Suvarnabhumi bans taxi driver singled out in Japanese man's rant

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi bans taxi driver singled out in Japanese man's rant
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Koki Aki

BANGKOK: -- Suvarnabhumi Airport officials have taken steps to insure airport taxies use their meters and blacklisted a taxi driver who was among many complaints in a widely circulated rant by a Japanese expat.

Following the viral message posted by Koki Aki, who detailed his many complaints in Thai and Japanese about the airport’s service – especially the taxi queue – officials investigated and banned Chaiyan Chareonsopa, a driver who allegedly demanded THB700 for a ride to Saphan Kwai, airport Director Prapon Pattamakijsakul said yesterday.

Chaiyan will no longer be able to pick up passengers at the airport.

The airport said it has also set up a checkpoint to verify that every taxi driver leaving the taxi stand is using the meter. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2015/01/20/suvarnabhumi-bans-taxi-driver-singled-out-japanese-mans-rant


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-01-20

[peptidebomber]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

[marko kok prong]

Let's hope this taxi driver does not see Mr koki Aki on the street,i fear for his safety,after all banned ,but more important Loss of face.

[andygunther]

This will not be the last time .....

I have had many visitors coming from the airport with Taxi, coming without meter and demand overprices.

But I always ask my friends if they still have the slip from the airport, and quickly the driver go down on price.

[daveAustin]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

I'd prefer to see him imprisoned for life.

[Misterwhisper]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

Exactly. It's always these half-cooked "measures" which take issues that need fixing one step forward and two steps back. The same goes for those insane "inactive postings" of culprits who sometimes have done enormous damage.

[Dannyboy666]

At Checkpoints Fine them on the spot for non use of meters...

[Sviss Geez]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

Because AOT isn't the police force so they don't have that authority. If someone made a complaint to the police they could start that process.

[uptheos]

The airport said it has also set up a checkpoint to verify that every taxi driver leaving the taxi stand is using the meter. Passengers must keep the ticket handed to them by staff.

[thesetat2013]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

Because AOT isn't the police force so they don't have that authority. If someone made a complaint to the police they could start that process.

What difference would it make to ban him and revoke his license anyway? It will not stop him from driving taxis and he only needs to change his name on the card inside the taxi yo keep going to the airport. Surely that would be an easy fix in the hub of scammers!

[khunsiam]

255000 trips every month x 12 = tourist arrivals a year?

[Pib]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

No can do....that would be real punishment...TIT.

[scorecard]

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At Checkpoints Fine them on the spot for non use of meters...

Good idea, at the random police check points police could check if the meter is running and ask where the vehicle departed from.

[Snig27]

Now if they could deal with the massive, massive queues that this new system has caused at the airport plus the fact that a groggy tourist is expected to explain in a foreign language to a cab driver (most of whom are fine btw) where they are going in an alien city, instead of having an English speaking person telling the driver as before.

I do think the attempts to clean up the cabs at the airport need to be applauded and encouraged, as long as stuff like the above is sorted. It's also worth noting that the systems that were introduced recently were planned and ordered long before the coup - the guys with guns just decided to take credit and the TV coup flagwavers didn't question this of course.

[Bluespunk]

Suvarnabhumi Airport officials, damned if they do something about complaints, damned if they don't, it seems.

[samsensam]

the issue surely is nothing to do with the airport but the fact he would not use the meter.

so its ok for him to continue driving around bangkok and not use the meter?

or is it just a knee jerk reaction to criticism...?

[kriswillems]

It has to do with the airport, because I went back to complain at the Taxi stand and they ignored him and even said he asked for a bigger taxi and thus has to pay more.
I think the officials at the airport have set up a nice business there.

[Bluespunk]

"Approximately 255,000 trips leave the airport each month, but Prapon said the airport only receives an average of 35 complaints per month, or 0.01 percent."

Yeah, that's what happens when you don't answer the phone or listen to the tapes.

[tartempion]

And what's the airport news on the Ferrari's and Porsche's parked in disables peoples parking space???

[Thian]

Now do the same at the Grand Palace, the scouts there on the pavement always tell tourists that the palace is closed while it is NOT.

Also the taxi's there won't use the metre.

Thailand needs to grow up fast. Taxi tariff has risen last month so now it's time to do the job like it should be done.

[Chicog]

The old paper was also a mail-in complaint form if you got stiffed (and it works, I've used it).

They've now discontinued that, so it's now much harder to report a problem.

[green job]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

Because AOT isn't the police force so they don't have that authority. If someone made a complaint to the police they could start that process.

What difference would it make to ban him and revoke his license anyway? It will not stop him from driving taxis and he only needs to change his name on the card inside the taxi yo keep going to the airport. Surely that would be an easy fix in the hub of scammers!

Yes ,also no need to change the photo,as they all look the same anyway.

[bryanlunadelacruz]

if you have been living in bangkok for at least a year or less, you should know by then that you can get a metered taxi on the 'Departure Area.'

There are lots of taxis in there who sent their passengers to leave thailand or to pick-up friends/relatives and those drivers are very much happy to get another passenger wherever you go on a meter.

Pattaya is another story I guess.

[davidmann]

iv been using taxi from the airport for about 15 years ,never had problem ,i think there cheap in France its its 20 euros for about 3 minutes in a taxi london airport even worse ,looks though this man never been anywhere

[realenglish1]

One Taxi driver tried to pull this stunt when we came back from Europe last month. Since I speak Thai both my wife and I said in Thai we want the meter turned on

He relented but did try it .

I don't blame the Airport for clamping down on the drives Cuddos to you and Keep it up

[Johnnie99]

Why just ban him from the airport, why can't he have his taxi license revoked?

Explain how you can revoke something he probably does not have a genuine one thereof.

[jlwilliamsjr18]

I suggest we all do the same, post a picture of our receipt of any taxi driver that treats us badly.

[Bullie]

What about the fixed prices to go to another city? I always pay a flat rate of 3500 baht to go to the city of Trat, I really don't want the meter turned on!!

[mike324]

shouldn't the manager and taxi stand staff be disciplined as well? they shrugged their shoulders and ignored the passenger after he made a complaint. After all they are in charge and ARE suppose to be enforcing all taxi go by the meter.

[jaiyen]

if you have been living in bangkok for at least a year or less, you should know by then that you can get a metered taxi on the 'Departure Area.'

There are lots of taxis in there who sent their passengers to leave thailand or to pick-up friends/relatives and those drivers are very much happy to get another passenger wherever you go on a meter.

Pattaya is another story I guess.

Yeah, we always go up to the 4th floor to get a return taxi into town. NEVER had a problem. Drivers are happy to get the return fare. these 2 trips pay for his car rent for the shift.