Taxi turmoil: Motorbike mayhem as riders brawl with cabbie in Pattaya

[webfact]

       

 

A violent clash between motorbike taxi riders and a taxi driver near North Pattaya’s bus station was caught on camera last Sunday, March 10.

 

In a dramatic video obtained by reporters yesterday, the chaos unfolds as motorbike taxi riders, donning their signature orange vests, unleash a barrage of blows on the hapless taxi driver, with his terrified passengers looking on.

 

The confrontation took a sinister turn when the besieged taxi driver grabbed a golf club to fend off his assailants, only to face a retaliatory strike from one of the motorbike taxi riders wielding a broomstick. The root cause of the conflict seems to stem from concerns about the motorbike taxi riders’ livelihoods being threatened by the presence of the taxi.

Mag and Pop, two of the motorbike taxi drivers involved, shed light on the escalating tensions. Mag recounted how he politely requested the Bangkok taxi driver to refrain from poaching passengers from their designated stand, only to be met with insults and boasts about the cabbie’s former police status. Pop admitted to wielding the broomstick but insisted it was in defence of his comrade.

Despite the heated altercation, no injuries were reported, and no official complaints were lodged with the police. Both Mag and Pop stressed the importance of adhering to regulations and maintaining peaceful coexistence among different modes of transportation, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

With daily earnings hovering around 300 baht, largely driven by app-based services, the motorbike taxi riders issued a plea for respect and solidarity from taxis operating in the area.

 

In related news, in a violent altercation that unfolded on a busy Pattaya street, two Songthaew drivers went head-to-head in a brutal brawl over a group of Chinese tourists. The explosive confrontation left one driver hospitalised and the other facing serious legal consequences.

 

In other news, a physical altercation suddenly erupted between two passenger van drivers in front of Ratsada Pier in Phuket on the afternoon of February 18. The spectacle, which was captured on video by a passing vehicle, soon became a local sensation on social media channels.

 

by Nattapong Westwood    

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-03-14

 

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[scubascuba3]

The orange wan riders/drivers just need to get on Bolt

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In a dramatic video obtained by reporters yesterday, the chaos unfolds as motorbike taxi riders, donning their signature orange vests, unleash a barrage of blows on the hapless taxi driver, with his terrified passengers looking on

Welcome to Thailand where your safety is paramount.

[jacko45k]

So how does this work? Am I supposed to take my ride with the winner of the fight?

[2baht]

Barbarians!

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

Ah the Thai cultural Face saving and ego maniacs ruling the roads. All hail the nighty egomaniacs who are supposed to ferry tourists. Remove their licences for 12 months ( not that will deter them riding/ driving )

[Victor Laszlo]

Golf clubs & broomsticks...

[gargamon]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

The orange wan riders/drivers just need to get on Bolt

But that would mean they would have to work hard and not sit around most of the day doing nothing while waiting for a foreigner to fleece. 

[Gottfrid]

I fail to see the sense in his always returning violence. Both parties are licensed drivers working in the hospitality sector. Where does it stand that any of the groups active have no right to work or pick up passenger in certain areas or places? Just deal with them as normal criminals and leverage heavy fines as well as jail time for the ones who can not accept fair competition.

[Muhendis]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

With daily earnings hovering around 300 baht, largely driven by app-based services, the motorbike taxi riders issued a plea for respect and solidarity from taxis operating in the area.

 

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

The orange wan riders/drivers just need to get on Bolt

They seem to do that or something like it already.

[mikebell]

With no police force these brawls are almost a daily occurrence as is the road kill.

[Bangkok Barry]

 

Ah, don't you just love the land of smiles. Maybe it should be land of savages.

[Skipalongcassidy]

2 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Ah, don't you just love the land of smiles. Maybe it should be land of savages.

At least they are fighting for a reason... unlike the hooligans in other countries... ie UK

[jacko45k]

10 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

At least they are fighting for a reason... unlike the hooligans in other countries... ie UK

That reason being the audacity of a taxi dropping passengers off at a bus station!

[Bangkok Barry]

16 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

At least they are fighting for a reason... unlike the hooligans in other countries... ie UK

 

They don't pretend the UK is the land of smiles, as far as I know. And you think attacking a lone taxi driver because he was near 'their' spot is good reason? If I was a potential passenger I'd think it was up to me what mode of transport I wanted to use. And after seeing a mob attacking the taxi driver I know which I'd choose. Which would you choose?

[SAFETY FIRST]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

unleash a barrage of blows 

 

The root cause of the conflict seems to stem from concerns about the motorbike taxi riders’ livelihoods being threatened by the presence of the taxi.

Similar tactics drug lords use when other drug runners, mafia types are showing their presence. 

 

Edited March 14 by SAFETY FIRST

[VocalNeal]

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Where does it stand that any of the groups active have no right to work or pick up passenger in certain areas or places?

 

The orange vest guys pay someone for the privilege of being able to wait at certain points. You can't simply fess up and join the group.

[brianthainess]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Pop admitted to wielding the broomstick but insisted it was in defence of his comrade.

Comrade? were they Russians?  

[Bangkok Barry]

25 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

 

The orange vest guys pay someone for the privilege of being able to wait at certain points. You can't simply fess up and join the group.

 

Just proof that corruption exists in Thailand not only at the very top but also the very bottom, even to lowly motorcycle taxi drivers who have to pay for their place at the curb and even for their right to work at all by having to 'purchase' their jacket. Wonderful society, built on greed, corruption and - as a result - violence.

[2baht]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

I fail to see the sense in his always returning violence. Both parties are licensed drivers working in the hospitality sector. Where does it stand that any of the groups active have no right to work or pick up passenger in certain areas or places? Just deal with them as normal criminals and leverage heavy fines as well as jail time for the ones who can not accept fair competition.

Get away! Stop making sense!!! 

[VocalNeal]

3 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

even to lowly motorcycle taxi drivers who have to pay for their place at the curb and even for their right to work at all by having to 'purchase' their jacket

 

So having purchased their jacket which usually has their location printed on it should they not be able to defend their patch🤔 

Most large cities in the world sell taxi licenses.

[2baht]

3 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Comrade? were they Russians?  

Nyet!

[brianthainess]

5 hours ago, Victor Laszlo said:

Golf clubs & broomsticks...

Could be another remake of Mary Poppins,

🎶Raindrops on Roses  & Whiskers on Kittens 

Golf clubs & Broomsticks....

... 

These are a few of my favorite things🎶

                

[Bangkok Barry]

5 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

 

So having purchased their jacket which usually has their location printed on it should they not be able to defend their patch🤔 

Most large cities in the world sell taxi licenses.

 

Are you seriously equating the official purchase of a license through the local authority with paying a Mr Big a bribe to have a jacket? 

[brianthainess]

9 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Nyet!

Chinese ? 

[2baht]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Ah, don't you just love the land of smiles. Maybe it should be land of savages.

Land of Smirks!

 

[Sydebolle]

When the Thais want to outdo the Swiss in the media worldwide .......... 

[Bangkok Barry]

17 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Land of Smirks!

 

 

Of course, there are some who are more comfortable in a place with lower standards than they have to live up to at home. That's why they reside in a place where they don't have to try too hard.

[Regyai]

What about the mentioned songthaew drivers feuding over a covey of Chinese passengers

 

could have commandeered the situation with a makeshift flag

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

Get away! Stop making sense!!! 

Yeah, I know. I am sorry. I just bitch-slapped it out of myself. Feeling better already. All back to normal.