Transport Bangkok Cabbies Call for Grab Service Ban at Suvarnabhumi Airport

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Airport Online

 

Taxi drivers in Bangkok have issued a stark warning to the government: shut down the Grab ride-hailing service at Suvarnabhumi Airport or face blockades at entry and exit points. Around 50 taxi drivers, led by Thai Public Taxi Association's head, Waraphol Kaemkhunthod, staged a protest outside parliament on Tuesday, demanding the closure of Grab's service lounge at the airport by Wednesday.

 

The tension has arisen from the government's recent allowance for Grab drivers to establish pick-up and drop-off spots at Suvarnabhumi, which has sparked outrage among traditional taxi drivers who feel they are being sidelined.

 

Mr Waraphol voiced concerns that the digital shift towards ride-hailing apps is negatively impacting public taxi operators and drivers, who now find themselves at a disadvantage.

 

The taxi drivers are appealing directly to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit to revoke regulations permitting Hired Cars Carrying No More Than Seven Passengers and Ride-Hailing via an Electronic System.

 

They argue these regulations disproportionately favour investors and tech platform developers while neglecting the livelihoods of traditional taxi drivers.

 

Waraphol claims that ride-hailing apps like Grab do not fundamentally belong to Thailand, likening airports to vital "doors and windows" of the country that should not be dominated by non-Thai services.

 

While pointing out that some app drivers have been mistaken for traditional taxi drivers in incidents involving tourist damage, he maintains the protest's neutrality, focusing solely on securing fair treatment for those in their profession.

 

With Grab Holdings Inc, a Singapore-based company, at the heart of the controversy, taxi drivers assert that they will proceed with airport blockades if their demands are not met by the set deadline, portraying this as a choice between supporting either local taxi drivers or foreign-based app services.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-22

 

 

[JoePai]

Is there anything stopping these so called "traditional taxi drivers" changing companies and working for Grab ?

[lordgrinz]

I say do the opposite, ban the Taxis from the airport.

[Upnotover]

I used an airport taxi last week and for the first time ever he put my destination in Google maps, followed the correct route and used the meter, probably total cost ฿100 less than Grab and faster.  There would be no need for Grab, etc. if they all did like this.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

"Waraphol claims that ride-hailing apps like Grab do not fundamentally belong to Thailand, likening airports to vital "doors and windows" of the country that should not be dominated by non-Thai services."

 

Maybe they'll also call for foreign airlines to be banned because flights should not be dominated by non-Thai airlines.

[stupidfarang]

taxi drivers have brought this on themselves, everyone is sick of being ripped off by most taxi drivers. Now the taxi association is saying they are going to block the roads into the airport, hopefully the police will arrest and fine them big time.  

[bkk6060]

Called free enterprise ban taxis if anything. 

[CharlieH]

Reaping what they've sewn! They object to people having a choice and they are no longer shooting fish in a barrel.

 

I'd say let MORE competition jn there.

[Bert got kinky]

 

Message to Bangkok cabbies:

Survanabhumi is in Samutprakarn, not Bangkok.

Keep out of our territory.

 

[realfunster]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Waraphol claims that ride-hailing apps like Grab do not fundamentally belong to Thailand, likening airports to vital "doors and windows" of the country that should not be dominated by non-Thai services.

 

Zzzz- that old chestnut. Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel, as they say.

 

Provide a better service - clean cars, polite drivers, no fare gouging , better safety, use Google maps to destination etc.

 

I don't use cars for hire that much but I haven't picked up a taxi off the street for a few years now. 

That's even considering that Grab is nearly always much more expensive than a taxi. 

Perhaps an insight into customer dynamics that people will still pay 50-100% more than a standard taxi fare to remove the hassle of finding one, fare/route negotiations and the ensuing journey.

 

Taxis - adapt or die. That simple really.

[StayinThailand2much]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

Is there anything stopping these so called "traditional taxi drivers" changing companies and working for Grab ?

 

I recently booked a Grab ride, and was very surprised when, instead of the usual unmarked car, a Taxi Meter arrived.

[Bert got kinky]

Waraphol claims that ride-hailing apps like Grab do not fundamentally belong to Thailand, likening airports to vital "doors and windows" of the country that should not be dominated by non-Thai services.

A quick Google search tells me that the first recorded taxi-like services emerged in London (United Kingdom) in 1605.

Does Waraphol think that foreign influenced services should be banned from Thailand, in case they corrupt local traditions?

 

[ChipButty]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

Is there anything stopping these so called "traditional taxi drivers" changing companies and working for Grab ?

I guess most of them drivers don't own their own car, they only rent per day I think, on Grab they have to own the car and it has to be less than 8 years old, different insurance and different tax disk, not so easy for a lot of guys I think, 

[StayinThailand2much]

49 minutes ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

"Waraphol claims that ride-hailing apps like Grab do not fundamentally belong to Thailand, likening airports to vital "doors and windows" of the country that should not be dominated by non-Thai services."

 

Maybe they'll also call for foreign airlines to be banned because flights should not be dominated by non-Thai airlines.

 

Ban all foreign fast-food and cafe outlets, together with the convenience stores... A third of all shops will have to close, as 7-Eleven and Starbucks are sent packing... 😆 

[Dancer57]

6 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Ban all foreign fast-food and cafe outlets, together with foreign convenience stores... A third of all shops will have to close, as 7-Eleven and Starbucks are sent packing... 😆 

+ Ban all foreigners from the airports - there that's it sorted!

[StayinThailand2much]

18 minutes ago, realfunster said:

I don't use cars for hire that much but I haven't picked up a taxi off the street for a few years now. 

That's even considering that Grab is nearly always much more expensive than a taxi. 

 

Same here; I like that the drivers understand, or even speak English. I don't have to haggle about using the meter, or about the price. I also like that I know the price in advance, and not feel cheated. And, lastly, I like that I don't need to tell the driver how to get to the destination, as all Grab drivers know how to use their GPS. If I pay a few baht more than for a Taxi Meter that I have to hail down, and that may not stop, or 'not like the destination', so what?

[VBer]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

or face blockades at entry and exit points

In a country with functional law enforcement those who try it will be in jail with car confiscated.

Any discussion with protesters should be stopped after hearing such “arguments”.

[petedk]

37 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

I recently booked a Grab ride, and was very surprised when, instead of the usual unmarked car, a Taxi Meter arrived.

 

I did that recently and to my surprise he turned the meter on. When I asked why he just laughed. 

 

When we arrived at the destination the meter showed considerably more than the arranged fare, and he charged me the meter price plus 50 baht "Grab fee". I protested for a few minutes but he gradually became more and more aggressive, so I ended up paying the amount he asked for.

 

I haven't used Grab cars since, but I use Grab motorcycles often.

[StayinThailand2much]

7 minutes ago, petedk said:

 

I did that recently and to my surprise he turned the meter on. When I asked why he just laughed. 

 

When we arrived at the destination the meter showed considerably more than the arranged fare, and he charged me the meter price plus 50 baht "Grab fee". I protested for a few minutes but he gradually became more and more aggressive, so I ended up paying the amount he asked for.

 

I haven't used Grab cars since, but I use Grab motorcycles often.

 

Why didn't you complain to Grab? (And if you did, did you get a refund?)

[wozzlegummich]

About time the Government grew a pair and stood up to these thugs and thieves. They don't own the Airport or have any right to keep others out.

 

In January had a cabbie "try it on" with me. Usual meter broken scam with a 3000 baht fare from Suhkuhmvit to the Airport. I started yelling POLICE and he soon took my offer of 300 Baht. Stupid <deleted> would have got my usual 1000 baht tip if he hadn't of tried to rip me off.

[tomazbodner]

40 minutes ago, petedk said:

 

I did that recently and to my surprise he turned the meter on. When I asked why he just laughed. 

 

When we arrived at the destination the meter showed considerably more than the arranged fare, and he charged me the meter price plus 50 baht "Grab fee". I protested for a few minutes but he gradually became more and more aggressive, so I ended up paying the amount he asked for.

 

I haven't used Grab cars since, but I use Grab motorcycles often.

You have "JustGrab" or "GrabCar" etc which have a fixed fare. GrabTaxi does not, it only estimates what it should be and you pay fare from meter + fee. But - if you chose JustGrab and you still got charged meter+fee, then you should report this to Grab in application for a refund. The bad part, of course, is possible retaliation from the driver, so it's probably not worth it.

[ikke1959]

I prefer more competition and choices in taxis.. See if the scam will stop than.. It is easy to have the monopoly, but when more options are coming you should be inventive to attrack your clients, instead of banning competitors

[LALes]

2 hours ago, wozzlegummich said:

Stupid <deleted> would have got my usual 1000 baht tip if he hadn't of tried to rip me o

Really??  You tip 1,000 baht on a 300 baht ride?  Or, is that a typo?

[Purdey]

Grab is not cheaper but the price is known in advance.

"Sorry, meter broken, you pay 1,000 Baht, ok?"

[klauskunkel]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

a stark warning to the government: shut down the Grab ride-hailing service at Suvarnabhumi Airport or face blockades at entry and exit points.

That's a warning? We can do better than that:

a stark warning to the taxi drivers: blockade Suvarnabhumi Airport and face revocation of your license and jail time.

[digger70]

Bangkok Cabbies Call for Grab Service Ban at Suvarnabhumi Airport 

 

Here we go now , The Taxi Mafia Treatening the Govment  

Now we're going to find out if the Govment got the cahoonas to  stand up against the taxi Mafia and Ban them instead of  Grab.

[khunjeff]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The tension has arisen from the government's recent allowance for Grab drivers to establish pick-up and drop-off spots at Suvarnabhumi

 

This "recent" decision happened over a year ago 🙄

[CLW]

It's very easy. Which fraction offers a better service and reliable prices?

 

I think everyone knows the answer already....

[Taboo2]

If the taxis were cheaper or provide the same service as Grab, there would be no issue with taking taxis.

[Reddavy]

6 hours ago, Upnotover said:

I used an airport taxi last week and for the first time ever he put my destination in Google maps, followed the correct route and used the meter, probably total cost ฿100 less than Grab and faster.  There would be no need for Grab, etc. if they all did like this.

Must of been a one off. The taxi mafia are up in arms simply because grab/bolt are cheaper and you know what you are going to be paying upfront before you get in the cab. Unlike being in a lucky dip with the greedy airport mob.