Bangkok taxi driver arrested after ripping off British tourist

[webfact]

Bangkok taxi driver arrested after ripping off British tourist

 

 

Tourist Police have announced the arrest of a Bangkok taxi driver who charged a British tourist 3,985 baht to go from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khaosan Road.

 

 

James Alexander Loakes complained to Tourist Police that he believed he had been scammed.

 

When officers checked the taxi, it was found that the meter had been modified in order to overcharge passengers.

 

77kaoded reported that the driver faces a combined fine of 7,000 baht and has had his license suspended for three months.

 

Mr Loakes was taking the taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 19.

 

He called the Tourist Police hotline on 1155 to report the scam. Officers swept into action and arrested the taxi driver after discovering the rigged meter.

 

Source: 77kaoded

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-06-21

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[Nong Khai Man]

Good, That MIGHT Teach the GREEDY Taxi Driver a Lesson !!

[taotoo]

Just now, Nong Khai Man said:

Good, That MIGHT Teach the GREEDY Taxi Driver a Lesson !!

7k is nothing compared with what he's potentially been making, and a 3 month ban which probably wouldn't be adhered to is unlikely to teach anybody anything.

[madmitch]

They've obscured the guys eyes but have a picture of an unredacted driving licence, complete with ID number, date of birth etc. Rgerdless of what the guy has done, this is a violation of privacy.

[bbi1]

Has the taxi driver been also banned from driving a taxi and had his taxi license taken away from him? Or is it business as usual?

[NCC1701A]

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

Officers swept into action

meanwhile in other news, motorbike taxi driver gangs continue their ongoing street battles with guns and bats killing more innocent bystanders.  

[bbi1]

1 minute ago, madmitch said:

They've obscured the guys eyes but have a picture of an unredacted driving licence, complete with ID number, date of birth etc. Rgerdless of what the guy has done, this is a violation of privacy.

lol....he deserves to be named and shamed and have his picture up without his eyes obscured

[Vacuum]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

When officers checked the taxi, it was found that the meter had been modified in order to overcharge passengers.

That's why I never use the meter.

[madmitch]

2 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

lol....he deserves to be named and shamed and have his picture up without his eyes obscured

Name and shame, no problem; totally agree. But not so sure about giving out his ID number.

[YTP]

10 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

That's why I never use the meter.

Great idea, give yourself a pat on the back.

[colinneil]

Love it....Officers SWEPT INTO ACTION, priceless that is priceless.

What should have actually been said was, officers put down their smart phones after closing candy crush.

[the guest]

Perhaps the authorities should spot-check every taxi in the country ?

[Orton Rd]

25 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

That's why I never use the meter.

You have always been scammed then, the number of rigged meters is quite small and you can notice it racing as soon as you set off.

[brucegoniners]

Wait. Are you telling me one of Bangkok’s fine and upstanding taxi drivers would do something like this?

 

say it ain’t so...

[Vacuum]

2 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

You have always been scammed then

Certainly not scammed, as I offer the driver a price that I'm willing to pay.

[evadgib]

33 minutes ago, madmitch said:

They've obscured the guys eyes but have a picture of an unredacted driving licence, complete with ID number, date of birth etc. Rgerdless of what the guy has done, this is a violation of privacy.

As is the plastering of the victims Fizzog & pers details in the public domain.

 

What was the flash-to-bang time in this case? Did he ring RTP in real time or report it afterwards?

 

(Rhetorical question as the answer isn't clear)

Edited June 21, 2019 by evadgib

[Orton Rd]

7 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Certainly not scammed, as I offer the driver a price that I'm willing to pay.

He would only accept if it's more than the meter fare = scammed

[buick]

3 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Certainly not scammed, as I offer the driver a price that I'm willing to pay.

that is how i feel, after a couple years in bkk i just gave up trying to get the drivers to use the meters.  if you live locally and have the same general routine, you know how much it costs to go from one point to another.  easier to just tell the guy how much he'll get.  i work in increments of 100thb.  i know i can get to certain places for 100th, 200thb, 300thb, 400thb.  thankfully most are short 100thb rides. 

 

unfortunately this tourist really got the shaft.  i had a friend coming in from germany and he and his buddy also stayed over on KSR.  he paid 2,000thb from DMK.

 

 

[Orton Rd]

In 25 years I have had one rigged meter and only 2 refusing to use the meter, one on new years eve. Giving into these scammers by getting in and agreeing a fee only makes the situation worse for others. If you look like an easy mark and act like soft touch of course they will try it on, just say NO!

Edited June 21, 2019 by Orton Rd

[CharlieH]

Pathetic penalty and no deterrent to any others. 

 

Until they introduce "real" consequences to an action there will be no change and viewed merely as an occupational hazard.

[Genericnic]

"When officers checked the taxi, it was found that the meter had been modified in order to overcharge passengers."

 

Impounding the taxi might have been a good idea as well. That would have gotten his attention more than the small fine and the 3 month - probably unenforced - suspension.

 

David

 

[holy cow cm]

And he actually paid the 3985 ? 

[SuwadeeS]

They catch only one.

 

That is still nothing

[Matzzon]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

James Alexander Loakes complained to Tourist Police that he believed he had been scammed.

Believed! Nice to know he wasn´t sure. Just for a second there, I was all about to start belive in intelligence again. 

[potless]

Not excusing such a rip off, but the meter rates are absurdly low. I would not deny any man the right to earn a reasonable living wage. When was the last time there was a realistic rise in meter rates?

[berrec]

22 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

In 25 years I have had one rigged meter and only 2 refusing to use the meter, one on new years eve. Giving into these scammers by getting in and agreeing a fee only makes the situation worse for others. If you look like an easy mark and act like soft touch of course they will try it on, just say NO!

Wow, great experience here, try any busy Soi off Sukhumvit after midnight around Asoke or Nana area........ there's a whole new world out there you could experience.... no meters and ridiculous fare price quotes of 100's of Baht from 95% of taxi drivers to go a few Km home. 

[atyclb]

30 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

In 25 years I have had one rigged meter and only 2 refusing to use the meter,

 

congratulations on awakening from "coma"

[PerkinsCuthbert]

Good to see officers 'sweeping' into action. Too often, they merely 'rush' to the scene.

[monkeycu]

I take it next week we will read about 6 honest taxi drivers

Obviously this was not their week

[Wiggy]

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

Love it....Officers SWEPT INTO ACTION, priceless that is priceless.

What should have actually been said was, officers put down their smart phones after closing candy crush.

Lol. Yes. Makes a change from “swept it under the carpet.”