"We can't have Thais taking advantage of tourists", says airport cop as rip-off taxi driver fined

[rooster59]

"We can't have Thais taking advantage of tourists", says airport cop as rip-off taxi driver fined

 

Image: Tourist Police Bureau website on Facebook

 

The head of the tourist police at Bangkok's second airport Don Muang has said that Thais must not rip off foreigners, or their own nationals come to that.

 

Pol Maj-Gen Wiraphat Khamlapitch was quoted on the Tourist Police Bureau website on Facebook after they caught a taxi driver who tried to con a tourist out of 1,500 baht for a ride downtown.

 

Ten officials comprising tourist police, Department of Land Transport men and local district officials were pictured with the driver whose eyes were scribbled out. 

 

The report said that he was fined "heavily" on four charges.

 

The driver had been involved in taking a foreign tourist and his family from Don Muang to the city center that should cost a few hundred baht. 

 

It was reported at the time that the driver took the family back to Don Muang when they refused to pay what it said on the card.

 

Source: Tourist Police Bureau website on Facebook

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-06-29

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[nev]

How about making a real example like stripping him if his taxi licence, Will send a better message than a paltry fine.

[happy chappie]

I noticed signs like in Phuket aitport that if you are caught stealing its a fine of 10x the value.i bet this thieving little bar steward didn't get a 15,000b fine.

[trainman34014]

How can any Policeman in Thailand keep a straight face when making such a statement !

[wisperone]

Great...I guess that will eliminate foreigner pricing at attractions. Good news????

[TVGerry]

This taxi rip off thing is serious but they needed 10 policemen for this?

[Moti24]

17 hours ago, nev said:

How about making a real example like stripping him if his taxi licence, Will send a better message than a paltry fine.

What licence!

[AhFarangJa]

L.M.A.O........ Someone should whisper in his ear that ripping off tourists is a National Sport !!!!!.....

Edited June 30, 2019 by AhFarangJa

[nycjoe]

If you see a guy with a gray rectangular box across his eyes, don't get in his cab.

[remorhaz]

Well I'm sure his 500 baht "heavy" fine will deter him from charging 1500 baht in the future.  Nope the next tourist he sees will be charged 2000.  This is what as known as a "cost of doing business" not a fine. 

[soalbundy]

15 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

How can any Policeman in Thailand keep a straight face when making such a statement !

Go away taxi man, that's our job.

[sahibji]

talk talk talk and more talk.

 

have more stringent punishment and  enforcement measures. only then you can hope to minimise this problem. punishment could include higher fines, custodial sentences and caning for repeat offenders,

[sahibji]

1 hour ago, Moti24 said:

What licence!

sorry what do you mean by "what licence" ? any implication of unlicensed taxi drivers?

[Elfin]

I am so disappointed-no-one is pointing at the taxi driver!

 

????????????☝️????

[legend49]

18 hours ago, nev said:

How about making a real example like stripping him if his taxi licence, Will send a better message than a paltry fine.

no better still complete the operation on his eyes. pictured with the driver whose eyes were scribbled out. 

[bkkcanuck8]

Stop fining the drivers and start charging them for fraud for using a hyped up meter.

[SteveK]

So he got fined roughly what a Burger King meal costs inside the airport? What a joke.

[johng50]

20 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"We can't have Thais taking advantage of tourists", says airport cop as rip-off taxi driver fined

Mmmmm i thought this is the top subject taught in Thai schools. Thai students dont

get a pass unless they are taught to steal, lie, pick pocket, extort, so they can become a

future police officer. ( or any other official job.)

[bander]

20 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The report said that he was fined "heavily" on four charges.

Dont make me laugh, 500 bath fine and a slap on the wrist, and a verbal warning: "next time you rip of a foreigner, make sure not to get caught". 

[hotchilli]

Fine, fine, fine ,fine, fine, fine... that's all they do... and where does the fine end up?

A fine obviously does nothing to deter rogue drivers from ripping off customers, either by way of direct over-charging, rigging the meter or whatever other means they've dreamt up!

Just kick them out of the company, take away the licence & put them on a national database.. which all companies have to check before employing anyone!

 

[Formaleins]

19 hours ago, nev said:

How about making a real example like stripping him if his taxi licence, Will send a better message than a paltry fine.

Because as usual it is nothing more than hot air, nothing will be done. The only they even bother to mention it is because they got caught!

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm.... quelle horreur... Thais taking advantage of tourists.... surely not.

[rtco]

16 hours ago, wisperone said:

Great...I guess that will eliminate foreigner pricing at attractions. Good news????

Thailand ... the land of smiles double standards

[natway09]

Hi Happy Chappie, 

The taxis in Phuket rip everybody off legally.

The listed prices are outrageous already !! 10% for who ?

[Guderian]

Really, the standard of police work in this country has become very slack, not one of them is pointing at the guy.

[IssanMichael]

I think his sentence was far too extreme being fined and having his eyes scribbled out.

[bluesea]

Ah just play there silly game, people are not stupid they will just go somewhere else for there holiday.

[RichardColeman]

How about addressing dual pricing 'taking advantage' ?

[Charlie1]

And I just had to pay 400 Baht for a ride from the pier of Koh Tao to the "In Touch" Hotel with two persons. Everyone can see on Google Maps that this ride is just 1 (ONE!) Km drive. The fact that they charge the ride for every extra person is theft by itself. The taxi was booked at the pier from an "official" stand (of the mafia). At this price, a ride from Suvarnabhumi to town (30 Km) would set you back 12.000 Baht !!! That's <deleted> 400 U$ !!

[Emdog]

Do we really need 10 officials, cops, whatever they are to pose with one cheat? How about they stop polishing their medals and actually do some work? Sorry. I've been here long enough to know that isn't going to happen