Taxi drivers ignore threats from DLT - insist renting by the month is fine in meter dispute

 

Pictures: Daily News

 

The leader of a group representing taxi drivers has said that his members are doing nothing wrong in renting cabs by the month.

 

They have to make a living and the current official meter charges are too low causing them hardship. 

 

Woraphan Kaemhhunthot said they turn on the meter but many have reported that the monthly rental cars are being used without meters. 

 

The vehicles are being rented out for 12,000 baht a month by My Taxi Co Ltd in which Woraphan has a financial interest. 

 

 

The Department of Land Transport that regulates taxis said that top fines of 1,000 baht would continue to be handed out to any taxi drivers reported for not using the meter.

 

Pheeraphon Thawornsuphacharoen said that licence suspensions would be handed out for second offences. 

 

Taxi drivers are furious that 8% price hikes for the near 13,000 "OK" taxis ignore the demands of the majority of the 80,000 cabs in the capital who want to see prices raised.

 

Pheeraphon conceded that a study through November will be considering that issue. 

 

But figures comparing 2018 and 2016 show that taxi drivers are breaking the law more and more that is not helping the taxi drivers' case, he said. 

 

Pheeraphon urged the public to report all cases of taxi drivers refusing fares and not turning on the meter so that the service could be improved. 

 

Source: Daly News

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-11-02

 

80,000 taxis in Bangkok?

 

That  must be a misprint..

 

10 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

 

80,000 taxis in Bangkok?

 

That  must be a misprint..

 

I dont think so, have seen that figure before, 80.000 is a serious amount of taxis, how do they make money?Other  than cheating people.

Quote

They have to make a living and the current official meter charges are too low causing them hardship. 

I think this could be a porkie pie. 

 

6 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

80,000 taxis in Bangkok?

 

That  must be a misprint..

 

This number is based on observation. Data was collected on the numbers of taxis seen between Asoke and Nana.

"Taxis are ubiquitous in Bangkok, and are a popular form of transport. As of August 2012, there are 106,050 cars,58,276 motorcycles and 8,996 tuk-tuk motorized tricycles cumulatively registered for use as taxis."

This is the latest data I can find.

I think they just dont understand not many people are going to pay 10K baht per month to someone that is well known to not honor their current contract.

There are way too many taxis in bangkok anyway its no wonder they dont make much money.

They are all due a fare increase. But with that Thai will take fewer rides overall imo.

 

I have no issue if they don't want to take a fare. They should have that option, it's their business and stress behind the wheel.

 

Stop crying about your drunken ass being stuck on lower Sukhumvhit at 1230am You knew the situation.

 

Having said that, they simply must use the meter.

 

It's only happened a few times, but I threaten to or do just get out of the cab. Only a rube would arrive at a destination and be stuck negotiating the fare with some crazy taxi driver with weapons stashed in his trunk.

 

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The leader of a group representing taxi drivers has said that his members are doing nothing wrong in renting cabs by the month.

Bit like a a Thai girlfriend then .. 

"Pheeraphon urged the public to report all cases of taxi drivers refusing fares and not turning on the meter so that the service could be improved."

 

Report how? Call the normal police #? Tourist police #?

 

I'll guess that the tourist police would be more likely to follow through but I've never called either one.

15 hours ago, stanleycoin said:

I think this could be a porkie pie. 

 

I'm not so sure: 12k to rent a vehicle, say 5k for fuel, that's 17k a month "fixed costs" before you make a Baht for yourself. I doubt many of them are taking 1k a shift...

 

 

 

 

15 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

80,000 taxis in Bangkok?

 

That  must be a misprint..

 

No wonder they cannot make money. Cancel half the licences and then they will make money, because rain hail or shine they'll definitely stop for fares

12 minutes ago, JAG said:

I'm not so sure: 12k to rent a vehicle, say 5k for fuel, that's 17k a month "fixed costs" before you make a Baht for yourself. I doubt many of them are taking 1k a shift...

 

Yes,  you could be right,

if we are talking about an honest Taxi driver.    

29 minutes ago, a977 said:

No wonder they cannot make money. Cancel half the licences and then they will make money, because rain hail or shine they'll definitely stop for fares

But try and get a taxi when it is raining !!

Taxi drivers ignore threats from DLT - insist renting by the month is fine in meter dispute

 

 

Typical Thai culture; ignore any laws or regulations; its me first!

Jail this taxi thug and they can seek employment at many factories if they can't meet the legal standards. ANY driver refusing meter stripped of his licence. No warning no fines. FINISHED.

2 hours ago, jaiyen said:

But try and get a taxi when it is raining !!

They are a disgrace it's the current governments no reform policy 

3 hours ago, JAG said:

I'm not so sure: 12k to rent a vehicle, say 5k for fuel, that's 17k a month "fixed costs" before you make a Baht for yourself. I doubt many of them are taking 1k a shift...

 

 

 

 

Rubbish

7 minutes ago, Media1 said:

Rubbish

Why rubbish?

 

Or are you just trying to pick a fight?

19 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

80,000 taxis in Bangkok?

 

That  must be a misprint..

 

There are actually over 200,000 taxis in Bangkok.

The problem is that there are too many taxis in Bangkok and too many refuse to drive properly.

I think taxis are too cheap, but they get what they deserve. Majority may be good, but bad apples are dragging them down, which taxi drivers should raise the grievances on their own folks.

 

10 minutes ago, mike324 said:

There are actually over 200,000 taxis in Bangkok.

The problem is that there are too many taxis in Bangkok and too many refuse to drive properly.

I think taxis are too cheap, but they get what they deserve. Majority may be good, but bad apples are dragging them down, which taxi drivers should raise the grievances on their own folks.

 

 

Agreed - I've been back in Bangkok for 10 days (from a month overseas)...  Life has been pretty relaxed, my encounters with the general Thai population perfectly normal and enjoyable as you would expect in any city (I've used Grab a couple of times where needed).

 

Until last night, where I was reminded there are also scum-bottom feeders here who have no respect for anyone around them....  Taxi drivers !... at midnight on Sukhumvit, road side flag-fall... Taxi stops - I get in, request my destination (my Thai is ok) straight out Rejection. 

Next taxi stops - I get in, request my destination, told to get out (rudely)!

Nest taxi stops - I get in, request my destination, the drivers huffs-and-puffs as if he's reluctantly doing me a huge favor by taking me....  hitting the horn when stopped at lights and generally being in a bad mood and driving aggressively. Tool !

 

These guys are doing themselves no favors...  IMO they get more than they deserve - because the don't deserve to be in business. Its a shame for the honest, genuine polite drivers who get dragged down by the scum.

4 hours ago, stanleycoin said:

Yes,  you could be right,

if we are talking about an honest Taxi driver.    

Finding an honest taxi driver in Bangkok would be like finding an honest politician.

21 hours ago, webfact said:

8% price hikes ... ignore the demands of the majority of the 80,000 cabs in the capital who want to see prices raised.

Must be me. I thought a price hike WAS a rise?

4 hours ago, JAG said:

Why rubbish?

 

Or are you just trying to pick a fight?

1000 a shift lol. How long you been here 1 day. There robbing people blind out there

23 hours ago, colinneil said:

I dont think so, have seen that figure before, 80.000 is a serious amount of taxis, how do they make money?Other  than cheating people.

That's part of the issue... too many taxis and not enough customers to go around !!!!

1 hour ago, Media1 said:

1000 a shift lol. How long you been here 1 day. There robbing people blind out there

I've been here long enough  to recognise when someone is talking nonsense.

 

I think you are talking nonsense

Take Lampang. Yes, there was a single taxi. No, it would  o n l y   drive for set amounts (250 THB for a short drive).

 

In Bangkok, at Chatuchak BTS, the motorcycle taxi drivers demand "100 THB" to go to Mochit. 

 

The DLT needs to throw the book at these operators and focus on the owners, not the little guys following orders.

6 hours ago, JAG said:

I've been here long enough  to recognise when someone is talking nonsense.

 

I think you are talking nonsense

Stay a bit longer son. Your well off course

23 hours ago, Notagain said:

There are way too many taxis in bangkok anyway its no wonder they dont make much money.

But on the other hand how to explain that many refuse errands because they are just to lazy perhaps ? ... they may not be all that in need after all ?