Once we step near a curb, we get deluged by men wanting to take us in their taxi or tuk-tuk (three wheeled motorbike with carriage to ride in, roof for the sun). Automatically the price can be as much as five times normal for a foreigner. You have to say "meter" over and over to get them to agree to normal metered rates. As we came out of five star restaurant last night, they would not relent at all - possibly because they figured we were rich farongs if we were at the restaurant. Even when Erin pointed at them and said "shame on you!" in Thai. One man rolled his eyes and just waved us disgustedly away. One nice cab driver named Chai calls them the "mafia" because they try to monopolize the Farong business at hotels and such by stationing a "guide" to help you. We had to ask one guy who was badgering us "are you even a cab driver?" (no) and walk away.
We had to cross the street and walk away from the restaurant for a bit before we found a pliable tuk-tuk driver, but even he wanted more than the normal rate (about $4 instead of the $2-3).
It is not uncommon at sites to see one entrance for Thais that is free and a paid line for the rest of us.
Still, most Thais are smiling and friendly people (I will relate the opposite when I recount my three attempts to clear customs later).
No comments:
Post a Comment