Non-Metered Taxis

If a taxi driver won't turn on his meter, simply flag another one. 

Almost as soon as you exit the airport, you might encounter a taxi driver who offers to take you anywhere you want in the city for an agreed-upon price.  Always ask for a meter.  If they refuse, simply walk away and try a different taxi.  Don't worry; cities like Bangkok and Chang Mai are full of taxis. 

If you travel away from Bangkok to places like Phuket or Krabi, you might be at the mercy of whatever taxi systems exist.  Many taxis outside of the major cities operate on flat fees, so the "metered taxi" rule doesn't always apply. 

Tuk-tuks are another exception.  These are motorized rickshaws that are extremely popular with Western tourists (and extremely unpopular with almost everyone else).  We could not, in good conscious, advise you against trying a tuk-tuk at least once, since they are kind of fun the first time.  But understand that tuk-tuks are usually not metered either, so you'll have to negotiate a price before you jump in. 

Whether you take a metered taxi, non-metered taxi, or tuk-tuk, you might eventually encounter a driver who insists on directing you towards a shop that sells gems, fabrics, or tailoring services.  We don't want to label all such drivers (or shops) as illegitimate, but it's probably a good idea to politely refuse their invitations.  There are plenty of reputable gem shops and tailors throughout Thailand.  Try to stick with those mentioned in your guidebook.