Songthaew (Baht Bus) Fare Decoder
Per-person cost by city, route type, and number of stops.
What this solves
Songthaews are pickup-truck buses that run on fixed loops in Chiang Mai, Patong, Krabi Town, and Hat Yai. The color signals the city: red = Chiang Mai, yellow = Phuket, blue/orange/green = Krabi, green = Hat Yai. Tourists are routinely overcharged 5–10x because they assume the truck is negotiable, or because they don't know to ask "ao rao?" (where are you going?) before boarding.
This decoder applies the published fixed-route fare tables and the typical negotiable band for private hires, so you can spot the difference and refuse to pay tourist-rate overcharges.
How to read results
Fixed-route shared songthaews charge per person, typically 10–30 baht per ride in town, 30–60 baht for longer intercity routes. Negotiable songthaews charge the whole truck (typically 150–400 baht for short charters and 500–1500 baht for half-day trips). If a driver quotes a per-person price on a negotiable route, that is unusual — clarify before boarding.
Limitations
- Fixed-route pricing assumes intra-city loops only; intercity routes follow different tables.
- Some tourist-heavy areas (Patong beach road) have unofficial price-fixing — quoted price may not match calculator.
- Negotiable rates vary by distance, time, weather (rain premium), and group size — calculator outputs a typical band.
FAQ
How do I know if it's fixed or negotiable?
If the songthaew follows a numbered route or follows a circular loop with regular stops, it is fixed (per-person fare). If you wave it down and ask "where to?" the driver quotes the trip total, it is negotiable. In Chiang Mai Old City, all red trucks are fixed-route.
Can I bargain on a fixed-route songthaew?
No — and asking will mark you as a tourist. The fare is small (10–30 baht) and the driver runs the loop all day. Pay the displayed fare, sit down, and wave when you want to get off.
What if the driver quotes 200 baht for a 10-baht loop?
Politely decline and take the next one. Most fixed-route trucks come every 5–10 minutes. Do not pay above the listed fare — drivers rely on tourist unfamiliarity.
Sources
- Chiang Mai City Life — published songthaew zone map and fare table.
- Phuket Smart City — official Phuket Town songthaew routes.
- Krabi Provincial Transport Office — Krabi Town shared songthaew fare schedule.