SPS Thailand Co., Ltd.

Taxi is the most convenient way if you have big backpack or suitcase. Meter charge from the airport to our guesthouse will be US$4 (160-190 Bahts) via On Nut Road (the shortest route).

Some taxi drivers may want to take a faster route (Bang Na - Trad Road) depending on the traffic conditions. In this case, the fare may be around US$6 (250-290 Bahts). Passengers departing the Internationa Airport must pay a 50-baht surcharge.

Some guests had a problem of what we call 'rip-off' taxis. Bangkok's taxis are usually safe, but some airport taxi drivers may try to overcharge you. Here are several tips to avoid possible rip-offs:

Important Tactics to Avoid Taxi Rip-offs

1. Please do not show the map to your driver!

   If you show the map attached to this email, you will allow your driver to know your 'right' destination from the first. This may arouse an evil scheme of your driver!

2. First, tell your driver an incorrect destination, "On Nut Soi 89" by saying:

   "Go to On Nut 89" (Pai On Nut Soi bpeesip kaaw)
   This street does not exist (On Nut Road ends at 79). However, if it exists, it's quite near to the airport. If your taxi goes to On Nut 89 from the airport, your driver must get off at the exit that connects to the shortest route (On Nut Road).
   

3. Second, change destinations to "On Nut Soi 44" by saying:

   "Sorry. Go to On Nut 44." (Kohtort. Pai On Nut Soi seesip see)
   When your taxi approaches the incorrect destination (On Nut 89), your taxi will slow down and your driver will start looking for the street. It's the time to change destinations to "On Nut Soi 44". This is required to force your driver keep going on the shortest route (On Nut Road).
   

4. Lastly, change destinations again to "Sukhumvit 89" by saying:

   "Sorry. Go to Sukhumvit Soi 89." (Kohtort. Pai Sukumvit Soi bpeesip kaaw)
   When your taxi approaches On Nut 44, your taxi will slow down and your driver will start looking for the street. It's the time to change destinations again to "Sukhumvit 89". At this moment, your driver has lost any chance of taking a roundabout route to our guesthouse.

Other Useful Tips

1. Avoid  unlicensed taxis.

   If your taxi looks like a normal passenger car (not painted in bright colors), it may be an unlicensed taxi. Please avoid using such taxis.

2. Request your driver to use a meter,

   "Karunaa chai meetaa krap/kaa" ("Krap" is for men, "Kaa" is for women)
   If your driver seems to ignore your request / tries to negotiate the price / refuse to use a meter, you must stop the taxi IMMEDIATELY and go back to the taxi stand on foot.
   You must judge this within 20 seconds, otherwise it will be too far to go back to the taxi stand.

3. Request your driver not to use a toll road (expressway),

   "Yaa chai taanduan na krap/kaa" ("Krap" is for men, "Kaa" is for women)
   You do not need to use an expressway (toll road). But some taxi drivers try to use it intentionally.

4. Check that the meter is not tampered.

   For the first 1-2 minutes, the meter must show "35". If the meter price increases from the first, you must stop the taxi IMMEDIATELY and go back to the taxi stand on foot.
   You must judge this within 20 seconds, otherwise it will be too far to go back to the taxi stand.

5. What if your taxi does not stop...

   Please shout to the driver, "Stop!" and then open the door slightly. This is quite effective to stop a taxi. Please pay attention to the timing of opening the door in order not to be hurled out of your taxi.

6. What if your taxi goes too far from the taxi stand...

   You should not stop your taxi immediately because, at this moment, you have become unable to catch a vacant taxi coming from behind (i.e. all taxis are full).
   Instead, you may change your destinations to "Rom Klao Rd." (just one minute from the airport). After your taxi gets off at the "Rom Klao Rd." exit,  you can change taxis there. At Rom Klao Rd. (see the map), it is relatively easy to catch a cruising taxi, whose drivers are more kind and sincere than airport taxi drivers.
   If your (first) driver asks you to pay the fare, pay just 35 Bahts (the starting fare). If you have no coins, just pay 40 Bahts (in Thailand, it is customary not to give back a change less than 10 Bahts).

7. What if all these efforts end in vain..

   In cases where you cannot make your driver to turn on a meter/stop the taxi/get off at Rom Klao Rd. or you are unable to change taxis for some reasons (bad weather etc.), the last choice is to negotiate the price.
   STATISTICALLY, the average price range should be 220-270 Bahts. 300 Bahts are a bit overpriced, but still within an acceptable level.

8. Taxi drivers may not be able to read the map.

   So you better prepare for giving some road instructions to your driver. From the airport to our guesthouse, your taxi turn left/veer off to the left only five times.

9. Surcharge for departing taxis from the airport

   You MUST pay additional 50 Bahts to the meter fare in accordance with the law. So, if your driver requests this 50 Bahts, it's not a "tipping" request.

10. Disclaimer

    If, unfortunately, you are "ripped off", we cannot be responsible/liable for the overcharge by malicious taxi drivers.
    

We wish you a good luck. God or Buddha may bless you!