100 taxi drivers protest black-plate cabs

[Rimmer]

100 taxi drivers protest black-plate cabs

PATTAYA:--About 100 Pattaya taxi drivers complained to military officials that illegal drivers are stealing their business through violent intimidation.

Taxi-driver association head Pongsak Ajanukarn led the group of legal drivers to Jittapawan College where they presented a petition for help to Sub. Lt. Chuthidej Singthong, deputy head of the area control in Banglamung District for the 14th Military Circle. Banglamung police and Chonburi transportation officials also attended.

Driver Boonchana Saentas, 37, said illegal drivers - using vehicles with black-lettered license plates instead of yellow commercial plates - often undercut them on fares, block off pickup areas and outright steal customers.

He said things boiled over when one illegal driver pulled a gun on him outside the Ibis Hotel after a confrontation between yellow- and black-plate drivers.

Pattaya police chief Col. Sukthat Pumpunmuang said Suwicha Sarthrasarn, 64, was arrested in the incident. But the Chiang Mai native denied all the charges and he was released pending investigation.

Chuthidej said the military would investigate and use it as a factor in their ongoing reorganization of transportation services in Pattaya.

Prapan Pratumchompoo of Banglamung District said local officials also are investigating the black-plate cabs and likely will be prosecuting illegal operators.

- See more at: http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/100-taxi-drivers-protest-black-plate-cabs-44881#sthash.bP2d7eu6.dpuf

-- Pattaya Mail 2015-02-13

[lee b]

Karma ! Love it when it kicks in ....

[monkeycountry]

"often undercut them on fares, block off pickup areas and outright steal customers."

How do you undercut a fare on a metered taxi? Does he mean that the black plate taxis are not willing to cheat the customers as much as the "legal" taxis?

Further, how do you steal a customer? Would that not be kidnapping?

[konying]

Hope Army tells them to start using meters and they will never have a problem being "under cut"

They might even earn an honest day living, instead of raping people daily

[tonypace02]

"often undercut them on fares, block off pickup areas and outright steal customers."

How do you undercut a fare on a metered taxi? Does he mean that the black plate taxis are not willing to cheat the customers as much as the "legal" taxis?

Further, how do you steal a customer? Would that not be kidnapping?

Drive a cab for a couple of years in any town that has gypsy cabs or Nigerian immigrants and you will learn the answers to all of those questions.

[thhMan]

"often undercut them on fares, block off pickup areas and outright steal customers."

How do you undercut a fare on a metered taxi? Does he mean that the black plate taxis are not willing to cheat the customers as much as the "legal" taxis?

Further, how do you steal a customer? Would that not be kidnapping?

Drive a cab for a couple of years in any town that has gypsy cabs or Nigerian immigrants and you will learn the answers to all of those questions.

And that would be????

[WitawatWatawit]

In some respects it's hard not to sympathise with the black plate guys. A yellow plate taxi demanded from my daughter 350 baht to go from the Pattaya Nua bus station to our home at the top of Khao Noi. When she refused, he threatened her. She walked down to Suk and got a songtaew for 120 baht.

[NickJ]

I got into a taxi in front of Cent Festival the other day. Driver asked where I was going as he turned on the meter. Drove to my destination. Woke up before I got there.

[Doc46]

So now they get some of their own greedy shit thrown back at them hey,now they want help,,,good to see them put in their place for once I doubt if they learn anything by this,Okay this is not the right way but it sounds good for a change that they get put in their place.

[Jonmarleesco]

'... taxi drivers complained to military officials that illegal drivers are stealing their business through violent intimidation.' The pot, the kettle, and par for the TiT course.

[Friendly Stranger]

Interesting when the shoe is on the other foot.

[LuckyLew]

next they will be asking for governemnt hand outs like the farmers

[Pattaya28]

Bunch of "cry-babies".

It's called "competition".

McDonalds didn't cry "foul" when Burger King opened.

[morrobay]

This is just the start of the taxi wars: There are way too many of them now, double parked on main roads camped out on the sois.

And with the low season in a few months its going to get ugly.

I expect the song thaws , also in oversupply to get involved too. Its unheard of for a city this size not having a full-size bus service.

Edited February 14, 2015 by morrobay

[Basil B]

This is just the start of the taxi wars: There are way too many of them now, double parked on main roads camped out on the sois.

And with the low season in a few months its going to get ugly.

I expect the song thaws , also in oversupply to get involved too. Its unheard of for a city this size not having a full-size bus service.

Pattaya Buses, It has been tried but failed due to "violent intimidation" (is that not the same words used by the the taxi drivers?)

Edited February 15, 2015 by Basil B

[mathewjg]

Last night I was quoted 600 baht to get back from the pattaya motorcycle festival to phratumnak. After refusing they came down to 400 and only when I went to call the taxi that brought us did it come down to 300 which is still too high for 15 minute ride but as a tourist it seemed ok.

[mathewjg]

Is there supposed to be any price diFference between using a proper taxi or "chartering" a songthraew? In practice the sonthraew seems to be more expensive Which is odd seeing as it is much more uncomfortable and much more dangerous. It seems they have got together and decided the minimum they will charge is 200baht.