webfact Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Busted! Suvarnabhumi taxi driver caught with scam meter and krathomBy Coconuts BangkokPhoto: Matichon TVBANGKOK: -- Busted! A taxi driver was caught with a scam meter and some illegal narcotic krathom leaves at a Suvarnabhumi Airport checkpoint yesterday.Sawai Mepian was caught using an old-school modified meter that comes with a special feature: a button behind the turn signal switch that the driver can press to make the meter run faster.Taxi with such meters are locally known as “Taxi Turbo,” where the fare goes up fast and sky high.Full story http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/09/03/busted-suvarnabhumi-taxi-driver-caught-scam-meter-and-krathom-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-09-03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Croker Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Sneaky little jumped up Johnny foreigner. Anything to make an extra dollar. Take his taxi off him and sell it and keep the cash. See how fast he likes that? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DLang Posted September 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2015 Sawai was fined THB2,000 by the Department of Land Transport for modifying the meter. Of course, his taxi driver license remains effective, Thai culture now dictates that he will have to scam even more now to pay for the fine. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Airport Taxi Busted for ‘Turbo’ MeterBy Khaosod EnglishTaxi driver Sawai Meepian is accused of jacking up fares with a hidden button near his turn signal.BANGKOK — Police and soldiers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport arrested a taxi driver yesterday for installing a rigged fare meter and having illegal drugs in his car.Police say the driver, Sawai Meepian, installed a device known as “turbo meter” in his car, which can be pressed by hand to swiftly raise the fare. The switch was wrapped in a black cloth and hidden close to the turn signal, police said.They also claimed to find 24 kratom leaves in the vehicle’s glove box. Kratom is an addictive plant used as a folk remedy and is illegal in Thailand.Full story http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441267532 -- Khaosod English 2015-09-03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tomacht8 Posted September 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2015 Sawai was fined THB2,000 by the Department of Land Transport for modifying the meter. Of course, his taxi driver license remains effective, Thai culture now dictates that he will have to scam even more now to pay for the fine. A modifyed meter is a criminal offense of intentional, systematic fraud. And the Department of Land Transport let him work tomorrow then again, with his taxi in queue at the airport? TiT 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somtamnication Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 BREAKING NEWS: Amulets to not work with taxi scammers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pattaya28 Posted September 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2015 Didn't know the meter was "rigged" 2000 Baht fine Every passenger he's taken has been scammed and robbed. This is a very very serious offence. Very serious. How many tourists has he scammed? 20 50 100 passengers a week. 20 50 100 passengers a week he steals from. And the fine is a meaningless trivial amount. Was the meter removed from his taxi ? or was he asked to remove it at his leisure ? Lets' hope this video goes viral. Truly a despicable offence. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKKdreaming Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 mine rigged the meter so every KM clocked up 1.3 km , so a 30km airport run ended up 39 km take taxi permit away , not a 2000 baht hand slap 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustAnotherFarang Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Time to get some new amulets because the ones that he has obviously do not protect him from deceiving others. JAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Reigntax Posted September 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2015 Surprising!. Not that a taxi was scamming but that some government authority bothered to check! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorecard Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Sawai was fined THB2,000 by the Department of Land Transport for modifying the meter. Of course, his taxi driver license remains effective, Thai culture now dictates that he will have to scam even more now to pay for the fine. I wonder if his taxi has the sticker of recent issues saying his taxi has passed inspection. Surely there would be regulations which state that meters must be within a certain category and not more than xx years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin81 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many of the taxis at the airport wait line seems to have rigged meters. I have experienced it in about half of the times taking the downstairs line. So now I usually take a taxi upstairs at BKK airport. I do not know if they have a button or if they just always run about 30% faster than they should. You can see it on the kilometers on the meter when you know the distance to where you are going. Or maybe I am just unlucky and often get a rigged meter. By the way I experienced something similar with a Manila airport meter taxi. There I am sure he had a button as the meter started to go slower as I complained loudly to the driver about the fast moving meter. And I have also experienced similar cheating taxis in Saigon with too fast meters. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tomacht8 Posted September 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) According to Sawai, he rented his car to another taxi driver who drives at night shift. He said he believes the other driver installed the device in the car without his knowledge.LolAnother driver builds in his taxi, a rigged fare meter in.And he claims that he has 30 years of experience in the taxi business and that he has not noticed the new switch at the steering wheel!The silliest excuse of the month.He is a liar and a notorious fraudster.And if you look at it closely, he drives a taxi under the influence of class 5 drugs.And this subject is allowed to continue driving a licensed Taxi?That exists only in Thailand.Welcome dear tourists. Edited September 3, 2015 by tomacht8 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKKdreaming Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I do not know if they have a button or if they just always run about 30% faster than they should. You can see it on the kilometers on the meter when you know the distance to where you are going. Or maybe I am just unlucky and often get a rigged meter. one way to tell is the KM expressway markers , compare 1 KM to his meter 1KM and see if they match...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattaya28 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Let's look at the facts in a positive light. Although he had a rigged meter. And was driving under the influence of a class 5 drug. He was not drunk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Sawai was fined THB2,000 by the Department of Land Transport for modifying the meter. Of course, his taxi driver license remains effective, Thai culture now dictates that he will have to scam even more now to pay for the fine. Well they certainly haven't taken that opportunity from him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thian Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Well at least he took the time to hide all the wiring. I've used taxi's from Suvarnabhumi with half the dashboard missing and loads of wires hanging out. But i bet he's back into business today.....Welcome to Thailand, sawasdee krab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukKrueng Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 The Department of Land transport can only fine him for rigging the meter. As for actual fraud charges - they didn't catch him red handed with passengers in the car and in action, so unless some passengers come forward and prove that that they were cheated by him, all they can charge him for is rigging the meter with intent to cause fraud. in Khaosod it is also mentioned: He was fined 2,000 baht for modifying his taxi without permission and charged with possession of narcotics. In the video clip the officer explains that the TAT have contacted the police saying they suspect there are taxis with rigged meters, and that's why the police and army have put up the checkpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masuk Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Airport Taxi Busted for ‘Turbo’ Meter By Khaosod English Taxi driver Sawai Meepian is accused of jacking up fares with a hidden button near his turn signal. BANGKOK — Police and soldiers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport arrested a taxi driver yesterday for installing a rigged fare meter and having illegal drugs in his car. Police say the driver, Sawai Meepian, installed a device known as “turbo meter” in his car, which can be pressed by hand to swiftly raise the fare. The switch was wrapped in a black cloth and hidden close to the turn signal, police said. They also claimed to find 24 kratom leaves in the vehicle’s glove box. Kratom is an addictive plant used as a folk remedy and is illegal in Thailand. Full story http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441267532 -- Khaosod English 2015-09-03 Pressing the button by hand is much more convenient than doing it with your foot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Deerhunter Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 A 250 baht fine for him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonballs Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 could take away his licence, his taxi, jail him, fine him not this rediculous 2k fine now he needs a super turbe meter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Wetherall Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Sawai was fined THB2,000 by the Department of Land Transport for modifying the meter. Of course, his taxi driver license remains effective, Thai culture now dictates that he will have to scam even more now to pay for the fine. A modifyed meter is a criminal offense of intentional, systematic fraud. And the Department of Land Transport let him work tomorrow then again, with his taxi in queue at the airport? TiT Scamming foreigners is not a crime in Thailand. Every Thai understands this and no Thai will penalise another Thai who gets caught. Fact of life I'm afraid, part of Thailand's charm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 mine rigged the meter so every KM clocked up 1.3 km , so a 30km airport run ended up 39 km take taxi permit away , not a 2000 baht hand slap Than he goes with his friends permit.....Take away the taxi and make it an artificial reef. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little mary sunshine Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Nasty cheating Basta..!!!Really makes BKK and Thailand Look like shi.!!! Tourists BEWARE, TIT... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laocowboy2 Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 What is the registration number of the taxi? That should be put out there so people know to avoid. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulic Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Let's look at the facts in a positive light. Although he had a rigged meter. And was driving under the influence of a class 5 drug. He was not drunk Also he had, and used his meter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I knew this would happen Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 I do not know if they have a button or if they just always run about 30% faster than they should. You can see it on the kilometers on the meter when you know the distance to where you are going. Or maybe I am just unlucky and often get a rigged meter. one way to tell is the KM expressway markers , compare 1 KM to his meter 1KM and see if they match...... A smartphone may help too, much more convenient. Google maps or any navgigation app tells you the distance traveled and also counts down the distance. The bigger problem is: What can you do? Reporting the crooks doesn´t seem to have much effects after all. We have reported 3 guys to the DLT, but will that really change a lot? And confronting the driver directly might not be the best solution too, maybe it´s your lucky day and you end up with some maniac high on drugs. Chances might be slim, but too much stuff has happend here. When I plan to drink and know in advance when and where I will be going, Grab TaxiPpremium or UBER is my choice. 9 of 10 cars are clean and comfy with great drivers. Even had an older lady once, was like beeing driven home by mom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melyn Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 I think I would pay a reasonable price for a hand held scam meter. It would prove to be invaluable in certain parts of the kingdom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim walker Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 A drug user with a driving licence used for carrying members of the public as for being a thief he should have his car impounded and crushed or sold at auction and money given to disabled people caused by road accidents and taking drugs while driving his licence revoked for an indefinite period but then again this is Thailand so its ok no one cares not even the Junta generals who are trying to make the roads safer in Thailand [ joke ] back to work next day at usual job no problem new meter and new stash of krathom leaves in the glove box and a double shift in half the time with his whigh speed meter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis7 Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Thailand hardly practices an examplorary punishment but if they enforced such punishment I strongly believe many crimes wouldn't be repeated but instead it's always meaningless punishment specially if it's a Thai involved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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