Picture courtesy of Daily News

A couple in Pattaya received an unexpected shock when a taxi ride booked through a popular app turned into a costly ordeal. They were charged excessively, with the driver claiming it was a "VIP" service that tripled the fare.

 

The incident came to light after Mr Boonmee (a pseudonym), aged 19, and his girlfriend shared their experience on social media. The couple had called for a motorbike taxi via an app after dining at a restaurant in South Pattaya.

 

Although it was raining lightly, they were instead picked up by a white Toyota Yaris. The driver insisted it was the correct ride and persuaded them to cancel the app booking, fearing a ban.

 

Once inside, the driver, under the guise of friendly conversation, attempted to borrow 500 baht. Upon seeing Boonmee’s cash, the driver requested certain denominations, promising to return the money upon reaching their destination.

 

However, the couple was shocked when informed the fare was 318 baht for a distance of less than 6 km, attributed to a "VIP service" with weather-induced extra charges.

 

Feeling deceived, Boonmee shared a hidden video of the encounter to warn others. The driver later contacted him, apologising and blaming confusion from overlapping bookings. Despite receiving 50 baht back, the couple refused to remove the post to prevent others from being exploited.

 

Following the online exposure, further reports surfaced about the driver overcharging other passengers, and even leaving a restaurant without paying for a meal.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily News 2025-05-13

 

 

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

Boonmee shared a hidden video and 

his girlfriend shared their experience

Oh, I thought it read 'hidden video of Boom, me and girlfriend'. 

Yes, some of them are scammers, what a surprise indeed!

He probably thought due to their youth he could scam them.  Total idiot he should be banned.

The girl should've jumped out of the cab and screamed out rape. The cab driver would've shat himself and took off with out the fare

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Following the online exposure, further reports surfaced about the driver overcharging other passengers, and even leaving a restaurant without paying for a meal.

 

Scumbag..

Pattaya taxis are kept in business by the other local mafia who refuse to prosecute ANY taxi failing to use its meter.

And thanks to defamation laws, we can't be told the name of the company, which would forewarn us to this sort of scam. Thank you, Thailand. How about some hints? maybe "rhymes with..."? "First letter is same as governor of Trat...?"

6 hours ago, mikebell said:

Pattaya taxis are kept in business by the other local mafia who refuse to prosecute ANY taxi failing to use its meter.

Surely using the meter in a taxi in Pattaya through the day would cost a fortune due to the traffic jams and long waits at the traffic lights, or have l got it wrong?

20 hours ago, Emdog said:

And thanks to defamation laws, we can't be told the name of the company, which would forewarn us to this sort of scam. Thank you, Thailand. How about some hints? maybe "rhymes with..."? "First letter is same as governor of Trat...?"

Do you think the company responsible for the App were at fault here or was it a rogue driver?

14 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

Surely using the meter in a taxi in Pattaya through the day would cost a fortune due to the traffic jams and long waits at the traffic lights, or have l got it wrong?

You could say the same for Bangkok but at least there are the occasional reports of fines for meterless taximeters.  I've lived in Pattaya twenty years and have NEVER seen a report of police upholding this law.  At one stage there were public notices at various points on Suk stating the flat fare to other points of interest.

On 5/13/2025 at 10:08 AM, jacko45k said:

Yes, some of them are scammers, what a surprise indeed!

 

On 5/13/2025 at 10:08 AM, jacko45k said:

Yes, some of them are scammers, what a surprise indeed!

A large sum of them.

On 5/13/2025 at 5:22 AM, Emdog said:

And thanks to defamation laws, we can't be told the name of the company, 

 

On 5/13/2025 at 5:22 AM, Emdog said:

And thanks to defamation laws, we can't be told the name of the company, 

any company can happen

 

scam not only in thailand,all over   

 

you book by app , look at the numberplate of car , if not matched dont get in !!!!  

 

many driver stopping , catching people , than asking where go ( silly question bcs real driver know)

and than overcharching,and the real driver looses money#

 

ITS NOT FAULT OF THE APPS IS FAULT OF CUSTOMER  DONT GO IN A CAR WHERE NUMBER NOT MATCH

( or in case let them show you the bopking on their app )

scam from azerbajan to cambodia and far beyond

On 5/12/2025 at 10:33 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Oh, I thought it read 'hidden video of Boom, me and girlfriend'. 

 

You should change your "friend"