Taxi operators to meet military

[Lite Beer]

Taxi operators to meet military
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The 11th Military Circle has invited taxi operators in Bangkok to a meeting next week in a bid to reform the taxi system.

Maj-General Nirundorn Samut-sakhon, the Circle's commander, said yesterday that he will host the meeting at the body's compound on Tuesday in order to learn about the problems that taxi operators and drivers face.

The information obtained will be used to reform public transport, he said.

Nirundorn was speaking after a meeting with Transport Company president Wutthichart Kallayanamitr.

They spoke about establishing a taxi service at Mor Chit Northern Bus Terminal. The company has already regulated the service, but many taxi drivers still do not follow the rules.

The military junta has assigned the armed forces to help put many issues in order including public transport.

Nirundorn said he did not agree with a call to adjust the starting price for metered taxis. He said that though he understood the taxi drivers' hardship, raising the fare would also affect the general public.

He said he had learnt that taxi drivers lost a lot of money during the anti-government protests due to blocked roads, but noted that the situation had returned to normal.

Many people have complained that taxi drivers preferred foreigners to Thais. Also some overcharged passengers or demanded extra.

He went on to say that in order to be fair to all parties, the National Council for Peace and Order will be asked to consider measures to help ease taxi drivers' hardship by waiving parking fees in places like the Mor Chit Bus terminal.

-- The Nation 2014-06-21

[selftaopath]

..."taxi drivers still do not follow the rules."

Well that seems to be how most of Thai citizenry act. I've been told Thailand means "free men." Many Thais believe they have a right to do whatever they wish because they are FREE (to do so). They also... I've been told... have the RIGHT to drive on roads vs it being a privilege.

Only enforced laws with severe consequences will allow for a changed mindset e.g. sure you are "free" to break the law but will go to jail/be fined heavily if/when caught. Self monitoring to avoid severe consequences initially will aid the Thai society greatly. Maybe later changed behavior will be an ethical/moral choice.

[noitom]

Why would a taxi driver follow Thai "rules?" This sentence is especially interesting -

The military junta has assigned the armed forces to help put many issues in order including public transport. - Note, "the military junta has assigned the armed forces......"

Thais are a real laugher. More fun than ever before. They are now exposed as real buffoons. Just look at the photo above and read this story only. All you need to know.

[Neurath]

Invited to a meeting? Experience dictates that should they go, better bring a toothbrush and change of underwear.

[MMarlow]

Why would a taxi driver follow Thai "rules?" This sentence is especially interesting -

The military junta has assigned the armed forces to help put many issues in order including public transport. - Note, "the military junta has assigned the armed forces......"

Thais are a real laugher. More fun than ever before. They are now exposed as real buffoons. Just look at the photo above and read this story only. All you need to know.

Your post and the vast majority of your previous ones go a long way to confirm that the real buffoons are not part of the military.

[Johnnie99]

Apart from the fact that:

• most 'taxi drivers' have little idea where they are going;
• or where they've been;
• or especially where you want to go;
• their atrocious driving habits;
• and that caterwauling they seem to regard as music,

what's wrong with them?

[spidermike007]

I have rarely had issues with taxis in Bangkok. Now, in Samui and Phuket, that is a different matter. Even Pattaya. But not Bangkok. Samui needs the most help. The taxi situation in Samui is completely out of control. They charge 100-200 baht for a 1 km. trip. They are super rich as a result. Ridiculous behavior, and shame on the authorities for not even making an effort to do anything.

[steelepulse]

Let's hope the junta includes Phuket and Samui in the statement "The military junta has assigned the armed forces to help put many issues in order including public transport."

[Travel Dude]

I see so many times people being refused for the trip by the driver. I see more refusals then passengers stepping in actually. This should be heavily penalized.

Another thing is that so many taxis are "roaming" empty, this creates lots of traffic, traffic congestion and pollution.

And then there are those long queus of taxis, mostly old ones, that occupy whole streets and do not allow other cars to park or normal taxus to pick up passengers, like in sukhumvit soi 11.

Most taxis seem to be owned by Police, so there we go again.

Start cleaning up where it is due...

[FangFerang]

To change the system would mean that neither yellows nor reds could pillage the system -- and that is NOT going to happen anytime in the next millennium.

I hear it now "WAH!! I picked a side...before I found out they are all bastards. I want my integrity back!"

Sorry, it's too late for that.

[iReason]

"...in order to learn about the problems that taxi operators and drivers face."?

Really? Here's just some of the problems the taxi drivers should face/address:

"...but many taxi drivers still do not follow the rules".

"Many people have complained that taxi drivers preferred foreigners to Thais. Also some overcharged passengers or demanded extra."

"the taxi drivers' hardship"???

A bunch of child-like, criminal cry-babys.

You made your bed. Now sleep in it...

Daddy Military has had to come in and force you to act like civilized adults.

Pathetic.

These types of people are an embarrassment to society.

[7777777]

Actually picking on the taxi drivers and motorcycles seems short sighted. If they went on strike (as a very good percentage of them are red) they could bring the whole of BKK and at least parts of the country to a very fast stop. I am not sure they have thought of that yet tho.

[northernjohn]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have rarely had issues with taxis in Bangkok. Now, in Samui and Phuket, that is a different matter. Even Pattaya. But not Bangkok. Samui needs the most help. The taxi situation in Samui is completely out of control. They charge 100-200 baht for a 1 km. trip. They are super rich as a result. Ridiculous behavior, and shame on the authorities for not even making an effort to do anything.

Do you think that with all the corruption in the last 14 years that the military should have it solved in one month? A bit unrealistic I think.

I see so many times people being refused for the trip by the driver. I see more refusals then passengers stepping in actually. This should be heavily penalized.
Another thing is that so many taxis are "roaming" empty, this creates lots of traffic, traffic congestion and pollution.
And then there are those long queus of taxis, mostly old ones, that occupy whole streets and do not allow other cars to park or normal taxus to pick up passengers, like in sukhumvit soi 11.
Most taxis seem to be owned by Police, so there we go again.
Start cleaning up where it is due...

Well this thread is about swampy so I will refer you to my earlier answer.

Actually picking on the taxi drivers and motorcycles seems short sighted. If they went on strike (as a very good percentage of them are red) they could bring the whole of BKK and at least parts of the country to a very fast stop. I am not sure they have thought of that yet tho.

Let us hope they never figure that out.

I like the idea that they are willing to talk with the taxi drivers rather than impose on them. There might be a better solution they can both agree on. This is not a Democracy but it seems like people want to whine about it being transparent. Go figure.

[spidermike007]

I have rarely had issues with taxis in Bangkok. Now, in Samui and Phuket, that is a different matter. Even Pattaya. But not Bangkok. Samui needs the most help. The taxi situation in Samui is completely out of control. They charge 100-200 baht for a 1 km. trip. They are super rich as a result. Ridiculous behavior, and shame on the authorities for not even making an effort to do anything.

Do you think that with all the corruption in the last 14 years that the military should have it solved in one month? A bit unrealistic I think.

I see so many times people being refused for the trip by the driver. I see more refusals then passengers stepping in actually. This should be heavily penalized.

Another thing is that so many taxis are "roaming" empty, this creates lots of traffic, traffic congestion and pollution.

And then there are those long queus of taxis, mostly old ones, that occupy whole streets and do not allow other cars to park or normal taxus to pick up passengers, like in sukhumvit soi 11.

Most taxis seem to be owned by Police, so there we go again.

Start cleaning up where it is due...

Well this thread is about swampy so I will refer you to my earlier answer.

Actually picking on the taxi drivers and motorcycles seems short sighted. If they went on strike (as a very good percentage of them are red) they could bring the whole of BKK and at least parts of the country to a very fast stop. I am not sure they have thought of that yet tho.

Let us hope they never figure that out.

I like the idea that they are willing to talk with the taxi drivers rather than impose on them. There might be a better solution they can both agree on. This is not a Democracy but it seems like people want to whine about it being transparent. Go figure.

I was referring to Samui, the land of nothing ever gets done, no progress is ever made, nobody of value ever gets arrested and nobody looks after the place.

Spidermike007

[Maroon Watcher]

TAXIs are an exception to relaxed Thailand Rules:

they need to know:

You cannot sit around ALL day waiting for a Rip-off fare. (Especially in tourist areas)

If you get off your ASS and help customers (Guests in your car) -

with their shopping or heavier stuff, they will will usually return that favour with a TIP

(Or at least feel obliged).

If you find the fastest route (efficient) without resorting to Tolls - you will get a Tip.

(If they don't tip - Tell them how much you saved them...)

Do NOT turn the meter off because the last train just left - If it's late or a long way, you will get a tip.

(If you don't, ask yourself why!)

Note: There are still good taxi drivers around who do this

(One even charged me less cos we got stuck in traffic!)

[LuckyLew]

I agree the starting rate is low and the fares are a great value, but if they raise the fees and rares i hope they alsocraise the fines when people complaon about taxi drivers not willing to take them where they want to go

Sent from my GT-N5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[city]

Two tings are happening

1. Sugar coating for the press

2. Cutting the police access to 'tea money'

When was the last time your saw a helmet stop or the cones out for payment. The army is in the process of removing all power from the police. No money no power....then there will only be 1 player in the game !

All these 'populist' actions have only effected police bank accounts.