Taxi driver suspended from operating at Suvarnabhumi airport for overcharging passengers

[webfact]

Taxi driver suspended from operating at Suvarnabhumi airport for overcharging passengers

BANGKOK: -- A Suvarnabhumi airport’s taxi driver who overcharged passengers has been temporarily banned from operating at the airport, the Airports of Thailand reported on Friday.

The incident took place at about 6.30 pm at Suvarnabhumi international airport ON May 4. Four Thai passengers lodged a complaint with airport officials after a taxi driver, identified later as Mr Niwat Ruangkitchaya demanded 150 baht in fees instead of the normal charge of 50 baht from them on top of taxi fares claiming that his car was big and he had to carry their five luggages.

The driver admitted he overcharged the four passengers and agreed to lower the fees to 50 baht but the passengers refused to use his service and asked for another taxi.

Mrs Patchara Pornyutthapong, AOT deputy director, said the AOT decided to suspend Mr Niwat’s license to operate at the airport as of May 5. The case was later referred to the Land Transport Department to ponder further action against the driver.

She said that the AOT has been strict with taxi drivers to ensure that they will not overcharge passengers. She asked passengers to keep service slips to be used as an evidence in case they were overcharged.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/162295


-- Thai PBS 2016-05-06

[luke000]

That is quite a severe punishment for a 100 Baht overcharge considering that the taxi driver may have legitimate reasons for charging the extra 100 Baht

[richard_smith237]

That is quite a severe punishment for a 100 Baht overcharge considering that the taxi driver may have legitimate reasons for charging the extra 100 Baht

But he doesn't have a legitimate reason - he's already agreed to the terms of providing a taxi at the airport.

So, whether he believes he is justified or not he has attempted to over charge.

Next we'll have taxi's over charging because they are cleaner or have rear seat belts.

Its a simple 50 baht airport surcharge for taxi's, thats it... Plus whatever meter and toll way charges. Any deviation from this is overcharging.

Props to the passengers who refused to use the taxi when he relented.

[Scouse Twoccer]

That is quite a severe punishment for a 100 Baht overcharge considering that the taxi driver may have legitimate reasons for charging the extra 100 Baht

You're not a taxi driver by any chance, are you?

[fstarbkk]

Does anyone really believe that, slapping one of hundreds of taxi gangsters on the wrist every six months, has any kind of deterrent effect? Or are the authorities just trying to be seen doing something every once in a while, without really rocking the boat?

Edited May 6, 2016 by fstarbkk

[kanook]

I actually miss BK taxis after living in CM for the last two years. Ten days ago my wife arranged a taxi pickup from our home in CM to the airport which at 5:30 am takes approx 10 minutes. The 'normal' fare is 200 baht, but she couldn't find one cheaper than 350 because we requested a larger car that would fit us plus our two American guests and their baggage. On arrival at Suvarnabhumi, no problem with the taxi leaving the airport and if there was, I would have just got another one anyway. Like the previous poster said, the taxi drivers agree to the conditions of transporting passengers from the airport and if they don't like the fee structure, they can always find another occupation. There were reports of future changes in how taxis operate in CM after the coup, but the metered taxis still won't use the meter and even if you agree to pay their inflated flat fares they are usually rude. Next trip is a one day excursion to meet my father at Suvarnabhumi and then back to CM, and I will definitely be driving to the airport and leaving the car there to avoid dealing with the CM taxi 'service'.

[cardinalblue]

For CM taxi spots to airport pretty standard fare...400 baht at night and 350 daytime...

Coming and going from Mae Jo so minimum 25 minutes... Really can't complain for $10 to 12 dollars for home pick up...

CM isn't bkk...

[anotheruser]

The sad thing is that something so mundane is actually deemed so exceptional it is worth reporting. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the effort but this should just be matter of course. To be newsworthy it should be a report of many taxis. I suppose the real story here lately is it involves taxi drivers scamming fellow Thais. Such a trivial issue and no political will to do anything about it.

[ScotBkk]

Taxi driver suspended from operating at Suvarnabhumi airport for overcharging passengers

BANGKOK: -- A Suvarnabhumi airport’s taxi driver who overcharged passengers has been temporarily banned from operating at the airport, the Airports of Thailand reported on Friday.

The incident took place at about 6.30 pm at Suvarnabhumi international airport ON May 4. Four Thai passengers lodged a complaint with airport officials after a taxi driver, identified later as Mr Niwat Ruangkitchaya demanded 150 baht in fees instead of the normal charge of 50 baht from them on top of taxi fares claiming that his car was big and he had to carry their five luggages.

The driver admitted he overcharged the four passengers and agreed to lower the fees to 50 baht but the passengers refused to use his service and asked for another taxi.

Mrs Patchara Pornyutthapong, AOT deputy director, said the AOT decided to suspend Mr Niwat’s license to operate at the airport as of May 5. The case was later referred to the Land Transport Department to ponder further action against the driver.

She said that the AOT has been strict with taxi drivers to ensure that they will not overcharge passengers. She asked passengers to keep service slips to be used as an evidence in case they were overcharged.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/162295

-- Thai PBS 2016-05-06

What a loada She- ite!!

This is just to look like they've got everything under control to impress the general public and tourists.

Couple of years back he would've been a clear winner of -

TAXI DRIVER OF THE YEAR !!!

Thus, for being least deceptive with that famous Thai smile whilst ripping you off !!!

Just saying ......

[dcnx]

One more bad story and we'll get another, "Taxi driver returns money" story.

[Squeegee]

this should just be matter of course. To be newsworthy it should be a report of many taxis. I suppose the real story here lately is it involves taxi drivers scamming fellow Thais.

This as news proves lack of law enforcement and the silly sausages can't see it.

As to Thais scamming Thais... reminds me of the scene in Sars Wars from 2007, one of the last recorded times a Thai was heard to say "We're all Thai here."

That's probably down to Thaksin as well, along with the death of the dodo.

[anotheruser]

News? Lol headline news: In NYC one taxi was reprimanded for overcharging a customer by $3.

It means that they really aren't doing anything about the problem. I agree with you.

Later on man cited for jaywalking.

[Thechook]

Should have stuck to overcharging farangs, Thais don't take to kindly to equality and being treated like foreigners.

[sjaak327]

Taxi drivers in Bangkok, at least the vast majority are a great bunch of people. Yes there are certainly a few rotten apples in the basket, but overall I find them to be honest and quite a bit of fun to talk to.

I hardly ever find one that tries to overcharge or quote a flat rate. What I did witnessed from the airport at least three times is a rigged meter. Suddenly the distance between BKK and my apartment is a whopping 10km further

In all three cases, I ended up paying the normal fare, only one guy was complaining, but stopped the minute I noted down his registration number.

[Strangebrew]

Ever heard of UBER?

[Bluespunk]

Ever heard of UBER?

Yes

http://www.whosdrivingyou.org/rideshare-incidents

[Yann55]

Quote : (...) has been temporarily banned from operating at the airport.

So, clearly it's still OK for him to overcharge passengers, provided he does it in other areas (where it's less likely to be reported).

[dddave]

Does anyone really believe that, slapping one of hundreds of taxi gangsters on the wrist every six months, has any kind of deterrent effect? Or are the authorities just trying to be seen doing something every once in a while, without really rocking the boat?

I've used taxis from Suvarnabhumi Airport at least monthly for the last four years and have had very few instances of being overcharged or of drivers refusing to use the meter. I have had more difficulty with taxis out of Don Muang Airport for some reason.

There are over 100,000 licensed taxi drivers in Bangkok. In any population group of that size, there will be bad apples, whether it is taxi drivers, school teachers or whatever. I've found most of the drivers to be decent people just trying to make a living in a very unpleasant job.

[Happy Grumpy]

Quote : (...) has been temporarily banned from operating at the airport.

So, clearly it's still OK for him to overcharge passengers, provided he does it in other areas (where it's less likely to be reported).

Other 'areas' don't have charges.

[Scouse Twoccer]

Quote : (...) has been temporarily banned from operating at the airport.

So, clearly it's still OK for him to overcharge passengers, provided he does it in other areas (where it's less likely to be reported).

Isn't it fun deliberately omitting parts of the report in order to twist the story?...

"The case was later referred to the Land Transport Department to ponder further action against the driver."

[cpofc]

The sad thing is that something so mundane is actually deemed so exceptional it is worth reporting. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the effort but this should just be matter of course. To be newsworthy it should be a report of many taxis. I suppose the real story here lately is it involves taxi drivers scamming fellow Thais. Such a trivial issue and no political will to do anything about it.

you're quite right, but it seems the Thais have also become victim's of the '24 hour news cycle'. As stated previously, with almost 100k taxis on the road in the greater BKK area this story is a non-event.

How about another slant on things though?

So the 'keeneow' Thais who should have hired 2 cabs for the job reckoned they could save a few s'tang doing it with 1. And. Typically Thai, they are loaded to the gunwales with all sorts of crap. The driver, happy to get a fare, so spends much valuable time shuffling heavy suitcases and bags around getting everything to fit, including the bodies. On the way he is more than likely subjected to a constant barrage of whinging, bitching and moaning from his psuedo hi-so passengers. Arriving at the destination, he knows by now he is not going to get a tip for his trouble. But he still unloads all their gear for them anyway. So he hits them up for 100 baht.

Then the miserable bastards ring up and dob him in.

weak as p_ss

[Bluespunk]

The sad thing is that something so mundane is actually deemed so exceptional it is worth reporting. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the effort but this should just be matter of course. To be newsworthy it should be a report of many taxis. I suppose the real story here lately is it involves taxi drivers scamming fellow Thais. Such a trivial issue and no political will to do anything about it.

you're quite right, but it seems the Thais have also become victim's of the '24 hour news cycle'. As stated previously, with almost 100k taxis on the road in the greater BKK area this story is a non-event.

How about another slant on things though?

So the 'keeneow' Thais who should have hired 2 cabs for the job reckoned they could save a few s'tang doing it with 1. And. Typically Thai, they are loaded to the gunwales with all sorts of crap. The driver, happy to get a fare, so spends much valuable time shuffling heavy suitcases and bags around getting everything to fit, including the bodies. On the way he is more than likely subjected to a constant barrage of whinging, bitching and moaning from his psuedo hi-so passengers. Arriving at the destination, he knows by now he is not going to get a tip for his trouble. But he still unloads all their gear for them anyway. So he hits them up for 100 baht.

Then the miserable bastards ring up and dob him in.

weak as p_ss

I don't think they actually used his taxi.

Plus 5 bags between four people using a "big car" hardly seems excessive.

Edited May 7, 2016 by Bluespunk

[ThailandNo1]

Mean while at Hua lampang train station few miles from the airport taxi drivers hawking for customers and negotiating fee for taking a potential customer right in front of the police and refusing to put meter!

Hmmm! 300 baht for 90 baht journey? no thank you I take 10 steps forwards and get a metered taxi from the official taxi rank!

[mgjackson69]

Does anyone really believe that, slapping one of hundreds of taxi gangsters on the wrist every six months, has any kind of deterrent effect? Or are the authorities just trying to be seen doing something every once in a while, without really rocking the boat?

That second thing you said...

[arunsakda]

Seems a strange story as we all know about the drivers screaming "you pay 500!", not starting meter, and all manner of abusive behaiviour and outrageous rudeness.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mgjackson69]

Seems a strange story as we all know about the drivers screaming "you pay 500!", not starting meter, and all manner of abusive behaiviour and outrageous rudeness.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, many of us have experienced that nonsense.

And contrary to what many believe and spout here, standing up to a taxi driver does not result in an immediate deadly encounter.

I typically counter one time with "meter khrap"...if they still want to argue about that I get out and take the next taxi...it is not as if there is any shortage.

[Bluespunk]

Seems a strange story as we all know about the drivers screaming "you pay 500!", not starting meter, and all manner of abusive behaiviour and outrageous rudeness.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, many of us have experienced that nonsense.

And contrary to what many believe and spout here, standing up to a taxi driver does not result in an immediate deadly encounter.

I typically counter one time with "meter khrap"...if they still want to argue about that I get out and take the next taxi...it is not as if there is any shortage.

I don't even get in until they agree to use the meter.

[Ulic]

Does anyone really thing he will stop working. I mean really.

For all those thinking he has been treated harshly, do you really believe this was

his only offense and their are not others that need to be deterred with a stiff penalty.

[Sydebolle]

Same same but different. A cabbie from Don Meuang to the Four Wings hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 26 had a Swiss/Thai couple. On arriving the cabbie asked for B900, the (Thai) Missus ceiled B500. Without the hotel staff the situation would have turned ugly, bloody and out-of-control.

Look, the AOT does purposely not WANT to do anything about it; yet another government institution overdue for a very, very deep spring cleaning. Enclosed video in Thai, but you'll get the (body) language

Taxi scam.mov

[smutcakes]

That is quite a severe punishment for a 100 Baht overcharge considering that the taxi driver may have legitimate reasons for charging the extra 100 Baht

But he doesn't have a legitimate reason - he's already agreed to the terms of providing a taxi at the airport.

So, whether he believes he is justified or not he has attempted to over charge.

Next we'll have taxi's over charging because they are cleaner or have rear seat belts.

Its a simple 50 baht airport surcharge for taxi's, thats it... Plus whatever meter and toll way charges. Any deviation from this is overcharging.

Props to the passengers who refused to use the taxi when he relented.

Unless the AOT staff skim him for 100 baht to be allowed to operate......