Thai Transport Ministry announces new cab fare rates

[Lite Beer]

Land Transport says taxis can increase fare only their distance meters are checked and certified

BANGKOK: -- Although taxis in Bangkok are allowed by law to increase fares tomorrow, but Land Transport Department says it will take 40 days before all taxis can adjust the fares as they need to receive certification of their taxi meters.

Deputy director-general of Land Transport Department Mr Jirut Visaljit said although the new fare rate will come into effect from tomorrow (Saturday) most taxi drivers will not be able to charge a new fare rate as they need to have their meters adjusted to the new fare and receive certifications from the department.

He said he expects only some taxis will be able to charge a new rate in 10 days after they received the certification for their fare meters.

But he said it would take 40 days before all taxis in Bangkok have their fare meters checked and certified and then can charge the new fare rates.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong said there are 10 meter manufacturers in the country and they produce 17 types of fare meters.

He said they need to have their meter adjustment procedure approved by the ministry first.

A taxi driver then will be required to have their meter tuned from one of the 10 companies and have their vehicles checked by the Land Transport Department before a certification is given, and is allowed to charge a new fare.

The certification sticker has to be attached on a vehicle at all time.

He advised passengers to notice the blue certification sticker on the taxis if the new rate is to be charged.

Air Chief Marshal Prajin said a service evaluation will be made every six months after the new rate is fully applied and then the Ministry will consider adjust upward a taxi fare by additional five percent.

Under the new rate, the fare is at 35 baht for 0-1 kilometer and will increase by 5.50 baht for a distance of 2-10 kilometers and 6.50 baht for 11-20 kilometer.

For distance between 40-60 kilometers, the fare will increase by 8 baht per kilometer, and 10.50 baht per kilometer for distance over 80 kilometers..

When a taxi stops moving or travel at a speed less than 6 kilometer per hour, the fare will increase by 2 baht per minute, compare to 1.5 baht per minute currently.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/land-transport-says-taxis-can-increase-fare-distance-meters-checked-certified

-- Thai PBS 2014-12-12

[lee b]

This means its going to cost 700 THB to go from soi 11 to cowboy instead of the going rate of 500? woooooow

[expatoz]

the price of a barrel of oil has dropped 40% so should the fares

[LawrenceChee]

Don't think so ...after so many years the fares deserve to go up for the cab drivers

There are some scumbags who overcharge but most are honest and will turn the meter on when you ask nicely in Thai and these hardworking folks deserves a treat at sizzler

I have no complaints been so many years and the fares are insanely cheap

Have you been to NY lately

Edited December 13, 2014 by LawrenceChee

[Pib]

Price of oil may have dropped 40% recently which definitely affects fuel prices somewhat (but much less than 40% primarily due to fuel taxes), but the cost of living, owning/renting/operating a taxi haven't went down 40% since their last taxi fare rise numerous years ago.

[Fairynuff]

Every day I see on TV that oil prices are lowest in 5 years, yet the report speaks of increase in energy costs. Am I really dumb or what?

Yes

[WinnieTheKhwai]

but what has it increase from??? that would be nice to know.

Here u go.....

I still don't understand it either.. the chart mentions the old fares charged 5 baht per km, but when I'm in a meter taxi I see it creep up slowly in 2 baht increments?

Either way though, this is a 50 satang increase?? I bet the drivers will be ecstatic.

That would mean my typical taxi ride from Nana to Pahonyothin will go up from 57 Baht to ... 59.50..

Whoohoo!

[Lite Beer]

Taxis are being inspected and meters adjusted for the new fare implementation

BANGKOK, 14 Dec 2014, (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is urgently inspecting taxis and adjusting their meters to conform to the new fare rates.

An obligatory inspection of taxi vehicles was announced after the decision was made to implement the new taxi fare rate in Bangkok. Taxi drivers have been pouring into the DLT office to arrange the inspection.

The Department has announced that 80% of the 1,500 taxis that have passed the inspection have now received a certificate that permits the meter adjustment. After that they can claim the blue sticker signifying the vehicle has been inspected and has had its meter adjusted by the authorities.

Bangkok taxi drivers who have not yet brought their vehicles to the office of the Department of Land Transport for inspection can do so in the districts of Bang Khun Tien, Taling Chan, Sukhumvit 62 and Nongjok. The Department expects that the first batch of taxis with adjusted meters will be on the roads charging the new fare rate within the week

-- NNT 2014-12-14 .

[rheinwiese]

Am I really dumb or what?

Yes.

The taxi fares have not increased in 22 years.

Last fare high hike (12%) was 6 years ago (July 2008)

[terryp]

Have you been to NY lately

no i live in thailand where this forum and the taxi topic is about

[razer]

Any chance Taxi drivers get an attitude adjustment as well?

[plastkort]

Taxis using ngv

the price of a barrel of oil has dropped 40% so should the fares

[vijer]

So for the next few months, we can be selective about which taxis to take ... flag a taxi, notice he has a blue sticker, then wave bye bye.

[webfact]

SURVEY
Bangkok taxi fares lowest in Asia : survey

BANGKOK: -- A survey by an online hotel service provider has found that transport fares in Bangkok are among the lowest compared to other top tourist destinations in Asia.

The website; hotels.com, the taxi fare in Bangkok for a trip to the city center is the lowest among all Asian countries. On average, a trip from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Siam Square by taxi costs about Bt260, while that from the international airports to the city centers costs 480 baht in China, 960 baht in Taiwan, and Bt1,248 South Korea.

As for public transport fares in top tourist destinations for Thai people, the MRT service in Singapore has proven to be the most economical. A trip from Changi Airport to the city center amounts to Bt32. In Japan, the Be-Transse bus service provides the cheapest transport from Narita Airport to the downtown area. The trip costs Bt288.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Bangkok-taxi-fares-lowest-in-Asia-survey-30250046.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-17

[clockman]

But how safe? Compared with the rest of Asean?

[LawrenceChee]

But how safe? Compared with the rest of Asean?

I would say at least safer than Indonesia or Philippines ....especially when you arrive late in the night