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Driver Demands Extra Fare Due to Traffic, Poses as Grab Agent

Featured Replies

Guide-Article-Template-2025-12-26T150452.217.jpg

Photo via X: @Mr_Whathapened

 

A man impersonating a Grab driver has sparked controversy after a video showing him demanding extra payment from foreign passengers due to a traffic delay went viral. The incident, documented by @Mr_Whathapened on X, depicts the driver insisting on a higher fare than initially agreed upon, causing confusion among the passengers while security personnel attempted to intervene. The driver attributed the fare increase to outdated 2022 rates and traffic-induced delays, eventually persuading the passengers to pay the additional amount.

 

According to a security guard in the video, the metre was allegedly unused during the ride, and the driver was operating illegally without affiliation to the Grab platform. Grab has yet to issue a comment on the incident, and the specific location remains undisclosed, with no official complaints reported so far. The online community has reacted with criticism, noting that Grab fares are generally higher than regular taxis and already account for peak hour surcharges, emphasizing that such incidents negatively affect Thailand’s reputation.

 

In another related case, a tourist in Phuket was unexpectedly charged an extra 100 baht during a Grab trip, despite having booked a ride at a fixed 264 baht rate, highlighting ongoing issues with overcharging on the platform, reported The Thaiger.

 

 

Key Takeaways

  • An individual posing as a Grab driver demanded extra fees from foreign passengers, leading to online criticism.
  • The incident highlights ongoing customer concerns about fare transparency in Thailand's ride-hailing services.
  • Grab has not commented on these specific events despite potential reputational impacts.

 

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Grab Targets Thailand's Expats with New Perks and Features

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-26

 

 

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  • Popular Post
19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

According to a security guard in the video, the metre was allegedly unused during the ride, and the driver was operating illegally without affiliation to the Grab platform.

Welcome to rip-off central

Grab or meter taxi, there are always some people who will try to increase the fare. Now even bogus grab drivers are in on the act

  • Popular Post

How did he pose as a Grab driver? Don't you have to book them through an app?

5 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Grab or meter taxi

Grab doesn't use a meter making it preferred travel in heavy traffic. Its fares in its app are quoted to take into account traffic delays based on time of day and other parameters related to travel delays like road construction, detours, etc. A Grab driver decides whether to accept fixed Grab trip charge for pickup. 

16 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Grab doesn't use a meter making it preferred travel in heavy traffic. Its fares in its app are quoted to take into account traffic delays based on time of day and other parameters related to travel delays like road construction, detours, etc. A Grab driver decides whether to accept fixed Grab trip charge for pickup. 

I found that out earlier this year.   Grab to  destination with very little traffic and no delays, in the mid 80 baht range.   Grab to the same destination during heavy traffic with several stop and waits, upwards in the mid 100 baht range (if I recall correctly). 

22 hours ago, curtklay said:

How did he pose as a Grab driver? Don't you have to book them through an app?

 

They drive in tourist areas looking for a foreigner holding a cell phone and peering at each approaching car. They stop and say "Grab".

Drivers did this in New Orleans and pretended to be with Uber, though something much worse than a high fare happened to the women who got in.

actually its understandable and defensible, -if his original asking price was standard, then that calculation went out of the window with traffic jam,

sometimes you have to understand the context

Similar happened to me a few years back. I got into a taxi at the airport and asked to be taken to Mo Chit rail station. Upon driving off the driver cancelled  the meter. I asked for it to be put back on. "No can do" he said. "Too much traffic". I immediately pretended to open the door to get out. He screached to a halt. After a few "okays" and waving of arms he switched it back on. On arrival at Mo Chit he wouldn't help me get my luggage out of the boot.

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