Thailand’s minivan drivers beg government for assistance as Covid-19 travel restrictions bite

[webfact]

Picture: One31

 

One31.net reported that minivan drivers who hire out their vehicles for trips are feeling the brunt of the latest Covid-19 restrictions on inter-provincial travel. 

 

Passengers being told to only cross provincial lines if absolutely necessary, people losing their jobs and generally being spooked by the rise in Covid-19 cases has all added to a severe downturn in the business for the minivan drivers. 

 

Punwich Jenleuay, a 41 year old driver in Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima, said he had no income and can't afford to pay instalments on his vehicle. 

 

He would normally be hired to make 20 trips a month and get income of 50,000 baht that would be plenty to pay his 14,000 baht monthly instalment. 

 

But with nothing coming in he is calling on the government and everyone concerned to get hire purchase firms to defer payments for 3 - 6 months. 

 

He said that in the first wave of the pandemic last year there was a 3 month deferment and this was urgently required again. 

 

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[RotBenz8888]

Maybe they could use this opportunity to learn how to drive properly and detox from drugs and alcohol? 

[morrobay]

4 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Maybe they could use this opportunity to learn how to drive properly and detox from drugs and alcohol? 

And can include hostile attitude and heavy cigarette smoking* to that list. And that list is not going to change. The less of these reckless jerks the better Schadenfreude . I avoid even walking by these people.*

[Mr Meeseeks]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Punwich Jenleuay, a 41 year old driver in Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima, said he had no income and can't afford to pay instalments on his vehicle. 

 

He would normally be hired to make 20 trips a month and get income of 50,000 baht that would be plenty to pay his 14,000 baht monthly instalment. 

 

But with nothing coming in he is calling on the government and everyone concerned to get hire purchase firms to defer payments for 3 - 6 months. 

 

He said that in the first wave of the pandemic last year there was a 3 month deferment and this was urgently required again. 

They are not allowed to repossess right now so you are ok K. Punwich.

 

Your credit rating will be affected if you don't make payments though.

 

Chok dee!

[Surelynot]

25 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Maybe they could use this opportunity to learn how to drive properly and detox from drugs and alcohol? 

Taxi drivers on our soi are drinking most days, bored stiff but still asking......taxi?

 

One or two are getting a little unpleasant.....bit of an edge creeping in......only one or two though......most are pleasant and  chatty.

[MasterBaker]

traffic is noticeably better now, just keep those babes parked

[jaiyen]

They never listened to the passengers who were begging for them to slow down and drive safely !  So why should anyone listen to them begging for help ??

[malibukid]

2 hours ago, Surelynot said:

Taxi drivers on our soi are drinking most days, bored stiff but still asking......taxi?

 

One or two are getting a little unpleasant.....bit of an edge creeping in......only one or two though......most are pleasant and  chatty.

i like to walk, keep in shape. of course they can't understand this.  really deleted them off.

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

Thai minivans and their drivers, one combination I won't be losing any sleep over when they go extinct.

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He would normally be hired to make 20 trips a month and get income of 50,000 baht that would be plenty to pay his 14,000 baht monthly instalment

With enough left over to pay his income tax.......

[ChipButty]

9 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

With enough left over to pay his income tax.......

Dont be silly

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Passengers being told to only cross provincial lines if absolutely necessary, people losing their jobs and generally being spooked by the rise in Covid-19 cases has all added to a severe downturn in the business for the minivan drivers.

I'm sure the money now coming in from the sandpit scheme will be shared among the rest of the country.

If only sense prevailed and the much needed vaccines went to where they were most needed, instead of the idiotic Phuket scam, the whole country could have suffered much less than it is now..

[Almer]

Give them only driving course vouchers

[Almer]

1 hour ago, jaiyen said:

They never listened to the passengers who were begging for them to slow down and drive safely !  So why should anyone listen to them begging for help ??

Give them nothing

[Deli]

Thugs and maniacs want help  ?

C'mon, cry me a river and p*** off

[djayz]

50k income, 14k for installment. How much of the remaining 36k did he put aside for a rainy day? 

[Scott Tracy]

Wayhey....

 

Yes, help them keep off the roads. Let them clean lakes and ditches, build run offs in the middle of highways. Anything to keep them away from driving.

[Excel]

Think how many lives have been saved