My first six times that I flew into patong, I took the minibus. Usually got the song and dance at the travel agent, but quickly learned that if I started taliking to them in Thai, they didn't bother me.
The last time, decided I wanted to get to the hotel faster,and avoid the waiting for the minibus to load up and the staop at the travel agent. I went out to the taxis, and they said OK, 600 or 650 Baht. I said 500 Baht, no more. I walked away, and they came after me and said OK, 500 Baht.
Then I got the golf course drive and had to tell him I hate ****ing golf(untrue).Then he said he had to stop somewhere. Let's just say I got very upset. He had asked me if I had a room booked, and I said I'm staying at the place I always stay(not true), on one of the paradise sois, but I can't remember the name. Just drop me off at Paradise. He insisted on taking me to an agent. I said, "Look, I know the whole f*cking travel agent scam. I hire YOU to drive me where I want to go and that is what you are going to do. I hired YOU so I could avoid going to a travel agent's office like the minibus does. Drive to Patong and DO NOT stop anywhere along the way. He argued with me a bit, but I just argued more, and for everything he said, I *****ed at him twice as much, until he couldn't stand listening to me rag on him any more.
Then we drove the rest of the way in Stony silence. He dropped me on one of the Paradise sois, and the I found the hotel I was looking for which is funky but cheap. I spend one night there, then go shopping for a hotel in the morning. I generally don't book in advance, 'cause I like to go around and see who wants to give me a deal. It is easier to bargain on a room when you are not carrying bags.
BTW, when I took a taxi from the airport to BKK, I just blew by the pretty ladies trying to sell me taxis for from 550 Baht to 750 Baht, went out to the curb and got a taxi for 300 Baht. The driver was awesome. Drove me to 4 different hotels of my choosing, he didn't even make a suggestion. We drove around BKK for nearly an hour,with him waiting outside, while I went in and got told "no rooms at the inn." The guy was a saint, and did not ask for one Baht more for all the extra time and assistance. I gave him a 100 Baht tip.
JayBee
