Thaivisa News Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Samut Prakan: Drivers of some 1,700 large-sized taxis at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport called off their plan protest Friday after the airport agreed to restrict the number of passengers per trip at four. Dalat Assavet, deputy director of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, said she held a meeting with representatives of the taxi drivers and other government agencies concerned Friday to discuss the demands of drivers of the large-sized or mini-van taxis. As part of their demands, the drivers called on the airport to rescind a rule that forced them to take up all passengers of the same group in one trip although their number is higher than four. Patthawee Meeraj, a representative of the mini-van taxi drivers at the airport, said the rule made it not safe for the passengers themselves as insurance policy would not cover an accident if a taxi transports more than four passengers at a time. So, drivers of the large taxis want a large group of passengers to use more than one taxi. Dalat said the airport agreed to limit the number of passengers per one trip for both normal size and large size taxis at four. She said the taxi drivers were happy and promised to use meter instead of charging a chartered rate. After learning of the airport’s decision, Patthawee said the taxi drivers cancelled the planned protest for fear that it would affect the reputation of the country. Patthawee said the taxi representatives were happy with the meeting result. Patthawee’s group also called for higher surcharge for large taxis but the transport minister said the call is still under study so it cannot be granted now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pib Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Well, the taxi drivers changed their tune from a few days ago...a few days ago in an early news article (see link below) their demands were: (1) no more that 4 passengers, (2) being able to charge for bags, and (3) an increase of meter fares. In the end they got only one of their demands...but small steps eventually get you to were you want to be....the drivers will be back for more. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819762-suvarnabhumi-taxis-threaten-to-protest-friday/?p=9335772 Patthawee said over 1,700 drivers of mini-van taxis at the Suvarnabhumi airport would stop picking up passengers at the airport from Friday to Sunday to highlight their demands. Patthawee said the taxi drivers of large-sized or mini-van taxies would like the Suvarnabhumi airport to allow them to charge passengers for their bags. They also want a higher surcharge because their taxis are larger and they can carry more bags than normal taxis. Patthawee added that the drivers of the mini-van taxis also want the right to reject passengers who arrive in a group of more than four. Patthawee reasoned that the insurance policy for taxis does not cover accidents in case the taxis carry more than four passengers at a time. Patthawee said the government should also increase the metered fare rates for taxis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvr181 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 (She said the taxi drivers were happy and promised to use meter instead of charging a chartered rate.) So, if the taxi refuses to use meter, we can complain to Dalat Assavet who will take action against the driver? Or, will pigs fly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramrod711 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 (She said the taxi drivers were happy and promised to use meter instead of charging a chartered rate.) So, if the taxi refuses to use meter, we can complain to Dalat Assavet who will take action against the driver? Or, will pigs fly? Any complaints should be made directly to the driver, if you are lucky he may throw you out of his cab on the side of the expressway. If you are less fortunate, he may hack you to death with a machete. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonmarleesco Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 'Patthawee Meeraj ... said the rule made it not safe for the passengers themselves as insurance policy would not cover an accident ...' There's a disconnect between safety - as in the driving - and the insurance coverage.'Dalat said the taxi drivers were happy and promised to use meter instead of charging a chartered rate.' That's big of them.'... Patthawee said the taxi drivers cancelled the planned protest for fear that it would affect the reputation of the country.' Really? Seems suspiciously unlikely, besides which it's a little late in the day to worry about Thailand's taxis and its reputation. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldiablo Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 It is not an unreasonable request to ask that no more than 4 people be permitted in a taxi unless of course there are more than 4 seatbelts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhys Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 just go upstairs and flag the taxis dropping off passengers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26vinny Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 they scared Rule 44 was quoted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SantiSuk Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Seems daft that they cannot charge more for the extra comfort and baggage handling capacity of the larger vehicle. Why would anyone want to provide the extra utility of a larger vehicle. The basic Camry or Altis cannot handle the baggage of afamily of 4 doing an international trip. Surely it's the drivers who are being shafted here! Taxi drivers and teachers - too easily and unthinkingly lambasted by the TVF moaner community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 What they promised to use their metre????? is is ilegal not to use their metre, 2 drivers were recently banned for life from the airport for not using their metres, so that was very big of them, 4 passengers is a given any thinking person would agree to that, but the other is just a grab for extras the cab companies recently got an increase in fares, Thailand is pricing itself out of the tourist business with constantly rising prices and the high baht, not to mention the bangkok taxis refusing fares all the time and giving bangkok a terrible reputation with tourists that can not get a cab. or are being charged very high flat fees to go anywhere, i know that the bangkok traffic is bad and taxis spend a lot of time in jams but if the trip is long and unfair on the drivers i always tip a bit extra to try to make up for it, not get charged double or tripple+ from rogue drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidee Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 imagine a family of 5.... who is going to be left alone ... ask the next taxi driver: follow that taxi ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 imagine a family of 5.... who is going to be left alone ... ask the next taxi driver: follow that taxi ? Same thing that happens today when a family of 8 show up. They pile into 2 or more taxis, all headed to the same destination... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvr181 Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Seems daft that they cannot charge more for the extra comfort and baggage handling capacity of the larger vehicle. Why would anyone want to provide the extra utility of a larger vehicle. The basic Camry or Altis cannot handle the baggage of afamily of 4 doing an international trip. Surely it's the drivers who are being shafted here! Taxi drivers and teachers - too easily and unthinkingly lambasted by the TVF moaner community. I can only guess you are not a supporter of the rules/law? I am not saying that their case shouldn't be considered (apparently a rise in fares may happen in June) but in the meantime they should obey the current rules! And you should recognise that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvr181 Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 (She said the taxi drivers were happy and promised to use meter instead of charging a chartered rate.) So, if the taxi refuses to use meter, we can complain to Dalat Assavet who will take action against the driver? Or, will pigs fly? Any complaints should be made directly to the driver, if you are lucky he may throw you out of his cab on the side of the expressway. If you are less fortunate, he may hack you to death with a machete. I enjoyed your humorous comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wprime Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 It is not an unreasonable request to ask that no more than 4 people be permitted in a taxi unless of course there are more than 4 seatbelts. On that logic it's reasonable to limit them to 1 passenger on the basis that they only have two seatbelts (1 for the driver, 1 for the front seat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangon04 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 It is not an unreasonable request to ask that no more than 4 people be permitted in a taxi unless of course there are more than 4 seatbelts. In a normal country, the taxi operator's licence, the insurance policy, and the manufacturer's "construction and use " declaration for the vehicle would specify the correct maximum number of bodies allowed in the vehicle. But then, TiT. where it is socially acceptable to pile 15 children in the back of a open pickup van with no seats, let alone seatbelts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalard Mahk Mar Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 They started their protest yesterday No taxis at Swamy last night at 8pm Queues going back inside the building Not a good image This place is going down hill real quick now To much greed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvr181 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 So much for them calling off their strike. "Patthawee said the taxi drivers cancelled the planned protest for fear that it would affect the reputation of the country." Patthawee needs to find a new job! A great opportunity now to get in some drivers who will abide by the rules and don't accept the other drivers and their vehicles back! Less gum bashing and more action !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now