Grab Buys Uber’s Southeast Asia Business, Ending Service in Thailand in Two Weeks from Today

[lapamita]

since 7 years not iusing taxis in pattaya, except 10 baht trips.

 

bcs very fed up from bullshit

 

since uber and grab. i use cars again , bcs nice people driving 100 times better than the taxi shit

 

and i know price before

 

city and /or back for me  260-320 baht o/w  withou headache

 

taxi price , depending how stupid i look on the day and the time 300-700..and meter is a non existing word for them

 

even in other countrys like malaysia and phillis  and so on, makes live a lot easyer and holidays enjoy able

[Different]

It is only service company name change.

[JSixpack]

41 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

No one holding guns to the heads of the drivers. They choose to be a GRAB or Uber driver. Can part ways anytime. Big difference 'tween exploitation and underpaying. If they are, indeed, the same...well hell, most of Thailand's workforce is being exploited. 

 

True. I dunno where it is that one gets paid a lot for doing a low-skilled, low-risk job that's also legal and moral.

 

Though it's a low-skilled job, it's unfair to portray the drivers as idiots unaware of the economics. I know an ex-IT geek in the USA who's been an Uber driver for some time. He's totally aware of the numbers and they work for him. The Uber drivers I've dealt with seem bright enough to understand the business they're in.

 

Typically our members decry native Thai productions and efforts and call for foreign expertise to set things right. The online 90-day report is a fine example of native Thai software development.

 

If foreign companies do business in Thailand for the benefit of consumers here (wish one would rewrite the online 90-day report software), they deserve compensation. They've made investments and brought tech, expertise, service, product, and jobs here that wouldn't otherwise exist. Most Thais are obviously happy with such foreign franchises as 7/11, for example--beat the pants off the old mom & pop stores. No, working as a 7/11 cashier isn't going to pay as much as IT geek. And that makes perfect sense. 

 

Our forum Occupy Wall Streeters really wouldn't be happy if their chants resulted in what they think they want. They'd change the chants to the usual "Thais are stupid and incompetent" and "I'm being scammed."

 

 

 

[Telly]

It's nice to pay more reasonable prices for your ride in comparison to the Mafia.

But it comes at the expense of the driver.

Through sleight of hand uber puffs up the income letting the driver think there's big bucks to make.

Whereas grab charges pennies and driver earns pennies.

That's why there's a lack of drivers for grab. once the driver starts counting they run to uber.

Same modus operandi be it Thailand or Philippines or Singapore.

Outcome will be same like when uber sell out to didi.

Fares will start shooting up, riders pay more, but drivers earn constant or lesser while grab sucks everything up. 

Grab is a Malaysia company and like to suck you dry quietly.

[KittenKong]

Destroyed local cab/limo/bus services

Anything that puts a nail in the coffin of Pattaya "metered" taxi thieves is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. You will never find one who will use his meter.
Destruction is too good for them.

[impulse]

4 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

I know one happy Uber driver. He can work whenever he wants and the pay is reasonable, compared to other jobs he has done.

 

Will Uber simple cease to exist in Thailand or will they run it in parallel with Grab? 

 

I'm sure the economics are different in Thailand (and you can argue about the incremental cost of putting miles on a vehicle you already own, etc), but this video explains that driving for Uber is a way to generate some immediate cash, but eventually that goes away to pay for the car- upkeep, depreciation, etc.  It's a lot like payday loans.  The ideal candidate is someone who doesn't really understand money and needs cash today at the expense of the long haul.

 

 

[0815]

2 hours ago, harrycallahan said:

In Philippines I use Grab and am driven by guilt to tip at least 20% more than meter price. It's ludicrously cheap. 

Chiang Mai : TAXI 400THB / UBER 247THB for the same distance...

[MaxLee]

The Taxi Mafia will be happy........ 

[Jimbo53]

5 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Damn, no more pratumnak hill stays for me.

 

Why not? You just call Grab instead of Uber,the times i have compared/used them from Pratumnak,where i live Grab has been cheaper.

[arithai12]

2 hours ago, Justfine said:

Just use a cab or bus.

ok ok we get it, you despise Uber or Grab.

Now come to Chiang Mai and try to use a cab or bus, and tell us how you love it.

[JSixpack]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

I'm sure the economics are different in Thailand (and you can argue about the incremental cost of putting miles on a vehicle you already own, etc), but this video explains that driving for Uber is a way to generate some immediate cash, but eventually that goes away to pay for the car- upkeep, depreciation, etc.  It's a lot like payday loans.  The ideal candidate is someone who doesn't really understand money and needs cash today at the expense of the long haul.

 

 

 

Sponsored by Lyft.

 

Doesn't get the tax angle right among other things. You need to read the comments where she's taken to task by some serious number crunchers. Suggest you not be so easily convinced.

 

- This chick is fool of nonsense and reading a bad script full of inaccurate information.

 

- $57,720-8020(maintenance)-taxes$2,282=$47,418/2080 is $22.79 per hour for the Uber driver.

 

- Thanks for your explanation and I do also see her math and assumptions doesn't add up, like "it cost the drivers to drive for Uber" I drive here in Toronto and the average hour is $27, I have a BMW so I manage go make $33-35 an hour After I take out all taxes, depreciation and everything you have to, I still keep $22/hr clean about $45,000 plus per year net Not bad just for driving around

 

 

 

 

 

[Justfine]

1 hour ago, arithai12 said:

ok ok we get it, you despise Uber or Grab.

Now come to Chiang Mai and try to use a cab or bus, and tell us how you love it.

Usually just hire a car and leave the city.

[Justfine]

7 minutes ago, JSixpack said:

 

Sponsored by Lyft.

 

Doesn't get the tax angle right among other things. You need to read the comments where she's taken to task by some serious number crunchers. Suggest you not be so easily convinced.

 

- This chick is fool of nonsense and reading a bad script full of inaccurate information.

 

- $57,720-8020(maintenance)-taxes$2,282=$47,418/2080 is $22.79 per hour for the Uber driver.

 

- Thanks for your explanation and I do also see her math and assumptions doesn't add up, like "it cost the drivers to drive for Uber" I drive here in Toronto and the average hour is $27, I have a BMW so I manage go make $33-35 an hour After I take out all taxes, depreciation and everything you have to, I still keep $22/hr clean about $45,000 plus per year net Not bad just for driving around

 

 

 

 

 

Free fuel hey. 

[Sure]

Have enjoyed Uber in Bangkok the last few years. Won't be migrating to Grab

[JSixpack]

25 minutes ago, Justfine said:

Free fuel hey. 

 

No.

[Lacessit]

Uber in Chiang Mai is roughly one-third the cost of a taxi.

[elektrified]

9 hours ago, Justfine said:

"empowering" 

 

They are exploiting people via an app. IT geeks are the only ones making good money.

Tell that to the drivers in Bangkok making 30-40K per month.

[Justfine]

25 minutes ago, elektrified said:

Tell that to the drivers in Bangkok making 30-40K per month.

That's not much after expenses.

[Justfine]

46 minutes ago, elektrified said:

Tell that to the drivers in Bangkok making 30-40K per month.

35,000 less

22,500 fuel

5,000 car finance

2,000 maintenance

5,000 commercial insurance

 

Net 500 baht

[Skeptic7]

2 hours ago, Sure said:

Have enjoyed Uber in Bangkok the last few years. Won't be migrating to Grab

Use them both. Prefer GRAB mostly, but Uber was a good backup and sometimes actually cheaper. Give GRAB a try. Think you will be pleasantly surprised. There is GRAB Car too, so you can have a more Uber-like experience, if adverse to riding in taxis. 

[ExpatOilWorker]

4 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I'm sure the economics are different in Thailand (and you can argue about the incremental cost of putting miles on a vehicle you already own, etc), but this video explains that driving for Uber is a way to generate some immediate cash, but eventually that goes away to pay for the car- upkeep, depreciation, etc.  It's a lot like payday loans.  The ideal candidate is someone who doesn't really understand money and needs cash today at the expense of the long haul.

 

 

I doubt any taxi or Uber driver pay any tax in Thailand. Using CNG as fuel their cost, including depreciation, insurance, maintenance!!, etc is probably 3-5 baht/km.

[Skeptic7]

7 minutes ago, Justfine said:

35,000 less

22,500 fuel

5,000 car finance

2,000 maintenance

5,000 commercial insurance

 

Net 500 baht

While your concern for Thai taxi/GRAB/Uber wages is curious to say the least...(are you one of them?)  Am certain that no regular driver earns only B500/month. Surely a highly exaggerated exaggeration, but FAR from realistic. Had you used B5000 net...that would still have been an unrealistic exaggeration. 

[Justfine]

53 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

While your concern for Thai taxi/GRAB/Uber wages is curious to say the least...(are you one of them?)  Am certain that no regular driver earns only B500/month. Surely a highly exaggerated exaggeration, but FAR from realistic. Had you used B5000 net...that would still have been an unrealistic exaggeration. 

The number is low whatever it is. It's expensive running vehicles.

 

It's a mlm scam more or less.

[Justfine]

57 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

I doubt any taxi or Uber driver pay any tax in Thailand. Using CNG as fuel their cost, including depreciation, insurance, maintenance!!, etc is probably 3-5 baht/km.

Fuel is very expensive compared to fare prices. Out of an 80 baht fare there wouldn't be much left after fuel, maintenance, insurance etc.

 

Even large bus companies in the west who charge high prices and use economies of scale go broke.

 

 

[Justfine]

40,000 less

22,500 fuel

5,000 car finance

2,000 maintenance

3,000 insurance

 

Net 7,500 baht or 250 baht a day.

 

Still less than a foot massage gal.

[Skeptic7]

30 minutes ago, Justfine said:

The number is low whatever it is. It's expensive running vehicles.

 

It's a mlm scam more or less.

As mentioned previously...most of the Thai workforce are grossly underpaid compared to their Western world counterparts doing the same jobs at the same establishments. 

 

Prices are the same here at big name hotels & restaurants, fast food joints and convenience stores and supermarkets...while the employees here are paid piss poor wages. Construction workers too. 

 

It's certainly not at all unique or restricted to only drivers. 

[Justfine]

6 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

As mentioned previously...most of the Thai workforce are grossly underpaid compared to their Western world counterparts doing the same jobs at the same establishments. 

 

Prices are the same here at big name hotels & restaurants, fast food joints and convenience stores and supermarkets...while the employees here are paid piss poor wages. Construction workers too. 

 

It's certainly not at all unique or restricted to only drivers. 

Easier working in 7/11 than driving through Bangkok traffic.

 

[Skeptic7]

6 minutes ago, Justfine said:

Easier working in 7/11 than driving through Bangkok traffic.

 

Agreed...

 

That said,  the drivers are free to apply at 7-11 or Micky D's anytime they choose. Not being forced to navigate BKK traffic for a living. Can work in air-con all day and still make shit for wages. 

 

Seems something is keeping so many of them behind the wheel...

[Woodsie888]

5 hours ago, Sure said:

Have enjoyed Uber in Bangkok the last few years. Won't be migrating to Grab

Guess you won't be using Uber either..............

[Justfine]

11 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Agreed...

 

That said,  the drivers are free to apply at 7-11 or Micky D's anytime they choose. Not being forced to navigate BKK traffic for a living. Can work in air-con all day and still make shit for wages. 

 

Seems something is keeping so many of them behind the wheel...

You could say the same about tuk tuk drivers.