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Its common not only in Asia that taxi driver have a tendency not to turn on the taxi meter but rather charge an inflated figure particularly if the passenger are foreign tourist not familiar with the local situation. At Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport this habit seems to be particularly prevailing and this even if the passenger uses the official taxi rank where a piece of paper is issued indicating that the passenger should pay the fare “ As shown on the meter” The fare asked would usually about be twice as much as the regular fare would be.
Experienced travellers actually avoid the official taxi rank but fetch a taxi at the departure hall one floor up from the arrival section. There is no taxi queue but departing passenger arriving all the time and it is easy to hop in to an arriving taxi after the passenger got out. There seems to be no problem there with taxis using the meter. Perhaps the driver are happy to fetch a fare without having to wait in a rank. This is also the advantage that the passenger does not have to wait in the official queue which could be lengthy depends on time of day.
However most important for not Thai speaking passengers; have the complete address of your destination written down in Thai language. Even names of 5* hotels may not be understood by the driver since the Thai name may not be the same as the English name. There are numerous information booths in the arrival section where someone there would be happy to write it down for you. Make sure you have ample change to pay your fare, the taxi driver may not have change. The rate used by the money changer at the airport is unfavourable .
Tip to save money; If you arrive late at night when there is little traffic. No need to use the toll way if you are heading to an downtown or riverside hotel.. The driver would usually ask if you like to use the toll way.
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