Motorcycle taxis in Bangkok to get new uniforms next week

[webfact]

Motorcycle taxis in Bangkok to get new uniforms next week



BANGKOK: -- Starting next week, all motorcycle taxis in Bangkok will have the new uniforms to replace their previous illegal uniforms assigned to them by influential people.

Military and transport authorities will begin to deliver them new uniforms and set the D-Day on December 5, 2014 as the first day for wearing them.

Commander of the First Army Division of the Royal Guards, Maj-Gen Pongsawat Phanajit told a press conference today that by next week, the government would start giving out new uniforms which would incorporate the driver’s name and number tag.

Both data could be identified with the service outlet of the motorcycle taxis as they would clearly registered.0

He said the D-Day or the first day when the drivers must wear the new uniforms is set on December 5, 2014. Currently, there are over 100,000 motorcycle taxi drivers and over 5,700 motorcycle taxi service outlets registered across the capital.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director-General of Land Transport said the next step that must be done is to make sure that all motorcycle taxis display yellow license plates to show that they have been approved by the department, while those with a black license plate would be arrested.

Moreover, the driver’s information of the motorcycle taxi and that on the uniform must match.

After the new scheme is implemented, the deputy director-general said, he would follow up on the measure with the military to inspect whether the business of motorcycle taxis are still being interfered by local influential persons or not.

He urged the public to take part in observing the services provided by motorcycle taxis and report any improper behaviors to concerned agencies.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/motorcycle-taxis-bangkok-get-new-uniforms-next-week/


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-14

[petedk]

Just go to Thong Lor and see the motorcycle queue near the BTS or the one at Klong Saen Saeb.

Both have guys sitting at a "discrete" distance watching what is going on and to prevent drivers from other gangs from picking up passengers.

Do I have to ask why?

[ezzra]

Just go to Thong Lor and see the motorcycle queue near the BTS or the one at Klong Saen Saeb.

Both have guys sitting at a "discrete" distance watching what is going on and to prevent drivers from other gangs from picking up passengers.

Do I have to ask why?

There are at least half a dozen motorcycle gangs operation on Thonglor, so it's only fair to assume

that there are " watchers and minders " to make sure that every body know their places...

[Pib]

After the new scheme is implemented, the deputy director-general said, he would follow up on the measure with the military to inspect whether the business of motorcycle taxis are still being interfered by local influential persons or not.

I'm sure the investigation will find and make an example of one influential person collecting kickbacks from motorcycle taxis in some small section of town and then the govt will say they have fixed the problem (again). Plus, outfitted motorcycle taxis with the latest fashion in uniforms.

[mitsubishi]

What a shame they are bringing this in, having the variety and colorful differences between the taxi-gangs made Bangkok an interesting place. Now it's another step in the direction of regimenting and regulating things towards the nanny state.

Edited November 14, 2014 by mitsubishi

[Carrerakiss]

Just go to Thong Lor and see the motorcycle queue near the BTS or the one at Klong Saen Saeb.

Both have guys sitting at a "discrete" distance watching what is going on and to prevent drivers from other gangs from picking up passengers.

Do I have to ask why?

There are at least half a dozen motorcycle gangs operation on Thonglor, so it's only fair to assume

that there are " watchers and minders " to make sure that every body know their places...

I use motorbike taxis often when in Bangkok. Other than the obvious safety issues, I have always found them to be efficient. So the mafia, in my opinion as a consumer, are doing a pretty good job. Now will it all be as good once the military are running things? Hmm, we'll see.

One also wonders whether Thailand hasn't got some rather more important issues to sort out, but there you go, new uniforms are the order of the day and it's the kind of thing military people understand.

[Halion]

Just too funny for words. It would appear that crime /fraud that is perpetrated by"influential" people is acceptable and exempt from criminal prosecution however, for the rest of us we can go to jail. "No no I'm not a criminal, I'm influential, just check my bank account"

Sad state of affairs.

[Sviss Geez]

I use motorbike taxis often when in Bangkok. Other than the obvious safety issues, I have always found them to be efficient. So the mafia, in my opinion as a consumer, are doing a pretty good job. Now will it all be as good once the military are running things? Hmm, we'll see.

One also wonders whether Thailand hasn't got some rather more important issues to sort out, but there you go, new uniforms are the order of the day and it's the kind of thing military people understand.

"One also wonders whether Thailand hasn't got some rather more important issues to sort out, but there you go..."

Yes, everything else in the country stops while the issue of regulating the mafia-run motorbike taxi regime is sorted. Do you really think that is what happens? Of course you don't, just another poorly disguised attempt at a Thai-bash.

[Sviss Geez]

Just too funny for words. It would appear that crime /fraud that is perpetrated by"influential" people is acceptable and exempt from criminal prosecution however, for the rest of us we can go to jail. "No no I'm not a criminal, I'm influential, just check my bank account"

Sad state of affairs.

Just too non-sensical for words.

[BKKdreaming]

Just put a few soldiers at every motorcycle taxi stand and then a couple in street clothes ,

See what happens when there is not anyone to bribe ( I hope ) and the "undercover " soldiers can find the local Mr Big and arrest him....

Yes I have seen too many old B+W movies ......

[Alwyn]

yayy.. all the motorbike taxi drivers have the same coloured vests at last! Well done to the MP, this is REAL progress.