Use Carrot And Stick To Rein In Rogue Cabbies

[Coss]

High-profile scams at the airport are threatening Thailand's allure for tourists

 

Bangkok's taxi drivers are once again in the spotlight for overcharging, after recent complaints by foreign visitors and expats garnered huge attention on the social media. Two Japanese expats, both of them long-term Thailand residents, drew much support from both the locals and foreign tourists for their separate condemnations of cab drivers who refused to use the meter and attempted to overcharge them.

 

Thais, too, have long had to deal with the unscrupulous practises of some Bangkok taxi drivers. But unlike foreign tourists, few natives of the city are refused the meter - probably because they know its use is mandatory, so cabbies don't bother to try the scam.

 

Instead, the biggest complaint against cabbies made by Thai Bangkokians is being refused a ride. Each year sees several thousand official complaints of cabbies saying no to a fare.

 

Refusing a passenger is against Department of Land Transport regulations and is punishable by a fine of up to Bt1,000.

 

The drivers often come up with excuses for their reluctance, such as having to return the taxi shortly or being low on fuel. But many simply drive off without bothering to offer a reason.

 

Of the more than 1,000 complaints filed against taxi drivers every month on average, most of them involve refusing passengers, according to Department of Land Transport records. That leads to about 3,000 fines handed out each year to rogue cabbies, while more than 1,000 others get official warnings, according to the agency.

 

Dissatisfaction with Bangkok cabs hailed on the street helps explain why more and more of us are switching to the taxi apps and pre-booked services as a more reliable alternative.

 

The problem at Suvarnabhumi Airport is a long-standing one. Observing the undisguised disappointment of cabbies at being handed the job of ferrying a Thai passenger to a destination close to the airport is an all-too common experience for users of this service. The cabbies prefer foreign tourists, who are more likely to want to go to destinations outside Bangkok, such as Pattaya. In such cases, unscrupulous drivers can add hundreds of baht to the standard long-distance fare.

 

The Land Transport Department is studying the feasibility of doubling the surcharge for airport taxis from the current rate of Bt50. Increasing it to Bt100 may help satisfy the many cab drivers who have complained about making insufficient income, but it will certainly upset many passengers. However, if an extra Bt50 will help discourage taxi drivers from overcharging or refusing to use the meter, it is probably a price worth paying. But the authorities must ensure that cab drivers keep to their side of that bargain, and don't add extra charges.

 

It should be remembered that the majority of Bangkok's taxi drivers are honest and professional. However, a minority of rogue cabbies are damaging the image of the service as a whole by trying to cheat passengers, particularly foreigners, whom they view as easy targets. These unscrupulous habits threaten to drive visitors away and damage Thailand's allure for tourists. To deal with the rogues, authorities need to properly enforce the rules already in place - especially at the Kingdom's gateway, Suvarnabhumi.

 

So, if someone is increasing fares illegally, effectively stealing, then give them more money to stop them?

What a good idea.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Use-carrot-and-stick-to-rein-in-rogue-cabbies-30252875.html

[Dexi]

lots of hotels now offer a pick-up service from the airport at low cost.I intend to use this whenever possible.Also there is the free bus from Swamy > DM.

[waerth]

Three Words:

Airport Rail Link

[buffalo_bill]

More and more drivers seem to be refuse airportjobs using the meter . The 12 hours rental fee for a cab at least has been 980 BHT when I last time asked plus fuel . Then they receive 250 BHT and wait for hours in the queue to get back downtown . Isaan driver BuBi would certainly refuse an airport passenger for microeconomical reasons , better go dink beer Singha at Beergarden Soi 7 and meet nai ledy happy hour .

[Flashermac]

"But many simply drive off without bothering to offer a reason." Almost the only times I've had that happen, it has been in a tourist area.

[Mekong]

High-profile scams at the airport are threatening Thailand's allure for tourists

 

The problem at Suvarnabhumi Airport is a long-standing one. Observing the undisguised disappointment of cabbies at being handed the job of ferrying a Thai passenger to a destination close to the airport is an all-too common experience for users of this service. The cabbies prefer foreign tourists, who are more likely to want to go to destinations outside Bangkok, such as Pattaya. In such cases, unscrupulous drivers can add hundreds of baht to the standard long-distance fare.

 

 

I must really piss them off then, they see me and think "Farang Tourist" then get the slip that tells them I am only going halfway into downtown BKK

[khunsanuk]

Hi,

 

Three Words:

Airport Rail Link

 

Just not convenient if you are traveling with any kind of luggage larger than a small backpack. Besides you very likely would still have to get a taxi from either Makkasan or Payathai station (both of which are in areas that are a nightmare for traffic) or transfer to the MRT/BTS, which is a pain as well if you have luggage.

 

Sanuk!

[Flashermac]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/461578/airport-taxi-driver-didn-t-intend-to-cheat-passenger

[Guest]

Thanks David, i'm happy your happy with Thai happy taxi ....

 

[Guest]

http://www.bangkokpo...cheat-passenger

 

This clever farang lost the old man his job over 35 baht, even had a chuckle in the cab about it, and the presence of mind to film and upload too, nice one.....