Complaints against taxi and bus services in Bangkok

[webfact]

Complaints against taxi and bus services in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Refusal to accept passengers ranks the most complaints against taxi drivers whereas reckless driving tops the complaints against public bus service in Bangkok during the past six months of this year, according to the Land Transport Department.

Mr Atchathai Rattanadilok na Phuket, director-general of Land Transport Department, disclosed that the department had received altogether 15,632 complaints through the 1584 hotline against taxi services and 6,854 complaints against public bus services through the same hotline from January-June.

The complaints are broken down into the followings: 5,315 complaints or 84.74 percent of all the complaints concern the problem of taxi drivers refusing to accept passengers for various reasons; 2,261 complaints against impolite language used against passengers; 1,823 complaints of reckless driving; 1,543 complaints against drivers not sending passengers to their agreed destinations; and 1,100 complaints of not using meters.

As for complaints against public bus services, the findings are as follows: 2,217 complaints against reckless driving which account for 78.04 of all the complaints; 1,035 complaints for not stopping at bus stops; 1,028 complaints of impoliteness; 368 complaints of letting passengers to disembark outside bus stops and 276 complaints of overcharging.

Mr Atchathai said that the department had summoned taxi drivers in 13,247 cases to be told of the complaints against them and to be fined at not more than 1,000 baht each.

Fine for letting passengers to get off buses outside bus stops and for overcharging has been set at 5,000 baht and 10,000 baht respectively.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/complaints-taxi-bus-services-bangkok/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-25

[Cuchulainn]

I wonder how many would pass another driving test with, say, a British, US or Australian (etc) examiner?

Another? Silly me. Found the wife's cooking sherry again!

[NoshowJones]

I wonder how many would pass another driving test with, say, a British, US or Australian (etc) examiner?

Another? Silly me. Found the wife's cooking sherry again!

As far as I'm aware, the Bangkok local bus services do not run to a timetable, the driver gets paid so much for each journey, so when he gets the chance, he drives faster to make up for all the time he has spent in traffic jams.

[webfact]

More than 15,000 complaints lodged against taxi drivers

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has reported that more than 15,000 complaints have been made against taxi drivers via the hotline 1584 during the first half of 2014.

The number one complaint mentioned on the hotline is the taxi drivers’ refusal to pick up passengers, closely followed by rude behavior, reckless driving, dropping passengers off before reaching their destinations, and refusal to switch on the fare meter.

Director-General Adsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket stated that the DLT has requested all taxi operators to submit a profile of their drivers so that background checks could be made. Through this procedure, it would be easier to keep track of taxi drivers with poor driving etiquette in order to increase public safety.

Mr. Adsathai also requested members of the public to always check the taxi drivers’ ID for scrutiny. Anybody who feels concerned about their own safety or would like to make complaints from using taxi services can call the hotline 1584 around the clock.

-- NNT 2014-07-25

[Cuchulainn]

.........Mr. Adsathai also requested members of the public to always check the taxi drivers’ ID for scrutiny...........

No need for a comment here!

[Luk Mhee]

Well concerning taxies not accepting passengers has happened to me a few times. What angered me the most was a few weeks ago when my pregnant wife wanted to take a taxi home because of the rain (she is a school teacher) she waved down a number of taxies and as soon as they saw that she was pregnant they all came up with the excuse that they are on the way to return the taxi to the depot. After about one hour of waiting in the rain a taxi finally stopped and helped her and told her that many taxi drivers are afraid to pick up pregnant women because they might give birth in the taxi. This plainly shows the unsympathetic attitude of many taxi drivers in Thailand. The definition of a taxi service is, to be of service to the public, and not a selective service as it is now.

[Jimmu]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

Some of the taxi drivers I know make a fairly good living because they do the job they chose to do properly and don't refuse fares. And quite frankly. you should mind your own business in the street, otherwise it might be your head that gets 'knocked off'!

[MUSTYJACK]

Using the complaint hotline does work.

I have reported 2 taxi drivers for rude behaviour associated with refusing to pick me up.

I can understand a driver not picking up a passenger, it happens to me a lot in Bangkok, normally they refuse politely, citing time or distance, and off they go. It doesnt bother me and normally another cab comes along a few seconds later and I am on my way.

What does rankle though is rudeness and refusing to take me unless I agree to go off the meter for an inflated fare.

As I said, last year I reported 2 drivers for this, the lady on the phone takes your name and phone number, the time and location of the incident, the colour and taxi number of the cab or the licence plate of the cab and the nature of the complaint.

A few months later I received a text message notifying me that cab driver number xxx was fined B500 when he applied to renew his yearly licence for the offence of xxx on such and such a date.

A few months after that, I received another text message informing me that the second cab driver was similarly fined B500 when he applied for his licence renewal.

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

I probably have more conversations with taxi drivers than any single group in Thailand. Usually they are engaging, polite, interested in what I have to say in my limited Thai ("Oh, phut passa Thai, keng mahk!" not withstanding). The key I use if a taxi stops and the window slides down, I know he will hear where I want to go, gaze oddly down the road and shake his head. I've taken busses lots in Bangkok and I must say the bus system is superb. Granted, maybe the busses aren't in the best shape but you can go just about anywhere on a bus in this city. From Rama 4 to Rangsit? Three busses will get you there (109[among others], 38 and 59). Srinarakarin to Queen Sirigit? 519. It's an art and a joy and you get to see lots of stuff! Ramathipodi to Ari? 8.

[Rykbanlor]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

Some of the taxi drivers I know make a fairly good living because they do the job they chose to do properly and don't refuse fares. And quite frankly. you should mind your own business in the street, otherwise it might be your head that gets 'knocked off'!

See bold type above: So you assume that taxi drivers only pick up foreigners and that all the complaints to the hotline were also made by foreigners. Right.

Edited July 25, 2014 by metisdead
15) Do not make changes to quoted material that changes the intended meaning of the quoted post

[kingstonkid]

The one thing that should also be included in this is the number of passengers that phone to congratulate the service. I travel almost daily by taxi, bus and motorcycle and have to tell you that i have found that the taxi's I have taken have all been great.

The only time I was ever refused a taxi was at night and I wanted to go from khoasan to rangsit. After asking a couple of drivers I realized my error and got a ride to the BTS and a taxi from Mor Chit.

The 29 Bus system i use a great deal from Rangsit to MBK and the drivers and staff are great. One of the best buses i have taken.

People have to realize that these drivers have a hell of a job. You talk about people being underpaid LOL

I also take other various buses just not as regularly and have always been pleased.

[gemini81]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

What does your far fetched arm dragging story about how you're Mr Balls and Righteous have anything to do with taxi driver complaints?

[Johnnie99]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

I own a couple of vehicles and can honestly say I would not be without them, here in the centre of Bangkok.

The ability to just get in a car and go to exactly where one wants is priceless beyond measure.

If these people do not like the conditions or nature of their work, they are freely able to get other work.

Or perhaps sitting on their arse all day is preferable to actually working.

[shavedPotter]

Interestingly I put this to the test. A few weeks back I was returning from visiting a friend at Nana who was in town for a few weeks on holiday, I got in a taxi near the corner of soi 3. I told him I wanted to go to Ekamai and he refused citing he was waiting for an airport run. I told him no problem, I will just sit here until you are ready to do your job as I was in no particular hurry.

After about 45 minutes of him doing everything to get me out of his car including turning off the AC and playing Cookie Run for a long time, he eventually took me to my destination. He did not turn on the meter but I did pay him what the fare should have been. Needless to say no rewards for bad behavior is a universal fix.

[BoardDWorld]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

I own a vehicle because taxi's are so unpredictable here. I often get a maniac that thinks he's an F-1 race driver in his clapped out under maintained vehicle with an oh so typical wobbly hub with shoddy wheel bearings. Then the evening rush where not a single taxi stops for you & could easily leave you standing for more than an hour waving at them.

Then the biggest reason is my son would have to sit next to me without any restraints under these insane conditions.

On occasion you get a perfect scenario but that is extremely rare and for that reason I LOVE having my own car.

P.S. Unless the chap was being physically abusive to the woman, what has it got to do with you? Fortunately I don't have that problem but I can easily imagine plenty of Thai woman out there being that child like that they might just need to be pulled along for their own well being. What was the repercussions of your actions?

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

Oh, never mind.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Bobobirdiebuddy

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

Yes, and your previous post was yet another twit looking for a chance to bash Americans. Your type are so very tiresome.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Bobobirdiebuddy

[poohy]

"Having been trained by the Navy SEALS, and a war vet, and a self defense instructor,"


And I am just dusting off my SAS certificate as we speak!

Back on topic lived in BKK for 11 years found out as said previously as a general rule ......any taxi that winds the window down to speak to you is best to be avoided

[Loptr]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

Is this a thread about foreigners or Thai bus / taxi service? There's already a thread running elsewhere on holier than though foreigners and their Thainess...

[Munger]

Perhaps the taxi drivers read or heard about all the negative comments made about Thai people in online discussion groups by foreigners or saw their daughter/s photos online, taken without their permission while trying to earn money for their family. Or got tired of drunk, rude, smelly, obese, demanding foreigners that never took an interest in learning the Thai language.

Having lived here for going on 9 years, what I have observed as far as dress, manners, foul language in front of families, and general inappropriate behavior, recently is even repulsive to me.

Yesterday I saw an American dragging a Thai woman across the BTS station by the arm just because she didn't want to go in the same direction with him. I had to approach him and tell him to knock it off.

Many taxi drivers have to wait in lines, and can't afford to do a 50 baht run and then wait in another line. Quite frankly it's hard to understand how they make much money with the prices they charge considering expenses.

Cheapest fares in the world.

Own a vehicle and you will be complaining more!

WOW, what a slobbering Thai apologist you are. Blame it all on the farangs.

[razer]

Thailand and North Africa have a lot in common when it comes to taxi drivers. In my experience of 7 years here about 60% of the Thai taxi drivers are rude, will not hesitate to refuse a customer and on occasion they don't know their way around Bangkok. I have been kicked out of a taxi more than once in the street and once on the tollway because I refused to pay their NEW on the road price. I'm talking about a pick up at a five star hotels and Don Muang airport. BUT I was never attacked with a Samurai sword thank God.

There are plenty of good models out there. I lived in Taiwan 7 years and watched the professionalism of taxi drivers evolve. Now they are dressed well, they are clean and polite and they cannot refuse (by law) to take a passenger anywhere the passenger wants to go.

ps Taxis are a public face of Thailand for tourists. I agree that many tourists are drunk and rude, but taxis are service providers ... nothing personal ... just do the job and get the pay. I'm not a big drinker but when my mates come here their tips for a good taxi driver are ... well ... too much.

Edited July 25, 2014 by razer

[Local Drunk]

I have spent the last ten years of my life in Bkk taxis... There's always another cab.

[oneday]

So no fine for bus driver's reckless driving; the #1 complaint?

This should also be an overwhelming #1 complaint for Van drivers. They have got to be the worst for reckless driving.

[Zeegator]

Interestingly I put this to the test. A few weeks back I was returning from visiting a friend at Nana who was in town for a few weeks on holiday, I got in a taxi near the corner of soi 3. I told him I wanted to go to Ekamai and he refused citing he was waiting for an airport run. I told him no problem, I will just sit here until you are ready to do your job as I was in no particular hurry.

After about 45 minutes of him doing everything to get me out of his car including turning off the AC and playing Cookie Run for a long time, he eventually took me to my destination. He did not turn on the meter but I did pay him what the fare should have been. Needless to say no rewards for bad behavior is a universal fix.

Yes, sure.

[hawker9000]

Of the 15,632 complaints against taxi drivers, I wonder how many taxi drivers received multiple complaints.

[noitom]

Can you imagine Thais "studying" up on routes and sois in Bangkok? Something like the Bangkok equivalent of "the knowledge" should be required.

[Yann55]

Well I don't know about complaints against Bangkok taxi drivers, but complaints against 'kabula' here are definitely flourishing !

Mr Kabula, I think you can seriously apply for 'most unpopular post' in the past few days, lol. I counted no less than 8 angry replies to your rantings, which is a remarkable 30%, give or take, in a thread of 26 posts

[rodknock]

went to a concert at impact arena(10-30), after concert looked for a cab to mo chit bts station, was told would be 600baht. Where are the police???? they need to come a long way, instead of giving them raises they should reduce the taxi fares, then if they picked up people instead of shaking there head like a dog they would make decent wages.

tried to get a taxi at siam paragon, could not count how many taxi's refused to take people. again where are the police!!

it will always be the same B--l S--t in bangkok as nothing will ever change.

[namdocmai]

I wouldn't even think of calling for a complaint, i bet they even can't speak english. Just like when a farang wants to call the police, you have to speak Thai fluently for that and have cash in your pocket.

[bud7]

Once reported a driver for being aggressive and rude. I got a call the next day saying he had been sacked because they had two complaints about him in a two hour period. So I guess it does work sometimes.