Crime Tourist Police Crack Down on Bangkok Taxi Drivers Exploiting Foreign Visitors

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Tourist Police Bureau has launched a targeted operation against taxi drivers in Bangkok who exploit tourists, resulting in the arrest of 26 individuals in key tourist hotspots including Siam Square and the Grand Palace.

 

The operation, conducted on 2 June, was led by Pol. Col. Milin Pianchang, Chief of Tourist Police Division 1, alongside senior officers from the Tourist Police, Central Traffic Police, Pathumwan Police Station, and the Department of Land Transport. The initiative aimed to address growing complaints about dishonest practices among some taxi drivers in the capital.

 

Under Col. Milin’s direction, officers were deployed to Siam Square, a major shopping and entertainment district popular with international visitors and to the area in front of the Grand Palace, one of Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks.

 

The crackdown involved two key measures:

 

1. Arresting taxi drivers who violated laws in high-traffic tourist areas.

2. Increasing mobile patrols to maintain a consistent law enforcement presence along major tourist routes.

 

A total of 26 taxi drivers were charged with the following offences:

 

• Failure to use the fare meter as legally required: 17 cases

• Refusal to accept passengers: 6 cases

• Improper dress code: 2 cases

• Using a vehicle for unauthorised purposes: 1 case

 

Authorities also reminded tourists to report any incidents of exploitation or misconduct through the Tourist Police hotline 1155, which is supported by interpreters in eight languages and operates 24 hours a day. Reports can also be filed via the TPB (Tourist Police Bureau) mobile app.

 

The Tourist Police Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to protecting visitors and maintaining Thailand’s reputation as a safe and welcoming travel destination.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-03.

 

 

 

 

[hotchilli]

On 6/3/2025 at 4:53 AM, Georgealbert said:

The Tourist Police Bureau has launched a targeted operation against taxi drivers in Bangkok who exploit tourists, resulting in the arrest of 26 individuals in key tourist hotspots including Siam Square and the Grand Palace.

Been going on forever... and it will continue to do so.

Taxi drivers preying on greenhorn tourists.

[AlQaholic]

Oh, the Grand Palace, good olde scam, makes me nostalgic. "Palace closed today, I take you to better palace", or "Palace burnt down, have new palace, I take you there for private day tour". 

[AustinRacing]

The temptation to earn more money is too powerful and not just with taxis. The risk of getting caught is too low. It makes sense to them to go on. 

[fredwiggy]

This mirrors the other recent topic where the girl told the driver she didn't want to go the toll road way but he didn't listen. It's their job to take the fare where and how they want to go, period, as long as it isn't breaking any laws. Others here took the drivers side thinking he was in the right. He wasn't.

[CLW]

I bet if I go there and try to take a taxi, the scam continues 

[kevin612]

Sukhumvit area driver always ask 200-300 for short distance, too many bad drivers in bkk

[RonJr]

32 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Been going on forever... and it will continue to do so.

Taxi drivers preying on greenhorn tourists.

 

32 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Been going on forever... and it will continue to do so.

Taxi drivers preying on greenhorn tourists.

I STILL LOVE THE FACT THEY ARRESTED SOME OF THESE SCUM BAGS!!!

[tomazbodner]

8 minutes ago, kevin612 said:

Sukhumvit area driver always ask 200-300 for short distance, too many bad drivers in bkk

That was one blessing during COVID time. All those scum disappeared when tourists were gone. But once Thailand reopened again...

[Quack]

33 minutes ago, AlQaholic said:

Oh, the Grand Palace, good olde scam, makes me nostalgic. "Palace closed today, I take you to better palace", or "Palace burnt down, have new palace, I take you there for private day tour". 

I remember one guy telling me it's closed, when I was stood right in front of the main entrance, with dozens of people walking inside... lol

[Cabradelmar]

Some things never change... Taxis not following the rules and crackdowns being two of those things. Always the same chit just different days.

[lou norman]

It was more fun back in the 'jittery meter' days when the fare would jump from 50 baht to 70 baht every time you hit a bump.

[Redacce]

Scam of the earth. I prefer to use Bolt and pay more than to give these scumbags any money.

 

And don't make me start about Pattaya and the situation there. I hate them with passion both taxi drivers and motorbike ones.  😡

[VR333]

27 minutes ago, Quack said:

I remember one guy telling me it's closed, when I was stood right in front of the main entrance, with dozens of people walking inside... lol

 

I went there with my wife years ago. We're outside when some Thai guy comes up and starts talking to her. My wife then turns to me to say the Palace is closed today, but there is a tour we can go on instead. I laughed, and said follow me. Sure enough, walked another fifty metres and the Palace is open.  Wife wanted to go back and slap the guy 🤣

[cdemundo]

Meh.

[radiochaser]

58 minutes ago, kevin612 said:

Sukhumvit area driver always ask 200-300 for short distance, too many bad drivers in bkk

Drivers like that also work in the area around Bumrungrad International Hospital.  I needed a ride to the nearest BTS station.   All drivers refused to use the meter!

 

I was charged less for a taxi ride from Nonthaburi area to Bumrungrad International Hospital.    

 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Been going on forever... and it will continue to do so.

Taxi drivers preying on greenhorn tourists.

 

Not just greenhorns.  They're equal opportunity abusers.  I can't count the number of times I've been refused or the driver shoots a price and drives off when I ask for the meter.

 

 

[quake]

25 years + overdue. 

[impulse]

They should offer a special visa for taxi whistleblowers. 

 

For as long as you rat out one bad taxi a day, you never have to run for the border.

 

[Look Chang]

2 hours ago, kevin612 said:

Sukhumvit area driver always ask 200-300 for short distance, too many bad drivers in bkk

Yes, taxi prices are exorbitant at the time of bar closing at Nana Plaza . . .

[J Branche]

Do they have a hotline number. (4 digit number) To report excessive fares?

Take photo of ID Card, fare and maybe license plate if he's not speed away.

 

They cry Grab/Bolt take customers from the Airport.  Maybe 1st if the customer could easily communicate destination and pay the meter rate there would be less desire.

 

How about found guilty no work for week.  Again no work 2 weeks. Again no work 1 month.  Then they would possibly just charge the meter rate

[ChipButty]

How about overcharging? From Karon to the Airport 2000 baht, not me I just over heard the conversation between the taxi and a farang, 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, RonJr said:

 

I STILL LOVE THE FACT THEY ARRESTED SOME OF THESE SCUM BAGS!!!

So much so you felt the need to use CAPS

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Not just greenhorns.  They're equal opportunity abusers.  I can't count the number of times I've been refused or the driver shoots a price and drives off when I ask for the meter.

 

 

They presume all tourists are greenhorns, until the more learned ones tell them to drive on.

[dddave]

Granted that there is a hard core bunch of taxi drivers who ply the tourist areas and take advantage of passengers any time they can and there is always hope that some of them will be weeded out in crackdowns like this..

 

At the same time, In my more than 20 years in Thailand, most of it in Bangkok using taxis daily, the number of issues I've had with dishonest drivers has been minimal.  Easily 90% of my taxi interactions have been straightforward, on the meter, no arguments. Most of the drivers are just guys trying to make a living doing a miserable job.    Obviously, I've learned a few tricks that avoid problems.  I always try to flag moving taxis, rarely those sitting parked in front of entertainment or shopping areas.  When I am in such an area, I try to walk a block or two away where I'm more likely to find a driver just passing by.   I NEVER ask "How much?" to a destination.  I just open the rear door, say my destination and if the driver tries to quote a flat rate, close the door and flag the next taxi.

[marin]

3 hours ago, radiochaser said:

Drivers like that also work in the area around Bumrungrad International Hospital.  I needed a ride to the nearest BTS station.   All drivers refused to use the meter!

 

I was charged less for a taxi ride from Nonthaburi area to Bumrungrad International Hospital.    

 

Its about a 5 minute walk to Nana Station. 

[Red Forever]

Never had a problem with meter taxis in Bangkok in 3 decades.

 I understand that there are some dodgy geezers out there but I also think that many of the perceived problems that AN posters have with taxis is their attitude towards the taxi drivers.

My latest Bangkok taxi experience was last week from Silom Rd to BKK: clean metered taxi, jolly driver.

Fare 315 baht!

[Nickcage49]

Good. Take away their license.

[Balance]

A number of countries have solved the problem of truck drivers exceeding safe speed limits by having the manufacturers install "governors" on the engines that limit their speed. 

 

The same could be used for Taxi meters, i.e., if the meter is not on the car's stop.

 

[node]

I Bangkok, just walk out onto Soi 3 one will see. A trip that cost ฿125, the driver will asked ฿600 no meter. Some will tell you they will not go. 

I hope that the undercover cops will catch them and make them pay. If caught a second time, license as a cabbie is gone. To dishonest.