.

 

Latest one from ALL of them is now Jomtien to South Pattaya is 20 baht. No it is not. MAXIMUM FARE is 10 baht, says so on the sign in the cab.

 

Any trouble pull out your phone and call the Tourist Police.

[amphora 0]

Jomtien to South Pattaya is 20 baht.  No it is not.  MAXIMUM FARE is 10 baht, says so on the sign in the cab.

 

Any trouble pull out your phone and call the Tourist Police.

I know, you're right, if people don't react they will get cheeky more and more.

But would you really call the police for 10 Bt?

Edited November 9, 2005 by amphora

[Emil 0]

Having said that the other day, I got on a baht bus at the Central Road end of Soi Buakaow and got off at View Talay and offered a 20 baht note for the fare.

What were you doing taking a baht bus to go a short distance? Soi 7 and I are just loosing up when we reach that distance. Unless your going out for the night, returning from the market with a load or its pouring down rain you need to be hitting the pavement.

[moshman 0]

I was in Pattaya last week and twice this happen to me. I usally have my girl pay the 20 baht fee so thier is no hassel. 2 times I gave her 50 baht and the driver just sped off with out giving change.

I guess I am not alone on this matter.

 

What do the local Thai's pay for a taxi ride?

[conley 2]

always have correct change! pay separately. dont say thank you -- just walk away. never pay more than 10B. just walk away.

Why should I not say thankyou? I'm always in the habit of saying it when someone has provided me with a service. If i've paid the accepted going rate for a falang of 10 b. then I think it is only right to say thanks.

[amphora 0]

I gave her 50 baht and the driver just sped off with out giving change.

I guess I am not alone on this matter.

No, you are not. Same thing happend to me in August. Since then I try to have 10 Bt coins with me when I use Baht bus.

Edited November 9, 2005 by amphora

[ting_tong 63]

Have 20 / 50 satang coins ready

 

Or 40 / 25 satang coins ready

 

And say Khob koon krap

[BillWilson 10]

30 days incountry in the last 3 months

 

Often give 20 baht note

 

Have never had a problem w/ getting change, 10 baht

 

(dont speak a word of thai and for sure dont look thai)

 

just my experiance

[Eneukman 1]

What were you doing taking a baht bus to go a short distance? Soi 7 and I are just loosing up when we reach that distance. Unless your going out for the night, returning from the market with a load or its pouring down rain you need to be hitting the pavement.

I'm injured! Also, I had a pile of groceries from Carrefour with me. I'll be doing the same journey tonight though doubtless I'll have to change buses this time at the junction of Pattaya Tai and 2nd Road.

 

I've never paid more than 10 baht from Pratamnak Road to View Talay though.

 

Alan

[bangkapiboy 5]

Why should I not say thankyou? I'm always in the habit of saying it when someone has provided me with a service. If i've paid the accepted going rate for a falang of 10 b. then I think it is only right to say thanks.

because any chance for words to be discussed gives them the chance to hassle me for a different price.

[doolish 14]

Hi,

 

Been here 2 months now and the latest rip off from the B Bus drivers is if they have only 2 to 4 passangers on board they will turn up the next Soi and then demand at least 10b even if you have travelled only a couple of hundred metres.

I got on a B bus the other night on Beach rd. Soi6/1 going to W.St. he turns up Central Rd, only 4 passangers on board, all picked up at Soi 6, and demanded 10B from each of us. I only had a 10B coin and could not get change.

The powers to be declined a increase in the min. B bus fares last month and said they should remain at 5B. but not many B bus drivers seem to know this.

I normally pay 10B and did not mind this but I think that this policy has brought about this stste of affairs.

 

Cheers Doug.

[Niall 0]

As said if there's only a couple of people on the bus they will turn off the route and when you stop the bus demand 10 baht. You just have to live with that one.

 

Another to be aware of is if your the only one on the bus and the driver turns round and holds up one finger this means private hire 100 baht. If it happens ring the bell and get off and yes that will cost you 10 baht.

 

On the one hand I know these guys work long hours to make a living and often the family lives in the cab with them. On the other hand baht bus driver and thieving bastard are one and the same.

[JonBreadMan 19]

One of the first tips I was ever given when I first started to have fun in far east, was if I was ever over charged (for a Farang anyway) just say "Local, I live here" and have tryed it many times, they soon back down if they think you live there. Not sure if this will work in Pattaya but see no reason why not, worked in most places I have been in.

 

On a funny note, I one time I payed a taxi driver in Dom Repulic to show me and a mate around, over there taxi's are motor bikes, he was happy for a tip of a drink, after a few bars and miles away from hotel, we spoted he was way drunk, and we was on the back of his bike going fast down small side street's(god knows how many drinks he had befor us) , we soon talked him into having a few good strong coffees befor he took us back to hotel, as we was lost, on that note I HATED DR and soon tell anyone wanting to go there to keep clear....

 

and to Dom Rep

 

and to Pattaya

[BigDUSA 71]

I keep a 'death grip' on that 20 baht note until I get 10 baht back. I only pay 5 baht for the girl.

[Soi7 1]

What were you doing taking a baht bus to go a short distance? Soi 7 and I are just loosing up when we reach that distance. Unless your going out for the night, returning from the market with a load or its pouring down rain you need to be hitting the pavement.

 

Board full of light weights Emil

[Emil 0]

Hi,

 

Been here 2 months now and the latest rip off from the B Bus drivers is if they have only 2 to 4 passangers on board they will turn up the next Soi and then demand at least 10b even if you have travelled only a couple of hundred metres.

I got on a B bus the other night on Beach rd. Soi6/1 going to W.St. he turns up Central Rd, only 4 passangers on board, all picked up at Soi 6, and demanded 10B from each of us. I only had a 10B coin and could not get change.

The powers to be declined a increase in the min. B bus fares last month and said they should remain at 5B. but not many B bus drivers seem to know this.

I normally pay 10B and did not mind this but I think that this policy has brought about this stste of affairs.

 

Cheers Doug.

Doug,

 

Might not have been a rip off. A few of the baht buses that are running on Beach Rd have routes that begin up in Nakula go south to the Dolphin roundabout then over to Beach Rd, south to Centeral and then back up to Nakula. Best to ask before you jump on unless you don't mind changing buses.

[Eneukman 1]

One of the first tips I was ever given when I first started to have fun in far east, was if I was ever over charged (for a Farang anyway) just say "Local, I live here" and have tryed it many times, they soon back down if they think you live there. Not sure if this will work in Pattaya but see no reason why not, worked in most places I have been in.

 

On a funny note, I one time I payed a taxi driver in Dom Repulic to show me and a mate around, over there taxi's are motor bikes, he was happy for a tip of a drink, after a few bars and miles away from hotel, we spoted he was way drunk, and we was on the back of his bike going fast down small side street's(god knows how many drinks he had befor us) , we soon talked him into having a few good strong coffees befor he took us back to hotel, as we was lost, on that note I HATED DR and soon tell anyone wanting to go there to keep clear....

 

and to Dom Rep

 

and to Pattaya

I'll need to try that sometime. This afternoon would have been a prime time as the driver tried asking for 15 baht (or was it 20 baht?) for taking me from View Talay to Soi 7. I just walked away and crossed the road. After my Thai language lesson I had to change buses at Pratamnak Road and I think I got the same driver there down to View Talay. He didn't try asking for more than 10 baht that time.

 

I've fallen foul of drivers taking a left turn up Central Road in the past though I had been on board since the Dolphin Roundabout or maybe Soi 2. Now, I never get on a bus between Soi 6 and Soi 7 or if I do, I will point along to Walking Street and only get in if he says yes.

 

Alan

[Soi7 1]

Since it is not written in stone they will get what they thing they can It's Human nature

[BigRobo 0]

I could fill ten volumes with stories of these guys trying to rip me off.

 

As said, make sure you have a 10 baht coin, hand it to him and walk away. If you need change then leave your arm in the window but don't think this automatically means he won't drive off.

 

Latest one from ALL of them is now Jomtien to South Pattaya is 20 baht. No it is not. MAXIMUM FARE is 10 baht, says so on the sign in the cab.

 

Any trouble pull out your phone and call the Tourist Police.

You must be joking call the tourist police. You are a falang therefore you are at fault. Do you want to look over your shoulder for the rest of your holiday.

 

I f you knew the Pattaya police at all calling them would be the last thing to do.

 

Never never call the police unless it a serious incident