Tuk Tuk's in Bangkok
I doubt I'm generating enough traffic on the site yet for this to have the effect I'd love it to - but you never know...
A friend of a friend was passing through Bangkok a week ago - and we'd arranged to meet for dinner, as well as enjoy the beginning of the Songkran Festival.
Just the other day I received an email thanking me for dinner and a fun evening out. However the rest of the email included a description that I've heard time and time again about a really unpleasant experience with Tuk Tuk drivers in Bangkok.
My friend's friend had been told repeatedly by Tuk Tuk drivers that the temple she wanted to visit was closed - and was then dragged off to the closest Gem shop in an effort to pry her hard earned currency from her hands - and for the Tuk Tuk driver to receive a handsome commission in the process. So on her last day in Bangkok - instead of a pleasant cultural experience - she'd got the usual Tuk Tuk con.
Don't use them. They may be cute to look at and an icon of Bangkok - but they're dangerous (just plain unsafe to ride in) and will fleece you for two to three times the price of a taxis as well as do their level best to ruin your plans for the day.
Comments
Actually apart from the obvious...
Actually apart from the obvious mentioned issues with TukTuks particularly the 'safety' & 'comfort' factor means I only consider those guys when no other suitable/available/fair options appear.
One of the places I tend to use/used them now & again was around the corner from my 'local' BTS stop when no motorbikes was available or if I was not alone. Here bikes/tuktuk were convenient as they could handle the 'shortcut' route home well while e.g. taxi/cars would have to 'struggle' to make their way (in time) thru the winding narrow sois.
Price wise they tend to follow the taximeters closely - bit higher/lower depending on their/mine bargaining 'position' typically :-)