Police nab tuk tuk conmen

BANGKOK: -- Every tourist has heard of a tuk tuk driver who lures foreigners into expensive shops, but yesterday tourist police held out hope of an end to such unscrupulous practice with the arrest of 35 drivers of the motorised rickshaws.

Tourist Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Panya Mamnen said that complaints from Chinese tourists had led to the arrests.

The drivers in question apparently picked up the tourists at attractions such as Sanam Luang, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of Dawn and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, from where they escorted the tourists to jewellery shops selling low quality, overpriced goods in Nang Leung and Banglamphu districts.

Although the tuk tuk drivers denied the charges, Pol. Maj. Gen. Panya said that confidential information suggested that the drivers were receiving a commission from the shops in question, with some of the drivers operation as part of a network involving Chinese tour companies.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Panya warned that if any tour companies were found to be involved in such rings, their operating licenses would be revoked.

The drivers will initially be charged with annoyance of tourists, which carries a maximum penalty of a Bt1,000 fine.

-- TNA 2004-08-31

The drivers will initially be charged with annoyance of tourists, which carries a maximum penalty of a Bt1,000 fine.

As Trink would say, any comment would be superfluous.

I have known a Tuk-Tuk driver in Chiang Mai now for almost ten years. He sends his three children to school and Uni in Australia, owns his own house plus two others for in-laws etc. and drives a BMW when not Tukking. All paid for from comissions, mostly from jewellery shops. He used to be an accountant.

1,000 Baht fine......... Fits the crime!!!

WC Fields is spinning in his grave & we can hear the mirth from here.