Chaos in Pattaya: Motorbike taxi drivers tarnish tourist hotspot

[webfact]

 

Pattaya City and Banglamung district officials are grappling with a surge in incidents involving motorcycle taxi drivers, jeopardising the area’s status as a top tourist destination.

 

Disturbing reports have surfaced, highlighting assaults on foreign tourists and harassment of individuals mistaken for ride-hailing service drivers. These altercations have frequently escalated into heated verbal confrontations and even physical violence.

 

In response to the growing concerns, Banglamung District Chief Weerakit Manarojkit convened an urgent meeting yesterday, July 4 to tackle the escalating issues. According to regulations implemented in 2020, Banglamung district boasts 809 registered motorcycle taxi stands and 4,575 motorbike taxi drivers. However, a significant number of drivers and vehicles remain unregistered, sparking demands for stricter regulation and enforcement.

Jamlonglak Khunwat, head of the Chon Buri Provincial Transport Office, Banglamung branch, acknowledged the ongoing efforts to register motorcycle taxis and public motorcycle drivers but admitted that turnout has been disappointingly low. The registration process requires applicants to undergo training and hold a private driver’s licence, with additional certification for those operating under ride-hailing apps.

The meeting also centred on proposed penalties for misconduct among motorcycle taxi drivers. These include fights, overcharging, and unauthorised rental services.

 

A subcommittee proposed a point deduction system: initial offences would incur fines and point deductions in line with Transport Department regulations, while repeated offences could lead to licence suspension or removal from taxi stands. Taxi stands with recurrent issues might face temporary closure, with the most severe cases potentially resulting in permanent shutdown, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

In related news, a motorbike taxi driver in Phuket Town was on the run after allegedly stabbing a colleague during a heated argument. The violent dispute occurred on April 22, at the fresh market on Ranong Road.

 

In other news, two women reached out to several Thai news agencies to seek justice after a motorcycle taxi rider physically assaulted them in Soi Pattaya 4 after they complained about the rider failing to signal before turning.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-06

 

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[SAFETY FIRST]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

surge in incidents involving motorcycle taxi drivers

No surge, nothing has changed, it's always been a big problem. 

 

Maybe the problem is that more foreigners are complaining about the problem. 

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

two women reached out to several Thai news agencies to seek justice after a motorcycle taxi rider physically assaulted them in Soi Pattaya 4 after they complained about the rider failing to signal before turning

Maybe its more women are complaining..... Btw women, just a heads up, nobody signals in Thailand. 

 

There was an incident recently between Karen and an Indian Taylor. 

Now this is a recipe for disaster, it ended with a slap, now Karen is seeking compensation. 😂

 

 

[Utalk2mutt]

9 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Maybe its more women are complaining..... Btw women, just a heads up, nobody signals in Thailand. 

 

There was an incident recently between Karen and an Indian Taylor. 

Now this is a recipe for disaster, it ended with a slap, now Karen is seeking compensation. 😂

 

 

So to you then it’s perfectly acceptable for a woman to be assaulted by a man who can’t keep his hands to himself? She should just let it drop and get on with her life right? No sorry if the tailor has given her a slap she has every right to seek justice be it compensation or otherwise. Violence towards someone is not acceptable behaviour.

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 minute ago, Utalk2mutt said:

So to you then it’s perfectly acceptable for a woman to be assaulted

Where did I say that? 

 

Are you drunk, best you halve your medication, you are delusional. 

 

[Utalk2mutt]

8 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Where did I say that? 

 

Are you drunk, best you halve your medication, you are delusional. 

 

Just by calling her a “Karen” you are demeaning her. Don’t drink and nor am I on medication so no delusions here. Also the fact you used the crying/laughing emoji suggests or implies you find it funny. I strongly disagree, to assault someone is not the answer to solving an issue.

[SAFETY FIRST]

7 minutes ago, Utalk2mutt said:

Just by calling her a “Karen” you are demeaning her. Don’t drink and nor am I on medication so no delusions here. Also the fact you used the crying/laughing emoji suggests or implies you find it funny. I strongly disagree, to assault someone is not the answer to solving an issue.

Are you a Karen?

 

Stop bothering me. 

 

[smedly]

well there used to be a price structure that win drivers had to display - not any more, 1km 30baht and 10baht for every extra km, now they want 60baht minimum (1km), at least with bolt the price is agreed before the journey, I had a trip of less than 1km a couple of weeks ago (random win driver) and he started a shouting match when I handed him 40baht, they are ### scam artists, I try to use the same regular drivers for the same trips been doing it for years, only when I engage a stranger is there a problem when they constanty try to rip me of with ridiculous fares 

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

a significant number of drivers and vehicles remain unregistered,

How many of the unregistered four-wheeled vehicles above have a working meter?  My guess is 0%.  Isn't there a national, legal requirement to have one?  If so, why has it never been enforced here?

[Korat Kiwi]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Maybe its more women are complaining..... Btw women, just a heads up, nobody signals in Thailand. 

 

There was an incident recently between Karen and an Indian Taylor. 

Now this is a recipe for disaster, it ended with a slap, now Karen is seeking compensation. 😂

 

 

I'd say the first mistake is criticising a Thai males driving ability... their poor egos don't take it kindly. 

 

Sure their driving maybe crap, but you put your life into their hands if you criticise them. 

 

How many reports to we read about these guys where loss of face cause them to react in a disproportionate way?

 

Many have concealed weapons and aren't afraid to use them if 'provoked'.   And they will have standby excuses for the Police in the aftermath. 

 

Piss weak really. 

[steve187]

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Maybe its more women are complaining..... Btw women, just a heads up, nobody signals in Thailand. 

 

There was an incident recently between Karen and an Indian Taylor. 

Now this is a recipe for disaster, it ended with a slap, now Karen is seeking compensation. 😂

 

 

was her name Karen or are using the name in a derogative way

[SAFETY FIRST]

11 minutes ago, steve187 said:

was her name Karen or are using the name in a derogative way

Karen was the name I saw in the article comments.

 

Why don't you go and read the article and find out for yourself, or are you just replying to antagonize me?

 

[Gottfrid]

Why is this such a big problem. When it´s possible to dissolve entire parties, just because they impose a threat, it should be possible to dissolve the Win driver organization and company. After that the ones from Win that wish to continue drive, can sign up for work in a ride hailing company and follow the rules.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Why don't you go and read the article and find out for yourself, or are you just replying to antagonize me?

If that was the reason, It seems like it was easy and it worked like a charm. 😉 

[In Full Agreement]

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Are you a Karen?

 

Stop bothering me. 

 

 

 

Why don't you just end it all by putting the poster on ignore?

 

 

[spidermike007]

There are two points here worth making, number one is nobody can do anything to tarnish the image of Pattaya more than it's already been tarnished, and number two the motorcycle taxis, tuk tuks, and car taxis have mafias that are far more powerful than the police or the army. They would appear to be virtually untouchable. 

[pookett]

"tarnish tourist hotspot"

 

Coffee on screen moment...

[dallen52]

They don't care.

Nearly all are on the monthly collection book.

Immunity from many indiscretions.

[Cabradelmar]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

they complained about the rider failing to signal before turning

Welcome to Thailand.

[Liverpool Lou]

6 hours ago, Utalk2mutt said:

There was an incident recently between Karen and an Indian Taylor. 

"...an Indian Taylor".

Huh?  A Swift impersonator?

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Karen was the name I saw in the article comments.

 

Why don't you go and read the article and find out for yourself, or are you just replying to antagonize me?

 

Love it, Brilliant... nice try !!...   her first name (Mrs Bedi) was never released in any of the articles - I enjoyed the back-pedal attempt though.

 

That said, you did touch on a possible reality... she was arguing with the tailor and possibly behaving like a karen... there is also the possibility that this was also cultural as the name suggests the lady in question may have been of Indian origin (and unlikely to be called Karen)...  all she had to do was walk away if she didn't like something - BUT.. that does not condone the behavior of the tailor driver in an way.

 

 

The bigger issue here is one we all know about - Thai males (although the tailor was unlikely to be a Thai male) in area's of high tourists footfall have a reputation for being very 'thin-skinned' and get upset and react to the slightest of slights - we know not to argue, but to walk away because of this - this is potentially damaging to tourism. 

 

 

 

[Incorrigible1]

The mere existence of motorbike taxis and tuktuks marks Thailand as a third world country

[garzhe]

"Chief Weerakit Manarojkit convened an urgent meeting yesterday"

 

More meetings and more assaults, nothing will ever change as long as the police don't do their job.

[SAFETY FIRST]

22 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

this is potentially damaging to tourism

I see it differently, I reckon it's the disrespectful tourists arriving like 'Mrs. Bedi' who are damaging Thailand. 

 

Too many troublemakers arriving these days. 

 

 

[Tarteso]

Idiots, unable to organize nothing

[rtco]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The registration process requires applicants to undergo training and hold a private driver’s licence, with additional certification for those operating under ride-hailing apps

That should narrow it down to only a few but we know how well regulations are enforced here in Thailand don't we.

[Photoguy21]

How can you tarnish the image when it is already in the gutter? Its reputation extends far beyond the area as we all know.

[thailand49]

If all these official had any balls weren't taking brown envelops to turn a blind eye then <deleted> hits the fan start to talk tough hold meeting that is why Thailand has so much smog.

Start by actually having a plan but of course that isn't going to happen in our life time.

[Don Kaeo]

48 minutes ago, pookett said:

"tarnish tourist hotspot"

 

Coffee on screen moment...

beat me to it… 

[JimHuaHin]

It is not just Pattaya, the same applies in any area with a high proportion of (foreign) tourists.

 

Until the higher authorities do something about the various "marfia" groups controlling these "taxi" groups, nothing will change ... but ....

 

TIT and most Thais know that the "bosses" of various marfia groups are in government and parliament.