What customers say...

“Of course, cabbies turn clients down a lot, but using an app means a car is guaranteed. I don’t flag down cabs any more, I just use a app,” she said. 

Saiyai uses three apps – Grab Taxi, Easy Taxi, Uber – and since she travels a lot she uses taxi apps in other countries too. “I prefer using apps because a car is guaranteed. I don’t want to stand in the rain or heat for half an hour and not get a cab.” 

Grab Taxi is her favourite, she said, because it has better customer service and more cars. Also the drivers are polite and well trained. “They are very polite and quiet, which is important as I work while travelling.”

 

CHIRAWAT SITARACHIYANON, general manager of SIS Distribution (Thailand), said Grab Taxi was his first choice, though sometimes he uses Uber because, if your destination is a bit far or the traffic is bad, Grab Taxi may not bid for the job. With Uber though, if a driver signs in, he will have to go everywhere. With Easy Taxi, sometimes there isn’t even a cab visible on the app. 

“I don’t drive, which is why I regularly use public transport,” he said. 

 

SURIN KHIEWSART, founder of http://iphone-droid.net, said he uses Grab Taxi often as it is convenient, especially during the rainy season. 

“It is convenient and safe. When a cab is booked, the user gets the driver’s name, photo and mobile number right away,” Surin said. 

 

CHYU SRIMATTAYAKUL, marketing consultant at Chuo Senko (Thailand) and co-founder of Thumbsup, said he first used Grab Taxi to get a cab on a rainy night. 

“The driver was well mannered and drove well. Normally, I drive, but I opt for the app when it is a total necessity, like when it’s raining or I am at a location where it’s not easy to get a cab,” Chyu said. 

 

JR VISITKITJAKARN, who has used both Grab Taxi and Uber, said he doesn’t always get a cab with Grab Taxi but with Uber, he is never disappointed. “Grab Taxi would be better if they can provide some level of guarantee. The drivers also need better training as they are not service minded,” he said. 

 

NAKRIN LERDNAMWONG, chief executive officer and co-founder at Innovation Plus, uses both Grab Taxi and Uber. “I always use an app to get a cab and sometimes, even get a discount. Drivers have also told me that they are happy to be part of the service. I think this business has great potential in Thailand,” he said. 

 

WORRATHAS WONGTHAI, a blogger with www.tredy2.mobi, said he used both Grab Taxi and Uber and was happy with both as they had good cars and polite drivers. It’s very convenient. 

 

NEENA NEERACHA, a TV presenter, said she preferred using Grab Taxi because it was easy and did not require having to wait for a passing cab on the street. Also, it ensures safety because the app immediately gives her the driver’s information. 

 

CHATPOL CHARIMOBHAS said he uses Grab Taxi when he has to make an early flight, as it is safe and convenient. Also, the cab arrives in minutes to pick him up.

 

SIRINOOCH ARCH-YAEMSUAN said she really loves Grab Taxi because it’s easy and convenient. 

“My home is at the end of a long alley, so it’s difficult to get a cab. With this app, a cab can pick me up at home. Also it is safe because the cab has GPS. Sometimes, I also get a discount and pay less than the fare on the metre. I use both Easy Taxi and Grab Taxi, but lately I’ve been using Grab Taxi more because it has a lot of promotions,” she said. 

 

SUMANEE KAI uses Uber and loves it. 

 

SATHA PED said he used Easy Taxi and was happy with their service, adding that he preferred using the app rather than using taxi radio. 

 

NONTICHA SORNSANSANEE said she used Grab Taxi when she had to catch a flight very early in the morning and found it very convenient and safe. 

 

CHAVARONG LIMPATTAMAPANEE said he used Grab Taxi because it has a lot of cars and it is easy to get a cab quickly. But, he said, the app’s GPS was not very good and could not find the exact location of the passenger. Easy Taxi, on the other hand, doesn’t have as many cabs, but has better GPS and can pinpoint the passenger’s exact location. 

“However, both apps get in the same trouble at rush hour,” he said. 

 

MAPRANG PRAWATPATTANAKUL always uses an app to get a cab on a rainy day, as it is convenient and safe. Also, she is almost always guaranteed a cab. “A driver once told me that he was booked on an app, but the passenger did not wait,” Maprang said.