DLT: Over 10,000 complaints against Thai cab drivers received in past 5 months

[webfact]

DLT: Over 10,000 complaints against cab drivers received in past 5 months

BANGKOK, 24 Mar 2014, (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has disclosed that the number of complaints over taxi drivers' behavior made via the department’s 1584 hotline has exceeded 10,000 during the period of October 2013 - last month.

According to Mr. Atchasatike Rattana Dilok Na Phuket, DLT’s Director General, over 4,000 of the complaints were for refusing passengers, nearly 1,200 were for reckless driving, 1,100 for driver's failure to deliver passengers to agreed destinations, and around 900 for not using fare meters.

Out of that number, 9,900 cab drivers have been fined 1,000 baht each, while the rest of the cases are still under investigation.

Meanwhile, 3,744 passengers filed complaints against public transportation during the same period. Most of the complaints were for drivers' failure to stop at bus stops, followed by using vulgar language, and collecting unfair fare rates. Most of the rule violators have also been slapped with a 1,000 baht fine.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

[webfact]

Complaints of Bangkok taxis rising

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Land Transport said it now received over 10,000 complains of Bangkok taxi drivers on its Hotline 1584 in the past five months from October last year to end of February this year.

The department’s director-general Mr Atchasatike Rattanadilok na Phuket, said of the total complaints, more than 4,000 involved drivers turning down passengers, while about 1,200 were reckless driving, 1,100 for driver’s failure to deliver passengers to agreed destinations, and around 900 for not using fare meters.

He said out of that number, 9,900 taxi drivers have been fined 1,000 baht each, while the rest of the cases are still under investigation.

Meanwhile, 3,744 passengers also filed complaints against public transportation during the same period.

Most of the complaints were for drivers’ failure to stop at bus stops, followed by using impolite language, and collecting unfair fare rates.

He said all the rule violators were fined 1,000 baht each.

Last year the Department of Land Transport registered more than 20,000 complaints against taxi drivers but it’s often the owners, rather than the offending drivers, who end up paying the fines.

Most complaints focus on drivers who point-blank refuse to take passengers to their destination.

It received 23,092 calls to its Hotline 1584 number. They include complaints about drivers who turn down passengers (11,216), followed by refusing to turn on meters (3,802), impolite service (3,002), going to the wrong destination (2,361) and reckless driving (1,436).

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/complaints-bangkok-taxis-rising/

-- Thai PBS 2014-03-24

[rkidlad]

Only 10,000?

[hanno]

I take taxis all the time when I am in Thailand and have few problems. The biggest issue is taxi drivers not wanting to take me to where I want to go, but apart from that it has been (mostly) smooth sailing......

[Luk Mhee]

Well what do u expect from a developing and lawless country! First world treatment?

[l3fty]

What can be said to the taxi drivers that refuse to take you? Nothing, I suppose.

My best guess would be just to take a photo of their ID# in the back and report them.

[JeremyBowskill]

Quiet month then, well done boys keep up the good work!

[smutcakes]

I know people will disagree with this, but despite what the rules may or not may say about taxi drivers having to take passengers, I can sympathize with them on choosing not to take some persons to where they want to go.

Many taxis have to be returned to the depot by specific times of the day for another driver to take over. If for example a cabby had to return his car at 4 pm on a Friday to its depot around Rama 4, and he was working Sukhumvit area at around 2pm, so 2 hours to play with. Some person stops him and asks him to take them to KSR or Pinklao, there is a very distinct possibility given the traffic on a Friday evening, that he would be unable to get there and back in 2 hours, and therefore does not want to go. What should he do? give up stopping for people and waste 2 hours of fare time on the of chance that someone asks him to take them miles away? My personal opinion is that taxis should have the right to pick and choose who they take, and where they take them, especially if they have a genuine reason that does not allow them to take them.

In 6 years or so, i could count the number of minor issues i have had with taxis on one hand.

[hanno]

I know people will disagree with this, but despite what the rules may or not may say about taxi drivers having to take passengers, I can sympathize with them on choosing not to take some persons to where they want to go.

Many taxis have to be returned to the depot by specific times of the day for another driver to take over. If for example a cabby had to return his car at 4 pm on a Friday to its depot around Rama 4, and he was working Sukhumvit area at around 2pm, so 2 hours to play with. Some person stops him and asks him to take them to KSR or Pinklao, there is a very distinct possibility given the traffic on a Friday evening, that he would be unable to get there and back in 2 hours, and therefore does not want to go. What should he do? give up stopping for people and waste 2 hours of fare time on the of chance that someone asks him to take them miles away? My personal opinion is that taxis should have the right to pick and choose who they take, and where they take them, especially if they have a genuine reason that does not allow them to take them.

In 6 years or so, i could count the number of minor issues i have had with taxis on one hand.

Exactly, that is why I do not consider it a big issue. End of the day, they are poor bastards.

Well what do u expect from a developing and lawless country! First world treatment?

The worst I ever got taken was by a London cabbie. Does that mean England is a developing and lawless country?

[BuddyPinkham]

1000bt is NOTHING to most of these people because they can just make it up on the next few fares!

[mijan24]

I know people will disagree with this, but despite what the rules may or not may say about taxi drivers having to take passengers, I can sympathize with them on choosing not to take some persons to where they want to go.

Many taxis have to be returned to the depot by specific times of the day for another driver to take over. If for example a cabby had to return his car at 4 pm on a Friday to its depot around Rama 4, and he was working Sukhumvit area at around 2pm, so 2 hours to play with. Some person stops him and asks him to take them to KSR or Pinklao, there is a very distinct possibility given the traffic on a Friday evening, that he would be unable to get there and back in 2 hours, and therefore does not want to go. What should he do? give up stopping for people and waste 2 hours of fare time on the of chance that someone asks him to take them miles away? My personal opinion is that taxis should have the right to pick and choose who they take, and where they take them, especially if they have a genuine reason that does not allow them to take them.

In 6 years or so, i could count the number of minor issues i have had with taxis on one hand.

You make a fair point about shift hours but don't forget they rent that taxi by the 12 hour period and a "tourist" is not or does not want to know this they just wish to go to their destination - maybe a sign saying within an hour of my shift finishing destinations are limited???

[l3fty]

I know people will disagree with this, but despite what the rules may or not may say about taxi drivers having to take passengers, I can sympathize with them on choosing not to take some persons to where they want to go.

Many taxis have to be returned to the depot by specific times of the day for another driver to take over. If for example a cabby had to return his car at 4 pm on a Friday to its depot around Rama 4, and he was working Sukhumvit area at around 2pm, so 2 hours to play with. Some person stops him and asks him to take them to KSR or Pinklao, there is a very distinct possibility given the traffic on a Friday evening, that he would be unable to get there and back in 2 hours, and therefore does not want to go. What should he do? give up stopping for people and waste 2 hours of fare time on the of chance that someone asks him to take them miles away? My personal opinion is that taxis should have the right to pick and choose who they take, and where they take them, especially if they have a genuine reason that does not allow them to take them.

In 6 years or so, i could count the number of minor issues i have had with taxis on one hand.

I have a hard time believing the 3 or 4 taxis that denied myself and a friend in a row to go somewhere (on multiple occasions) that they were on their way to the depot mid-day. It's seems to me that it's more the selfishness of wanting X amount of money in the least amount of driving time. It's not a huge deal but it is illegal nonetheless.

[Songhua]

10,000? The majority must go unreported then - they probably rack up that many refusals in twenty four hours just in Sukhumvit.

[Cricketnut]

What can be said to the taxi drivers that refuse to take you? Nothing, I suppose.

My best guess would be just to take a photo of their ID# in the back and report them.

Just leave the back door open if they refuse the request to take you and move on, and or only half close it. They hate having to get out and close it themselves...

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[rogeratkins]

I know people will disagree with this, but despite what the rules may or not may say about taxi drivers having to take passengers, I can sympathize with them on choosing not to take some persons to where they want to go.

Many taxis have to be returned to the depot by specific times of the day for another driver to take over. If for example a cabby had to return his car at 4 pm on a Friday to its depot around Rama 4, and he was working Sukhumvit area at around 2pm, so 2 hours to play with. Some person stops him and asks him to take them to KSR or Pinklao, there is a very distinct possibility given the traffic on a Friday evening, that he would be unable to get there and back in 2 hours, and therefore does not want to go. What should he do? give up stopping for people and waste 2 hours of fare time on the of chance that someone asks him to take them miles away? My personal opinion is that taxis should have the right to pick and choose who they take, and where they take them, especially if they have a genuine reason that does not allow them to take them.

In 6 years or so, i could count the number of minor issues i have had with taxis on one hand.

Of course not agree .Your statement not make any sense . If they have to return the car then they do not have to stop and do not put the red sign on that they are free .It is quite simple you free or you are not free I tried to take a taxi from Sukumvit tot Nasa Vegas hotel not so far 20 minutes .All taxis stop but ask 200 bath instead meter .It is a real shame in Bangkok .Yes you have good drivers but they should kick the bad ones out. If you are a taxii and you not want to take passengers because traffic jam or to far you should be taken off the road that will solve the traffic jam a bit. So now result we not go anymore spending money in bangkok we go somewhere else

[l3fty]

What can be said to the taxi drivers that refuse to take you? Nothing, I suppose.

My best guess would be just to take a photo of their ID# in the back and report them.

Just leave the back door open if they refuse the request to take you and move on, and or only half close it. They hate having to get out and close it themselves...

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Lmao, that sounds like a good way to get stabbed.

[Lancelot]

I'm waiting for the "I've lived in Bangkok for 30 years, ridden in thousands of taxis- and never had a problem"

[daveAustin]

The worst I ever got taken was by a London cabbie. Does that mean England is a developing and lawless

I don't believe this, London cabbies are the best in the world. Perhaps he picked up attitude.

[Travel Dude]

The fine is soo low that the taxi drivers take the risk.

10,000 complaints in 5 month is 2000 a month or 66 a day... Fines should be doubled to 2,000 or even up to 5,000. Then they would behave much better.

Do they all effectively pay their fine?

And then there should be a system to identify repeat offenders. And an increasing fine up to jail for the real die hards.

Personally I have had very few problems with taxis and 98% of my trips have been fine.

[OZEMADE]

Only 10,000?

Probably not bad as there were probably millions that did not and could not be bothered to complain.

They would get this many complaints in Pattaya alone.

[LuckyLew]

If everyone in Bangkok who encountered a taxi refuisng a fare actually called in .. the number would be over 10 000 per day ... minimum

[laurentbkk]

tried to avoid to take my car to go to town , so I used taxis .... I wont talk about the smell of food , the loud isaan music and some other strange noises ..... but many time Taxi refused to bring me because either it was not long enough , or they wanted to talk about fare better than using the meter , some said Not my direction ..... So after that , I took back my car .... Let say some can be really nice ..but a lot are really creepy.

[SoilSpoil]

If you expect a world class taxi service, expect a world class price!

[hanno]

If you expect a world class taxi service, expect a world class price!

That!

Once all the moaning is done it should be kept in mind that taxis are dirt cheap in Thailand. Heck, they are more expensive here in Cambodia.

[buhi]

I'm waiting for the "I've lived in Bangkok for 30 years, ridden in thousands of taxis- and never had a problem"

OK. Twice I have refused to carry on, the no meter rubbish. Just got out!

Speaking a little Thai helps.

Best not to get a taxi in a tourist area of Bangkok, but have done for thirty years!

[billywjr]

Also pls remember guys. Du4ing traffic time taxis actually lose money by sitting in traffic. Of course they wont want to take people to congested places. This is not entirely their fault. The gov't needs to fix the taxi fee problem. And ahyone who disagrees with this shouldnt waste their breath commenting coz they dont have any idea what they r talking about.

[brimacthai]

We use a lot of taxis in Bangkok going to and from business meetings and just getting around. Several trips a week.

I have had very few issues, the last one I can think of was coming from the airport, the driver didn't want to use the meter and wanted 500 Baht to Sutthisan. I very politely said no worries, please stop and I will get another taxi. All the sudden his meter worked and he clearly wasn't impressed. As a precaution I pretended to take photos of the traffic and took a picture of his ID.

I think it's all about our attitude as well. If you do speak a little bit of "taxi Thai" that helps.

Going to the bus station last Saturday night, I was trying to get a taxi and there was a guy parked getting food, he was with his son and clearly not on duty. I asked him if he was working and he said no, I said thank you and started looking for another taxi. He then asked where I was going, I told him and he said he would take me.

I got in the back, his son (after buying food) got in the front and off we went, without asking the meter came on, the driver instructed his son to Wai me. He earned himself 100 Baht for a 60 Baht trip.

I think what really helps is my attitude and a little bit of "Taxi Thai" language really goes a long way.

[tomyummer]

The biggest complaints should be about the taxis that smell because the cabbies sleep in their cars or the fact that their trunks are mostly full because of the natural gas tanks and their own personal items. Sucks when going to the airport with your suitcase on your lap.

[johnlandy]

Only 10,000?

Yes, the realm is in danger of not winning the most complained about taxi drivers in the world. They need to crank things up a bit.

[hanno]

The worst I ever got taken was by a London cabbie. Does that mean England is a developing and lawless

I don't believe this, London cabbies are the best in the world. Perhaps he picked up attitude.

Why would I lie and why would he pick up attitude? This was 20 years ago, taking a cab from the airport to the city.

Seems like a lot a people can get scammed: http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=99124&c=setreg&region=2