American TikToker condemns Bangkok taxi driver for trying to rip him off

[webfact]

 

An American TikToker condemned a Thai taxi driver in Bangkok for trying to rip him off by refusing to use a meter and charging him 300 baht for a trip to Khao San Road.

 

The American, Jason Rupp, shared a video on TikTok on September 5. The video showed Rupp confronting a taxi driver in Bangkok who refused to use the meter and charged him 300 baht for a trip to Khao San Road.

 

The video’s caption reads…

“He didn’t like the meter. I said see you on TikTok and he said OKAY! LOL. TH #bangkok #taxi #travelbangkok #travel #travelthailand”

@jasonruppvlog He didn't like the meter. I said see you on TikTok and he said OKAY! LOL. ✌️???????????? #bangkok #taxi #travelbangkok #travel #travelthailand ♬ original sound - Jason Rupp Vlogs

In the video, Rupp is seen approaching an orange taxi and telling the driver in Thai that he wants to go to Khao San Road. The two then engaged in conversation:

Rupp: “I want to go to Khao San Road.”
Taxi driver: “Khao San, right?”
Rupp: “Yes, near Soi Ram Buttri. Are you available? Will you use the meter?”
Taxi driver: “300 hundred baht, OK?”
Rupp: “Meter?”
Taxi driver: “No, no meter.”
Rupp: “Ok, see you on TikTok.”
Taxi driver: “Okay”

 

The video clearly shows the Thai taxi driver’s face. From his reaction, the driver does not appear to be afraid that his actions will be exposed on social media, or that he might not understand Rupp’s final statement.

 

by Petch Petpailin

Photo via TikTok/ @ jasonruppvlog

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-28

 

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[still kicking]

I often wonder why they call them taxi meters they never use their meters 

[bendejo]

Welcome to Thailand, boy-o.  You are going to be doing a lot more of such SM postings during your SEA visit.

 

 

[d4dang]

his kids will show him....Dad you're a Tik Tok star

[HappyExpat57]

Can't this kid get nailed for defamation?

[USNret]

6 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Can't this kid get nailed for defamation?

Yes

[hotchilli]

20 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Can't this kid get nailed for defamation?

Not if it's true...

[2baht]

Should be more of it, expose the rip off's! 

[RT555]

Just grab the next taxi............walk away.......Bangkok taxi drivers are dumb. They usually drive off in the same direction WITH NOBODY $$$$$$$ IN THE BACK SEAT.......LMAO.

[dallen52]

37 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Can't this kid get nailed for defamation?

Can't the taxi driver get nailed for defrauding a tourist and the taxi company he works for?

No meter.

Straight in the pocket. 

[dsj]

I once took a taxi from Sukhumivt Soi 11 to 22 and the first taxi said no meter, so I took the taxi right behind him and followed him all the way to Soi 22 with nobody in his taxi.

 

[bigt3116]

27 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Not if it's true...

Truth has NOTHING to do with the defamation laws here.

 

If this guy's actions potentially cost the taxi driver money/earnings, that is defamation

[Skipalongcassidy]

31 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Not if it's true...

Unfortunately that is not the way it works... it can be true and documented but if someone loses face than there can be hell to pay

[dpeti73]

The driver not fraud this idiot social media jerk. It was a clear statement 300B like or walk away.

[ChipButty]

Is there any need to cause such a song and dance? get the next one you clown, we all kow how it works in BKK 

[HappyExpat57]

4 minutes ago, dpeti73 said:

The driver not fraud this idiot social media jerk. It was a clear statement 300B like or walk away.

What the taxi driver did is illegal. Full stop.

 

"There is a law in Thailand that requires taxis to always run on meters and not to decline any customer that hails them when they are available."

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/bangkok-taxi-tips-how-to-get-a-taxi-in-bangkok#:~:text=Use the Taxi Meter,them when they are available.

[Srikcir]

30 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Not if it's true...

Since when?

Isn' defamation in Thailand defined by "hurt to one's reputation", according to personal perception? Especially when posted on social media like Facebook, Tic Toc, etc. that could also constitute criminal violation of the Computer Act?

Rupp could instead reported the videoed incident to the police, let the police follow the Truth if they chose. But Rupp wanted to "feed" to his Tic Toc followers.

[sumongkhwai]

Wait, the taxi driver told him the price, 300 baht or about $US8. If the kid didn't like it, find another. We always try and find a working meter but, on occasion where there isn't, agree on the price up front. It doesn't say where the trip orginated from. He could have offered the guy 150 baht. (I am assuming the TikTok star is an avid Bangkok traveler and knows what the right price should be from where he was trying to get picked up). Honestly, if $US2 is gonna ruin your trip, stay home and get an $US8 coffeee somewhere.

[HappyExpat57]

Just now, sumongkhwai said:

Wait, the taxi driver told him the price, 300 baht or about $US8. If the kid didn't like it, find another. We always try and find a working meter but, on occasion where there isn't, agree on the price up front. It doesn't say where the trip orginated from. He could have offered the guy 150 baht. (I am assuming the TikTok star is an avid Bangkok traveler and knows what the right price should be from where he was trying to get picked up). Honestly, if $US2 is gonna ruin your trip, stay home and get an $US8 coffeee somewhere.

One more time:  What the taxi driver did is illegal. Full stop.

 

"There is a law in Thailand that requires taxis to always run on meters and not to decline any customer that hails them when they are available."

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/bangkok-taxi-tips-how-to-get-a-taxi-in-bangkok#:~:text=Use the Taxi Meter,them when they are available.

[2baht]

21 minutes ago, dsj said:

I once took a taxi from Sukhumvit Soi 11 to 22 and the first taxi said no meter, so I took the taxi right behind him and followed him all the way to Soi 22 with nobody in his taxi.

 

In his simple mind, he won! 

[2baht]

3 minutes ago, sumongkhwai said:

Wait, the taxi driver told him the price, 300 baht or about $US8. If the kid didn't like it, find another. We always try and find a working meter but, on occasion where there isn't, agree on the price up front. It doesn't say where the trip orginated from. He could have offered the guy 150 baht. (I am assuming the TikTok star is an avid Bangkok traveler and knows what the right price should be from where he was trying to get picked up). Honestly, if $US2 is gonna ruin your trip, stay home and get an $US8 coffeee somewhere.

I'm glad he called the taxi driver out, they all think tourists are fair game! As someone already said, taxi drivers are not the brightest!

[eddie61]

51 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Not if it's true...

Truth is irrelevant under the computer crime act

[jacko45k]

45 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

Truth has NOTHING to do with the defamation laws here.

 

If this guy's actions potentially cost the taxi driver money/earnings, that is defamation

Yes, he knows that, most folks do. But in this case, the driver's own actions cost him money... accepted he could claim it will affect future fares. It highlights Thailand's perpetual, long standing inability, or maybe apathy, to address these infractions. 

[sammieuk1]

If I  knew how to be a tictoker I would make one on customs and DHL and the 62.5% load on the value of your parcel that ends up being an unbelievable 500% more expensive than the UK as I'm finding out ????

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The video clearly shows the Thai taxi driver’s face. From his reaction, the driver does not appear to be afraid that his actions will be exposed on social media, or that he might not understand Rupp’s final statement.

Nor is he is afraid of any repercussions for breaking the law. I once called the taxi complaint number and they told me to call the tourist police. I called the tourist police and they told me to call the taxi complaint number.

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Nor is he is afraid of any repercussions for breaking the law. I once called the taxi complaint number and they told me to call the tourist police. I called the tourist police and they told me to call the taxi complaint number.

I did once call the taxi complaint number, well my Mrs did..... and they took the details of the complaint.... pretty sure she was wasting her time. Power to the Apps  (like Bolt) I say!

[kennw]

1 hour ago, USNret said:

Yes

NO, the taxi driver agreed, he said OK. And well done to the poster there should be more of this. The authorities dont act and what a terrible impact these taxi drivers on the other good people of Thailand.

[Bangkok Barry]

50 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

One more time:  What the taxi driver did is illegal. Full stop.

Whether something is illegal or not has no relevance in Thailand. Full stop.

[kennw]

47 minutes ago, 2baht said:

I'm glad he called the taxi driver out, they all think tourists are fair game! As someone already said, taxi drivers are not the brightest!

By law the taxis are supposed to use the meter. 

[2baht]

Just now, kennw said:

By law the taxis are supposed to use the meter. 

The laws....yeah, yeah.....! ????I firmly believe that Thai's follow their own individual laws, every ones different!