Direct Taxi Service 1,200 baht to pattaya

[Hub 203]

Hi,

 

From everything I have read it seems that whenever Mr. toom provides transportation, the service is good.

However, and mind you that this is probably my expectation based on my culture, I would have expected him to disclose the fact that such a problem may occur. I would have also expected him to contact me after the mishap in the airport.

 

I do not blame him for the actions of the police (Nor do I really care what are their motivations and if they are corrupted or not). I blame him only for not advising me ahead of time that such a thing may happen, and for not expressing regret that such a mishap has happened afterwards.

 

I do not think I should rephrase my phrase ``pretty bad experience from the service'' as I consider part of the ordering process and the follow through process part of any good service (again expectations from my culture).

 

I think the problem comes with not only Mr. Toom, but with many Thais when it comes to non-routine situations and dealing with them effectively at all, or even admitting that they are encountering a problem.

 

Get them to go from Point A to Point B, they are great, but they aint exactly McGyver when a non-routine situation arises.

 

It may sound a bit of a negative generalizations on all Thais, but I've seen it over and over.

 

I can't count how many times I've had a van driver on a golf trip not want to admit he is lost, much less pick up the cell phone or ask for help. Obviously, quite likely related to face issues.

 

For those board members that took the trip out to River Kwai 3-4 years ago, we remember fondly (now that its over) that the van service hadn't ever opened the hood (bonnet) on the sports utility vehicle to replace fluids or oil and the car broke down after a year (i.e., none of the drivers ever could be bothered to even check the oil

 

With Mr. Toom in specific I had used him 2-3 times last year during a five-week vacation. Near the end, asked if he had an SUV or van to take three people, clubs and a good amount of luggage from Bangkok to Kaow Kheow golf course, drop two off, and continue to Pattaya with my wife and luggage. Toom said "no problem". Made prolly 2-3 confirmation calls, including one completely in Thai by my wife, as i had a sneaking suspicion I was getting "yessed". Negotiated the price - can't remember but think 1,800 or 2,000.

 

Sure enough, what shows up at the hotel is a very small taxi that could even fit two of us and half the clubs/luggage. We had to wait for Toom to get another taxi (which, in hindsight, he had probably had planned the entire time). Resulted in a lot of stress, almost missing tee time, wife travelling alone, extra costs and inconvenience for two taxis instead of one van, having to ask Pattaya ex-pat friend not only to drive us back to Pattaya as originally planned but squeeze some of our luggage in, yadda yadda. Ruined my morning.

 

I could have used a van via Solar Travel (as I had done twice previously) but used Toom as he had taken me to the same course before and wanted to show some loyalty, and also didn't want to bother my friend from Solar to do me another favor. Toom could have just told me up front he couldn't handle situation, but Thais just don't seem to want to admit that sometimes.

 

Point A to B, great. Anything else, don't expect a lot of innovation.

 

Hub

Edited March 26, 2007 by Hub

[glassdude007 7]

I'm sure the everyday around bangkok licensed/registered taxi driver gets upset with the people from outa town taking there long hall fares from the airport.. i dont know the status of tooms taxi??

is he and his drivers licensed cab drivers with all the proper documents too drive a cab and do airport drop of and pick ups???? i think this may be part of the problem..does he have insurance for his passengers??

i know here in Boston Logan airport you have too pay for the right too pick up passengers at the airport if you dont have the right paperwork big fines are involved too..

i guess you could call it a mafia..but here we call it government fees...democracy....

[nariad 6]

Arrived 1830hrs 24 Mar,Taxi was there ,safe Driver ,no problems thanks Mr Toom.

[BILLYH 4]

DESPITE A LONG DELAY IN LEAVING THE UK, AND THE MESS IT CAUSED GETTING TO BKK, MR TOOM'S MAN WAS THERE AS REDIRECTED.

GREAT RIDE TO PATTAYA WITH NO PROBLEMS, EVEN MANAGED TO PICK UP UNEXPECTED PASSENGER.

WILL CERTAINLY KEEP IN MIND FOR NEXT TIME.

THANKS MR TOOM

[newbie34 3]

ok i booked the toom man again toom39@msn.com he replied quickly

Im arriving on may 26th at 7pm if anyone wants to share the toom taxi to pattaya?

 

I have used mr tooms service 2 times before and never had any problems at all and i will continue to use the guys service.

Edited April 30, 2007 by newbie34

[ben99 0]

So how much is this Toom guy charging and does the price include tolls?

[don_dadda 0]

So how much is this Toom guy charging and does the price include tolls?

1200 baht, all tolls and gas included

[ben99 0]

Thanks - lets hope he turns up.

[wallyc 0]

Called Mr. Toom last March for pick-up on May 4th and return to airport on May 17. Sent confirming e-mail 10 days before arrival. Mr. Pond was there with my name sign on time again. This the third time using his service - only problem I ever had was when Mr. Pond forgot where he parked the car ... All tolls paid, clean newer car and the air conditioning works. 1200b to Pattaya and now 1000b back to Bangkok.

 

wallyc

[glassdude007 7]

sawdee mr . toom.....

just sent you an email for your service.....

don't know exact flight details yet....

should arrive bangkok to pattaya on Oct 26th....

thanks for your reply....

regards

glassdude007