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Dispute Erupts Involving Russian Tourists Over Unpaid Fare

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Photo courtesy of Khaosod

A video of a Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider disputing a fare with two Russian tourists has ignited controversy online. The footage shows the rider angrily confronting the women over payment, leading to divided opinions on social media. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between local service providers and tourists over fare misunderstandings.

The incident occurred in the early hours of January 25th in South Pattaya. The rider, Apisit Phakwatmanop, picked up two Russian tourists who had requested a ride through an app. He used a translation app to inform them that the fare would be for two passengers, which they reportedly agreed to before boarding.

Upon reaching their destination, the app indicated a total fare of 62 baht for both passengers. However, the tourists paid only 40 baht, leading to a dispute. Apisit attempted to resolve the issue using translation tools but faced resistance. Tensions escalated, resulting in the heated exchange captured on video.

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Photo courtesy of Khaosod

Social media users expressed mixed reactions. Some criticized Apisit for his language, while others defended him, pointing out that disputes with Russian tourists over fares have been frequent. Many users shared their own experiences, reflecting ongoing challenges in communication and payment expectations.

As the video continues to circulate, Apisit hopes to clarify his actions. He acknowledges losing his temper but emphasizes that the fare agreement was clear from the start. Apisit calls for understanding, asserting that his intention was not to cause conflict but to ensure fair compensation for his services, reported Khaosod.

Key Takeaways

  • The video sparked divided opinions, with both parties receiving criticism online.

  • Apisit used translation apps to communicate the fare, highlighting language barriers.

  • Tensions between tourists and local service providers remain a challenge in Pattaya.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-01-28

 

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  • Gottfrid
    Gottfrid

    Did you notice this? Looks to me the rider did all he could to make understand. Just some cheap tourist pack again. Shame!

  • flaming dragon
    flaming dragon

    Over 22 baht. Are you sure they're not from Scotland?

  • jacko45k
    jacko45k

    Never have issue with the WIN drivers, taxi drivers are often dodgy. Generally one needs to set the price before the journey starts, and pay agreed at the end of it. Works both ways though.. drivers s

Posted Images

Some tourists are crooked, uncouth, no doubt

But almost all those tuk tuk, taxi scooter, taxis, are also crooked in Thailand, trying to cheat at all costs. Or it this not the case ??

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, SingAPorn said:

Some tourists are crooked, uncouth, no doubt

But almost all those tuk tuk, taxi scooter, taxis, are also crooked in Thailand, trying to cheat at all costs. Or it this not the case ??

Did you notice this?

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Upon reaching their destination, the app indicated a total fare of 62 baht for both passengers. However, the tourists paid only 40 baht, leading to a dispute. Apisit attempted to resolve the issue using translation tools but faced resistance. Tensions escalated, resulting in the heated exchange captured on video.

Looks to me the rider did all he could to make understand. Just some cheap tourist pack again. Shame!

  • Popular Post
11 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Some tourists are crooked, uncouth, no doubt

But almost all those tuk tuk, taxi scooter, taxis, are also crooked in Thailand, trying to cheat at all costs. Or it this not the case ??

Never have issue with the WIN drivers, taxi drivers are often dodgy. Generally one needs to set the price before the journey starts, and pay agreed at the end of it. Works both ways though.. drivers sometimes try and bump the fare too. It often appears to be an argument over coppers and in the case of the motorcycles, a bit hard on a relatively poor guy.

11 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Have you been to Phuket?

Yeah, during my over 28 years in Thailand, I have actually managed that.

What an amazingly stupid question!

10 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, during my over 28 years in Thailand, I have actually managed that.

What an amazingly stupid question!

Can you post about your experience there with land transport operators, and some pricing?

By the way, 28 years doesn't count for much if you have spent 27 of those years in the village in Issan. Yes, there are many people like that. 🙂

2 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Can you post about your experience there with land transport operators, and some pricing?

By the way, 28 years doesn't count for much if you have spent 27 of those years in the village in Issan. Yes, there are many people like that. 🙂

You must just be a deleted .......e.

However, I have not been spending 27 or 28 years in Isaan. i have been living in many places in Thailand for several years at each location. Maybe you just needed to get out your frustration and put some meaningless slur on the cake.

So, I was not one of them. Now drink your little Heineken and be happy.!

But, on the other hand, I settled in Isaan, after finding a very good and caring woman, that are 100% devoted to me and our children. That without me giving her a certain amount every month. But, you know it already! That is only a thing experienced people that can achieve! You are probably not one of them.

44 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

You must just be a deleted .......e.

However, I have not been spending 27 or 28 years in Isaan. i have been living in many places in Thailand for several years at each location. Maybe you just needed to get out your frustration and put some meaningless slur on the cake.

So, I was not one of them. Now drink your little Heineken and be happy.!

But, on the other hand, I settled in Isaan, after finding a very good and caring woman, that are 100% devoted to me and our children. That without me giving her a certain amount every month. But, you know it already! That is only a thing experienced people that can achieve! You are probably not one of them.

Deflection.

What was your experience with land transport when in Phuket?

That's if you ever actually have been there.

Poor Russians why even come here?

11 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Can you post about your experience there with land transport operators, and some pricing?

By the way, 28 years doesn't count for much if you have spent 27 of those years in the village in Issan. Yes, there are many people like that. 🙂

Twenty Eight years may not count as much, it could well have been one year 28 times.

10 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

What was your experience with land transport when in Phuket?

No problem at all. but, you know. Some people have problem wherever they go, while some never has. You seem to fall into the first category.

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Twenty Eight years may not count as much, it could well have been one year 28 times.

You come across guys like this occasionally.

The "I have lived in Thailand 20 years" guys. When you ask, "Where have you been in Thailand?" Answer, "Pattaya and the missus' village." I then laugh. 😂

However, they will continue to tell you how their 20 years in Thailand makes them an authority on all things Thailand. 😂

Some even proudly show you their Buddha tattoo. 😂

On 1/28/2026 at 11:25 PM, flaming dragon said:

Over 22 baht. Are you sure they're not from Scotland?

The Scots woke up on the wrong side of the bed one day and decided to head for London. They stopped off in Yorkshire for a few days and that's where they learned to be, let's say, frugal.

On 1/28/2026 at 5:59 PM, SingAPorn said:

Some tourists are crooked, uncouth, no doubt

But almost all those tuk tuk, taxi scooter, taxis, are also crooked in Thailand, trying to cheat at all costs. Or it this not the case ??

over 50 year history in Thailand on every type of transportation never been cheated once

17 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Care to comment on the pricing structure there?

No, I don´t. Please go play with someone else now.

7 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

No, I don´t.

Could that be because you have never been to Phuket, thus have no idea about land transport there?

On 2/1/2026 at 4:37 PM, DaLa said:

The Scots woke up on the wrong side of the bed one day and decided to head for London. They stopped off in Yorkshire for a few days and that's where they learned to be, let's say, frugal.

I've got a good friend from Yorkshire and he jokes about Yorkshiremen having deep pockets and short arms. He's frugal but not pathological about it.

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Could that be because you have never been to Phuket, thus have no idea about land transport there?

I think I already answered that too.

9 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

I've got a good friend from Yorkshire and he jokes about Yorkshiremen having deep pockets and short arms. He's frugal but not pathological about it.

In reality I have not found Scots to be tight, more the opposite. THey just like to make jokes about it a lot. They will certainly spend their money on a few drinks.

On 2/2/2026 at 1:43 PM, Gottfrid said:

I think I already answered that too.

No, you didn't.

If you have been there, post some examples of prices when you were last there.

3 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

No, you didn't.

If you have been there, post some examples of prices when you were last there.

Maybe you walk around with a tight wallet and count as well as remember prices. I have the luxury of not needing to do that. You know some of us are secure in Thailand as we planned our lives and know we can do things.

As a second. I am not your butler.

39 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Maybe you walk around with a tight wallet and count as well as remember prices. I have the luxury of not needing to do that. You know some of us are secure in Thailand as we planned our lives and know we can do things.

As a second. I am not your butler.

Obviously, you've never been to Phuket.

Credibility ZERO.

17 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

22 baht lol what scumbags

You don't know what scam he may have tried to pull.

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

Obviously, you've never been to Phuket.

Credibility ZERO.

You can believe what you want. if you wish to believe I never went there in my over 28 years in Thailand, it´s up to you. Doesn´t bother me.

48 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

You don't know what scam he may have tried to pull.

You’re trying to place fault on the rider when the story is quite clear that the price was ‘priced’ by the App.

Additionally, I’ve been to Phuket loads of times & I have no idea what I paid for taxis & tuktuks - it’s just not the sort of thing ppl remember & you’re trying to shoehorn an argument out of thin air.

I found InDrive to work better for taxis than Grab & Bolt. & Grab your woke best for TukTuks.

20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You’re trying to place fault on the rider when the story is quite clear that the price was ‘priced’ by the App.

Perhaps he pulled the "sorry, I not have change" scam. So they went low ball, rather than giving him a donation. After all, it's not their problem he has no change. I don't know, I wasn't there, but then again, either were you.

20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Additionally, I’ve been to Phuket loads of times & I have no idea what I paid for taxis & tuktuks - it’s just not the sort of thing ppl remember & you’re trying to shoehorn an argument out of thin air.

The last time I was there it was 200 baht just to get into a tutuk. The price went up from there. No a/c, no seat belts, just a short ride in the back of a utitlty on a bench seat, like a baht bus in Pattaya, but 200 baht.

If you have been to Phuket many times, I'm surprised you are unaware of the transport mafia there. There's been many news reports of the tuktuk drivers assaulting passengers because the passenger resists the scam. Things like changing the price at the end of the journey etc.

20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I found InDrive to work better for taxis than Grab & Bolt.

I'll check it it.

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