Bangkok: New vest for moto-taxis revealed

[webfact]

New vest for moto-taxis revealed
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Wassana Nannuam, Rama IX News

BANGKOK: -- The new motorcycle taxi vests are here, and you’ll have a hard time much difference.

The Department of Land Transport yesterday revealed a new vest design for moto-taxi operators, which looks just about the same, but now includes its owner’s name printed on the back near the top, along with a box containing their registration number, name in English and Thai, and a photograph.

They’re also much less green than originally announced by the junta in July.

As a plan to organize the moto-taxi system, all operators nationwide must register at their district’s Land Transport Office starting on Thursday, according to Director-general Atsatai Ratanadilok Na Phuket.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2014/09/02/new-vest-moto-taxis-revealed


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-09-02

[Likener1]

Space for sponsorship advertising, I suggest.........

Sang Som

[Cuchulainn]

..............you’ll have a hard time much difference..................

What the hell does that mean?

[Deacon Bell]

That will stop the corruption for sure.

Wonder how much of the budget for all this will go to the local Benz dealer.

[bkkjames]

..............you’ll have a hard time much difference..................

What the hell does that mean?

It means they missed the words "seeing", "noticing" or my favourite...same same but different, much difference.

[smedly]

why not put the tariff on the back and front in Thai and English so everyone knows exactly what the fare should be

[Minnehaha]

why not put the tariff on the back and front in Thai and English so everyone knows exactly what the fare should be

because they are decided by the mafia who "owns" that stand. yes, there is a rate that should be applied but it is ultimately up to the operator or vested guys. after all, they have to pay for their vest and those things are not cheap. some places they are more than 10,000 a month and the guy has to pay for a year, so a loan is generated and interest is paid (usually to the same mafia owner).

it is quite common throughout most of the world that prices are not standardized, but are negotiated. in fact one could say the dynamic market is more free market capitalistic than you find in the bastions of free market capitalism such as the USA and other such countries. i find it ironic.

[retell]

Meter on the motorbike taxi ? Shoul not be too hard to install

[klauskunkel]

These folks do look proud of their effort.

[FM505]

BFD...

[Halion]

Wow , Introducing another Thai innovation, the "Magic Vest" which will in one fell swoop right all the wrongs with regard to the rampant malfeasance of these motor bike bandits.

It will remove corruption,introduce curtisy and ensure that the wearer obeys all safety and traffic regulations. Incredible.

[Lupatria]

I wonder in which relation the guys of The Department of Land Transport are with the manufacturer of the new unnecessary however mandatory vests. I assume only a hand full of insiders will fork in big time on this deal.

[MikeN]

why not put the tariff on the back and front in Thai and English so everyone knows exactly what the fare should be

because they are decided by the mafia who "owns" that stand. yes, there is a rate that should be applied but it is ultimately up to the operator or vested guys. after all, they have to pay for their vest and those things are not cheap. some places they are more than 10,000 a month and the guy has to pay for a year, so a loan is generated and interest is paid (usually to the same mafia owner).

it is quite common throughout most of the world that prices are not standardized, but are negotiated. in fact one could say the dynamic market is more free market capitalistic than you find in the bastions of free market capitalism such as the USA and other such countries. i find it ironic.

Are n't these vests going to be given out free, to get rid of the "mafia "

Instead of purchasing orange vests at exorbitant rates from the so-called motorcycle mafia, operators would instead receive free vests from officials so long as they’ve registered with authorities.

[IAMSOBAD]

Teach them to drive before issuing the vest.

[Equalizer]

I am sure someone will have a vested interest in this project somewhere along the line.

[thairastawoman]

Not written "I'm a drunk monkey and I will kill you in an accident" ?

[greenchair]

Why do people have to be so critical, when the Thais come up with new ideas. Well done I say. Anybody should be able to own a vest. This is a nice little job, that keep the young people out of trouble and earning a bit of money. better than doing nothing on the unemployment benefit, like in our countries.

[carter1882]

The motorcycle taxis provide a vital service. They do, however need to be properly regulated. The price has become quite high especially for local people who use them on shortish trips out of sois to mrt or skytrain for example. These can be around 30 or 40 baht per trip and with two per day equate to something like 800 to a 1000 per month, a large chunk out of a ten to 15 k salary. If the so called mafia connection can be taken out of the equation then the taxis can lower their prices to a more realistic level. Both need to happen for the future of the service though whether that will happen remains to be seen. The interrelationship between the motorbike taxis and the key existing and developing transport links, especially trains, are very important for many city dwellers.

[FredNL]

They’re also much less green than originally announced by the junta in July.

MUCH LESS GREEN !!!

They aren't green at all or am I colourblind?

[hiller]

Space for sponsorship advertising, I suggest.........

Sang Som

It would be nice if they had a space for their most recent booking photo.

[cracker1]

My understanding is that the vests are free to any Thai who wishes to become a M/Cycle taxi driver. Apparantly no limit on the number of drivers ?

why not put the tariff on the back and front in Thai and English so everyone knows exactly what the fare should be

because they are decided by the mafia who "owns" that stand. yes, there is a rate that should be applied but it is ultimately up to the operator or vested guys. after all, they have to pay for their vest and those things are not cheap. some places they are more than 10,000 a month and the guy has to pay for a year, so a loan is generated and interest is paid (usually to the same mafia owner).

it is quite common throughout most of the world that prices are not standardized, but are negotiated. in fact one could say the dynamic market is more free market capitalistic than you find in the bastions of free market capitalism such as the USA and other such countries. i find it ironic.

[GAZZPA]

why not put the tariff on the back and front in Thai and English so everyone knows exactly what the fare should be

because they are decided by the mafia who "owns" that stand. yes, there is a rate that should be applied but it is ultimately up to the operator or vested guys. after all, they have to pay for their vest and those things are not cheap. some places they are more than 10,000 a month and the guy has to pay for a year, so a loan is generated and interest is paid (usually to the same mafia owner).

it is quite common throughout most of the world that prices are not standardized, but are negotiated. in fact one could say the dynamic market is more free market capitalistic than you find in the bastions of free market capitalism such as the USA and other such countries. i find it ironic.

I think in the world of taxis the prices are pretty standardised in most places nowadays (have you tried negotiating with a London cabbie?). The only exception being a very long trip where you might be able to agree a fare in advance, or else its on the clock.

[Benmart]

These folks do look proud of their effort.

My comment is coming from one who did nothing to help correct the problem. I think they have every right to be proud.