Report Bangkok Cab Incident Sparks Debate on Passenger Rights

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A recent incident involving a ride-hailing cab driver in Bangkok has ignited a lively discussion about passenger rights and driver accountability. The debate was triggered after a TikTok user, @aomsintupleng, shared a video recounting her disagreement with a driver who took the expressway without her consent and demanded she pay the 50-baht toll.

 

In the video, the woman explained she had explicitly instructed the driver to avoid the expressway. Despite this, the driver opted to use it, asserting that it was a mere 50 baht and an efficient time-saver—actions she disagreed with on principle more than cost. "If I wanted to save time, I would have told you to take the expressway," she argued, noting that her objection was about the lack of consent rather than the toll fee itself.

 

The video, depicting her decision to leave the vehicle mid-journey, quickly went viral. It drew a substantial response online, with viewers sharing similar experiences and expressing dissatisfaction with app-based taxi services. Many commenters criticised drivers who disregard passenger requests and called for stricter enforcement of consent policies to protect users' rights.

 

This incident has shone a spotlight on existing challenges within the ride-hailing industry, particularly regarding the communication and transparency needed between drivers and passengers. Critics argue that such interactions should be governed by clearer guidelines, ensuring that customer preferences are respected and that incidences like this are reduced.

 

The debate continues to circulate on social media, raising important questions about the responsibilities of drivers and the mechanisms in place to uphold passenger rights. As discussions unfold, the hope is for policy changes that will enhance service transparency and accountability within the ride-hailing sector in Bangkok and beyond.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-28

 

 

[snoop1130]

Bangkok Ride-Hail Dispute Raises Concerns Over Passenger Consent

 

Picture from @aomsintupleng TikTok video

 

A recent viral TikTok video has ignited a heated discussion about passenger rights in the ride-hailing industry after a Bangkok woman claimed her driver ignored her instructions and demanded a toll payment she hadn't agreed to. The incident highlights a prevalent issue within the burgeoning app-based taxi market.

 

The TikTok user, known as @aomsintupleng, shared footage of the confrontation, where she clearly instructed the driver to avoid the expressway, opting for the regular route instead. Despite her request, the driver took the expressway without consulting her and then insisted she pay the 50-baht toll. "It’s just 50 baht. Why not buy some time?" the driver reportedly remarked.

 

However, the passenger stressed that her objection wasn't about the money but the principle of consent. “If I wanted to save time, I would have told you to take the expressway,” she argued, maintaining that forcing a customer to pay without agreement is inappropriate. The situation escalated, prompting her to exit the vehicle mid-journey.

 

As the video went viral, thousands of viewers chimed in, sharing similar experiences of ride-hail drivers making unilateral route decisions. This has exposed a widespread issue within the app-based taxi industry, prompting discussions about the need for stronger passenger protections.

 

 

“This is exactly why passenger rights need stronger protections,” commented one viewer, while others urged ride-hailing companies to implement stricter rules regarding route changes and toll charges to enhance transparency and accountability.

 

Currently, ride-hailing platforms often allow drivers a degree of discretion over routes. However, they generally require passenger consent for tolls or additional charges. The confusion in this case underscores how miscommunication can easily lead to disputes.

 

Experts in transportation have noted that the rapid growth of the ride-hailing industry has outstripped current regulations, leaving gaps in consumer protection. A local analyst highlighted the necessity for clearer policies and enhanced driver training, emphasizing that “passengers must have the right to approve any additional fees before they’re charged.”

 

So far, ride-hailing companies have not commented on this specific incident, but the growing discourse suggests an urgent need for regulatory updates and improved company practices to protect consumer rights and ensure fair service standards in this fast-evolving sector.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-28

 

 

[falangUK]

For 50 Baht? hmmm

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

It "wasn't about the money" she just prefers to sit in a strangers car in Bangkok traffic as long as possible.  Total loss of face.

[ikke1959]

It is not for the 50 THB, but only to show how incompetent the Thai taxis are... She is Thai and can you imagine how taxis deal with foreigners, make Thailand great again, and get rid of this kind of dealing with customers... Revoke the license for a life time and show the taxi scammers that will be done by every complaint

[factual monk]

Nothing new happened... in Land of Taxi scams and Fake boobs... 

[DarthChuckler]

10 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

It is not for the 50 THB, but only to show how incompetent the Thai taxis are... She is Thai and can you imagine how taxis deal with foreigners, make Thailand great again, and get rid of this kind of dealing with customers... Revoke the license for a life time and show the taxi scammers that will be done by every complaint

Taxis charge per mile

 They should take the fastest route. Going slow to site see cost the driver lost income. The calculations should require tolls.  If we fight to be treated fairly, we should also treat the drivers fairly.

[portisaacozzy]

15 hours ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

It "wasn't about the money" she just prefers to sit in a strangers car in Bangkok traffic as long as possible.  Total loss of face.

 

15 hours ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

It "wasn't about the money" she just prefers to sit in a strangers car in Bangkok traffic as long as possible.  Total loss of face.

think that she should give up the booze

[newbee2022]

I think she's right 

[NicoBKK]

paid at least 50k THB to ruin her nose in plastic surgery then debate about 50 THB

[Tarteso]

She got her 15 second of fame… It’s okay.. She’s right
 

…But next time call GRAB 👍

[Watawattana]

Much ado about nothing.

[Advocate]

I am astonished that people would start a conflict over 50 Baht.

 

I had a number of conflicts with taxi drivers over the two decades I have lived in Thailand. I never engage in conflict over small amounts. I just pay up because the amounts are so trivial that it is not worth the stress of arguing about.

[tomazbodner]

Grab drivers follow the directions from Grab app, which is based on Google Maps and always chooses the "fastest route" which often includes expressway. She could have seen the route on her phone, but I agree, the application itself could be more transparent on any additional charges beyond stating those extra expenses are paid by the customer, and up-front list such expenses along with different prices for taking expressway or not taking it.

 

For example: JustGrab: 200 baht (+expressway fees of 50 baht) - 45 minutes or 230 baht (no expressway fees) - 65 minutes

 

As this would be done at the time of booking, it would show up-front to drivers what passenger's preferences are, and they could choose whether to accept such request or not.

[JaxxBKK]

I don't always opt for toll roads. Usually not. 

 

They are often not any faster - I've sat in traffic jams on toll roads countless times.

 

When I go to Sai Tai Mai I often leave hours and hours earlier than the bus departure in anticipation of traffic I'm in absolutely no hurry to get there. So, she's not a complete nitwit. There are reasons

 

You also have the time it takes to detour to and from the toll road as well as the fare.

 

Unnerving when driver wants to take toll road at totally off peak travel times as well.

 

I feel sorry for the grab drivers. All delivery drivers, motorcycle food delivery drivers. They bought a car and now running it into the ground. Making scant money. Makes no sense.

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, falangUK said:

For 50 Baht? hmmm

It's not about the money... she told the driver to stay off the expressway... he ignored his customers wishes.. 

He is at fault.

[Ray60]

1 hour ago, Advocate said:

I am astonished that people would start a conflict over 50 Baht.

 

I had a number of conflicts with taxi drivers over the two decades I have lived in Thailand. I never engage in conflict over small amounts. I just pay up because the amounts are so trivial that it is not worth the stress of arguing about.

right, much ado about nothing. Most of my conflicts were about their way of driving, either too fast or too slow or going the wrong way.

[BexMan]

No doubt the driver is wrong, but personally I wouldn’t feel comfortable making the driver sit in a Bangkok traffic jam for the amount of money they earn from the ride. Unlike the “hail” taxi’s they don’t charge more for sitting in traffic. They also have to pay a slice of the earnings to the app.

 

If an app based driver gets caught in a long traffic jam I usually up the tip at the end to compensate. Some extra baht will mean a lot more to them, than me.

[fredwiggy]

6 minutes ago, BexMan said:

No doubt the driver is wrong, but personally I wouldn’t feel comfortable making the driver sit in a Bangkok traffic jam for the amount of money they earn from the ride. Unlike the “hail” taxi’s they don’t charge more for sitting in traffic. They also have to pay a slice of the earnings to the app.

 

If an app based driver gets caught in a long traffic jam I usually up the tip at the end to compensate. Some extra baht will mean a lot more to them, than me.

This, and also because the faster they drop you off, the faster they can get another fare.

[JAG]

Perhaps she should have gone outside and waved down taxis, continuing to do so for however long it took to find one for whom her destination was convenient. Then, having negotiated a price (the meter being broken no doubt) she could have clambered into the piss stained interior, with the knotted seat belts, whilst the driver adjusted his mirror so he could see up her skirt. These are just some of the advantages of using a properly regulated taxi service.

[Harrisfan]

15 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

This, and also because the faster they drop you off, the faster they can get another fare.

The tik tok girl is an idiot seeking money and fans. The driver deserves more respect.

[proton]

She was lucky, some of them drive around for 30 minutes to get on the expressway, when the entrance is just round the corner. Had this happen at Victory Monument

[fredwiggy]

4 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

The tik tok girl is an idiot seeking money and fans. The driver deserves more respect.

I'm speaking in general. They always ask you if you want to take the tollways, as it's faster. The faster they get you there, the more fares they can get daily. Especially the fares with a set price.

[Photoguy21]

20 hours ago, falangUK said:

For 50 Baht? hmmm

She was the passenger and as such she has the right to say no to the toll way.

[fredwiggy]

8 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

The tik tok girl is an idiot seeking money and fans. The driver deserves more respect.

That may be the case, but what she did is what's important, seeing others also agree with her video...........As the video went viral, thousands of viewers chimed in, sharing similar experiences of ride-hail drivers making unilateral route decisions. This has exposed a widespread issue within the app-based taxi industry, prompting discussions about the need for stronger passenger protections.We weren't there, so we can't assume what went on, and if this many people are agreeing, it has some weight.

[Harrisfan]

11 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

That may be the case, but what she did is what's important, seeing others also agree with her video...........As the video went viral, thousands of viewers chimed in, sharing similar experiences of ride-hail drivers making unilateral route decisions. This has exposed a widespread issue within the app-based taxi industry, prompting discussions about the need for stronger passenger protections.We weren't there, so we can't assume what went on, and if this many people are agreeing, it has some weight.

Drivers have more experience. Whingeing over a toll road to gain more followers. Its pathetic these tik tok people.

[fredwiggy]

6 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Drivers have more experience. Whingeing over a toll road to gain more followers. Its pathetic these tik tok people.

But what she did was point out a driver not listening to his fare's request. That's their job, as long as it doesn't entail illegal activity. A taxi takes you where you want to go. If you don't want to spend more, you take the cheapest route. That she had so many agreeing with her is a valid point, no matter why she did it. Taxi drivers, again, want as many fares as possible as they don't make much money in Thailand, so getting there as fast as he can is okay, as long as the fare is okay with it. It's not about 50 baht but the principle of it. The driver doesn't make anything on the tolls. He just gets back to another fare as fast as possible.

[Harrisfan]

13 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

But what she did was point out a driver not listening to his fare's request. That's their job, as long as it doesn't entail illegal activity. A taxi takes you where you want to go. If you don't want to spend more, you take the cheapest route. That she had so many agreeing with her is a valid point, no matter why she did it. Taxi drivers, again, want as many fares as possible as they don't make much money in Thailand, so getting there as fast as he can is okay, as long as the fare is okay with it. It's not about 50 baht but the principle of it. The driver doesn't make anything on the tolls. He just gets back to another fare as fast as possible.

These tik tokkers are pathetic. Bigger fish to fry than drivers.

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

These tik tokkers are pathetic. Bigger fish to fry than drivers.

Maybe, but pointing out anyone trying to scam others, or a taxi driver not doing the intended job, is how things are changed.

[Harrisfan]

14 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Maybe, but pointing out anyone trying to scam others, or a taxi driver not doing the intended job, is how things are changed.

Nothing will change. All forgotten in 2 weeks. The idiots who watch tik tok will move onto the next stupid thing.