Hua Hin taxi wars: Angry taxi driver makes online threats against all Grab drivers, woman assaulted

[rooster59]

Hua Hin taxi wars: Angry taxi driver makes online threats against all Grab drivers, woman assaulted

Image: Daily News

 

A taxi driver assaulted a female hotel employee just hours after posting online threats against all Grab taxi drivers working in Hua Hin.

 

In what was a series of events very much a reflection of the modern day - a local taxi driver angry at the sudden arrival of competition in the form of ride hailing app, which led to threats and counter threats played out on social media.

 

The taxi driver, identified as a Mr Chakkrit, who has since been arrested, posted a video on Facebook threatening Grab taxi drivers working in Hua Hin.

 

The video came after he said the Grab drivers were threatening his livelihood.

 

The video was then shared to a local Hua Hin Facebook group by victim Sasiwimon Srikhan who is believed to be known to the attacker.

 

People commenting criticised the driver and were largely supportive of Grab.

 

The driver and Ms Srikhan then began arguing over social media, which resulted in a confrontation where the woman was assaulted and required medical treatment.

 

Ms Srikhan then posted photos of her injuries to Facebook, with the story later being picked up by local journalist Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn.

 

Grab, which launched in Hua Hin on May 17, allows people to book one of its taxis through the Grab app.

 

According to a Grab taxi driver who spoke to Thaivisa there are more than 80 people signed up as Grab drivers in Hua Hin.

 

That figure is now likely to be more given that the service has been up and running in Hua Hin for more than a week.

 

The driver we spoke to said he works for Grab during the day and in a restaurant at night.

 

He said that his customers were mainly foreigners, including Chinese, Koreans, Russians, British and Australians. But he also said that he had a large number of Thai customers.

 

People using the service, according to the driver, said they did so because it was cheaper than local taxis, more convenient and that foreigners in particular liked it because they knew how much they were going to pay beforehand and that booking a ride through the app eliminated any confusion or misunderstandings that may occur due to language barriers.

 

Meanwhile police in Hua Hin on Saturday spoke of their concern regarding the sudden arrival of Grab and potential conflict with local taxi drivers.

 

They said they cannot guarantee the safety of Grab drivers in instances they become involved in a conflict with local taxi drivers.

 

They added that due to confusion over the legality of Grab that people in Hua Hin should continue to use the local taxi drivers who are properly registered.

 

Local taxi drivers in Hua Hin are angry at the sudden loss of income since the launch of Grab.

 

They say the Grab drivers are working illegally and are not registered to operate as taxi drivers in accordance to requirements with the Land Transport Department.

 

There is also confusion regarding insurance should a Grab vehicle be involved in an accident whereby a passenger was injured in what is essentially a private vehicle being used for commercial purposes.

 

On the same day the service launched in Hua Hin, hundreds of motorcycle taxi drivers protested out Grab’s Thailand HQ in Bangkok calling for the company to stop owners of motorcycles with white licence plates from providing rides via the Grab app.

The demonstrators brought funeral wreaths with the names of Grab Thailand executives and burned a motorcycle taxi vest to symbolically express their anger, The Nation reported.

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-05-27

[darksidedog]

If taxis and motor bike taxis didn't have such an appalling reputation for bad manners and overcharging, I might have some sympathy.

[tingtongtourist]

"confusion regarding insurance should a Grab vehicle be involved in an accident"

 

lol is that a joke?

in an accident i will sooner take my chances with the GRAB. at least they might give you a lift to the hospital not kick you out on the street.

 

[Darcula]

26 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The video came after he said the Grab drivers were threatening his livelihood.

 

Only if your livelihood depends on being rude and ripping-off your customers.

 

[holy cow cm]

There is also confusion regarding insurance should a Grab vehicle be involved in an accident whereby a passenger was injured in what is essentially a private vehicle being used for commercial purposes.

 

What ever happened to the couple just on holiday here who ended up in hospital from riding in a taxi that their insurance did not cover the medical and hospital costs? Surely they are joking about the act of a commercial taxi and coverage?

[theoldgit]

10 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

What ever happened to the couple just on holiday here who ended up in hospital from riding in a taxi that their insurance did not cover the medical and hospital costs? Surely they are joking about the act of a commercial taxi and coverage?

They're both back in the UK

 

After Pete being readmitted and making a good recovery and Abbie’s op being successful our dream team were discharged and are now back in the UK.

[Get Real]

And this so called taxi driver, that actually is just another criminal hiding behind a criminal network of drivers. He can´t for his life understand, that it´s just because of people like him and his criminal organisation that there is a market for Grab and Uber. Sad when people that actually have themself to blame for threatening their livelihood, tries to blame others that don´t brake the law to make money.

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

They said they cannot guarantee the safety of Grab drivers in instances they become involved in a conflict with local taxi drivers.

Why not?

 

It is your job to do so, after all.

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

The demonstrators brought funeral wreaths with the names of Grab Thailand executives and burned a motorcycle taxi vest to symbolically express their anger,

Or more accurately "to symbolically express their violent threats"

[stevenl]

40 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

There is also confusion regarding insurance should a Grab vehicle be involved in an accident whereby a passenger was injured in what is essentially a private vehicle being used for commercial purposes.

 

What ever happened to the couple just on holiday here who ended up in hospital from riding in a taxi that their insurance did not cover the medical and hospital costs? Surely they are joking about the act of a commercial taxi and coverage?

Since nobody knows it was a commercial taxi, which seems unlikely to me, your comment is premature at best.

[bristolgeoff]

another town in the LOS that has a problem with taxi or motorbike mafia

[Wildliferescue]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

of Grab drivers in instances they become involved in a conflict with local taxi drivers.

They should resign from their jobs immediately. Safety of all people should be their main concern, no matter what conflict, unless of course if they profit from either party involved.

[yankee99]

"Local taxi drivers in Hua Hin are angry at the sudden loss of income since the launch of Grab."

 

Its called competition and maybe they should join grab taxi

[IamNoone88]

The old taxi ranks will go the way of the dinosaurs. A change in climate, a brief and desperate struggle to survive and then certain extinction. Grab first, autonomous vehicles next. Like the dinosaur's, large creatures with a brain the size of a pea, the taxi drivers demise is already cast in fossil stone. They don't even have the imagination to join the App can could save their immediate future. If you ain't busy being born, your busy dying ......  

[IamNoone88]

The old taxi ranks will go the way of the dinosaurs. A change in climate, a brief and desperate struggle to survive and then certain extinction. Grab first, autonomous vehicles next. Like the dinosaur's, large creatures with a brain the size of a pea, the taxi drivers demise is already cast in fossil stone. They don't even have the imagination to join the App can could save their immediate future. If you ain't busy being born, your busy dying ......  

[sahibji]

sore losers. stand up to competition and face the market forces.

 

alternatively provide such a good service that  people will happily pay small premiums.

 

do not expect to be spoon fed.

[sahibji]

2 hours ago, darksidedog said:

If taxis and motor bike taxis didn't have such an appalling reputation for bad manners and overcharging, I might have some sympathy.

no sympathy should be extended. this a a free country and let market forces prevail.

[sahibji]

1 hour ago, Darcula said:

 

Only if your livelihood depends on being rude and ripping-off your customers.

 

how are the Grab drivers threatening their livelihood. innovate  and provided good service. 

[theguyfromanotherforum]

3 minutes ago, sahibji said:

no sympathy should be extended. this a a free country and let market forces prevail.

 

I really lost you there.

[ChrisY1]

1 hour ago, holy cow cm said:

There is also confusion regarding insurance should a Grab vehicle be involved in an accident whereby a passenger was injured in what is essentially a private vehicle being used for commercial purposes.

 

What ever happened to the couple just on holiday here who ended up in hospital from riding in a taxi that their insurance did not cover the medical and hospital costs? Surely they are joking about the act of a commercial taxi and coverage?

The whole insurance business in Thailand, with vehicle insurance excepted, is a scam.

Getting insurance from taxis would be a non event!

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

I use GRAB all the time because I am tired of taxis rolling up, the window sliding down then, after hearing the destination, a shake of the head and a "Mai pai."  Screw these bums.  And it is shameful that the Hua Hin police  not to show more courage in dealing with these violent taxi drivers.

[new2here]

I agree that only properly licensed vehicles should be used - that’s a fair statement... and to that end, IF it is that Grab is using people/drivers whose vehicles are not properly licensed with DLT for commercial use - then I think that’s a fair complaint.

 

However, I think the underlying “trend” here is not in the drivers favor — that is the introduction and expanded use of “tech” in their line of work...

 

So, while I think in the short to even medium run, the use of tactics like legal maneuvering, the tacit/expressed or overt use of violence or similar threats by the “traditional” taxi establishment may slow the growth of Grab and Grab-like services, in the long run I don’t see that as stopping what really is an unstoppable movement.

 

I do agree that in the transition from the current old-model to new-model of taxi hiring services, there will be some who are simply “left behind” or victims if you will, by obsolescence, however that in and of itself isn’t going to stop the movement.

 

Smart folks would do what they have to to get “in front” of the trend and not rely on the government to stop or limit what really is (IMHO) a trend that is fundamentally unstoppable — only regulate-able at the very best.  

 

I also agreee with an earlier comment about “public optics” in that if there weren’t so many reports (and “so many” is if course subjective and subject to mainstream media exposure) of taxi operator abuse - be that fraud, theft, violence, I think in the court of public opinion, they’d have a much more solid ally and that, IMHO, would translate into what action the government takes, or not.

[hobz]

They play the insurance card again. Yet I recall a British tourist involved in a real taxi accident had to go to crowdfunding to pay his medical expenses. Or, real taxis are not insured either.

[hobz]

37 minutes ago, IamNoone88 said:

The old taxi ranks will go the way of the dinosaurs. A change in climate, a brief and desperate struggle to survive and then certain extinction. Grab first, autonomous vehicles next. Like the dinosaur's, large creatures with a brain the size of a pea, the taxi drivers demise is already cast in fossil stone. They don't even have the imagination to join the App can could save their immediate future. If you ain't busy being born, your busy dying ......  

But if they join the app how can they overcharge the customers and refuse inconvenient rides? 

[alant]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Mr Chakkrit

you really are a big man, bet you are so proud

[Knocker33]

Does anyone feel safe using these thugs to be driven from a to b.  The supposed registered taxi scum that is. The amount of cr@p they do beating up women ect does not inspire me to use them

[hobz]

25 minutes ago, new2here said:

I agree that only properly licensed vehicles should be used - that’s a fair statement... and to that end, IF it is that Grab is using people/drivers whose vehicles are not properly licensed with DLT for commercial use - then I think that’s a fair complaint.

The "real" taxis are not insured either it seems. Based on the relatively recent news about British tourist who was hospitalized after an accident with a supposed "real" taxi and had to beg for money online to cover hospital expenses.

 

If they want to keep make a living all they have to do is join grab. Their experience should allow them to become top grab drivers quickly if they just follow the rules.

Hell, many of them seems to have done it already in Chiang Mai.

 

As for long term future. Self driven cars will sooner or later take over. But before then I'm not sure if grab is making losses just like Uber did and how long they can keep it up. Maybe they need to raise prices to a level where the taxi mafia can compete again. Who knows?

[AccidentalTourist]

Grab, Uber you will find all over the world; there is hardly a issue with this in Europe; which of course are mostly civilized countries... which makes the difference

[madmitch]

There's nothing to stop him signing up as a Grab driver, giving him the best of both worlds. Many regular taxi drivers in Phuket and Bangkok do this.

[hobz]

7 minutes ago, AccidentalTourist said:

Grab, Uber you will find all over the world; there is hardly a issue with this in Europe; which of course are mostly civilized countries... which makes the difference

Wrong. Try to Google "Uber war Paris".

Everywhere that Uber comes the established taxi lobby fights them in every way possible. Including throwing rocks at Uber vehicles etc.