webfact Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Taxi services ‘to be safer’ under new reforms as passengers complain about manners and safety By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM THE NATION File photo TAXI REFORMS to be launched on Thursday are meant to ensure more convenient and safer rides for passengers and boost the competitiveness of taxis against the Uber service, which is currently illegal, the Land Transport Department (DLT) has announced. DLT deputy director-general Cherdchai Sanunsrisakorn said under the reforms all new taxis would be equipped with GPS, safety equipment, closed-circuit TV and an emergency button for passengers. He added that a feasibility study being conducted into the Uber service was not yet complete, so Uber taxis were still considered illegal. Cherdchai added that in line with a ministerial directive from November 9 all newly registered taxis were required to install safety equipment that allows department officers to track driver’s behaviour and ensure convenience and safety for passengers. “I am sure that this latest taxi improvement will solve many problems that passengers have often found – such as the driver rejecting the passenger, overcharging and crimes in taxis – because the driver’s identity and behaviour is closely monitored by officers in the monitoring centre,” Cherdchai said. “This improvement is not only limited to taxi drivers in Bangkok, but taxis nationwide will have to follow the new rules as well.” However, he said that would not mean the swift transformation of all taxis in Thailand. Older taxis with valid licences would still be allowed to operate without installing the new equipment. However, when their licences are renewed, they will have to comply with the new checklist. Taxi vehicle licences in Thailand extend for 12 years, while drivers have to renew their licences every three years. Cherdchai also said that DLT also spoke about the new mobile application, “Taxi OK”, which allows passengers to call a cab, review a journey or make a complaint. “I am sure that this new taxi service improvement will benefit both passengers and taxi drivers,” he said. “The passengers can be sure that they will have smooth and safe journey with our new taxis, while this measure will boost the taxis’ competitiveness against the private taxi providers and ensure that they will have more passengers.” Meanwhile, he said the feasibility study on Uber’s taxi operation in Thailand by DLT and Thailand Development Research Institute was not finished yet. However, he said in many countries, including those in the European Union, courts considered the service provided by Uber as a taxi service, not car sharing. In these cases, the company had to follow the law and register their cars as taxis. He concluded that, at this time, Uber services using private cars to transport passengers was still considered illegal in Thailand. A frequent taxi passenger in Bangkok who asked to be referred to as Monchanok said the reforms were a very good move by authorities and made her feel more confident about using taxis, especially as she often had to take a cab on her own. “However, I do not believe that in the end these measures can solve many problems with driver’s behaviour, such as rudeness, reckless driving and passenger rejection. I suggest that the authorities focus on the quality of taxi drivers and do background checks on them as well,” Monchanok said. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30336802 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexlowe Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 As has been said a million times before by a million different people, the only way to change the mindset of the average Thai male is to hit him where it hurts most, that is the wallet, and to do it on such a regular basis that he finally realises he can't continue to dump all over people. Let's hope the Uber/Grab service is approved as it appears to be shaking up the established ennui. One thing not mentioned is the opportunity to use the three-year driving licence renewal to force drivers to undergo refresher courses on traffic laws, behaviour, technology, and some basic language phrases (Thai and English). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunderhill Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Safer than what a shot in the head? well thats such good news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcula Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 2 hours ago, webfact said: an emergency button for passengers An ejector seat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazySlipper Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 I am sure many taxi drivers are now thinking, "Gone the good old days of highway thievery, being rude and doing whatever we want... those were the good old days!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djayz Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 (edited) I've taken hundreds (maybe even housands) of taxis here over the past 12-13 years and have never had a single problem. I have had drivers refuse to drive me to my destination for whatever reason but I can live with that. No harm done. The only real complaint I have is that some drivers drive like Michael Schumacher and I have to tell them to slow down and drive carefully. As usual, because of a few bad apples, the rest have to jump through hoops. Edited January 22, 2018 by djayz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsensam Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 9 minutes ago, djayz said: I've taken hundreds (maybe even housands) of taxis here over the past 12-13 years and have never had a single problem. I have had drivers refuse to drive me to my destination for whatever reason but I can live with that. No harm done. The only real complaint I have is that some drivers drive like Michael Schumacher and I have to tell them to slow down and drive carefully. As usual, because of a few bad apples, the rest have to jump through hoops. absolutely agree, i can live with the occasional refusal to take me as the next cab i hail usually will. the problem is the driving but as you say can be solved with a polite request to slow down. the meter is always used, i have to remind them sometimes them but very occasionally and the driver almost always takes the route i'd take. i dont know about locals but i think many foreigners have problems with taxis because they use taxis that are hanging around hotel and tourist places or drivers that approach them - always hail a cab - and because they come across as 'tourists' in my experience taxis here in the vast majority are cheap and reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven100 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 how about making taxis accept rides.... hmmmm , I guess that's not what taxis are for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggy Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 (edited) 45 minutes ago, djayz said: I've taken hundreds (maybe even housands) of taxis here over the past 12-13 years and have never had a single problem. I have had drivers refuse to drive me to my destination for whatever reason but I can live with that. No harm done. The only real complaint I have is that some drivers drive like Michael Schumacher and I have to tell them to slow down and drive carefully. As usual, because of a few bad apples, the rest have to jump through hoops. The second and third lines negate your first line. Edited January 22, 2018 by Wiggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunderhill Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 1 hour ago, Darcula said: An ejector seat? For the driver, operated by the passenger, perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussieroaming Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Anyway, good initiatives if they are enforced, regulated and reviewed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thian Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 1 hour ago, LazySlipper said: I am sure many taxi drivers are now thinking, "Gone the good old days of highway thievery, being rude and doing whatever we want... those were the good old days!" Yes and ALL the previous crackdowns on bad taxi's had such a great effect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggy Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 14 minutes ago, Thian said: Yes and ALL the previous crackdowns on bad taxi's had such a great effect! Correct. Nothing will change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob12345 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 1 hour ago, djayz said: I've taken hundreds (maybe even housands) of taxis here over the past 12-13 years and have never had a single problem. I have had drivers refuse to drive me to my destination for whatever reason but I can live with that. No harm done. The only real complaint I have is that some drivers drive like Michael Schumacher and I have to tell them to slow down and drive carefully. As usual, because of a few bad apples, the rest have to jump through hoops. Unless you are an attractive female i doubt they installed the emergency button and camera for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebell Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Meanwhile in Pattaya ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1337markus Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 All the laws and reforms are meaningless unless the user complies with them, not going to happen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mok199 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 when I bought my scooter it thought great no more getting screwed..WRONG...then we bought a p/u and I though great,no more getting sodomized..WRONG AGAIN..parking and traffic and collisions and fuel and maintainance ..we still get ripped off ..but now its BIG TIME..these days we have a very small circumference of travel with more than enough to complain about right in that swirling vortex called ''HOME''. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman34014 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Note how it says 'All new Taxi's will be fitted with' all the new kit, but what about the thousands of old ones already on the road ? Lost count of the 'Initiatives', 'Crackdowns' etc etc concerning Taxi's down the years and none have really worked so far, so don't expect things will change a lot this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wavemanwww Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 "and an emergency button for passengers". Shows the difference between Thai Taxis and Australian Taxi drivers/American etc who are all police checked and properly trained. In these countries it's the driver who needs that emergency button and not the passengers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluespunk Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 5 hours ago, webfact said: “I am sure that this latest taxi improvement will solve many problems that passengers have often found – such as the driver rejecting the passenger, overcharging and crimes in taxis – because the driver’s identity and behaviour is closely monitored by officers in the monitoring centre,” Cherdchai said. “This improvement is not only limited to taxi drivers in Bangkok, but taxis nationwide will have to follow the new rules as well.” This guy’s hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkok Barry Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 5 hours ago, webfact said: ....such as the driver rejecting the passenger, overcharging and crimes in taxis – because the driver’s identity and behaviour is closely monitored by officers in the monitoring centre,” Cherdchai said. How do people in the monitoring centre, wherever it is, know that a driver has refused a fare outside MBK or on Suk 11 or anywhere else? Are they psychic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkok Barry Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 6 minutes ago, wavemanwww said: "and an emergency button for passengers". Shows the difference between Thai Taxis and Australian Taxi drivers/American etc who are all police checked and properly trained. In these countries it's the driver who needs that emergency button and not the passengers! The irony of that would be utterly over the head of the locals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiSoLowSoNoSo Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 So no more brutal machete fights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captspectre Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 you mean the same way that they were told not to refuse to turn the meter on? the same way they were told not to refuse to pick up passengers? you mean that same way? what a relief! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thian Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 6 hours ago, webfact said: “This improvement is not only limited to taxi drivers in Bangkok, but taxis nationwide will have to follow the new rules as well.” So even taxi's in Pattaya and Phuket/Samui as well? They even don't have a metre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SABloke Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 7 hours ago, webfact said: DLT deputy director-general Cherdchai Sanunsrisakorn said under the reforms all new taxis would be equipped with GPS, safety equipment, closed-circuit TV and an emergency button for passengers. The devil is in the detail. 7 hours ago, webfact said: Older taxis with valid licences would still be allowed to operate without installing the new equipment. However, when their licences are renewed, they will have to comply with the new checklist. Taxi vehicle licences in Thailand extend for 12 years, while drivers have to renew their licences every three years. So it's going to be quite a few years before this will have any effect on most drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaurene Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Just more talk again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonmarleesco Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 7 hours ago, Darcula said: An ejector seat? For the driver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d123 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 6 hours ago, mikebell said: Meanwhile in Pattaya ..... And don’t start on the infamous Phuket tuk tuks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtls2005 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 8 hours ago, Darcula said: An ejector seat? Passenger machete options would go a long way towards "leveling the playing field". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now