Phuket Tourist Faces Unwanted 100-Baht Surcharge in Grab Dispute

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Photos provided to The Thaiger

 

A foreign tourist in Phuket has expressed frustration after a recent incident with a Grab ride left him with an unexpected 100-baht surcharge. The incident took place on March 12 during a trip booked from Bangtao to Patong via the popular ride-hailing app, initially at a fixed price of 264 baht.

 

The journey started at 1.35pm, but during the trip, the driver charged the traveller an additional fee without prior agreement. The tourist only became aware of this extra cost upon receiving a notification from his bank after leaving the vehicle. He promptly lodged a complaint on the Grab app, marking this as the third time he has faced a similar overcharging issue.

 

His protest stated, “The taxi charged me an extra 100 baht after I arrived. This is not the first time. I would like a refund.” However, Grab’s response was disheartening. The company’s policy mentions that it will not intervene if the passenger allegedly agrees to a higher fare during the ride, a loophole some believe is being exploited by unscrupulous drivers.

 

 

This scenario highlights the challenges tourists can face with transportation services in Phuket. Visitors are advised to be vigilant when using such services, especially given previous similar complaints about unexpected charges.

 

While the tourist in question remains doubtful about a satisfactory resolution, the case underscores the need for companies like Grab to strengthen their policies in protecting customers against fraud. Meanwhile, both authorities and service providers are encouraged to ensure transparent communication and fair practices to maintain trust in the tourism sector, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-13