Airport Taxi Scam

Name of Scam: Airport Taxi Scam

Scam Setup: You are offered a “taxi limo” when you arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the amazingly low fare of only 900 baht ($25 USD)

Scam Analysis: Things have gotten much better at Suvarnabhumi Airport as there is an actual taxi stand outside the arrivals terminal but inside the terminal you will be offered a great deal on a taxi into central Bangkok. The normal rate using the meter is only about 300 baht. Throw another 100 baht on if they take the expressway but since so many long haul flights arrive in the early morning or late evening the expressway might not even be any faster than the regular highway.

As a side note: The “limo taxi” is usually just an unlicensed Toyota Camry. They call it a limo simply because it is a private car and not a regular taxi.

Normally Targets: Tourists arriving from overseas

Prevention: Things change constantly in Thailand but as of right now there is a taxi stand outside of arrivals. Go there and they will ask you what hotel you are going to and give you a slip and summon a taxi driver. The driver will charge you the metered rate.

If there is no taxi stand your best bet is to go downstairs one level to the departures terminal and exit the airport there. There you will be able to hail a taxi that is dropping off a fare. Normally they will use the meter without even asking but you can ask just to make sure.