A Thai tourist has warned fellow travelers about an alleged taxi scam in Metro Manila after claiming a driver demanded P5,500 for a short trip between terminals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and drove away from the airport instead of toward his destination.
The traveler shared the account on social media after returning safely to Thailand, saying the incident occurred after he mistakenly took a taxi to NAIA Terminal 3 instead of Terminal 1.
According to the tourist, his first taxi ride from his hotel to Terminal 3 cost P190 and was uneventful. After realizing he was at the wrong terminal, he hailed another taxi to take him to Terminal 1.
The tourist alleged that the second driver began traveling away from the airport, prompting him to check his GPS. After realizing the vehicle was no longer heading toward Terminal 1, he said he started taking photos and posting updates on social media out of concern for his safety.
He claimed the driver then demanded P5,500 for the short trip and insisted that the amount was the normal fare. When the tourist said he did not have enough Philippine pesos, the driver allegedly suggested paying with Thai currency instead.
The tourist further alleged that the driver continued driving before eventually pulling over to negotiate. When he attempted to leave the vehicle, he claimed the doors were locked. He said he managed to unlock the door himself, got out of the taxi, photographed the vehicle, and ran to a nearby building.
The tourist said he was not harmed during the encounter and later booked a Grab ride back to the airport for P190, adding that he voluntarily paid the driver more than the fare.
Following the incident, the traveler said he would no longer use street-hailed taxis during future visits to the Philippines and would rely exclusively on Grab. He also said the experience had convinced his wife and family not to return to the country.
The post has since gained attention online, with many users sharing it as another reminder for travelers to exercise caution when using public transportation. The tourist’s allegations have not been independently verified, and no statement from the taxi driver or authorities was included in the post.
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