Tuk-Tuk driver fined and sent for attitude adjustment training after ripping off tourist

[webfact]

Sanook Thai Caption: Sent for attitude adjustment training

 

A video posted to the Instagram site of singapore_incidents featured a couple from the island state having a ding-dong with a belligerent tuk-tuk driver on the streets of Bangkok.

 

Sanook reported that the couple from Singapore - with the woman filming and the man joining in the argument - had agreed a price of 150-160 baht to go from Central World to Surasak.

 

A little over halfway to their destination at Chong Nonsri the tuk-tuk driver demanded 300 baht, causing the argument.

 

 

There was plenty of swearing in Thai and English and the tuk-tuk driver engaged in some face pointing. 

 

He also reportedly tried to slap the camera and push the couple and when they wanted to film his registration plate he detached it for them.

 

Top police were soon on the driver's case and Thongkham Chertchai, 57, was taken to the Thungmahamek police station where he was fined 1,000 baht for having the wrong licence.

 

Picture: Sanook

 

He was warned about his impolite behavior and taken to the DLT for three hours of training to be a more respectful and better driver.

 

Attitude adjustment training. 

 

His details were recorded and the tourist police contacted the Singaporean embassy to deflect the negative press for Thailand. 

 

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[warrima]

Really doesn't take long till their old habits kick back in again. Less than a year ago was the hard luck stories of only getting one fare a day.

[Andre0720]

So a three hour course to modify his 57 years of immersion in this culture.

Good luck with that...????

[OneMoreFarang]

Is there a law against blatant overcharging?

If not, then it's time to create such law - and enforce it.

 

All the time politicians talk about the reputation of Thailand. Yes, this is a big part of that "reputation". Fix it! 

[lujanit]

IMHO Tuk Tuk drivers are worse than taxi drivers.  They rarely have a meter and quote an excessive price to anyone who looks like a tourist.  Added to that Tuk Tuks are as uncomfortable as sh!t if you are tall.  I avoid them.

[worgeordie]

This would never happen in Singapore , because they have laws that are enforced ,

regards worgeordie

[Pumpuynarak]

3 minutes ago, lujanit said:

IMHO Tuk Tuk drivers are worse than taxi drivers.  They rarely have a meter and quote an excessive price to anyone who looks like a tourist.  Added to that Tuk Tuks are as uncomfortable as sh!t if you are tall.  I avoid them.

In 15 years of using TukTuks here in Thailand i have NEVER seen one with a meter !!!

[hioctane]

38 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Is there a law against blatant overcharging?

If not, then it's time to create such law - and enforce it.

 

All the time politicians talk about the reputation of Thailand. Yes, this is a big part of that "reputation". Fix it! 

It isn’t so much as overcharging but changing the fare in the middle of the ride. If he had said 300 up front and they agree to it then fine. Personally, I would just get out and not pay when he stopped in the middle.

[OneMoreFarang]

6 minutes ago, hioctane said:

I would just get out and not pay when he stopped in the middle.

I guess he didn't stop...

[SooKee]

Cue "Honest Thai taxi driver......." story coming up in...........????

[alien365]

My grandparents came to Thailand many years ago and had an altercation with a tuk tuk driver (taking them where they didn't want to go then leaving them stranded). To this day whenever Thailand comes up, so does their story. That's nearly 30 years of bad press because of that man's attitude to tourists. Seems like little has changed and thats why most of my friends and family have travelled to neighbouring countries instead. Either that or they really don't like me... 

[Northstar1]

6 minutes ago, alien365 said:

My grandparents came to Thailand many years ago and had an altercation with a tuk tuk driver (taking them where they didn't want to go then leaving them stranded). To this day whenever Thailand comes up, so does their story. That's nearly 30 years of bad press because of that man's attitude to tourists. Seems like little has changed and thats why most of my friends and family have travelled to neighbouring countries instead. Either that or they really don't like me... 

I have friends with similar stories.

???? it leaves a bad taste on your holiday when this type of thing happens.

[chuang]

Never changed..live with it..

[Lodestone]

[quote]a couple from the island state having a ding-dong with a belligerent tuk-tuk driver on the streets of Bangkok.[/quote]

Didn't know they were still made.

[Mickmouse1]

5 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

So a three hour course to modify his 57 years of immersion in this culture.

Good luck with that...????

With a wrong licence too 55

[Mickmouse1]

So after those 3h,he will be back on the rd with his WRONG LICENCE?????????

[SymS]

That's why I'm now mostly walking, even 10kms. I haven't had to take a taxi or tuk tuk for years. It's good for health too.

[NicoBKK]

..had agreed a price of 150-160 baht to go from Central World to Surasak...

 

Either 150 or 160, already first error by the tourists, not clear on what was at stake.

Second, (but they are excused if here for the first time) no way a waiting TukTuk will bring from CW to Surasak for 150 THB, min would be 200 to 250 - after though negotiation. 

Third one, never start debating or escalate.. just leave the tuktuk, give him the 150 and take a taxi; he was pointing finger, many other would have been pointing a knife.

 

 

[Golden Triangle]

20 minutes ago, SymS said:

That's why I'm now mostly walking, even 10kms. I haven't had to take a taxi or tuk tuk for years. It's good for health too.

Fine if your legs work as they should, unfortunately mine do not.

[malibukid]

5 hours ago, lujanit said:

IMHO Tuk Tuk drivers are worse than taxi drivers.  They rarely have a meter and quote an excessive price to anyone who looks like a tourist.  Added to that Tuk Tuks are as uncomfortable as sh!t if you are tall.  I avoid them.

and you have to breath in all that smoke, and the noise.  no thanks

[hellohello123]

5 hours ago, lujanit said:

IMHO Tuk Tuk drivers are worse than taxi drivers.  They rarely have a meter and quote an excessive price to anyone who looks like a tourist.  Added to that Tuk Tuks are as uncomfortable as sh!t if you are tall.  I avoid them.

I hope the next tourist he does that to beats him up, and then he can skip the 3 hour training course 

[bristolgeoff]

One of many,except he got caught and now will get  adjustment training or a course.Say sorry  will not happen again.Once finished will go back to trying too rip of tourist,but be more careful  later on

[racket]

23 minutes ago, NicoBKK said:

..had agreed a price of 150-160 baht to go from Central World to Surasak...

 

Either 150 or 160, already first error by the tourists, not clear on what was at stake.

Second, (but they are excused if here for the first time) no way a waiting TukTuk will bring from CW to Surasak for 150 THB, min would be 200 to 250 - after though negotiation. 

Third one, never start debating or escalate.. just leave the tuktuk, give him the 150 and take a taxi; he was pointing finger, many other would have been pointing a knife.

 

 

When a thai says 150, it almost sounds like 160 or vice versa. You are wrong, the argument was valid and the police was in the favor of the tourists. 

 

 

[mikeymike100]

"His details were recorded and the tourist police contacted the Singaporean embassy to deflect the negative press for Thailand"

 

That what Thailand doesn't need is more negative press?????

[Aussieroaming]

So the TAT crawls up the Singapore Embassy's a s s in the hopes of quashing the story in Singapore. How about apologizing to the actual victims and banning the Tuk Tuk driver. Ripoff merchants are in every society, deal with it honestly and move on.

[terryofcrete]

5 hours ago, lujanit said:

IMHO Tuk Tuk drivers are worse than taxi drivers.  They rarely have a meter and quote an excessive price to anyone who looks like a tourist.  Added to that Tuk Tuks are as uncomfortable as sh!t if you are tall.  I avoid them.

I use a tuk tuk if I'm constipated. It shakes the bejaysus outta you . 

[Photoguy21]

5 hours ago, lujanit said:

IMHO Tuk Tuk drivers are worse than taxi drivers.  They rarely have a meter and quote an excessive price to anyone who looks like a tourist.  Added to that Tuk Tuks are as uncomfortable as sh!t if you are tall.  I avoid them.

Never take a Tuk Tuk unless it is a matter of life or death. They are the biggest rip - off merchants in the country.

[H1w4yR1da]

6 hours ago, lujanit said:

IMHO Tuk Tuk drivers are worse than taxi drivers.  They rarely have a meter and quote an excessive price to anyone who looks like a tourist.  Added to that Tuk Tuks are as uncomfortable as sh!t if you are tall.  I avoid them.

Tuk tuks don't have meters. No one in Bangkok uses them except tourists.

[BarraMarra]

Instead of messaging the Singaporean Embassy to grovel about the reputation why not do the usual get a film crew, bring a bouquet of flowers make the Tuk Tuk driver present it to the tourists with a wai.

[Jack Cook]

Why bother with a noisy uncomfortable tuk tuk piloted by a maniac. Tourists are always going to pay more regardless. 300bht $12 why would you even waste time complaining