PATTAYA, Thailand –It’s not just a shift—it’s a funeral procession. Long-time visitors and newly arrived tourists alike are declaring “rest in peace” to Thailand’s traditional taxi racket, as more travelers opt for Grab and Bolt over the aggressive and often overpriced airport and street taxi services in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket.
“No wonder,” says one visitor. “I was asked for 3,000 baht at a taxi kiosk from Bangkok to Pattaya. I ended up getting a bus since I didn’t know about Grab. My return trip? Just 1,200 baht.”
Another traveler didn’t hesitate to bypass the old system entirely:
“I was quoted 2,000 baht from a rather shabby-looking driver. So I called Pattaya ride-hailing company and had a car at my door for 1,400 within 15 minutes.”
The chorus of frustration continues.
“Exactly dead correct… they’ve been trying to rip off tourists for years,” wrote one poster. “Refuse to use meters in Bangkok. R.I.P. taxi drivers—you all brought it on yourselves.”
And it’s not just foreign tourists feeling the sting.
“Not just farangs,” one Thai user pointed out. “My wife was visiting hotels in Phuket and paid 300 baht for a 2-km ride on Karon Beach.”
A walk down Pattaya’s Beach Road or a glance outside Suvarnabhumi Airport shows the tide has turned. With Grab offering transparent prices, cleaner cars, and digital payment, the edge has shifted.
“The service from Grab is very good because of the set prices and fast pickups,” another user posted. “Taxis from Bangkok airport have been robbing tourists for decades. So happy to see them suffering—hopefully they’ll be history.”
Still, the debate isn’t without snark.
“You knew about all the prostitution in Pattaya but didn’t know about Grab?” one critic jabbed, questioning priorities.
“Still happier and freer than you, buddy,” came the reply. “I speak fluent Thai, make more money, and don’t need to pay for female company. Who’s the clown now?”
Some long-time residents, however, still defend the old guard—if approached wisely.
“There have been plenty of good taxi companies for years with great service. I’ve paid 1,100 baht from Bangkok to Pattaya for years. Grab’s fine, but only necessary if you’re too lazy to pre-book.”
Complaints about inflated fares for short distances are common. “Outside my hotel I was quoted 300 baht for a 400-meter ride,” one long-term visitor noted. “It was 100 baht to the Pattaya railway station via Grab or Bolt. Yes, they got a tip.” The difference in service, price transparency, and overall reliability is often cited as the reason many have made the switch — permanently.
Still, the verdict from the streets and the forums is damning:
“Taxi drivers made their own beds.”
“They’re decades behind, like the baht buses.”
“Nothing angers me more than taxi drivers who won’t use meters.”
“Stop the farang tax.”
“Rats—don’t give them one baht.”
The writing is on the wall. In the era of on-demand apps, location tracking, and verified reviews, the once-untouchable Thai taxi mafia may finally be approaching its last ride.
