Local police have announced their intentions to shut down a motorcycle taxi stand located outside the Central Pattaya mall following a brutal assault on a Russian man last Saturday. The incident is not the first of its kind, with locals comparing the aggressive tendencies of the taxi riders to that of a mafia gang.

 

This most recent event was captured in a video shared on Facebook by Thanathan Pramunpong, a member of the Move Forward Party (MFP). The footage, posted last Sunday, shows a group of taxi riders launching a violent attack on a foreigner, later identified as a Russian man. The incident took place outside the Central Pattaya mall on Pattaya Sai Song Road.

 

After the clip was widely shared on Thai social media platforms, many locals forwarded their complaints to Thanathan, claiming that these motorcycle taxi riders were asserting their power over them akin to a mafia gang. They even restricted parking on public roads, particularly for app-based drivers. People have highlighted instances where simply attempting to pick up loved ones led to aggressive encounters with the taxi riders.

 

Prompted by the incident and ensuing complaints, Thanathan challenged the Department of Land Transport, questioning their allowance of such unchecked power of the taxi riders over public spaces. His astonishing reveal was met with agreement amongst his followers, who called for the authorities to intervene.

 

Thanathan later informed his followers that he had attempted to confront the issue with the taxi riders themselves. They justified their violent outburst by placing the blame on the Russian man, who they claimed had inappropriate behavior. According to the riders, the foreigner had parked near their base and replied with an obscene gesture when requested to move, leading to the physical confrontation.

 

In response to this recent incident, the Mueang Pattaya Police Station has vowed to exact legal action on the riders responsible for the assault. They plan to not just impose a fine, but also to initiate charges and legal proceedings against them. Additionally, they're considering closing down the taxi stand to prevent any future incidents, given the history of such violent events reportedly tallying up to three so far.

 

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-25

 

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Replace them with Bolt or Grab, they're mostly redundant now anyway

sure seem to think they are tough these moped riders. would probably give a real biker gang a run for their money... they already have the mopeds and the patches...

Went back to using the baht bus system a few years back. or Bolt or Grab.

Motor cycle taxi riders are just a rip off now days also full time thugs.

The less of them the better.

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

sure seem to think they are tough these moped riders. would probably give a real biker gang a run for their money... they already have the mopeds and the patches...

 

Tough when it's 10 v 1.

Flipping a group of Thais the bird.

 

What did the idiot Russian think would happen.  An offer for a shot of vodka?

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Replace them with Bolt or Grab, they're mostly redundant now anyway

There is a new kid on the block now as well

 

https://taximaxim.com/th/en/app/

Wrong to attack him....but the reason for the attack should be at least explored.

 

I've never felt threatened by motorbike taxi guys.

38 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I've never felt threatened by motorbike taxi guys.

 

But you probably know better than to publicly call them out on something.

49 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Wrong to attack him....but the reason for the attack should be at least explored.

 

I've never felt threatened by motorbike taxi guys.

Exactly.,there obviously must be a investigation of some sort ...even gathering of data and analysis of information 

If a Moto-taxi driver flipped a group of Russians the bird & they took matters to the extreme & beat him up…. The response would be ???

 

These thugs will be peddling their rip-off-rides from the same area within weeks, or at the very least move 50m down the road.

 

The announcement has been made, the police have done their job. Nothing more to see here… back to normal.

Pattaya should stop all the motorcycle taxis operating. Force them all to take criminal background checks and have special license for driving passengers. They should take full control over rates and services relating to foreigners there. Only then maybe the crime these taxis drivers commit, the overcharging, and the taxi gangs will end. If the city does not take control then they really do not care about tourist and foreigner safety. They should all be working together equally through the city to sponsor them.

11 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Wrong to attack him....but the reason for the attack should be at least explored.

 

I've never felt threatened by motorbike taxi guys.

I have... they can be a bit pushy in a large group. In my case they were blocking the way with their bikes and chairs. More lately I deal with the smaller groups of 3 or 4 and find them more easy going.  They will still be working from there in a week or two. 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Additionally, they're considering closing down the taxi stand to prevent any future incidents, given the history of such violent events reportedly tallying up to three so far.

Considering... nuff said.

11 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Wrong to attack him....but the reason for the attack should be at least explored.

 

I've never felt threatened by motorbike taxi guys.

Same as me, the usual Win riders I use are good, they know me, know where I want to go and provide a good and cheap service.

However they will protect their patch, and back each other up if the occasion calls for it.

Best not to pee them off.

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

They justified their violent outburst by placing the blame on the Russian man, who they claimed had inappropriate behavior. According to the riders, the foreigner had parked near their base and replied with an obscene gesture when requested to move, leading to the physical confrontation.

 

Obviously, that should be no reason to beat up anybody.

But also obviously, nobody should be so stupid to expect they can provoke those guys and just walk away.

 

At least in Bangkok I saw many motorcycles taxi riders cooperating with the police.

I.e. when the traffic is bad, the motorcycle guys regulate the traffic, just like the police.

Often police officers sit together with them and drink alcohol together with them.

 

Probably the police will also ask the local motorcycle guys of what is going on here and there, they are the eyes and ears of the police.

This obviously does not mean the police will use that information only to catch criminals, I am sure they will also use it for other, not so legal, activities.

 

So how high is the chance that the police will make trouble to the motorcycle guys?

And just in case they have to do something to show that they do something, will it take more than a week before things are back to normal?

TiT

Soviet parked in their space which is usually blocked off with cones.  My information is they pay a fee to set up shop at these premium locations, not sure that is true.

But, the report says they asked him to move and then he flipped them off.  So, not only did he violate their space, but then used the obscene gesture which makes Thai males feel disrespected and get very offended by.  Too bad Soviet, sounds like he deserved some street side justice.

Back in the day (2010's), it was standard practice for business owners or the taxi stand mafia to subject your scooter tyre to instant deflation if you parked in "their" territory. I was a slow learner - after 3 flat tyres in a two week period, I figured it out.

 

Somewhat more subtle than giving a kicking to the offender.

2 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Too bad Soviet, sounds like he deserved some street side justice.

I don't think he deserved to be beaten up.

But he should have expected that to happen.

52 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

Pattaya should stop all the motorcycle taxis operating. Force them all to take criminal background checks and have special license for driving passengers. They should take full control over rates and services relating to foreigners there. Only then maybe the crime these taxis drivers commit, the overcharging, and the taxi gangs will end. If the city does not take control then they really do not care about tourist and foreigner safety. They should all be working together equally through the city to sponsor them.

 

I think you're majorly overestimating the number of non-corrupt people available to either desire such a thing or put it into action.

14 hours ago, G_Money said:

What did the idiot Russian think would happen.  An offer for a shot of vodka?

 

Did he do anything wrong? And why is he an idiot?

2 minutes ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Did he do anything wrong? And why is he an idiot?

 

Let's say you see a group of bikers, and you have the chance to a) ignore them, b) respect them, or c) piss them off.

Which option do you think you should consider?

And which option would let others consider you are an idiot?

It's not really that difficult. 

 

 

Somebody should do a video about this:

 

 

15 hours ago, rocketboy2 said:

Went back to using the baht bus system a few years back. or Bolt or Grab.

Motor cycle taxi riders are just a rip off now days also full time thugs.

The less of them the better.

 

 

 

 

 

Me too. On the BB route i get that for 10 baht. Further afield i use Bolt which is often the same price as a motorbike taxi.

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

After the clip was widely shared on Thai social media platforms,

The only time there is any police action.

These thugs won't lose their jobs only their location.

Very handy and cheap these motorcycle wins.

 

People on this forum like to bitch, complain and moan about things, especially Thai males who they are threatened by,  but I see them as a good thing about Thailand has, that we don’t have in the UK.

If you don’t like them, nobody is forcing you to use them, but they are a very cheap and convenient way to get around, especially during peak hour times with heavy traffic.

 

Life is good.

14 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Wrong to attack him....but the reason for the attack should be at least explored.

 

I've never felt threatened by motorbike taxi guys.

They were just teaching him some manners. 

They should also take away their ability to operate as Taxi drivers, they've proven themselves unworthy.

 

So if - IF - they close down the stand, the moto boys will just go and work down the road I guess.