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How to Use Grab in Thailand (Best Alternative to Uber)

As I visit Thailand every year, I have found Grab to be the best taxi app in Thailand and in this article, I’m going to show you why as well as how to use Grab in Thailand.

For those who are unfamiliar, Grab is a ride-hailing service similar to Uber, Bolt, and Lyft. However, since Uber is no longer available in Thailand, Grab took their business over by storm and is now the go-to option for transportation in Thailand. One of the main reasons why I love using Grab in Thailand is because it eliminates the need for me to communicate with drivers in the Thai language. Even in big cities like Bangkok, it surprises me how little taxi drivers speak English. As someone who does not speak the Thai language fluently, this can often be a challenge when trying to navigate through a new city.

With Grab, I just input my desired destination as well as where I’d like to be picked up and communicate with my driver through the app’s messaging system.

You can also use Grab when you first arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and want to get to your hotel. I just wrote an entire article on how to get from the airport to different places in Bangkok . So make sure to check that out. Moreover, using Grab also gives me peace of mind as I do not have to worry about being scammed by taxi drivers who may overcharge or take longer routes. The fares on Grab are fixed and transparent, ensuring that I pay the correct amount for my journey. Another reason why I prefer using Grab is because it provides a convenient solution for traveling to places with limited public transportation. For instance, my wife Saengduan and I recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Pattaya and wanted to visit Chol Chan Beach Resort located on the other side of Pattaya where there’s no Bahtbus en route. Thanks to Grab, we were able to easily book a ride from our hotel directly to the Resort and it was so cheap.

As you can see in the screenshot from my personal Grab account below, our Grab ride was 9.14 Kilometers, it took 26 minutes and only cost us 217 baht.

Now that you know the benefits, let’s get the Grab app installed on your phone. And don’t worry, I will guide you through downloading the app, creating an account, selecting the right Grab service, and booking your first ride.

Getting Started with Grab in Thailand

To start using Grab in Thailand , you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to download the Grab app and create an account. Once you have completed these initial steps, you’ll be ready to explore the various services and payment options offered by Grab in Thailand .

Downloading the Grab App and Creating an Account

To get started with Grab, you’ll first need to download the Grab app on your mobile device. The Grab app is available for both Android and iOS devices and can be found in their respective app stores. Simply search for “Grab” and click on the download button to install the app.

Or click on the app store of your choice through the options below.

Click here to install Grab through the Apple Store.

Click here to install Grab from the Android store.

Once you have downloaded the Grab app, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to create an account. You will be asked to provide your mobile phone number, and email address, and create a password. After entering this information, click on the sign-up button to create your Grab account.

Payment Options: Cash, Card, or GrabPay

When ordering a Grab car, paying for it is super simple.

Grab offers multiple payment options to make your ride experience convenient and hassle-free. In Thailand, you can choose to pay for your Grab rides using cash, card, or GrabPay.

If you prefer to pay with cash, simply select the “Cash” option when booking your ride. Remember to have enough cash on hand to pay the driver at the end of your trip.

If you prefer to pay with a card, you can link your credit or debit card to your Grab account. This way, you can enjoy a seamless and cashless payment experience. To add a card to your account, go to the payment settings in the Grab app and follow the instructions to link your card.

I connected my Wise debit card to my Grab account. It works as a Visa debit card and Wise has the best conversion rate from your currency to Thai baht. And it offers an ATM card as well. It will save you a lot of money with ATM withdrawals and payments for services like Grab or hotel bookings, and more.

If you want to take advantage of Grab’s digital wallet, you can use GrabPay to pay for your rides. GrabPay allows you to store your credit or debit card details securely in the app, making it easy to pay for your rides with just a few taps on your phone.

Selecting the Right Grab Service for Your Needs

When using Grab in Thailand, you’ll have access to a variety of services to suit your transportation needs. Whether you’re looking for a quick ride across town or a more luxurious experience, Grab has you covered.

Here are some of the services offered by Grab in Thailand :

• GrabTaxi: The classic Grab service, provides you with a convenient and affordable taxi ride.
• GrabCar: A private car service for a more comfortable and stylish ride.
• GrabBike: Perfect for navigating through Bangkok’s busy streets, GrabBike offers motorcycle rides for quick and efficient transportation.
• GrabTukTuk: Experience the iconic Thai tuk-tuk with GrabTukTuk service, a fun and adventurous way to get around.
• GrabCar Premium: For those special occasions or when you want to travel in style, GrabCar Premium offers high-end vehicles and professional drivers.
• Grab Food : Grab food is a meal delivery service where you can order food inside the Grab app with connected restaurants and the food will be delivered to any destination of your choice.

When booking a Grab ride , simply select the service that best meets your needs and enjoy a safe, reliable, and convenient transportation experience in Thailand.

How to Use Grab in Thailand

In this section, I will provide a detailed guide on how to use Grab in Thailand . Whether you need to book a ride for your daily commute or explore the vibrant streets of Bangkok, Grab is a convenient and reliable option. With just a few simple steps, you can easily reserve a Grab ride and enjoy a comfortable journey.

In the screenshot below you’ll see the ride my wife and I took from the Grand Fortune Hotel in Bangkok to the Orchid Inn in Sukhumvit Soi 4. This was a long drive during busy traffic and was very affordable.

Booking a Ride: Step-by-Step Guide

Booking a Grab ride in Thailand is a straightforward process. Follow these step-by-step instructions:

• Step 1: Download the Grab app from your smartphone’s app store.
• Step 2: Open the app and enter your destination in the “Where to?” field.
• Step 3: Select the type of Grab service you need, such as GrabCar, GrabBike, or GrabTaxi.
• Step 4: Review the fare estimate provided by the app to get an idea of the cost of your ride.
• Step 5: Confirm your booking and wait for a nearby driver to accept your request.
• Step 6: Once a driver is assigned, you will see their name, photo, and vehicle details on the app. Also the last 4 digits of their license plate.
• Step 7: Track your driver’s location in real time as they make their way to your pickup point.
• Step 8: When your Grab driver arrives, hop in and enjoy your ride.
• Step 9: After reaching your destination, payment will be automatically deducted from your preferred payment method.
• Step 10: Rate your driver and provide feedback to help maintain Grab’s high service standards.
• Extra: During your trip, you also have the opportunity to give your driver a tip. This isn’t mandatory, but if you enjoyed the service of your driver, you’re free to do so.

Navigating Fare Estimates and Surge Pricing

Grab provides fare estimates to give you an idea of the cost of your ride before booking. However, it’s important to note that actual fares may vary depending on factors such as distance traveled, traffic conditions, and demand at the time of booking. During periods of high demand, Grab may implement surge pricing to ensure the availability of drivers. Surge pricing raises fares temporarily to encourage more drivers to come online.

Additional Grab Features: GrabCar Premium, GrabAssist, and GrabPet

Grab offers various additional features to cater to different needs and preferences:

Whether you’re looking for a premium experience, require assistance, or want to travel with your pet, Grab has you covered with these additional features.

Ensuring a Safe and Pleasant Grab Experience

When using Grab in Thailand, it is important to prioritize your safety and ensure a pleasant experience. Here are some safety tips and guidelines to follow:

• Verify your Grab driver: Always check the driver’s photo, name, and license plate number on the app before getting into the vehicle. This helps ensure that you are getting into the right car and with the correct driver.
• Share your trip details: Use the “Share My Ride” feature on the Grab app to share your trip details, including the estimated time of arrival, with a trusted friend or family member. This provides an extra layer of security.
• Sit in the backseat: Whenever you book a Grab ride, it is recommended to sit in the backseat. This helps maintain personal space and ensures a safer and more comfortable experience.
• Ride during daylight hours: If possible, try to schedule your Grab rides during daylight hours. This can enhance your visibility and overall safety during the journey.
• Report any issues: If you encounter any problems or have concerns during your Grab ride, it is crucial to report them to Grab’s customer support. They are available 24/7 and will assist you in resolving the issue. My wife and I used Grab on multiple occasions and never had any issues.
• Utilize Grab safety features : Grab offers various safety features to enhance your experience. These include emergency buttons, real-time GPS tracking, and the ability to share your ride details with emergency contacts. Familiarize yourself with these features and utilize them when needed.

By following these safety tips and utilizing Grab’s safety features, you can have a secure and enjoyable ride experience in Thailand.

Let’s round it up:

Grab is the best alternative to Uber for getting around in Thailand. It offers a convenient and reliable ride-hailing service that caters to the needs of travelers. Throughout this article, we discussed the benefits of using Grab in Thailand and how it has become the dominant ride-hailing service in the country.

We dove into the landscape of ride-hailing apps in Thailand, highlighting the end of Uber and the rise of Grab. With its wide availability, competitive pricing, and range of services, Grab stands out as the top option.

Additionally, I provided a detailed guide on how to use Grab in Thailand , covering everything from downloading the app and creating an account to booking a ride and navigating fare estimates and surge pricing. I also emphasized Grab’s features like GrabCar Premium, GrabAssist, and GrabPet , which cater to various preferences and needs.

Lastly, I discussed the importance of ensuring a safe and pleasant Grab experience in Thailand. I provided safety tips and guidelines, including verifying the driver, utilizing Grab’s safety features, and reporting any issues. By following these tips, you can enjoy peace of mind while using Grab.

In summary, Grab offers a user-friendly interface, reliable service, and numerous features that make it the top choice for ride-hailing in Thailand. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Bangkok or venturing to other cities, Grab is the go-to app for affordable and convenient transportation. Give Grab a try and experience the seamless journey it provides!

How do I download the Grab app in Thailand?

To download the Grab app in Thailand, go to the Google Play Store for Android users or the App Store for iPhone users. Search for “Grab” and click on the app with the Grab logo. Tap the “Install” or “Get” button to download and install the app on your device.

How do I create an account on Grab in Thailand?

Once you have downloaded the Grab app, open it on your device. Tap on the “Sign Up” button and enter your mobile phone number. You will receive a verification code via SMS, which you need to enter to verify your phone number. After verification, you can create a profile by providing your name and email address.

Can I pay with cash when using Grab in Thailand?

Yes, you can pay with cash when using Grab in Thailand. Simply select the “Cash” option as your payment method before confirming your ride booking. When your ride is complete, give the driver the cash payment for the fare.

What are the other payment options available with Grab in Thailand?

In addition to cash, you can also pay for your Grab rides in Thailand using your credit or debit card. You can securely link your preferred card to your Grab account and select the “Card” option as your payment method during the booking process. GrabPay, Grab’s digital wallet, is another convenient payment option available in Thailand.

How do I select the right Grab service for my needs in Thailand?

Grab offers different services to cater to various transportation needs in Thailand. The main services include GrabCar, GrabTaxi, GrabBike, and GrabExpress. To select the right Grab service, open the Grab app and enter your pick-up and drop-off locations. The app will automatically display the available services in your area, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

How do I book a Grab ride in Thailand?

To book a Grab ride in Thailand, open the Grab app and make sure your location services are enabled. Enter your pick-up and drop-off locations, select the type of service you want, and tap the “Book” button. The app will match you with a nearby driver, and you can track their arrival in real-time on the app.

How can I navigate fare estimates and surge pricing with Grab in Thailand?

To view fare estimates before booking a Grab ride in Thailand, enter your pick-up and drop-off locations in the app. The app will display an estimated fare range for the chosen service based on distance and demand. Surge pricing may occur during peak hours or high-demand periods, resulting in higher fares. The app will notify you if surge pricing is in effect, and you can choose to proceed with the booking or wait until the surge pricing subsides.

What are the additional features offered by Grab in Thailand?

In addition to the standard Grab services, Grab offers several additional features in Thailand. GrabCar Premium provides luxury vehicles for a more comfortable ride. GrabAssist is designed for passengers with accessibility needs, offering trained drivers and extra assistance. GrabPet allows you to travel with your furry friends, ensuring a pet-friendly ride experience.

How can I ensure a safe and pleasant Grab experience in Thailand?

To ensure a safe and pleasant Grab experience in Thailand, always verify the driver and the vehicle details on the app before getting into the car. Share your trip details with a friend or family member and let them track your ride through the app. If you have any concerns during the ride, use the in-app emergency button to report the issue to Grab. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the safety features provided by Grab, such as driver ratings and feedback.

I fell in love with Thailand and with my Thai wife back in 2010 and started this website, In Love With Thailand, to share my best tips for traveling in Thailand. The goal is to move to Thailand parmently within a short period of time. You can read more about me personally by clicking here.

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New GrabShare service with slightly cheaper fares in return for 5 minutes' wait time

SINGAPORE - Commuters will soon be able to book shared rides on ride-hailing app Grab for a slightly lower price and with a smaller chance of a sudden detour in exchange for waiting time of up to five minutes for the ride.

The addition to GrabShare will be introduced for rides booked from Tampines, Pasir Ris and Changi from July 8, and will be implemented for all areas around Singapore by July 18.

Commuters will also be able to get the estimated time of arrival at their destination for all of Grab's ride-hailing options, except its hitching service, prior to booking their rides, Grab said at a media briefing on Monday (July 1).

The changes come as part of Grab's response to feedback from passengers and drivers.

Grab did not say how much cheaper this new GrabShare option would be, but showed one example where the booking turned out to be $2.50 cheaper than the $17.50 the current system would charge.

With the current GrabShare system, passengers are matched with up to two other sets of passengers in return for fares that can be up to 35 per cent cheaper than a non-shared ride.

While these bookings are cheaper, passengers could end up in situations where their rides take unexpected detours in response to a sudden new booking request.

Some passengers told Grab that this would result in delays.

The new option would match passengers before their trip, in a way where the rides can be fulfilled within a stated time.

If a ride is not fully matched, it is still possible that these passengers can be matched with others after the trip has started, as is the case with the current GrabShare system.

But Grab said this would be on the premise that it still falls within the estimated time of arrival when the initial passenger booked his ride.

This would help address passengers' needs for a clear arrival time at their destination.

When asked if compensation would be provided for rides ending outside the estimated time, Grab's country head in Singapore Yee Wee Tang said: "We will try to keep to time as much as possible.

"If (the estimated timing is off) very often, of course we will take customer's feedback and make adjustments to the time estimated."

Noting that drivers would also stand to benefit, he added: "For the driver-partners, with the higher match rates, they will get better earnings, and they no longer have to worry about from going point to point with just one GrabShare rider."

Drivers lose out in cases of unmatched GrabShare rides, as they would collect only the fare from just one passenger, which is lower than non-shared rides.

Mr Yee declined to revealed specific figures, but said that GrabShare made up a "significant proportion" of the total rides that Grab fulfils.

In the long term, he said the move would contribute to Grab's efforts to eventually offer sharing services on larger vehicles, such as seven-seaters or 13-seaters.

"This is really about whether we can create more efficiency by making passengers wait five minutes, and if that's the positive impact of this new enhanced GrabShare, then yes, we will work on the next GrabShare product," he said.

Mr Bok Chek Yang, 38, administrator of the PHV Riders and Drivers Singapore Facebook group, said the new GrabShare option would help to reduce complaints.The Grab user added: "The new system would help to improve the chances of better matches and easier pick-ups."

But he said it could lead to more bookings with three destinations.

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Grab holdings limited (grab).

• Previous Close 3.6000
• Open 3.5900
• Bid 3.5600 x 4800
• Ask 3.6100 x 4800
• Day's Range 3.5500 - 3.6100
• 52 Week Range 2.9000 - 3.9200
• Volume 9,763,254
• Avg. Volume 23,238,515
• Market Cap (intraday) 14.191B
• Beta (5Y Monthly) 0.82
• PE Ratio (TTM) --
• EPS (TTM) -0.0800
• Earnings Date May 15, 2024
• Forward Dividend & Yield --
• Ex-Dividend Date --
• 1y Target Est 4.74

Grab Holdings Limited Overview Software - Application / Technology

Grab Holdings Limited engages in the provision of superapps in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The company offers its Grab ecosystem, a single platform with superapps for driver- and merchant-partners and consumers, that allows access to mobility, delivery, digital financial services, and enterprise sector offerings. Grab Holdings Limited is headquartered in Singapore.

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Car rental vs car sharing vs GrabCar: Which is the most cost-effective?

With the prices of COEs set to continue their upward trend, and relief only coming in the second half of the year (if at all), car ownership will only become even more expensive.

Given the high inflation rate and threat of a global recession, now is a good time to ask yourself if you really need to own a private vehicle. Sure, it's convenient when you need a ride, but the rest of the time, a car is simply a drain on your finances.

Besides, there are many viable alternatives for when you need a car, from car sharing, to car rental, to GrabCar. Let's take a look at which of these three are the most cost-effective.

Car sharing vs car rental vs GrabCar

We're attempting to compare car sharing, car rental and GrabCar, but one of these is not like the others.

GrabCar, as you already know, charges distance-based fares that in most cases would easily outstrip the cost of car sharing or car rental. However, you do not need to get behind the wheel yourself, and there are no registration fees or security deposits to put up.

Car sharing and car rental, on the other hand, are mostly catered to drivers who need a car for a few hours or have several trips to make.

These services charge per-hour rental fees or mileage-based fees that make the cost of a trip cheaper than a GrabCar ride. In return, there are stricter requirements to be fulfilled, such as requiring a driving licence, refuelling, returning the vehicle to the point of origin, etc.

Additionally, car sharing or rental also requires you to pay registration or subscription fees, as well as security deposits, depending on the platform you choose. This would mean having to deal with a higher cost of entry.

So which should you choose? Well, it depends on the extent of your needs. If you simply need to drop off the kids at Grandma's, then a GrabCar ride would probably be the most fuss-free option.

However, if you're planning to make several stops throughout town over several hours, it is likely that car sharing or car rental would offer better bang for your buck.

Let's test that hypothesis with a hypothetical example.

Cost comparison: Car sharing vs Car rental vs GrabCar

Let's assume that I would need a car for three hours on a Sunday afternoon (2pm to 5pm), and would be driving a total distance of 80km. How much would car sharing, car rental and GrabCar each cost?

Note that there are several different car sharing and car rental platforms, each with their own pricing policies, fees and types of vehicles. The platforms we have included are picked purely at random.

As for GrabCar, we're going with JustGrab as it's the most economical option. Note that we have no way of inducing surge pricing, nor of accurately plotting a route that would equal exactly 80km. Instead, we've picked two points at random, and extrapolated the price of the trip from thereon.

What if you need a car on a longer basis?

If you're in need of a car for longer than a weekend – say a fortnight or a few months – you can still try your luck at any of the several car sharing or car rental platforms.

You might need to make several bookings to secure the use of a vehicle for the entire duration, but you might not be able to have the same vehicle or model throughout the rental period.

There's another alternative you can try: Car leasing. This is the more "traditional" model of car rental where you lease a vehicle for your private use on a short-term basis.

Nowadays, car leasing operators offer lease terms ranging from one day to one month, further blurring the line with car sharing platforms.

Car leasing works just like car sharing – simply pick the car model you want, the period of lease, and pay the associated fees. Some car leasing operators offer perks such as fuel rebates and other promotions, which can help you save some money.

Car leasing is also a great way to secure a particular type of vehicle for a special occasion. For instance, many choose to lease a luxury car to spice up their wedding day.

Similarly, large families may book a seven-seater or minivan as a convenient and cost-effective transport option during festivals.

What should you look out for when sharing, renting, leasing or Grab-ing?

What is the insurance coverage and how much is the excess.

Car sharing platforms and car leasing operators offer comprehensive insurance packages that cover your liability as the driver of the vehicle during the period of use.

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Do be aware that some of these platforms may have high insurance excess that could run up to several thousand dollars. For those unfamiliar with insurance terms, an "excess" is the sum that you have to pay before the insurance policy kicks in.

Hence, while booking a car for a weekend drive is undoubtedly convenient – you can do so in minutes online and receive instant confirmation – you should carefully check the exact benefits, coverage and terms of the insurance policy offered on your vehicle to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Always check the maximum extent of liability you are subject to for renting the vehicle before proceeding.

As for GrabCar, there's an option to add insurance cover for your trip for a nominal charge. You shouldn't ignore this, especially if you do not have your own personal accident plan that can cover you in a traffic accident.

What are you allowed (and not allowed) to do with the vehicle?

Be aware that certain car sharing platforms are literally that – you're sharing the use of someone else's private vehicle. This means that there are restrictions and rules as to what you may and may not do with the vehicle.

Some common ones include not smoking, not overloading the vehicle, not using the vehicle to transport bulky items, pets, or pungent items, and not driving the car across the border into Malaysia.

There are also differing rules around when you need to refill petrol (often at your own cost), and where you can pick up and return the vehicle.

It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the specific rules and regulations imposed by the car rental or leasing platform you are using, as not doing so may see you slapped with penalty charges, or have your deposit confiscated.

ALSO READ:  '20% increase in price compared to 2022': High demand for car rentals during CNY despite price hikes

This article was first published in ValueChampion .

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Grab Thailand Review 2022 (New Services, Costs And More Info)

In this Grab Thailand review, you will find valuable information about Grab Thailand app, price, services, and other traveler tips regarding ridesharing culture in Thailand.

Is there Grab in Thailand? Already for several years, Grab is the most successful ridesharing and taxi app in Thailand.  Grab runs its transport, courier, and food delivery services in the biggest cities of Thailand, and it is expanding its business fast. By 2022 Grab plans to become a nationwide service in Thailand.

You could also find this article of mine useful where I review the best Uber (not operating in Thailand since 2018) alternatives in Thailand.

So have a good read about Grab in Bangkok and Thailand!

What Is The Difference Between GrabTaxi And GrabCar?

The main differences between GrabTaxi and GrabCar are fares and the car types provided by each of the services. GrabTaxi has metered fare, but for GrabCar the fare is fixed. Another difference is the car type – GrabTaxi is a regular taxi while GrabCar is a private car.

For both GrabTaxi and GrabCar, it is possible to pay either by a card or cash.

What does JustGrab mean?

JustGrab is another service by Grab, and it was launched in 2017.

What JustGrab means is that it combines both GrabTaxi and GrabCar into one service.

The main advantage of JustGrab is that it allows you to see the price for the ride upfront.

Its main downside is that you will not know either GrabTaxi or GrabCar will be sent to you.

So if the upfront pricing is something that you look for when booking a taxi, then JustGrab in Thailand is the right choice for you.

Note that using JustGrab most likely will be a faster way how to get a ride because of the broader network of the cars around you.

Is Grab Legal In Thailand?

Although Grab has some legislation issues, it is recognized by the Thai government and all political parties. Therefore it is safe to say that Grab in Thailand is legal, and getting a Grab ride will not get you in any trouble whatsoever. 

One of the issues with the legal side of Grab is that not all of its drivers are licensed, but it is the responsibility of a driver to get a license.

Currently, Grab is operating in more than 20 cities in Thailand, and the company is expanding fast.

Here is the list of most popular tourist destinations in Thailand where Grab services are legal and available for everyone:

Using Grab in Chiang Mai is the same as in Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand. Just open the app, select your location, and book a ride, and the nearest Grab driver will be assigned to you.

Is Grab Safe In Thailand?

Grab Thailand is safe, and for many tourists, it is the most convenient way how to get around cities in Thailand.

Here are a few reasons why is Grab safe in Thailand:

• The meter will always be turned on. So no place for scams
• You won’t have to negotiate the price of the ride
• The Grab app will let you see the driver approaching you

Getting around with Grab or a regular taxi is easy and cheap, but there are other good alternatives to it as well. Read my article about public transport in Thailand for tourists .

How To Use Grab Taxi in Thailand?

To access Grab, download the Grab app from Google Play Store or App Store .

I guess as for other Apps as well they sometimes might not work as expected.

I had experienced a situation when I was unable to evaluate my ride because the evaluation screen didn’t come up. The ride was okay, but I always rate the drivers.

Sometimes given rates disappear as well.

You won’t find this kind of information on Grab Thailand website, but here is the list of some reasons why Grab drivers could refuse you a ride:

• If the driver finds the distance too short
• If the driver doesn’t understand the language
• If you are driving with a pet
• If the driver sees that you’re about to have a meal in the car
• If the driver doesn’t know where to drive (his GPS could not work etc.)

You won’t find this kind of information on Grab Thailand website because it is not something a business would like to promote. Just be aware that situations like these might happen to you as well.

After the Grab App update in early 2019, they have implemented a new system which forces customers to pay more if they don’t show up for the ride five minutes after the driver has arrived.

While it shouldn’t be a problem for most of Grab users, with many glitches that the App has after its update, it is becoming a problem, because too often the rides are canceled, prices for the rides are doubled for no reason, and there are other glitches as well.

What happened during the Grab App update is the Grab Food integration with other Grab Apps. Apparently, it wasn’t an easy task. Let’s hope they fix all the App bugs as fast as possible.

Do you need to tip the Grab driver in Thailand?

It is not necessary to tip the Grab driver in Thailand although the round-up of the fare will be appreciated. Tipping for the Grab rides in Thailand is not expected, and it is not what locals would do as well.

How to report Grab driver?

I most cases the Grab drivers won’t talk to you, and I believe it is because of the language barrier.

Nevertheless, I have had rides with very talkative Grab drivers, and in most cases, they tried selling me tickets to various tourist attractions such as zoos, cabaret shows, private longtail boat rides and other.

Be cautious when booking services from them or their friends because you could end up paying more than you should.

I prefer booking such services from this website – klook.com .

So, how to report Grab driver? To report a Grab driver, you have two options – either to rate a driver right after your ride or from the history section in your Grab app.

To rate a Grab driver from the history section, you have to follow these five steps:

• Click on the Menu button
• Click on the History button
• Choose a Grab ride you want to rate
• Rate it with stars from one to five
• Click on the Submit button

Lately, there have been reports of Grab drivers being picky and refusing the rides for no reason. So don’t get confused if this happens and look for another trip.

How Much Does Grab Cost In Thailand?

First I would like to mention that on average a Grab ride will cost you more than a regular taxi ride, but if you prefer not worrying about the cash then Grab Taxi or a Grab Car might be the best choice for you.

Here are five main factors that determine the price for the ride:

• The distance from your location to your destination
• Highway toll fees
• Time of the day (rush hours)
• Airport surcharge
• Booking fee

The first one is obvious – the further away you are from your destination, the more you will have to pay.

What are Grab Thailand booking fees?

Grab booking fees are different between all three taxi services provided by Grab.

Also, different Grab booking fees apply to different types of cars within one service.

For example, a booking fee for a regular Grab Taxi is 20 Baht (0.64 USD), but booking fee for a seven-seater Grab Taxi is 150 Baht (4.79 USD).

Note that unlike for Grab Taxi and Grab Car, advance booking is not available for Just Grab.

How much is the highway toll in Bangkok?

Highway fees are something that you will be introduced with when traveling from the Bangkok city to Bangkok International Airport (BKK).

The Highway toll from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is 75 Baht (2.39 USD).

The Highway toll from Bangkok to Don Mueang Airport (DMK) is 120 Baht (3.83 USD).

The highway is the fastest way how to get from Bangkok to any of those airports if you’ve chosen to get there by car.

For example, to get from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport, it takes about 40 minutes, but be aware that sometimes it can take even up to two hours.

Note that usually, it is the driver who pays the toll. At least in most cases, drivers offer to do so. In this case, the amount of money paid will be added to the total bill for the ride.

Grab rate during rush hour

During rush hours the Grab rates are by 30% percent higher than regular rates.

I prefer anything else over getting a Grab ride during a rush hour in Bangkok and in my opinion, the metro (MRT) or the Skytrain (BTS) are the best alternatives to Grab in Bangkok.

What are Grab Thailand rates?

JustGrab Thailand rates:

• Base fare 55 Baht (1.76 USD, 1.55 EUR, 1.38 GBP)
• Fare per kilometer for the first five kilometers is 3 Baht per kilometer
• Fare for each kilometer after the first five kilometers is 6 Baht per kilometer
• Fare per minute 2.3 Baht

Is advance booking available for Grab in Thailand?

Advance booking is available for GrabTaxi, and it costs 45 Baht (1.44 USD, 1.27 EUR, 1.13 GBP).

Advance booking is not available for JustGrab.

Does Grab Taxi accept credit card?

Yes, Grab Taxi in Thailand does accept credit cards although to eliminate any chance of credit card fraud it is wiser to pay by cash.

Does Grab Taxi accept cash?

Yes, Grab Taxi accepts cash, and it is the best way how to pay for the ride.

By paying by cash, you don’t have to give away your bank card details as well as it will reduce the possibility of your bank card being stolen if you will not carry with you.

The amount you will have to pay for GrabTaxi, GrabCar or a regular taxi will rarely be more than 500 Baht (16 USD, 14.11 EUR, 12.56 GBP).

Are toll fees included in Grab?

No, toll fee is not included in Grab fare. Toll fee is a separate payment, and it can not be found as a function or a separate payment within the Grab app.

Highway toll fees in Thailand can be paid either by the passenger or the driver.

For example, if the Grab driver would pay a highway fee toll, he would then charge you the highway toll fee after the ride.

I have always let Grab drivers pay the toll fee.

Is Grab Cheaper Than A Regular Taxi?

In some occasions having a Grab ride could be cheaper than to have a regular taxi ride, but on average Grab will cost you more than a regular taxi.

Situations, when a regular taxi in Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand is more expensive than a Grab ride, may be caused by unfair taxi drivers who make wrong turns and therefore longer routes for the trip.

Does Grab Taxi have a booking fee?

Yes, Grab Taxi have a booking of 25 Baht (0.80 USD, 0.71 EUR, 0.63 GBP).

Basically, it is a fee that covers the costs for the drivers to reach their clients.

Is there a cancellation fee for Grab?

As of April 2019, there is a new Grab cancellation policy.

Grab will charge for cancelation if:

• client cancels his ride 5 minutes or longer after the request was made
• driver cancels the trip because the client didn’t show up in 10 minutes after the driver arrived

Grab cancelation fee is between 10 Baht (0.32 USD) to 50 Baht (1.59 USD).

How much does Grab to the airport cost?

The average price for the Grab ride from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport) is 400 Baht or 12.76 USD, 11.35 EUR, 10.05 GBP.

I have used both Grab and regular taxi services to get from the city to the airport, and the rides have always cost around 400 Baht. This article is written by thailandtravelessentials.com

Note that once you will get inside the Grab Car or Grab Taxi, the driver most likely will ask to you or should I say inform you that you will be driving on an expressway to the airport which will add an additional 70 Baht to your ride. 

Of course, you can refuse his offer, but it is not a good idea because driving the city streets will make it a very long ride.

By the way, the ride from the city center to Bangkok airport should take approximately 40 minutes if you’re driving on a highway.

How To Use Grab Thailand App?

Can i use grab without internet.

Not really because you need an internet connection to book a ride.

As you need an internet connection for the booking part only, you could look for Wi-Fi to book a ride, and for the rest, the internet wouldn’t be needed.

Note that in this case, you wouldn’t be able to receive a notification about the refused ride, answer to a drivers message, or to track the location of the driver.

Can I use Grab without a phone number?

No, you can not use Grab without phone number because the phone number is needed to complete the registration for the Grab app.

I recommend getting a tourist SIM card and using it during your trip to Thailand.

In this article ,  I’ve reviewed the best SIM card options for tourists.

So now that you have read my Grab Thailand review, I hope it will make your trip to Thailand easier.

Remember that Grab and regular taxis in the biggest cities of Thailand are everywhere and getting one on short notice shouldn’t be a problem. Especially in Bangkok.

Which Sunscreen Is Best For Thailand? (SPF, Pricing And More Info)

Does thailand have wifi (costs and alternatives review), comment (1).

I can’t find fault too much with the grab 2920 review except I strongly disagree with his opinion of cash over credit cards, more so , the implication of how the cc works is wrong. You provide the cc info to grab via the app , you don’t need to carry it or give it to the driver. Driver will drop you t your destination and you are on your way- grab will email you a receipt. Much safer than transacting in cash.

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Uber Eats Introduces New Features for Consumers with Food Allergies

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Image Credit: Uber.com For hundreds of millions of people around the world, food allergies have drastically changed their everyday lives, making simple tasks like ordering food difficult and frustrating at times. After successfully testing Uber’s new allergy features in the UK and Ireland in 2023, … Read more

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Trending Forum Topics

Nyc ride volume - uber "officially" destroys taxis going into 2018.

Posted by ippei on February 1, 2018

Is it official?  More Uber trips being taken more than taxis now.

Number of medallions control the # of cars in NYC.  While number of Ubers continue to climb.  

Source: http://toddwschneider.com/posts/taxi-uber-lyft-usage-new-york-city/

Surge and upfront pricing coming to taxis say bye to meters[nbc].

Posted by SmittenKitten on April 4, 2018

It's happening.  The re-merging of Uber and Taxis will happen.  I've been waiting for this to happen for a long time.  It'll all be the same thing once again.

Yellow Taxis to Test Upfront Fares and Surge Pricing Amid Ongoing Clash With Ride-Hailing Apps [NBC]

The two-year pilot program, which …

If you were the new CEO of Uber, with absolute power, what would be the first thing you'd change?

Posted by DaimsLer on June 9, 2018

I am asking the current Uber drivers, but anyone's welcome.

What's a typical passenger rating for Uber? Is 4.50 good?

Posted by JudgeItoh on March 28, 2018

As a driver, have you kicked out a passenger? Ended a ride early mid-trip?

Posted by WWBlueStuff on April 29, 2018

Please do share. Remember when some dude died after getting kicked off Lyft?  I can't help it to think he did something to be kicked out, you know? 

Lyft Passenger Killed in Fatal Hit-and-Run on Freeway After Driver Demands He Exits Vehicle https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Lyft-Passenger-Killed-in-Fatal-Hit-and-Run-on-Freeway-473302203.html

If drivers are really losing money with Uber then why do you keep driving for Uber?

Posted by babarett on February 6, 2018

I just don't get it, everyone always complains that they don't make any money with Uber but if you really were losing money then why would you keep driving....???

Do I need car seats for small children?

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The Data and Science Behind GrabShare Part I: Verifying Potential and Developing the Algorithm

Launching GrabShare was no easy feat. After reviewing the academic literature, we decided to take a different approach and build a new matching algorithm from the ground up. Not only did this really test our knowledge of fundamental data science principles, but it challenged our team to work together to develop something we had never seen before!

Because we had so much fun learning and developing GrabShare, we wanted to write a two part blog post to share with you what we did and how we did it. After reading this, we hope that you might be more prepared to build your very own optimised [practical, effective and efficient] matching algorithm.

We hope you enjoy the ride!

I. A Little History

By matching different travellers with similar itineraries in both time and their geographic locations, ride-sharing can improve driver utilisation and reduce traffic congestion. This concept of pooling (or called ride-sharing), has been a popular concept for decades due to its significant societal and environmental benefits. Tremendous interest in the real-time or dynamic pooling system has grown in recent years, either from a pooling matching algorithm (e.g., [2] , [3] ) or a system efficiency perspective [4] . We refer interested readers to [5] – [8] as a comprehensive overview on how optimisation and operations research models in academic literature can support the development of real-time pooling systems and innovative thinking on possible future ride-sharing modes.

Leveraging on an internet-based platform that integrates passengers’ smart-phone data in real-time, we are able to provide a ride-sharing service that allows passengers to spend less while enabling drivers to earn more. Companies such as Didi, Grab, Lyft and Uber have managed to transform the concept of a real-time pooling service from imagination into reality. Even though the problem of how to match drivers and riders in real-time has been extensively studied by various optimisation technologies in literature (e.g., Avego’s ride-sharing system [5] and Lyft match making [9] ), there has been a renewed interest in the problem and how we can solve it in practice.

Let us turn the clock back to late 2015. This was when Grab’s Data Science (Optimisation) team was born. The team decided to eschew the literature and current state of the art, and challenged ourselves to design the GrabShare matching algorithm from the ground up, from basic principles. Indeed, its main task was to make ride matching decisions (which is combinatorial) in order to maximise the overall system efficiency, while satisfying specific constraints to guarantee good user experience (such as detour, overlap, trip angle, and efficiency). A general optimisation problem comprises of three main parts: Objective function, Constraints, and Decision Space. The constrained optimisation problem takes the usual form:

Here X denotes a set of decision variables that correspond to real-world decisions we can adjust or control. The objective function f(X) is either a cost function that we want to minimise, or a value function that we want to maximise. The constraints are mathematical expressions of physical restrictions to decision variables on the possible solutions, which could have either inequality form: g(X) or equality form: h(X) or both.

In this article, we discuss how the GrabShare matching algorithm is tackled as an optimisation problem and how its various formulations can have a different impact to Grab, passengers, and drivers. Differing from previous studies in literature, which mainly focus on improving overall system efficiency using conventional operations research methods, we approached the problem from a more data-driven perspective. Our key focus was on extracting critical insights from data to improve the GrabShare user experience, from the point of design and development of the matching algorithm and throughout subsequent continual efforts of product improvement.

II. From GrabCar to GrabShare

From 2012 onwards, Grab has had a mature product named “GrabCar” that serves millions of individual traveling requests by an integrated dispatching system. The drivers’ locations and other states are maintained in the system such that we can simultaneously find drivers and make assignments for thousands of traveling requests. With a GPS-enabled mobile device, the users (known as passengers) can use Grab’s passenger app to place transportation requests from specified origin to destination. In this article we use the term “booking” to denote a confirmed transportation request placed by a passenger, which contains explicit pickup and drop-off information. At the same time, drivers who have registered with their own or rented vehicles can login to Grab’s system through a driver app to indicate their readiness to take nearby passengers. The GrabCar service is similar to a traditional taxi service in that a completed GrabCar ride consists of three steps:

A passenger makes a booking;

A GrabCar driver is assigned to the booking;

The assigned driver picks up the passenger and ferries him/her to the destination and the ride is completed.

It is common for people to arrange for manual ride-sharing with our friends traveling in the same direction to save on travel cost as well as to socialize and connect during the trip. By making use of real-time integrated ride information in the Grab system, we aimed to automatically match strangers traveling in similar directions and assign the same vehicle to both their journeys, allowing them to effectively car-pool. Before promoting the concept of GrabShare however, we had to verify its potential from the existing GrabCar bookings. For example, during morning peak hours we mappped every single booking into a four-dimensional vector with the latitudes and longitudes of pickup and drop-off locations. In addition, the latitudes and longitudes were transformed into a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) format to map the earth’s surface to an 2-dimensional Cartesian Coordinate System for distance calculation. After applying a DBSCAN cluster method [10] with parameter “eps=300”, which means that only bookings with distance of less than 300 meters can be considered as neighbourhoods, we observed eight clear clusters of booking with close pickup and drop-off locations in Figure 1.

The booking requests within each cluster can be allocated and fulfilled with less vehicles, through pooling. Even though not all of them may be willing to share vehicles with others, at least those with unallocated bookings (around 8%) may benefit. After repeating this analysis for different time periods, we observed that a certain percentage of the bookings could be covered with good performing clusters as seen in Table I. We observed that the coverage rate for different time periods fluctuates from 35% to 45% for most part of the day (coverage during mid-night and early morning hours is much smaller as the amount of bookings is much smaller). Because bookings in the same cluster are “near perfect matches” with very close pickup and drop-off location, the potential for GrabShare was found to be quite promising because we could expect even more opportunities for matching in the middle of a trip.

The assignment flow of typical GC bookings is stated in Algorithm I. For every newly arrived booking, we search for nearby drivers and check for their availability condition. If no driver is available, we recycle it to the next round of assignment. Otherwise we select the most suitable driver for them. Leveraging the current system structure, we planned to extend the GrabCar service to GrabShare by maintaining more detailed bookings and driver state information along with an additional check on seat reservation.

Specifically, Algorithm II gives the assignment flow of Grab- Share bookings. We can see that its overall structure is the same with GrabCar except for two differences. Firstly, the candidate driver set is different. For every new GrabShare booking, we search for in-transit GrabShare drivers who are currently serving at least one GrabShare booking. Therefore, we need to check seat availability condition to ensure that the vehicle has enough remaining seats to serve the new GrabShare booking. Mathematically, the following seat reservation constraint needs to be satisfied for a successful assignment between booking bki and driver drj:

where s(drj) denotes the total capacity of the vehicle drj, op(drj) is one of the maintained variable that denotes the current occupied capacity of the vehicle drj and rp (bki) is the required capacity for booking bki. To make it consistent, we also need to update the vehicle occupied capacity variable op (drj) by adding the booking required capacity rp (bki) after every successful assignment or removing it if cancellation occurs.

Secondly, GrabShare’s user experience is different from GrabCar due to the sharing concept. Here we defined some measures to evaluate the GrabShare matching, taking into consideration the trip angle, eta (short for Expected Time of Arrival), detour and efficiency. These measures are used to exclude unacceptable matches and to quantify how good the match is. For example, given a matching route scenario of two bookings (n = 1) as shown in Figure 2. At the first step the driver receives the first GrabShare booking from point A to D (25 minutes direct trip time). After the driver picks up the first passenger and reaches location B on his way to D, he/she is assigned to pickup the second booking from C to E (21 minutes direct trip time). A GrabShare match happens and the final route sequence is generated as A→B→C→D→E. With pooling, it takes 29.5 minutes for the first passenger and 27 minutes for the second passenger to reach their destinations, respectively. Overall it is a good match as the passengers are only delayed a little bit by pooling with a promising driver utilisation rate. In this case the driver only needs to drive 23.72km in total to serve two bookings, instead of a total of 39.13km if they were served separately. Not only does this allow passengers to be allocated rides, but drivers save considerable time and money through this efficiency, while increasing their earning power simultaneously.

This is ultimately deemed a good match, but the details on how we quantify this and its corresponding optimisation model are explained in Part II .

[1]  Grab, “Grab extends GrabShare regionally with Malaysia’s first on-demand carpooling service,” 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.grab.com/my/press/business/grabsharemalaysia/

[2]  J. Alonso-Mora, S. Samaranayake, A. Wallar, E. Frazzoli, and D. Rus, “On-demand high-capacity ride-sharing via dynamic trip-vehicle assignment,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , vol. 114, no. 3, pp. 462–467, Mar 2017.

[3]  A. Conner-Simons, “Study: carpooling apps could reduce taxi traffic 75 percent,” 2016. [Online]. Available: http://www.csail.mit.edu/ridesharing_reduces_traffic_300_percent

[4]  D. Dimitrijevic, N. Nedic, and V. Dimitrieski, “Real-time carpooling and ride-sharing: Position paper on design concepts, distribution and cloud computing strategies,” in Computer Science and Information Systems (FedCSIS), 2013 Federated Conference on . IEEE, 2013, pp. 781–786.

[5]  N. Agatz, A. Erera, M. Savelsbergh, and X. Wang, “Optimization for dynamic ride-sharing: A review,” European Journal of Operational Research , vol. 223, no. 2, pp. 295–303, 2012.

[6]  A. Amey, J. Attanucci, and R. Mishalani, “Real-time ridesharing: opportunities and challenges in using mobile phone technology to improve rideshare services,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board , no. 2217, pp. 103–110, 2011.

[7]  N. D. Chan and S. A. Shaheen, “Ridesharing in north america: Past, present, and future,” Transport Reviews , vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 93–112, 2012.

[8]  M. Furuhata, M. Dessouky, F. Ordonez, M.-E. Brunet, X. Wang, and S. Koenig, “Ridesharing: The state-of-the-art and future directions,” Transportation Research Part B: Methodological , vol. 57, pp. 28–46, 2013.

[9]  Lyft, “Matchmaking in lyft line—part 1,” 2016. [Online]. Available: https://eng.lyft.com/matchmaking-in-lyft-line-9c2635fe62c4

[10]  M. Ester, H.-P. Kriegel, J. Sander, X. Xu et al. , “A density-based algorithm for discovering clusters in large spatial databases with noise.” in Kdd , vol. 96, no. 34, 1996, pp. 226–231.

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Follow our news, recent searches, carpooling service grabshare to return for two-week trial from jan 16; for peak periods from certain locations, advertisement.

The locations available during the trial period are Downtown Core, Outram, River Valley, Singapore River, Marina Bay, one-north and Buona Vista.

File photo of a Grab car. (Photo: Facebook/Grab)

SINGAPORE: Carpooling service GrabShare will make a trial return at certain locations from Jan 16 to Jan 29, coinciding with the Chinese New Year festive period. 

Termed GrabShare BETA, the pilot will allow passengers  to save up to 20 per cent on their rides under the service, according to the Grab website. 

The two-week trial marks the return of the service since it was  suspended in February 2020 amid preliminary concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak. 

When and where will GrabShare BETA be available? 

It will be available from 5pm to 11pm daily at the following locations: Downtown Core, Outram, River Valley, Singapore River, Marina Bay, one-north and Buona Vista.

During the trial, the service will only be for pick-ups during peak periods where demand is high to "help ensure the ideal GrabShare BETA experience", noted the company on its website. 

"Our trial is over the festive period when some driver-partners may also take a break. So we’re launching GrabShare BETA in this period to make more rides available and at more affordable rates," said Grab. 

How many passengers are allowed on each ride? 

Only one passenger is allowed per booking, and a maximum of two bookings are allowed per shared ride.

A ride will only be confirmed after two passengers headed in similar directions are matched.

"The match will ensure that you will have no last minute route changes during the ride," said Grab. 

If a passenger turns up with an additional person, Grab's driver-partners will request that the passenger cancels the GrabShare BETA ride and book a JustGrab ride instead, the company added. 

And if there are no other passengers with a similar route within the area, passengers will be prompted to book a JustGrab ride instead.

Which passenger will be dropped off first? 

The order in which passengers are dropped off is determined by the drop-off location, and not the order in which they are picked up.

Grab said it has set up "strict perimeters" to ensure that the shared trip duration "will not greatly exceed" the direct trip time for each passenger.

How long do I need to wait?

The service will take up to seven minutes after booking to find the best match. 

Once a driver arrives, the three-minute waiting grace period kicks in, after which a S$3 surcharge will be incurred.

If passengers fail to turn up after five minutes, a no-show fee of S$4 will be charged. The fees go fully to the driver. Passengers are not offered compensation if the other matched passenger is late.

There is currently no option for advance booking.

How do I pay?

Only cashless payments will be accepted for the trial. 

For electronic road pricing (ERP) charges, Grab outlined two scenarios in the FAQ section of its website. 

"While you’re on the ride and your driver passes through (an ERP gantry with a S$2 charge) en route to picking up the other matched passenger, you will incur the full ERP charge of S$2."

Meanwhile, passengers will split the ERP charge equally if they are both on the ride when it passes through a gantry. 

Can I cancel my ride after being allocated a driver?

The GrabShare BETA experience will not allow the cancellation of rides once one is allocated. A cancellation fee of S$4 will apply if passengers want to do so. 

The remaining passenger's booking will proceed.

More details about GrabShare BETA are available online .

Gojek announces new services in Singapore for those travelling with younger children

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Breaking news, secret service agent robbed at gunpoint during biden’s california trip for star-studded fundraiser.

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A Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint over the weekend while President Biden was in Los Angeles attending a  star-studded fundraiser , according to local police.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the Tustin Fields 1 residential community in Orange County at about 9:30 pm local time,  the Tustin Police Department said  in a statement on Monday.

The agent was able to fire their weapon at the armed robbers, who made off with a bag belonging to the agent, police said. 

“A member of the U.S. Secret Service was the victim of an armed robbery in Tustin, California late Saturday when returning from a work assignment,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told The Post.

“The employee discharged their service weapon during the incident but unknown if the assailants were struck,” he added. “We are thankful that the employee did not sustain any injuries.”

The Tustin Police Department said some of the agent’s belongings were located after the incident. 

Authorities have not located any suspects and are looking for a 2004-2006 model silver Infiniti FX35 SUV that was spotted leaving the scene of the crime.

Biden, 81, arrived in Los Angeles for a campaign fundraiser at the Peacock Theater early Saturday morning, traveling from the G7 summit in Italy.

The president stayed at an undisclosed location in the Los Angeles area overnight.

He arrived at that location at about 8:53 pm local time, just about 40 minutes before the robbery. 

The Biden campaign raised more than $30 million at the event, which was attended by Hollywood luminaries like George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand.

Former President Barack Obama and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel also appeared on stage with Biden during the fundraiser. 

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'My heart stopped': Giraffe picks up toddler during a family trip to Texas wildlife center

A Texas family had quite the scare at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center on Saturday, when a giraffe picked up a toddler.

The Toten family says they were feeding a giraffe from the bed of their pickup truck when the animal accidentally grabbed 2-year-old Paisley's shirt.

Paisley's mom was sitting in the truck bed with her while she fed the giraffe from a brown paper bag. While attempting to get more of the food, the animal accidentally grabbed Paisley's shirt and lifted her into the air.

In a video taken by the mother, you can hear Paisley's mom yell before the camera swings wildly as she leans forward to catch Paisley. The giraffe quickly dropped Paisley back into her mother's arms.

Paisley's father, Jason Toten, saw what happened from the driver's seat while looking out the back window. He says the grab was clearly accidental and that the family did not break any rules.

“Paisley was holding the bag and the giraffe went to go get the bag, not get her, but ended up getting her shirt too and picking her up,” the father told KWTX .

No one was hurt, but Jason Toten describes the brief moment of panic during the incident.

“My heart stopped, my stomach dropped… it scared me.”

Little Paisley ended up getting a toy giraffe from the gift shop because she "deserved it," according to the father.

Despite the incident, the Toten family says they enjoyed the visit to Fossil Rim and plan to return sometime.

Toten family followed wildlife center's rules

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a nonprofit conservation center near Glen Rose, Texas. It features a drive-through safari, where various animals roam free along the path.

Families are encouraged to ride in their own vehicles for a self-guided drive through 7.2 miles of Texas hill country, according to the center's website . Visitors are also allowed to feed the giraffes as they pass through the area, as long as they're fed by hand.

The website also granted visitors permission to sit in the bed of trucks, as long as at least one adult is also in the bed. However, as of June 6, "guests are no longer permitted to ride in the bed of pickup trucks," the website states.

A Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint during Biden's California trip

A Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint in California over the weekend while President Joe Biden was campaigning in Los Angeles, authorities said Monday.

Police in Tustin, south of Los Angeles, said in a news release that officers responded to a call about a potential robbery at around 9:36 p.m. Saturday. Police said they found that the victim was with the Secret Service and that "his bag was stolen at gunpoint."

Some of the agent's belongings were later found in the area. No suspects have been identified.

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, said in a statement that the off-duty agent was returning from a work assignment at the time and that he used his weapon during the encounter.

"The employee discharged their service weapon during the incident but unknown if the assailants were struck. We are thankful that the employee did not sustain any injuries," Guglielmi said, adding that an investigation was underway.

Tustin police confirmed the investigation but declined to comment further Monday evening.

Authorities have not named the agent.

The incident occurred the night Biden made an appearance at a Los Angeles fundraiser alongside former President Barack Obama, actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, raking in a record haul of more than $30 million for Democrats' largest fundraising event, according to Biden's re-election campaign.

Zoë Richards is the evening politics reporter for NBC News.

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Their trip to Bali was going to be a month long. But they fell in love with the island and built a house near the sea, giving up city life for good.

• Tanguy and Lucie Yu gave up city life in Paris to move to Bali in 2019.
• Their house, located amid rice paddies, took 4 months to build and has a garden indoors.
• They say they are less attached to material things and want to focus on what truly matters to them in life.

Tanguy and Lucie Yu first visited Bali together in 2018 for a monthlong vacation.

That year, Lombok, a neighboring island, experienced a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that could be felt even in Bali, which was 40 minutes away by plane.

"We couldn't travel much to the other islands because the boats weren't working, so we rented motorbikes, and we did road trips to see all the different parts of the main island," Lucie, 35, told Business Insider.

The couple, who was living in Paris at the time, was blown away by the simplicity of life on the island and the generosity of the people they met.

"Farmers whose houses were damaged by the earthquake still invited us over for coffee. They had a smile on their faces and were just happy to be alive," Lucie said. "It was a sign that this place had some magic."

A year later, in September 2019, the couple packed up their lives and moved across the globe to Bali.

Finding land

Initially, they planned to use Bali as a base to travel around Asia. But six months later, the pandemic hit and derailed their plans.

Around then, Tanguy cofounded Astungkara Way , a regenerative travel company. That spurred the couple's decision to put down more permanent roots in Bali, so they started looking for land to build on.

During their first year in Bali, the couple lived in Kerobokan, an area sandwiched between the bustling, tourist-filled neighborhoods of Canggu and Seminyak.

"It was very busy, very loud, and a lot of traffic," Lucie said.

They knew they wanted to be somewhere quieter, and a friend introduced them to the property 10 miles north in Kediri, where they now live.

The only criterion they had was that the land couldn't be a rice paddy since part of the travel company's mission is to protect rice paddies.

"We thought that it was too far from things like hospitals and shops. But when he took us here, and we stepped on this land, we felt this was the place we wanted to be," Lucie said.

They had viewed three other plots of land before they found this.

"The land was basically the village dump and the soil was full of trash. It took us two weeks to clean everything up," Lucie said.

She added that back in 2020 , there was only one local village in the area, although things have changed since.

"We were like the last point before the rice paddies started and we were promised that it would stay that way," Lucie said. But two months later, a new 160-home development broke ground on the land just beyond their property.

Building a low-impact house

In local measurements, their land spans 15 are — about 16,145 square feet.

The couple says they paid 4.5 million Indonesian rupiah per are each year for a 25-year lease, which amounts to about 1.687 billion Indonesian rupiah in total, or about $103,500 in today's currency.

Building the home took about four months, and they estimate they spent about $70,000 on the build.

The couple's house is surrounded by their lush outdoor garden. A dirt pathway with an overhead trellis covered in creepers leads from the gate at the edge of their property to the couple's front door.

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The entire front section of the house is shielded by a giant insect net — meant for greenhouses — to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

"You get sun, you get wind, you get rain in the house as well, which is really nice, but you don't get bugs," Tanguy, 40, told BI.

There's even a garden inside the house, which helps keep their home cool even without a cooling system.

The couple's home was designed and built by the late architect Tony Gwilliam, a close family friend. The inspiration behind its design was another similar building prototype that Gwilliam had constructed in the Bloo Lagoon Eco Village , a resort located along the east coast of Bali.

"We went for a road trip during our first week in Bali, and we stopped by the Bloo Lagoon Eco Village because we wanted to see their permaculture garden. In the middle of the garden was the first prototype of our house, and we just fell in love with its concept," Lucie said.

It was a six-meter cube made from steel, and the couple liked the idea of incorporating that material into their build.

"If you're using steel, you can have very small foundational elements," Tanguy said.

For instance, the couple's house is supported by six steel pillars and made from local brick. Because it's light, the house can also be taken down and fit in a container to be moved if required.

"It doesn't take much space, and it doesn't require many materials," Tanguy added.

As he explained, Gwilliam and the couple were inspired by architect R. Buckminster Fuller's ideas about the weight of a house , which is related to its environmental impact.

"How much material was extracted from the ground, transported, and transformed? When you have a big concrete villa, the impact of those is colossal," Tanguy said.

Even the home's interiors are fairly minimal, with each piece of furniture designed by the couple and made by local craftsmen.

"Maybe we're getting older, we're less attached — and this is also what the idea of coming here was about, to be less attached to material things and more attached to how we feel, how we live, how we are as a couple, as parents, and just focusing more on life," he said.

Now, even with an infant son in tow, they have a slower pace of life.

Every day, they spend time as a family and walk their three dogs along the beach, which is less than 10 minutes away on foot. The couple also has two cats, and they rear chickens and grow their own produce in the garden.

"The only thing that we didn't think about when we were creating the house was that we were going to have a baby, so it's not very baby-proof," Lucie added.

That said, the layout can be easily adjusted because of the house's design and materials.

"If we want to add two more rooms, we can still do it within the space," she said. "We can improve it as we grow according to our needs."

Be part of the solution, not the problem

Tanguy acknowledges that mass tourism has greatly impacted Bali and its natural ecosystems. He points to the island's ongoing water crisis and the destruction of Bali's natural landscapes for materials as examples.

"I think people should move here if they want to contribute, but if they are here to just extract value from the people, from unregulated resource management, then they should reconsider," Tanguy said. "It's a pretty fragile part of the world."

He added that there are plenty of eco-tourism alternatives that are now available on the island.

"There are a lot of hotels that are trying to do better, who are growing their own food, doing wastewater treatment or sourcing their food locally," Tanguy said. "If you come to Bali, go there and support. The same thing for restaurants."

"Make sure to be part of the solution," he added.

Have you recently built or renovated your dream home? If you've got a story to share, get in touch with me at  [email protected] .

Watch: How a Vietnamese village is keeping an 800-year-old papermaking tradition alive

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Urban Draws and Sandy Feet: 5 Cities With Great Beaches

Already been to Miami, Honolulu and Sydney? These other coastal destinations are vibrant on land and on the water, reliably offering visitors great beaches and urban adventures.

By Lauren Sloss

While secluded, remote coastal destinations have enduring appeal, a great beach city provides travelers with top-notch hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions, as well as the requisite sandy feet, endless waves and ocean sunsets of a great beach vacation.

We’ve gone farther afield from the Miamis and Honolulus of the world to offer these five beach-city suggestions. As always, research site-specific travel tips and observe local customs on appropriate beachwear and seaside behavior.

Istanbul has enough sights, sounds and history to fill multiple itineraries — ancient palaces and modern art, no-frills yet delicious street food and high-end restaurants, a raucous nightlife and the ubiquitous calls to prayer ringing from the city’s mosques. But it also has the Princes’ Islands , roughly an hour boat ride away (via public ferries, water buses or private boats). The cluster of nine islands, four of which are inhabited, have hiking trails, car-free streets and, of course, beaches, with sandy coves spilling out into the warm waters of the Sea of Marmara. Public beaches and beach clubs can be found on the three largest islands, Heybeliada, Büyükada and Burgazada. Aim to visit on a weekday to avoid crowds.

Upon your return, stroll along the banks of the Bosporus or dive into the bustle of the Beyoğlu district. You can find a glass of Turkish wine at Solera winery, or head to Çukur Meyhane , a low-key tavern beloved by locals and visitors alike, for a pour or three of anise-flavored raki.

Marseille, France’s second largest city, has gotten something of a reputation revamp in recent years, with an influx of creative professionals breathing new life into the port city — as well as the preparations needed to host a spate of sailing events for this summer’s Olympic Games. But Marseille’s heady mix of French, Italian and North and West African cultures has long made it a vibrant destination. The city buzzes with great food (beyond its famous bouillabaisse) and vibrant art found in galleries and on the street covering the walls of the hip Cours Julien neighborhood. And if you head down to the water’s edge, you’ll find local residents of all ages perched on craggy limestone rocks, sharing wine and plunging into the clear, aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean.

Sandy beaches can be found along the Corniche de President John F. Kennedy in the city’s 7th Arrondissement, too, including family-friendly Plage du Prophete and, closer to the city center, Plage des Catalans . All of are easily reached by bus, bike or on foot. Wherever you choose to dip, you’ll be spitting distance from ample waterfront bars and cafes perfect for a post-swim apero.

South Korea

From world-famous barbecue to K-pop to an exchange rate that’s quite favorable to the U.S. dollar, reasons to visit Korea are so plentiful these days that the country’s excellent beaches might be skipped. That would be a mistake, particularly in Busan. Korea’s second largest city has a waterfront scene fit to rival Miami Beach, with striking mountainscapes, Buddhist temples and hiking trails, and a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene. Haeundae Beach is Busan’s best known, thanks to a nearly mile-long stretch of golden sand and blue water surrounded by attractions, including the Sealife Busan Aquarium , tented restaurants serving seafood and hiker-friendly Dongbaek Park. Other beaches worth exploring include Gwangalli Beach, which on Saturday nights, is home to drone shows with changing themes and musical accompaniments. More waterfront fun can be found at the Bay 101 Yacht Club , where you’ll find multiple eateries, shops and yacht tours of the Busan waterfront.

For Midwestern beachgoers, the shores of Lake Michigan are well-trod, thanks to stunning county and state parks, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Chicago’s undeniably epic urban beaches. But Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, shouldn’t be overlooked by any coast-loving visitors to the area, thanks to the city’s 1,400 acres of waterfront beaches and parkland. Some of those include Bradford Beach , which has lifeguards on duty plus volleyball courts, a frozen custard stand and a tiki bar; South Shore Beach , which boasts city views and, in true Wisconsin fashion, a beer garden; and Tietjen Beach at Doctor’s Park , a semi-secluded haven with excellent bird watching. Of course, Milwaukee’s extensive brewery scene , art museum and baseball tradition makes the city well-worth visiting, as does its packed summer festival schedule , which includes Summerfest . The nine-day festival, held over three weekends in June and July, boasts a 600-artist lineup with acts ranging from Motley Crue and Tyler Childers to Lil Uzi Vert and SZA.

San Sebastián

San Sebastián, or Donostia in the local Basque language, has long been a destination for travelers seeking to explore Basque culture, feast on culinary treasures and enjoy the striking coastal location hugging the Bay of Biscay. The city’s beaches, backed by lush green mountains, are well worth your attention, too, particularly in the summer months when the cooling Atlantic waters are as refreshing as they are necessary. La Concha, with its curved shape and golden sand, has been famous since its time as a resort destination in the 18th century. Ondarrata and Zurriola are must-visits for surfers, and also host lively beach volleyball, football and tennis games. And in the summer months, you can take a short ferry ride to Isla Santa Clara , where you’ll find a pocket-sized beach with a bar and a natural salt water-filled swimming pool.

After a day by the water, you’ll be more than ready to go on a pintxo-crawl around town — the bite-sized delights are a staple of the city’s dining scene, and range from skewers of anchovies, olives and peppers to grilled morsels of foie gras atop bread. Wash it all down with a dry, Basque-style cider or a glass of cold Txakoli wine.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The Grammy-nominated D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  The Gila Wilderness, home to wolves, mountain lions and other wildlife, marks a century as a “land lab,”  where nature thrives as far as the eye can see.

Greece:  Is Serifos the perfect Greek island? A writer’s checklist included ferry service, great beaches and good local restaurants.

Brooklyn:  This 36-hour itinerary  skips the most touristy and overdeveloped areas, including Williamsburg and Dumbo, and requires no restaurant reservations or advance planning.

Costa Rica:  Travelers are signing up for phone-free tours to try to escape technology’s tether on daily life. But would it make for a better experience ?

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