Airport vultures still circle prey

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SUVARNABHUMI RIP-OFFS

Airport vultures still circle prey

Published: 29 Sep 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Illegal tour guides and taxi drivers are still preying on both Thai and foreign passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport six years after its opening.

A file photo shows licensed taxis queueing up to wait for passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport, but the problem of unlicensed operators inside the terminal persists. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

When Suvarnabhumi airport was opened on Sept 28, 2006, illegal tour guides and taxi drivers moved from Don Mueang airport to the new airport.

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aussie
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Discussion 28 : 29 Sep 2012 at 11.5028
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khunbj Dis#9 , i think the touts are relying on the fact that it`s quite shocking the first time , not every tourist is a seasoned traveller and wise to Thailands scamming vultures , many unsuspecting honest folk leave disheartenned that it is obviously allowed and on such a scale , taking the gloss off an otherwise enjoyable holiday !
Your call to "just ignore them" , would end up with them doing as they pleased and what they are doing right now under yinglucks Bro`masters government , your own logic would see the vultures waiting on the runways for the tourist planes doors to open , afterall it is first in best dressed right ?
They all know it`s wrong , they have all been told over and over , time to start getting serious and impound their vehicles for a first offence , if the same vehicle is found again in breech confiscate it permanantly , i can`t for the life of me think why this has not been done already , hmmm , then again ?
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dao
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Discussion 27 : 29 Sep 2012 at 10.5827
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Nonsense they cant do anything .They choose not too .Every security guard the could tell you who is doing what .I have never seen another country where you have to buy a ticket to take a public taxi .The whole arrival hall is basically empty as people have to walk ot of the hall and somehow figure out that they need to walk to the other side of the building to get out .AOT are getting paid to look the other way .As usual greed is the source of the problem .This included with immigration lines for 2 hours makes a real bad first impression .
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pete
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Discussion 26 : 29 Sep 2012 at 10.4926
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Last July we had a farang tout, Dutch or Belgian I think, try to help us out at 5.15am by offering his services with a taxi ride and hotel in Pattaya. We were heading for central Bangkok. Has anybody else come across this guy?
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uberbraun
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Discussion 25 : 29 Sep 2012 at 10.3225
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Lots of hot air, as usual. And, as usual, NOTHING will be done. All talk, no action. Corruption prevails over everything. Absolutely Amazing Thailand.
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wvavin
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Discussion 24 : 29 Sep 2012 at 10.2624
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This problem would never be solved because the police are having a great share in whatever these touts are earning. Nobody is going to break their piggybanks.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 23 : 29 Sep 2012 at 10.2123
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I ride Bangkok taxis almost every day and rarely have a problem. The majority are friendly and happy to chat with someone who speaks their language. However, I know enough to avoid taxis that are parked and waiting to "ambush" a foreigner. Always flag down a moving taxi, especially in tourist areas. As to the airport, play by the rules. Take the legal taxis. I've never had one of them fail to be polite.
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phetpeter
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Discussion 22 : 29 Sep 2012 at 09.5422
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Many prey on foreigners from 11pm to 2am when many flights arrive from Europe and only three security officials are on duty.

But the report says there are 3 teams of 39? But, not at night? When many flights arrive from Europe! So, the airport doesn't care about those from Europe? At night, when the airport rail link is shut and most want to get to their hotels, safely and without a big chunk of change removed by thses touts and taxi's!
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tg1955
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Discussion 21 : 29 Sep 2012 at 09.4421
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@jwatch Disc 15: Agree fully. The only problem is that there is absolutely no assurance that the powers-that-be will appoint honest and trustworthy individuals. It is a vicious cyle here in Thailand. You might ask: Can we change the people behind the power? Now that's a monumental task to do.
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hillfarang
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Discussion 20 : 29 Sep 2012 at 09.1520
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Yea.. we all know about this.

The most effective solution is to educate the foreigners to ignore them and continue to the legit cabbies.

Severe penalties would also be helpful. Since tourism is so important to Thailand, I like the idea of confiscating their vehicles upon conviction!
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barryw
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Discussion 19 : 29 Sep 2012 at 09.1019
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I saw the one-way gate being tested earlier this year. It is in fact a turnstile, which is totally impractical for people with luggage. So, instead of providing enough security staff to catch the crooks AOT prefers to inconvenience tens of thousands of passengers each day. I have no idea how you get suitcases through a turnstile. Another scheme that hasn't been thought through. Classic 'Thainess'.
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Airport vultures still circle prey | Bangkok Post: news