Surprising Thai Taxi Drivers By Speaking Fluent Thai. Always Get a Fair Price. 

This is exactly my experience with virtually all taxi drivers throughout the Kingdom. Make it fun, get them to talk about themselves a bit, listen closely to what they say, and always be respectful. You both will enjoy the ride. A few genuine laughs, and suddenly, you're there. Life is better for you both. Note: I always tip too much because I actually enjoy their company and outlook. Thank you so much, this is the pure absolute reality of Thailand. You brought it here Paddy. Brilliant!

You're such an inspiration for learning Thai. I started learning 6 months ago after watching your channel. In the beginning of this journey I found some nice Bangkok taxi drivers that would humor me by engaging in rudimentary conversation in Thai although many were actually quite good at speaking English already. Granted they were a captive audience in those instances but this gave me the initial confidence boost to speak to locals more and more. I'm still nowhere near as fluent as you, but making my way slowly. Thanks for all the great videos and congrats in advance on 200k subs!

Never thoughts Id enjoy 'Thai Taxi confessions' from you Paddy, but I did. These guys are fully down to earth. Seems as thought they dont mind the odd chat. Would like to see more of this style of interaction.

Good content mate, like that you include both Eng and Th subs, and congrats on upcoming 200k, well deserved!

I visited Thailand last December for the first time. With just six months' worth of basic Thai lessons beforehand, I found that I was able to have basic conversation with the taxi drivers. And seeing that I was trying to learn the language, the drivers all try to teach me new words, new phrases in their own ways. I almost didn't mind that a few of them overcharged me, because if I pay for Thai lessons online, it's usually $15-20 an hour (500-700 baht) -- far more than a typical taxi ride. 😛

Great content as always mate. Happy to see you getting close to that 200k!! You’re rights it’s that 10% who spoil the delightful experience we know exists in the majority of cases.. the majority have an absolute heart of gold. I’ve taken hundreds of taxis over the many years and always found the Thai taxi drivers to be generous, funny and hard workers. The bad impressions generally are all found in the major tourist hot spots

These are my favorite kind of videos from you Paddy. Low key, informal chats with “normal” Thai people. Really enjoyed it!

Always enjoy your content!

as always, great content and I always learn new Thai words because of your dedication to add sub's. thank you!!😊

This is really inspirational for me as a fellow Aussie, 50+ yo trying to learn Thai. Would love to chat to the taxi drivers (and other Thai folk) and get a deeper feel for the people and culture. Well done Paddy …

Love your videos and it inspires me to talk more Thai. Can’t wait to go back in June. Love 🇹🇭

As a farang had only one bad experience. My first time in a taxi. He didn't put on the meter. After that, never had a meter problem. I also have good experience with Grab. Xx

Nice content as always !

Nice concept !

Great vlog Paddy. Really interesting to hear about the lives and work of average Thais. Thank you!

Love your content!!! 🎉

Great video, I love chatting to taxi drivers in bangkok who can speak in English and find out the normal peoples perspective on all things politics and royalty too very entertaining, love Thailand

ชอบดูวีดีโอของคุณมากๆ ช่วยให้ฝึกภาษาไทย น่าสนใจด้วย

Thanks Paddy - really enjoyed this. My Thai is definitely not as good as yours but I can hop a basic conversation. I'm back in Thailand (Hua Hin to be exact) and will be brushing up on my language skills and trying to avoid Songkran festivities.

Mostly I've had positive experiences with taxi drivers in Bangkok, and I have them to thank for allowing me to build my initial fluency in Thai. Those same questions and topics that came up in the chit chat like คุณเป็นคนประเทศไหน and ชอบดูบอลไหม (I always have to give a disappointing ไม่ค่อยดูครับ answer 555), really helped me to start making sense of the language and building confidence in speaking. I have found that the people who moan the most about taxi drivers are also usually those annoying types who come here with a sense of entitlement, can't be bothered to learn the language at all, and expect everyone to adapt to them and then complain when that doesn't happen 😅

You speak really good Thai. It is uncommon for 'Farangs' to be able to speak Thai in correct TONE. I am from Malaysia, I can speak Thai too but not as good as you. But I keep learning.

200k coming soon, wow good luck! 🇹🇭

The vast majority of the drivers I'm ridden with in Bangkok have been great. I tend to just get out of a taxi if they won't use the meter, the exception being after 11 pm or so, and then I'll see if they bargain. I've also found many to have a very good ear for languages, perhaps because they deal with so many different types of people and so many ways of people speaking English or Thai with them.

You should do more of these type of videos

Hi Paddy! Nice video. When are you returning to Thailand? I will be back in early October 2024! I'm heading to Krabi and Phuket down south.

I use the Grab app because I cannot hold a conversation in Thai. I just know the basic greetings. I don't know if it would make a difference, but maybe you can ride in some taxis using the Grab / Bolt apps and get those drivers' perspectives. I'm curious as to how much money they make in a day. BTW, loved the video.

When I was in Bangkok every taxi refused to turn the meter on for me. It was very annoying and when I asked why they wouldn't they just became frustrated.

The initial driver was definitely on the Lao Khao. It's not uncommon during those long hours of work. I'm relieved you made it to your destination safely.

อากาศร้อน ไปไหนมาไหนซื้อ ร่มกางเดินด้วยนะคะ เพราะอากาศร้อนอบอ้าว

I got a cab yesterday afternoon, had a chat to the driver, found out he used to have a clothing manufacturing place right near where I live, had a chat about different languages (he speaks Urdu and Punjabi). He knocked a bit off my metered fare at the end, rounding it down. I've also had the no meter thing at night when they think I'm drunk and can get away with it - but that happens all over the world and not just to tourists...555

I think there's a spelling mistake in 0:17 for 'if'? (I'm learning Thai). Really enjoy your videos.

Last time I was at Suvarnabhumi for an international flight, I got there 3 hours early (when check-in opened) and barely made my flight. The line through security and immigration was horrendous. Lots of people were panicking. Other times the lines have been short. Makes it hard to plan.

Nice one Paddy. Speaking Thai definitely saves you getting overcharged. It would be interesting to see the price if you only spoke English to them?

กรมการขนส่งควรเข้ามาจัดการปัญหาแท็กซี่ไม่ยอมเปิดมิเตอร์หรือคิดราคาเกินอย่างจริงจัง เป็นปัญหาเรื้อรังมานาน ตุ๊กๆยิ่งแล้วใหญ่ ทำให้ประเเสียชื่อเสียงมาก

From my experience in BKK most taxi drivers are okay, especially outside of touristy areas I very rarely have any problems. I have had issues in certain areas and at certain times i.e outside an expensive mostly farang rooftop bar late in the evening, I've literally had 4 drivers in a row all try to scam me for like 500baht for a 100baht trip. Clearly they are there targeting drunk/rich foreigners who will just pay whatever they ask.

yes i can comfirm paddy i i take maybe 100 trips in a taxi i bangkok and never had a problem . 50 % never use meter but fair price ...-

สวัสดี 🙏 ตอนเข้า จาก ซิดนีย์ ครับ This vlog is very important as not just foreigners get no meter even locals also get none ! It’s such a “ rip off” attitude that we don’t like even tho the rule says so ! What happened in Thailand stays in Thailand ! Welcome 🙏 home to Sydney hope you got upgraded yet again ! Keep on influencing those taxi mafia out they are bad image of Thailand ครับ ❤

I once had a chat with one of these drivers who was all about the wives - he had 1 wife and 4 little wives (mia noi). That was a fun experience.

I want to live in Thai

when we were in Koh Samui, taxi drivers wouldn't pick up my wifes cousin, a Thai person. We think they wouldn't give her a lift because she was Thai and westerners typically pay more to the taxi drivers. She ended up finally getting a taxi after a couple hours of waitning and she was not very happy about it. Not sure if this is common at all, but I was a little shocked that Thai taxi drivers would do that.

In the past I sometimes found their questions repetitious and a little annoying but you were controlling the conversation which did seem to help. I get it though, as they don't often get a chance to have a real conversation with a farang and they often have many unanswered questions in their minds. I only ever use taxies if I pop down to Bangkok for a few days and even then it is easier to take the train or friends might drop us off.

This really reminded me why I want to improve. Great video

He was pissed 100% 😂😂😂

Didn't he say ใจดี (generous/kind) rather than จ่ายดี (pay well)? Same outcome even so!

How long ago did you come back from Vietnam??

👏🏻👍🏻😃

I remember talking to a taxi driver along with my Thai girlfriend, now married over 13 years and that taxi driver explained why many do not want to use the meter and from what he said its not to try and ripoff anyone its because just like pilots they have a limit of how many hours per month they can legally drive. They must get annoyed when asked to go to places that have a long traffic jam as even sitting in a traffic jam counts on their limit. So of course no meter means no time limit to their monthly limits.

I always pay the meter, rarely have an issue. I speak enough thai, I will always give the change to the taxi driver tho

Taxi drivers often refuse to put on the meter for my Thai gf. So, it is not just a falang thing. It has everything to do with traffic. Some rides just aren't worth their time. So, they will quote a higher (fixed) price, or decline the ride outright. Lots of times we need to talk to 6-8 taxis before we can find one that will accept the fare. I don't get offended. It's just business and they make very little for their time.

Forget the taxi ripoff game. Walk right past them to get your GRAB

I have quite a lot negative experience from taxi drivers. No meters and sometimes if agreed price they want more later or drop you out.

So, according to the Thai taxi driver, foreigners pay well when they are drunk. 😅😅😅. In another word, easier to take advantage of the situation and rip them off.

what is that guy doing at 00:35 ?

I don't get why anyone takes a regular taxi when you can just order up a Grab and have transparency. I've only been to Thailand twice and after the second taxi I ever took I instantly tried out the recommended Grab and never looked back.

I really want to see the sensitive political discussion. 😅

Sanook

Disagree 100% about your comments about "taxi drivers" most are dishonest and rude. However using Bolt and their drivers is almost always a positive experience that I don't mind give a tip

"CC" NOT working Paddy! 🥴

I've found if you speak Thai it's easy to talk with taxi drivers, and they are willing to talk just about anything. Though before getting into a taxi, about 60% aren't willing to use the metor or go where you want. Doesn't matter if you ask in Thai or English. Some ask prices that are so expensive. If you ask in Thai, if you speak clearly/พูดชัด they know you been in Thailand a long time, and still don't care! Your just another farang to rip off!

@7:08 Bro are you seriously in the taxi and not wearing a seatbelt? Bro...

Next time don't speak Thai. The story will other way round for sure.

Enough with the videos, get a girlfriend man

Ur thai so good he not believe u dont hve thai gf