Taxi fare’s start at 35 baht and stays there for the first 2 kilometers. The fare gradually works its way up 2 baht at a time (roughly per km).
A surcharge applies in traffic jams (1.25 baht per meter when moving under 6 km/h).
Typical taxi fares for going a few kilometers are around 50 baht. Communication can be a problem with the majority of Bangkok’s taxi drivers as they often speak little English.
Taxi’s are required by law to turn on the meter to give you an accurate cost for your trip.
There are taxis everywhere in Bangkok. To hail a taxi, simply put your arm/hand down out and wave.
Available taxis will have their light on.
When the taxi driver stops, you need to open the door and ask METER? He he is not willing to use the meter, close the door and wait for the next taxi.
It is becoming common practice for taxi drivers refusing to use the meter with tourists.
Taxis come in a wide variety of colors.
The single-color are company taxis, personal taxis in cooperation or alliance and rental company taxis. These color include bright green, bright sky blue, red, orange, yellow, blue, pink, purple, violet and tan.
Often these taxis are rented out by the day to drivers that do not own their own taxis. These taxi drivers need to make money to cover the cost of renting the taxi and will often NOT want to use the meter.
The bi-colored taxis are in 3 kinds including yellow-green, red-blue and yellow-orange. The yellow-green are the personal private taxi.
Yellow-Green taxis are privately owned by individuals that make a living driving a taxi. They are the safest drivers and will use the meter.
The red-blue are the rental taxi. Once again, drivers rents these for the day and have to make money to cover the cost of renting the taxi. Not a good choice unless you have to.
The yellow-orange are the company taxi.
Taxis are abundant in Bangkok so you can pick any color you like, but the yellow-green taxis are generally reckoned to be better, being owned and driven by the owners themselves.