Bangkok's Motorbike Mafia
I've heard a few rumours around that Bangkok motorbike taxis are run by the mafia. I guess sometimes I just want to think that bad things don't happen. However this week, I'm beginning to believe that this is true. I would love to say that I want to stay away from all things corrupt, bottom line is; if you want to get anywhere quickly 
in Bangkok a motorbike taxi is the way to go. Bangkok is famous for it's 5-minute stop lights (that's just what I call them) When you're on a motorbike they have this special skill of weaving their way through traffic, splitting lanes, riding on shoulders, the wrong way down one-way streets, on sidewalks, and many other tactics to get you where you want to be fast.
Points to ponder:
I don't have proof, but I've heard the theory, and these are some personally verified findings. Every day on my way to work, I take the airport link train to Huamark Station. Once I get to this station, the quickest way to work is helmet-less on the back of one of these bikes, I do so because A) it's faster and B) it's cheaper. Who doesn't like fast and cheap? A few facts of Huamark Station:
- 1 Exit is where the blue sleeveless vested motorbike boys wait
- 1 exit has no motorbikes
- About 500meters away from the station you'll see orange vested motorbike boys at the entrance to the station So every 10 minutes or so a train will come by, and if you want a motorbike taxi and you're not one of the first out, you'll have to go to exit 1 and queue in line (at a win) until one of the blue vested boys are there to take you. While in line you'll see many people come into the station by motorbike taxis who are not wearing blue vests. If you try to flag one down after they drop off their fare, they'll ignore you and keep on going empty. So even though there is no one there, they don't dare infringe on the blue vest territory.
Another interesting point to ponder is the cost of the ride. There is usually a price-list written in Thai where the Motercy's wait at the mouth of a soi(road). I've taken a bike the length of Thong Lor and it's cost 20 THB, I've taken a bike at Nana 1/2 the distance and it's cost 60 THB. If you're in a nicer area, it costs more, if your a farang (foreigner) it costs more. Prices are non-negotiable, sometimes if the traffics heavy or it's sunny, they think you're heavy, they'll request even more payment from you upon arrival at your destination. You have no choice, because miraculously they got you there fast, nothing hit your knees, and you'll probably need a ride tomorrow.
All I can share is my own personal experiences. I must say, I think the rumours just may be true, there are so many weird nuances that lead me to believe so. I would love anyone to comment with their explanations and experiences on the back of a bike in Bangkok.