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What should you do if your Grab driver is lost in Thailand?
GrabTaxi DriversNavigation IssuesExperiences in ThailandMap ApplicationsAdvice for TravelersExpats in ThailandTourist Experiences
Oct 19, 2024
2 years ago
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI think our Grab driver is completely lost. He keeps stopping to ask people and he’s spoken to our hotel twice but still doesn’t seem to know where we’re going. He said the map was wrong on the app when I put the hotel’s address in. No clue where we are or what to do now.
UPDATE - We are at the hotel. He stopped about 5 times and called the hotel three times and eventually I managed to persuade him to use my phone and Apple Maps which did show it correctly. His phone didn’t show it right and Grab didn’t show it right either.
UPDATE - We are at the hotel. He stopped about 5 times and called the hotel three times and eventually I managed to persuade him to use my phone and Apple Maps which did show it correctly. His phone didn’t show it right and Grab didn’t show it right either.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original post details a frustrating experience with a Grab driver who was unable to find the correct destination, despite multiple calls to the hotel and asking for directions from locals. After several stops and attempts to use the app, the traveler successfully directed the driver using Apple Maps on their phone. The comments provide varied advice, including using alternative map applications like Google Maps or Waze, getting a business card with the hotel address in Thai, and even suggestions to remain calm and consider it part of the adventure, as navigation can be challenging in Thailand.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Marcus ************
Welcome to Thailand 😂
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marcus ***********
three weeks in and this was the first grab issue I’ve had. No bad really but I know now to constantly double check their route to what I have on my phone and just be a bit firmer when they refuse to follow what I can see on my maps app. You usually think drivers know their areas better than you but I guess not. Someone said half of them have come in from the countryside to earn more money and have no idea where they are either.Reply to
Kate *******
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Kevin **********
And the point of your post is?
Edgar ************
Posting on Facebook will not solve this particular problem, but if you're looking for validation - yes, thai taxi drivers are notoriously idiots.
Nick ************
I have had very few problems with Grab drivers in Bangkok. Always arrive quickly and farexagreed in advance. I use Google maps to track the route and it has always worked perfectly. Even train journeys can be planned on Google maps and it makes it very easy.
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ***********
I had it on Apple Maps but he kept saying my map was wrong and refused for an HOUR to follow my maps app. Which was indeed right, all along 🤦🏻♀️Nick ************
@Kate ******
I've never used apple maps.Reply to
Nick ************
Reply
Mark **********
🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🙏😎✌️🔥🏆💯
Ken *******
This has happened every time we have gone to Bangkok
Steven ********
Should of got old fashioned taxi
Kevin ******
Posting here won’t help much; happy you finally made it.
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin *****
It absolutaly did, I’ve had some great suggestions to help avoid it happening again and reassurance that it happens a lot and wasn’t anything overly alarming, just good old fashioned incompetence.Kevin ******
@Kate ******
that’s great. I actually meant they may not help in real time in a visa forum. I’m disappointed this happened to you. In 12 years of living in BKK, this has never happened to me. Not a good impression for you. Enjoy the rest of your trip.Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin *****
it’s ‘Visa and everything else’ and tends to have a few less idiots than many of the other Thailand groups. First issue like this we’ve had in three weeks in the country so far so it’s all good, we’ll plod on.Kevin ******
@Kate ******
forgive me. Enjoy your trip.Reply to
Kevin ******
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John **********
I imagine you are in BKK. Many, many drivers (or would be drivers) arrive in the Big City never having been there before. Most from the countryside are totally unfamiliar with Google Map technology bc 2 wks ago when directing the buffalos he knew the way 😏😂
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
Yep, we’re back in Bangkok. They were fantastic in Hua Hin to be fair.John **********
@Kate ******
Got ya. BKK is a maze compared to HHReply to
John **********
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Terary **********
That does happen here. Worse, in some places the GPS will be off so it sends you all kinds of crazy places.
Jacob ***********
I had a taxi driver do this once except I had a map on my phone and he didn't believe it was right.
He kept stopping to ask people and going in random directions based off what other people would say. He refused to follow my instructions until there were no more Thai people to ask.
It was very annoying.
He kept stopping to ask people and going in random directions based off what other people would say. He refused to follow my instructions until there were no more Thai people to ask.
It was very annoying.
****
would not recommend hahahaKate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jacob **********
that is literally exactly what happened! It was an hour before he would use Apple Maps on my phone.Jacob ***********
@Kate ******
trust everyone except the customer because they are a foreigner and must be confused.I didn't take that taxi again.
Reply to
Jacob ***********
Reply
Michael ********
I use grab and google maps a lot never had any issues
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
Me neither until now.Reply to
Kate *******
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Nerissa *******
This is pretty normal haha. When I lived in Samut Prakan the taxis never knew where I was going. Only when I learnt to say the Soi name properly in Thai did I get home gone every time. I usually had to give a station name, then direct them to my flat in Thailand to get there.
Andy ******
Wouldn't be the first time I actually had to show the Grab taxi driver where to go and watch if you have online account as last month one Grab driver charged me full fare and didn't even pick me up from location but it was a no access zone on a Saturday night ,only supposed to charge you 30 baht if it's a no show
Dan *********
It happens in Indonesia with me as well. Some of the grab drivers here are literally idiots
Sam *******
@Kate ******
great to hear you finally got there...that 1st drink is probably already finished ,good luck and enjoy.....PS...if you install the Line app on your phone which is very popular thru-out asia,everyone uses it including businesses.It has a "my location" feature which you can use for locating another party.....google and check it out....goodluck.🍺Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sam ******
Thanks, I do have Line but set it up with my phone number not my temporary Thai phone number and it wouldn’t let my messages get through to any of my Thai friends. Have to start again with it. I don’t think it would have helped in this case though as my location was in the car with the Grab driver, both utterly lost! 😂 This is the 7th hotel we’ve been to and first time we’ve had any problems.Reply to
Kate *******
Reply
Will *********
Google maps has voiceover directions.
I use it for travelling around Thailand but I also use it walking around places like Bangkok
I use it for travelling around Thailand but I also use it walking around places like Bangkok
John *******
It's all part of the experience keep smiling 😁
Scott *********
TIT
Dieter *******
This is really a very important issue 🤣🤣🤣🤣
SJ *******
Business as usual they get it wrong on your Baht.
Mike *******
Line man > grab
Sam *********
It won’t take long for someone to make this whole thing about “losing face”…guys, not everything in Thailand comes down to face…
Andy **********
It annoys me when they go around in circles for one hour, and decline any help with directions, and then expect you to pay the extra fare, it's Up to the driver to know where they are going, if it's he/she's the drivers fault, you shouldn't be expected to pay any extra, but I always have because of all the time and fuel wasted 🙄😳
Sherry *****
Get out of car. Call new driver.
Joseph *********
I taught adults English in Chiang Mai....Thais cannot read maps lol.
There knowledge of official geography is amazing.
I love them and miss them so much.
All covids fault.
There knowledge of official geography is amazing.
I love them and miss them so much.
All covids fault.
Keith *******
Thats Thailand.
Darren *******
Go and meet with him are you lazy or just stupid
David ********
Go back to the airport and get the next flight home. If you can't get to the hotel the first night you won't survive in Thailand 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *******
Where did I say it was my first night? This is the 7th hotel we’ve stayed at and the first time we’ve had any issues.David ********
@Kate ******
your in the big smoke now haha don't know why you would be posting this here. Google maps your hotel easy. Never listen to driver in bkk you control your paying if he doesn't listen stop get out. Your traveling survive or die 🤣Reply to
David ********
Reply
James *********
As long as he didn't charge more
Hector *********
Always use your own maps too because iv had grab Waze fail a few times especially if your outside the city .
Loretta *******
Yeah!!!!
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTERGod help me if I need to order Food Panda from here! 😂🤦🏻♀️ It’s a lovely hotel too, just nobody seems to know where the heck it is.
Joey ***********
@Kate ******
Grab Food always find their way. Because usually they are just nearby the areas and they know where your hotel. while Grab from the airport is not familiar with the place.Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Joey **********
it wasn't from the airpirt, I've been here three weeks. We were leaving from Khao San RoadJoey ***********
@Kate ******
i mean the driver maybe not familiar with the place.Reply to
Joey ***********
Reply
Kool *******
They all use Google maps, and it is very seldom wrong.
Barbara ******
Ask hotel for another landmark location beside them
Edward ******
Address numbers in Thailand are very very very confusing. In some places the number is based upon the date the building permit was issued. So I’m sure the driver was trying his best it’s happened twice like this in about 200 trips in Thailand.
Roger **********
All the hotel staff. They will direct the driver. Sounds like a stitch up.
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roger *********
we called them three times. It did get a bit unnerving to be honest.Roger **********
@Kate ******
so all good now? Kate, next time jump on the airport link to Payattay , 45 thb then taxi to your hotel. Hail a cab in in easy, 30-80 baht.
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roger *********
we’ve been here three weeks already, we weren’t coming from the airport.Reply to
Kate *******
Reply
Loretta *******
Call the hotel and let them talk ☺️
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Loretta ******
We did, three times! 🤦🏻♀️Loretta *******
@Kate ******
just keep calling and let them talk until he figures it out...just try not to show being frustrated or upset ....Thais don't handle that wellReply to
Loretta *******
Reply
Jason ******
Not sure how posting to strangers in a visa advice site is going to help😂😂what has iPhones and social media done to humans 😂😂😂🤯
Sally **********
@Jason *****
I was thinking the same thing. How on Earth did I survive travelling all those years without social media 😂Reply to
Sally **********
Reply
Piotr *******
Many drivers don’t understand maps 😏
Chris ******
Welcome to เกรงใจ
Sam *********
@Chris *****
Chris Birdbut he asked a bunch of people for directions. He even called the hotel If there really was เกรงใจ he wouldn’t have asked anyone in the first place. Not everything is about face all the time.Chris ******
@Sam ********
that's exactly why he asked a bunch of people 🤡 and that's exactly why "he even called the hotel" 🤡 .. you've alot to learn and don't quite get what เกรงใจ means . One of the reasons Farlang can't speak Thai is the fact that it doesn't translate into English and MANY things are lost in translation .. drop your EGO and it will start to make sense in a year or two.Sam *********
Chris Bird…..If he really was เกรงใจ he wouldn’t have asked anyone in the first place, he would have feigned knowing and done all he could to keep up that air…not let in that he was clueless..He called the hotel and asked a bunch of people, which CLEARLY shows that he was acknowledging the fact that he DID NOT KNOW and was open to having another individual correct his course...If he felt เกรงใจ and hesitant to show his lack of knowledge on this particular destination, he would have done no such thing… this is the most important point of this whole story…had he NOT reached out or asked for assistance, your point would be valid, but he did……your reaction says more about you than anything else, calling me a clown for questioning your take on the matter….no where in my post was I aggressive or resorting to name calling, that was all you. seems like it’s your ego that cannot bear it when your take on things in questioned…also, just because there are some things that can’t translate into Englsih from Thai, doesn’t have a whole lot of bearing on why some ฝรั่ง can‘t speak Thai…ridiculous logic.
Chris ******
@Sam ********
you're wrong again ,he isn't worried about losing face to the hotel or the fellow Thais that he's asking ,as he's a taxi driver ,lol. BUT he is exercising เกรงใจ by getting you to the destination . You don't get it and I understand why . Learning basic fluency in Thai only takes about 1750 hours . Two lessons a week for the next 6 years will sort that . Then things wont get lost in translation ....This is brilliant "also, just because there are some things that can’t translate into Englsih from Thai, doesn’t have a whole lot of bearing on why some ฝรั่ง can‘t speak Thai " Thats exactly why 99% cant speak it . You need a clown imoji more than ever, but I refrained.Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris *****
today is going to be equally as eventful, this was my dinner last night and I was too blind to notice until I’d already eaten some and then ended up throwing up all evening. I didn’t make any fuss but did point it out and they brought me a new one that still a bit questionable. Then the vomiting started 😂🤦🏻♀️Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThey came to my room later with the manager on the phone and they’d brought milk and water and medicine and stuff, bless them. The manager asked if I needed a doctor and wanted to know if I was ok but I said it was just the chicken, it’ll be fine when it’s all up, no big deal. Well, none of them had told her about the chicken! 😂 Oops. She wants to speak to me today and see the picture. I took it so I could send it to my mum and ask if something was wrong with it as it didn’t feel right.
Partially blind travel is quite an adventure to say the least! 😁
Partially blind travel is quite an adventure to say the least! 😁
Chris ******
@Kate ******
Thats sad. You've been unlucky there . They normally cook well here . Take care and drink plenty of water /electrolytes . "Sponsor" is a sports drink they sell in ****
which has electrolytes in it ,Also they sell "Royal D" which you add to water ,also full of electrolytes . Hope you have better luck soon . Thais are very helpful and I believe you will have a better time going forward .Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris *****
thanks, been here three weeks already and this was our first real bump in the road. I’m pretty much all better today and had my homeopathy kit with me. Staying in Bangkok now for our last week and a bit here. It’s been fun.Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris *****
he wouldn’t say why he kept stopping and talking to people and didn’t explain why he needed to speak to the hotel three times and still couldn’t get there, it was well over an hour before he finaly accepted to use the map on my phone, which he’d dismissed several times previously. I think I get what you’re meaning, he didn’t want to admit to ME that he couldn’t do it and needed MY help. Especially as a single mum traveler with a child and a white cane! My maps app was right the whole time though.Reply to
Kate *******
Reply
Evan *******
Wow shocking nobody knows how Grab works - everything can be solved via the app! They even give alerts if you require assistance like in these situations. Multi lingual staff. In this case, you would have been directly connected with a Grab staff then ur phone passed off to the driver for proper directiona
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Evan ******
None of that happened. You can only do that if it’s an accident or emergency. It just asks if you’re unsafe or your driver is behaving dangerously, I didn’t click those because he wasn’t being dangerous just utterly incompetent. If it had gone on for much longer though I probably would have had to.Evan *******
@Kate ******
you have a point - but I would have marked that as unsafe and followed the prompts in that situation for sureReply to
Evan *******
Reply
Steve ********
Taxi drivers are no better. Last trip I had one that couldn’t find Suvarnabhumi Airport even though we were only 5 minutes away.
Lee *********
@Steve *******
And how ":;cked up was it that we could see the airport 😅Steve ********
@Lee ********
I wonder if it was stolen…🤔Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Rei ***********
@Steve *******
that's crazy! All taxi drivers should know where the airport isReply to
Rei ***********
Reply
Rei ***********
Your bill will be the same, so you should be glad you have a free tour
Andy **********
@Rei **********
in my experience, they wanted the extra fare, I paid it because i couldn't be bothered with any extra problems, this was after a very long journey from my home country to Thailand, it wasn't a great deal of money anyway, I just didn't give a tip like I would usually.Rei ***********
@Andy *********
actually it's up to you if you want to pay extra. But it's in the app what you should only be paying.Reply to
Rei ***********
Reply
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rei **********
That’s cool and all but I’m half blind so didn’t quite have the same apeal.Reply to
Kate *******
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Matt *****
i often have to use apple maps to find locations, but then i have to use google maps pin to get there... it's a weird combo but it's worked for 2 years in thailand
Aaron ********
Lol, yer I tend to avoid Grab for this reason, terrible drivers with poor navigation skills.
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Aaron *******
it’s been perfect up until now and we’re three weeks into our trip but this was such an unpleasant experience.Reply to
Kate *******
Reply
Brown ********
Your first Thai adventure. Enjoy
Dirk **************
Most importantly…relax… this is Thailand… don’t stress. He will figure it out - eventually 😂 Let him call the hotel.
Sam *******
call hotel.....they all have line app......which has my location feature.....and get driver to line app......easy
Steve *******
@Sam ******
you only need one period after a sentence. Like this. Have a nice day.Reply to
Sam *******
Reply
Bbc *********
It do happen when the area is too dense, no surprise
Viki **********
Get out asap.
Pui *****
Street addresses don't work well in much of Thailand. Google can't find many locations by street addresses. Always better to search by the name of the business.
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pui ****
The name of the place didn’t work either.Reply to
Kate *******
Reply
Preston **********
It’s common that the maps are wrong in Thailand ell that’s my experience
Everett ******
maybe you're lost
Peter *****************
Find a bar and have a good time.Worry later
Tony ***********
They don't understand how to read maps.
Joseph *********
@Tony **********
100% true.Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Sasi ************
I gave up driving in BKK for sometime now. Besides the accuracy rating is bad the Google maps almost never works. To make matters worse the city planing in Thailand is a maze with no an end nor the starting point.
If he a new driver, new to the area, the poor guy may need more helps.
If he a new driver, new to the area, the poor guy may need more helps.
Braulio *********
T I T
Shellee ********
Be patient it happens here with grab app. He’ll get you there
Kim ******************
maps.me doesn't need Internet after downloading always use in Asia checking we are going in the right direction
Tai **********
Enjoy the ride 🤣
Colin *******
Always restart the app before choosing a new destination, often confuses them if you leave it running in the background.
Many times I've booked a pickup and they go to my last drop off location and never move after booking a pickup as although your map shows you moving theirs doesn't.
Still many bugs to be ironed out on most ride apps
Many times I've booked a pickup and they go to my last drop off location and never move after booking a pickup as although your map shows you moving theirs doesn't.
Still many bugs to be ironed out on most ride apps
Si *******
I’m speechless
Phil ******
@Kate ******
and your hotel?Joey ***********
Some hotels are simply hard to find. Don't worry you'll be there eventually.
Duncan *******
Consider it an adventure.
Mike *******
Well, I guess the good thing is as long as you use Grab Your rate is locked in no matter how many times he circles around the block 😆
Vili *********
@Mike ******
if she use justgrab yes if she use grabmeter its not lockedReply to
Vili *********
Reply
Andy **********
seems you have internet access, so why don't just use google map?
Sacha ****
@Andy *********
that doesnt generate attention ;-)Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
He wouldn’t use my map on my phone for over an hour!Greg ***********
@Kate ******
most Thais cannot read maps, it is not in their genesDianne *****
@Greg **********
it's more about not being the way they have been taught to understand their world ie they don't know the names of major and minor streets, just landmarks or the names of intersections like si yaek followed by the intersection name or sarm yaek followed by the T junction nameReply to
Dianne *****
Reply
Tony ******
@Kate ******
report himReply to
Tony ******
Reply
Ric ****
Trust the map over him...get out ..report to grab... download Bolt or Indrive ..I can't tell you how many times they said "arrived" , when on the commonly visible map, they are more then a km away .,and they go...."where are u? ...I'm here"... Don't even bother to argue .. screenshot and claim the fare later.
Damien ********
Jason *******
@Damien *******
why would you report someone for this? That seems extremely excessiveDamien ********
Reply to
Damien ********
Reply
Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ric ***
that’s exactly how the drive started too!Trevor *******
@Ric ***
bolt is excellentRogerio ******
@Trevor ******
bolt is said to not screen drivers as well as grab.Trevor *******
@Rogerio *****
i have not a problem with itRogerio ******
@Trevor ******
my gf doesn’t like it for that reason but I guess during the day/being a guy it’s okReply to
Rogerio ******
Reply
Martin *****
Show him on Google map
Charles ******
I am stuck please help me Facebook lol give up go home never leave it's best that way
Andi ***********
He is Xmas shopping early in his mind.
Henrik *****
When ( if ) you get back to the hotel, get a business card at the reception, with the adress written in Thai.
Markus **********
@Henrik ****
because thai addresses is so accurate!Kate *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ****
that’s a great idea, thank you.Reply to
Kate *******
Reply
Paul ********
Download Waze and it will get you there on the hotel name. I use it all the time.
Glen ********
@Paul *******
I showed my Thai family how to get home,from Udon Thani,to Ban Phaeng,using Waze. A couple of years backPaul ********
@Glen *******
it’s great and I have tried using Google in Bangkok and that don’t work.Glen ********
@Paul *******
in Bangkok is good to use to monitor taxi movements, with WazePaul ********
@Glen *******
no but great for avoiding traffic and accidentsReply to
Paul ********
Reply
Rogerio ******
@Paul *******
better than Google maps?Reply to
Rogerio ******
Reply
Grandpappa **********
amazing thailand
Tony ******
Use Google maps
Nguyễn ********
@Tony *****
I don't know about Grab drivers but very often taxi drivers can't understand Google map..Harry ****
@Nguyễn *******
that’s so crazy. Happen to me too. The taxi driver had google maps on his phone but still needed me to tel him where to go. Horrible. Is it because they are not educated enough to follow instructions on app?Dan *********
@Nguyễn *******
that doesn’t make sense how someone could not understand Google maps. Especially if you work in that line of work. It’s just not possible. If they work with grab then they can unless they are literally mentally challengedNguyễn ********
@Dan ********
it is what it is, I question the same thing. They don't understand technology and got spin around. One has to work in that field but have no other choice.Mathew *********
@Nguyễn *******
yea I’ve experienced it quite a few times in Thailand, they don’t understand how these map apps workReply to
Mathew *********
Reply
Tony ******
@Nguyễn *******
I do 😆 🤣 I direct them if they don't go my way I get out but that's rare personal very happy with the service especially the priceReply to
Tony ******
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