Taxi boats Bangkok

A taxi boat is a really cheap method to explore Bangkok and not to be confused with sightseeing boats. Although used extensively by the locals as a means to travel back and forth work in the city. This means of transport is often overlooked by tourists who prefer to use a normal taxi or perhaps are unaware. This is a pity because you can see the real life of the inhabitants of Bangkok going about their daily business. Also using a normal taxi to get around the city to see the attractions will take you considerably longer because of the busy traffic conditions and of course a much higher fare.

At each location is a notice of the stops on route to allow passengers to disembark and others to board. To keep your bearings simply count the number of stops for your return journey or better still carry a map of Bangkok with you.

The cost whatever distance is 20 baht per person and finding an embarkation point is easy. Look under the larger bridges you will see passengers awaiting boats or see the boats themselves. You will find no kiosks for payment , as all payments are made on the boat itself whilst in motion. Although not overly dangerous care should be taken on entering or leaving the boat especially in wet weather or busy to avoid slipping an accident.

Thai's in Bangkok always seem in a rush to go somewhere, especially going to work and return journeys home. The idea is to board as quickly as possible and sit down on the available wooden bench seats. Its seems that everyone gets on board however much space is available, everyone moving inwards to allow others to follow. Any regulations on the number of passengers if there are any are ignored. If you are unfortunate not to get a seat you will just have to hang on tight to rope draped above you. These boats run to strict timetables and don't hang around too long and soon you will be off and some knots if standing you will have to hang on tight.

Payment of fare is to conductors usually young women who run around the outside of the boat whilst in motion. These ladies look strange as they wear crash helmets to avoid banging their heads on the metal rail the the supports the roof of the boat. The system is that passengers pass money up to the conductor and if you are not near pass to an adjacent passenger who passes it through the other passengers. A tip is to have the correct money to avoid the delay of getting change from the conductor as this holds up proceedings.

Taxi boats run from early morning till about 9 at night and are busiest at commuter times as would be expected. Sometimes on long journeys you might have to swop boats mid way.

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