Picture courtesy of Channel 3 News

 

A Bangkok taxi driver has been fined and his licence suspended after abandoning a passenger who refused to pay an expressway toll. This incident has sparked renewed demands for stricter regulation of taxi services in the capital.

 

The episode occurred on May 26, at around 4:24pm in Yaowarat, when the passenger was allegedly forced out of a moving taxi after opting not to use the expressway. The incident gained widespread attention following a report by Channel 3’s Morning News.

 

On June 4, the Department of Land Transport summoned the driver, identified as Somchai, for questioning. He admitted to ejecting the passenger out of frustration. The Land Transport Inspection Division, invoking the Motor Vehicle Act of 1979, fined Somchai 1,000 baht, the maximum for such a violation, and suspended his public vehicle driver’s licence for one month. In addition, Somchai must undergo "public service awareness" training to improve his professionalism.

 

A department spokesperson emphasised the gravity of the offence, warning that a repeat could result in a permanent revocation of Somchai's licence. "This behaviour is unacceptable," the spokesperson stated. "Drivers are expected to respect passenger decisions and follow the law."

 

However, the incident is not an isolated one. Complaints about disagreements with Bangkok's taxi drivers, particularly over expressway routes and associated costs, are not uncommon. This latest episode spotlighted the ongoing issues in the city's taxi industry, highlighting the need for improved oversight and accountability to ensure passenger safety and satisfaction.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-05

 

 

An absolute joke the punishment for the taxi driver

5000bht fine and licence suspended for 4 months would be better

these taxi drivers are giving Thailand a bad name and the government wonder why tourists numbers are down.  Learn customer service 

 

I wouldn't use a Bangkok taxi if they paid me. Especially, at Suvarnabhumi. I've had bad experiences with them in the past. Demanding a certain tip amount, etc., etc. No thanks. 

I must have been lucky. Over many years I've never had a problem with a taxi driver in Bangkok, or elsewhere. I prefer using a tollway if appropriate and, of course, I pay the toll fare. If some foreigners are so concerned/worried by spending a bit extra on a taxi journey I wonder if they should be here at all. 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

fined Somchai 1,000 baht,

Aren't all Bangkok taxi drivers Somchai? 

 

 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Somchai must undergo "public service awareness" training to improve his professionalism.

As if that'll work...

It hasn't been any machete incidents lately has there!

31 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

I must have been lucky. Over many years I've never had a problem with a taxi driver in Bangkok, or elsewhere. I prefer using a tollway if appropriate and, of course, I pay the toll fare. If some foreigners are so concerned/worried by spending a bit extra on a taxi journey I wonder if they should be here at all. 

So as long as the small amounts to your financial situation, then its ok?

 

So if it was $100 then it's a big deal?

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

and suspended his public vehicle driver’s licence for one month.

 

Hmmmm. 

 

I wonder if that's why so many of the drivers look nothing like the photo on the taxi windshield?

 

I Agree with Somchai in THIS Case,The Passenger Has to pay ANY Toll Fares,It's the SAME All over The World.....

 

Example, If a London Taxi driver takes a Passenger to Heathrow Airport Do Yous think the Cabbie is going to pay the 6.00 pound " Drop Off " Charge ?? " As THAT is a TOLL ".............Err, NO Bloody Way.....

9 minutes ago, Blueman1 said:

I Agree with Somchai in THIS Case,The Passenger Has to pay ANY Toll Fares,It's the SAME All over The World.....

 

Example, If a London Taxi driver takes a Passenger to Heathrow Airport Do Yous think the Cabbie is going to pay the 6.00 pound " Drop Off " Charge ?? " As THAT is a TOLL ".............Err, NO Bloody Way.....

Obviously the CLOWN That gave my post a Thumbs Down,Has Never been a Taxi Driver !!

11 minutes ago, Blueman1 said:

I Agree with Somchai in THIS Case,The Passenger Has to pay ANY Toll Fares,It's the SAME All over The World.....

According to the original story the passenger said not to use the expressway but the driver ignored her.  Hence the argument.

There’s a pattern emerging here. It seems that the more aggressive posters have more problems with Bangkok taxi drivers. It comes down to attitude.

 I can honestly say that in 3 decades here I’ve never had a problem with taxi drivers, yes the occasional refusal but hey ho.

9 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

I must have been lucky. Over many years I've never had a problem with a taxi driver in Bangkok, or elsewhere. I prefer using a tollway if appropriate and, of course, I pay the toll fare. If some foreigners are so concerned/worried by spending a bit extra on a taxi journey I wonder if they should be here at all. 

 

What has the report got to do with foreigners?

 

7 hours ago, Blueman1 said:

I Agree with Somchai in THIS Case,The Passenger Has to pay ANY Toll Fares,It's the SAME All over The World.....

 

Example, If a London Taxi driver takes a Passenger to Heathrow Airport Do Yous think the Cabbie is going to pay the 6.00 pound " Drop Off " Charge ?? " As THAT is a TOLL ".............Err, NO Bloody Way.....

 

The passenger does not have to pay any toll fares if he chooses the option that does not use toll roads! The problem is that Somchai would only take him via toll roads.

I must have used Bangkok taxis hundreds of times. They were 95% fine. They were a few who drove ridiculously dangerously, a few who were very stressed and one, just one, who had one of those fixed meters, which up to that point I had thought an urban myth. 

"We go express way.  It better for me.  But you pay.  OK?"

19 hours ago, loong said:

 

What has the report got to do with foreigners?

 

 

The passenger does not have to pay any toll fares if he chooses the option that does not use toll roads! The problem is that Somchai would only take him via toll roads.

Why would a passenger not choose the option of taking a toll road ? Quicker, shorter and therefore likely less expensive even after paying the toll fare. Anyone having a problem with the small money involved in this kind of issue should not be in Thailand in the first place. Sad, and rather pathetic

 

lace

19 hours ago, loong said:

 

What has the report got to do with foreigners?

 

 

The passenger does not have to pay any toll fares if he chooses the option that does not use toll roads! The problem is that Somchai would only take him via toll roads.

Sad and pathetic.

Is this a followup of the social media post we saw earlier in the week where a lady recorded her interaction with a Taxi driver, asking him not to take the expressway, but he ignored her and took the expressway regardless and wanted to charge her...???

 

IMO - Passengers should of course be paying for the additional expressway charge.

But - Taxi drivers surely must take the route preferred by a passenger, and if that means no expressway then so be it.

 

 

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Why would a passenger not choose the option of taking a toll road ? Quicker, shorter and therefore likely less expensive even after paying the toll fare. Anyone having a problem with the small money involved in this kind of issue should not be in Thailand in the first place. Sad, and rather pathetic

 

 

 

Who knows why the passenger did not want to go on the toll roads? Why do you care?
It is not compulsory to use the toll roads.
You don't know the reason why the passenger did not want to go by way of the toll roads; it may have nothing do with the cost!
If the passenger was Thai, you think that he shouldn't be in Thailand??? You think that if the passenger is not Thai, they should be forced to use particular roads even if against their will???

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Why would a passenger not choose the option of taking a toll road ? Quicker, shorter and therefore likely less expensive even after paying the toll fare. Anyone having a problem with the small money involved in this kind of issue should not be in Thailand in the first place. Sad, and rather pathetic

 

lace

I don't blame the taxi driver at all. He might not have understood the passenger when he entered the tollway (kun bai tangduan), and at destination he would automatically add the tollway fee(s) to the meter charge. That's normal, every day stuff. I didn't see the destination in the article, but if he picked up the passenger at 4:30 pm - beginning of rush hour - from Yawarat of all places, to go to the airport down that highway with thousands of Thais driving to the eastern suburbs, it would be the only choice. Alternative? Much worse via Din Daeng. (It's why I never choose an early evening flight - anywhere - if it involves a late afternoon drive to Swampy). Early morning arrivals also a big mess.

2 hours ago, loong said:

 

Who knows why the passenger did not want to go on the toll roads? Why do you care?
It is not compulsory to use the toll roads.
You don't know the reason why the passenger did not want to go by way of the toll roads; it may have nothing do with the cost!
If the passenger was Thai, you think that he shouldn't be in Thailand??? You think that if the passenger is not Thai, they should be forced to use particular roads even if against their will???

Oh dear. Never mind. Enjoy the rest of your day.

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

I don't blame the taxi driver at all. He might not have understood the passenger when he entered the tollway (kun bai tangduan), and at destination he would automatically add the tollway fee(s) to the meter charge. That's normal, every day stuff. I didn't see the destination in the article, but if he picked up the passenger at 4:30 pm - beginning of rush hour - from Yawarat of all places, to go to the airport down that highway with thousands of Thais driving to the eastern suburbs, it would be the only choice. Alternative? Much worse via Din Daeng. (It's why I never choose an early evening flight - anywhere - if it involves a late afternoon drive to Swampy). Early morning arrivals also a big mess.

Agreed.

2 hours ago, loong said:

 

Who knows why the passenger did not want to go on the toll roads? Why do you care?
It is not compulsory to use the toll roads.
You don't know the reason why the passenger did not want to go by way of the toll roads; it may have nothing do with the cost!
If the passenger was Thai, you think that he shouldn't be in Thailand??? You think that if the passenger is not Thai, they should be forced to use particular roads even if against their will???

 

Well said. Expect to get flamed for it my the simps and beta boys 🤣

In tomorrow's news.......

 

Bangkok taxi driver finds 14 trillion baht in cash left in the back seat.