Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=TwoTimeTed;1685742]
You take that train and head for Makkasan Station. At Makkasan station, you can get a taxi for a very short ride to either Nana or Soi Cowboy area. Yes that airport rail will get crowded as the train makes it's stops, but you got on at the beginning so, you have a seat.

That's what I did, wasn't hard at all and saved my money for the chicks.
[/QUOTE]How much exactly are you saving? 45 baht for the train to Makkasan station but how much was the taxi? 100 baht? I know you can grab the subway for around 20 baht but you've got to stand in line with your luggage to get a ticket (assuming you don't have one of those automatic cards yet). Its around 500 baht for a taxi from the airport directly to your hotel, you can close your eyes and take a nap if your tired after a long flight. Saving 400 baht isn't worth the extra effort after i've been on a ten hour flight. And im guessing you might ask the taxi driver to swing by a 7-11 on the way into town if your thirsty.

This is quite disturbing. Anyone experienced this?

[URL]http://time.com/3674200/thailand-tourism-police-corruption-shakedown-extortion/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Breadman;1685783]How much exactly are you saving? 45 baht for the train to Makkasan station but how much was the taxi? 100 baht? I know you can grab the subway for around 20 baht but you've got to stand in line with your luggage to get a ticket (assuming you don't have one of those automatic cards yet). Its around 500 baht for a taxi from the airport directly to your hotel, you can close your eyes and take a nap if your tired after a long flight. Saving 400 baht isn't worth the extra effort after i've been on a ten hour flight. And im guessing you might ask the taxi driver to swing by a 7-11 on the way into town if your thirsty.[/QUOTE]I agree. I once took the train after a long flight. Was travelling light but tired. Couldn't get a seat as I boarded as it ws about to leave but then when I got off to let someone else out I stumbled, and my leg slipped through the gap between train and platform (mind the gap indeed). Damn near broke my leg. I always take a taxi now. I judge whether to take a regular can from the queue or an AOT taxi depending on queues at passport (an indicator of people queuing for taxis after baggage claim), my degree of tiredness (am I going to get angry waiting in a queue) and who is paying (I. E. Am I on a business rip where company pays).

But basically even if it's a private trip I am not going to scrimp on taxi fare to spoil my mood).

[QUOTE=SeanEZ;1685818]This is quite disturbing. Anyone experienced this?

[URL]http://time.com/3674200/thailand-tourism-police-corruption-shakedown-extortion/[/URL][/QUOTE]From this article it sounds like the shakedowns are becoming less frequent.

[URL]http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/458810/bangkok-tourist-shakedown-police-harrassment-video[/URL]

Speaking of Nana, I got my Deaf notch under my belt (sort of like getting your red wings).

I banged out 2 deaf girls. They hover across from the Nana Plaza in the Nana parking lot on the right side-entrance to Nana Hotel parking lot.

Better to have your Google translator handy!

[QUOTE=Rolodido;1684552]Never paid more then 400 bath for airport to BKK city sukhumvit area.
Rolo[/QUOTE]So when getting a taxi at the airport, does one negotiate with the driver to get this approx 400 BHT rate, thus ignoring the meter in that case, or is this approx 400 BHT rate what the meter (less fares) will typically yield when you arrive? And, if negotiating for a fixed rate, what if the driver refuses or demands 500? Do I go to the next taxi in the queue and try to get a better deal?

[QUOTE=SeanEZ;1685818]This is quite disturbing. Anyone experienced this?

[URL]http://time.com/3674200/thailand-tourism-police-corruption-shakedown-extortion/[/URL][/QUOTE]I have a place in the Asoke Area (Soi 19/ Sukhumvit) and have never been harassed. Yet.

[URL]http://www.stickboybangkok.com/news/new-thonglor-police-chief-orders-end-searches/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Breadman;1685836]From this article it sounds like the shakedowns are becoming less frequent.

[URL]http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/458810/bangkok-tourist-shakedown-police-harrassment-video[/URL][/QUOTE]Its unlikely they're telling the whole story.

[URL]http://index.rsf.org/[/URL]#index-details.

[QUOTE=FLHawk;1685859]So when getting a taxi at the airport, does one negotiate with the driver to get this approx 400 BHT rate, thus ignoring the meter in that case, or is this approx 400 BHT rate what the meter (less fares) will typically yield when you arrive? And, if negotiating for a fixed rate, what if the driver refuses or demands 500? Do I go to the next taxi in the queue and try to get a better deal?[/QUOTE]You will go to the Taxi queue on the 2nd (floor. You will tell the lady at the desk (the dispatcher) where you're going, she'll write it down and give it to the driver. She'll give you a copy. Keep it, as it has the driver's number, etc. , on it, should you have any problems. She may remind you that you have to pay for the expressway tolls. If she doesn't, the driver will. You can't go to the next taxi, etc. , as the dispatcher assigns your taxi to you.

You do not need to negotiate with the driver. He'll use the meter in almost every case because he wants to keep his "airport privileges. " As you leave, make sure he turns on the meter. If he doesn't, for some reason, remind him. If, for some reason, you have a streak of bad luck and get a recalcitrant driver, don't get excited. Tell him you'll give him 500 baht, not a satang more, and he pays the tolls. But don't sweat it. I don't think I've ever had a problem with taxis who picked me up at the airport.

Now taxis going to the airport can be another story.

I was in Bangkok in Nov and Jan. Nov took the local train and MRT both ways, but was at T21 so was only 1 stop on the MRT. However I was only flying in / out inter-asia and both times was transiting to / from the airport at rush hour.

In January took cabs both ways. Cab queue was empty and got from the airport to T21 in under 20 minutes which after 21 hours of travel was priceless. My conclusion from both these trips? Either travel option works but not worth taking the train just for the savings, but maybe worth it with light baggage and traffic considerations. Once the express train gets back up the running the time savings would also be a factor. One more thing to consider the walk from the train to the MRT isn't short so if you don't have roller bags this really may not be worth it unless you are looking for exercise.

[QUOTE=IanOxon;1685821]I agree. I once took the train after a long flight. Was travelling light but tired. Couldn't get a seat as I boarded as it ws about to leave but then when I got off to let someone else out I stumbled, and my leg slipped through the gap between train and platform (mind the gap indeed). Damn near broke my leg. I always take a taxi now. I judge whether to take a regular can from the queue or an AOT taxi depending on queues at passport (an indicator of people queuing for taxis after baggage claim), my degree of tiredness (am I going to get angry waiting in a queue) and who is paying (I. E. Am I on a business rip where company pays).

But basically even if it's a private trip I am not going to scrimp on taxi fare to spoil my mood).[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=FLHawk;1685859]So when getting a taxi at the airport, does one negotiate with the driver to get this approx 400 BHT rate, thus ignoring the meter in that case, or is this approx 400 BHT rate what the meter (less fares) will typically yield when you arrive? And, if negotiating for a fixed rate, what if the driver refuses or demands 500? Do I go to the next taxi in the queue and try to get a better deal?[/QUOTE]Within Bangkok always use the meter. Every time a cabbie suggested a "fixed fee" it turned out the meter was cheaper. When I travel with my Thai GF, the cabbies don't even think of suggesting a fixed fee, which proves that this is a "newbie tourist scam" thing.

[QUOTE=TwoTimeTed;1685742]If you are traveling light "one largish bag and a backpack" which you are, I would take the airport rail link (train). It costs 45 baht, less than $2 USD. But it also depends what time you are arriving in BKK, the airport train starts at 6 am to midnight.

At the airport after you get out of customs / immigration, you take the escalators down below like everyone else, then go one level below the street and that's where the train is. There is not a lot of people when you get on, you get your choice seat.

You take that train and head for Makkasan Station. At Makkasan station, you can get a taxi for a very short ride to either Nana or Soi Cowboy area. Yes that airport rail will get crowded as the train makes it's stops, but you got on at the beginning so, you have a seat.

That's what I did, wasn't hard at all and saved my money for the chicks.

[URL]http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/en/121-airport-rail-link[/URL][/QUOTE]Don't go to Makkasan station but go to the final destination Phaya Thai. There you can change to the BTS in the direction of Bearing which stops at both Nana and Asok.

So to summarize:

Take the airport rail link to Phaya Thai for 45 Baht.

Walk to the BTS station which is only a 5 minute stroll and you don't have to climb any stairs (there are escalators).

Take the BTS in the direction of Bearing and get off at Nana, Asok or where ever you're staying in the Sukhumvit area.

The BTS to Nana is only 31 baht. Asok will be a few baht more.

All in all it takes about 45 to 60 minutes at the most.

[QUOTE=SeanEZ;1685818]This is quite disturbing. Anyone experienced this?[URL]http://time.com/3674200/thailand-tourism-police-corruption-shakedown-extortion/[/URL][/QUOTE]Old news. You're referencing a near month old article. But remember Thailand is currently under Martial Law, so anything can happen.

[QUOTE=Breadman;1685836]From this article it sounds like the shakedowns are becoming less frequent.[URL]http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/458810/bangkok-tourist-shakedown-police-harrassment-video[/URL][/QUOTE]There was an uproar after vids posted online. Some high ranking police official reported to news that it was not sanctioned, and told what steps to take if it should occur. (Get Officers names, badge numbers.) After that, it stopped. Since then, I have not seen any further reports of this occurring.

[QUOTE=Jgm005;1685870]I have a place in the Asoke Area (Soi 19/ Sukhumvit) and have never been harassed. Yet.[URL]http://www.stickboybangkok.com/news/new-thonglor-police-chief-orders-end-searches/[/URL][/QUOTE]I've been back on Sukhumvit Rd several times, at all hours, and have not seen any police officers in the area.

[QUOTE=Phordphan;1685938]You will go to the Taxi queue on the 2nd (floor. You will tell the lady at the desk (the dispatcher) where you're going, she'll write it down and give it to the driver.[/QUOTE]When I arrived at BKK in early December the desks with attendants had been removed and there was a machine with a uniformed man standing next to the machine. He asked me the name of my hotel, punched some button, the machine printed a ticket which he handed to me.

[QUOTE=PaulKausch;1686154]When I arrived at BKK in early December the desks with attendants had been removed and there was a machine with a uniformed man standing next to the machine. He asked me the name of my hotel, punched some button, the machine printed a ticket which he handed to me.[/QUOTE]I like this solution better. But if you're staying in some obscure hotel, I wonder if the system works, or does one have to get 12 people involved, debating the hotel's location. LOL. I'll find out in April.