Back in the lobby of D&D Inn, where I stayed the first time. That was one long-ass bus ride. Remind me never to do that again.

At the Southern Bus Terminal (which for some reason isn't on the map of Bangkok I got at the airport), an entire fleet of vulture-like men and their taxis were ready to take me anywhere in the city - at 5 times the regular price. The driver who approached me first told me that he would take me to Khao San for 200 baht. "Same same as meter fare" (they always say same same for some reason) When I demanded the meter be turned on, he said "No meter."

me: Then why does it say Meter Taxi on your taxi?

him: Oh, that's just a sign.

me: That's odd, when I was here last week, all the taxis had meters. Are you telling me that they were all removed and the entire system changed in a matter of 10 days?

him: Yes.

me: Goodbye.

I eventually found a guy who agreed to use his meter. It cost me 53 baht. Lesson: don't trust taxi drivers. Admittedly though, I was getting worried. It was 4am, no one spoke English except the taxi drivers and I had no fucking clue where I was. I figured that at worst, I would just have to hang about this place until sunrise and then go find a major road. I'm just glad it didn't come to that.