webfact Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Bangkok taxi driver goes online in five minute "Uber" rant Picture: Thairath BANGKOK: -- A taxi driver has gone online with a five minute mega-rant moaning about Uber taking his customers and his livelihood. He appeals to the police and the land department - everyone he can think of - to run Uber out of town for making his life a misery. Posted on Facebook the driver is in his cab at the time saying as he starts the five minute video diatribe that he has been driving around for an hour without seeing any hope of a customer, reports Thairath. "It's terrible, "he says, "I'm in a bad way. Come on land department, come on police, can't you stop Uber?" He moans that his costs are four times that of a Uber driver. Their presence on the roads means at least 20-30% less for him. He can't feed the family. He questions whether Uber - or even Grab- are legal at all. They don't have to follow the same laws as him, he claims. He whinges about checks on his vehicle, his meter, the tax he has to pay, his insurance....it all comes out until he says: "I'm fed up". "I don't want to go on, but this is terrible", he adds. Finally after the rant comes to a close he faces the camera with a half smile and says: "I'm not drunk - I'm just saying". The video was posted on a Facebook page titled "Thewada maa dern din" (Angel walks on the earth). Source: Thairath -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-12-09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 There are a lot of people who would say that the few have spoiled it for the many. Do Uber drivers equip themselves with machetes or steel pipes, or god forbid, guns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticBhoy Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 "I'm not drunk - I'm just saying". A sober 5-minute rant! Glad he's never driven me anywhere. My ears would have melted . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thechook Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Completion improves services. Adapt and overcome. Make what you provide superior and at competitive pricing and you will prevail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannot Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 18 minutes ago, ratcatcher said: There are a lot of people who would say that the few have spoiled it for the many. Do Uber drivers equip themselves with machetes or steel pipes, or god forbid, guns? or refuse when mildly damp.....................they never learn do they. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveAustin Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 (edited) Tough titties, friend. I'm sure you've never refused a fare because the route didn't suit you, or run-up the meter, or mouth off at a customer, or or or... Thais absolutely despise competition and 'some' taxi drivers can be absolute numpties. I say again, tough titties. Run with the times - become an Uber driver yourself - or perhaps take up barber college. Edited December 9, 2016 by daveAustin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meme1967 Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 The quality and service offered by the majority of taxi drivers is absolute rubbish. People want to travel safely, in a clean air-conditioned vehicle that does not refuse to take them where they want to go and does not rip-off people. The authorities should ban all the old, smelly taxis from the road, and make sure that the taxis are new, clean and fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captspectre Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 54 minutes ago, CelticBhoy said: "I'm not drunk - I'm just saying". A sober 5-minute rant! Glad he's never driven me anywhere. My ears would have melted . . . the bangkok taxi drivers have no one else to blame but themselves, refusing to pick up passengers, refusing to turn on the meter, being nasty when you sk them to go somewhere when it is traffic time, THEY did this on themselves and I have no sympathy for them! the one thing that the thai people do is shop with their feet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirasan Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Australian taxi drivers whinged in the media endlessly when Uber was introduced there too. Great to see the service starting up in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlicha Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 I've waited an hour and a half at the airport for this guy to show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkidlad Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Agree with him or not - this is why competition is good. If there's no competition, companies get arrogant, lazy and feckless. And who has to suffer their monopoly? The customer. For the most part, taxis I have used have been okay. When I say okay, I mean they got me to my destination. I would like to be in a clean taxi, with a nice temperature, radio on quietly or not at all and driven by a driver who knows where he's going and drives safely. If Uber and Grab, etc, can offer this, why on earth wouldn't you use them? "If you don't like it, go somewhere else" This can now also be applied to the customer. Som nam na. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlindMagician Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Typical attitude, expecting an easy life, and complaining when better competition arrives. Welcome to the real world chum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlQaholic Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 I don't get it, how, in Thailand can a Uber driver compete with the regular taxis? The taxi services are dirt cheap and available anywhere almost instantly on the streets of Bkk. Admittedly there are chinks like the thing about not getting a cab because it is time to go back to the depot, or the taxi waiting cue at Don Muang (why I always just walk across the street and grab a taxi there), or how it is impossible to get a taxi when it rains..... I would think with the BKK traffic it would take about two to three times longer to just wait for the Uber than to actually take a taxi and get to your destination already? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonclark Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 If Uber are doing so well and stealing all his customer, then why does this guy become self employed and become an Uber driver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamgeorgeallen Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 i am just of to new zealand for the coming nz summer. i might do a bit of uber driving while i am there as some of my friends are doing it already. they say it is a great way to earn a few extra dollars. it has been a hit in nz, many happy drivers and many happy customers. still a tiny minority will always be against change and progress. can please everyone but in this case the vast majority are happy with uber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeTexas Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Every time I have to use a cab I get screwed. I've had them quote one price and then try to raise it at the end of the ride and several other things. I have absolutely no sympathy for any taxi driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChoakMyDee Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 No sympathy from me. I hope they all go out of business and a new proper taxi service starts up with properly trained drivers that have to pass a criminal record check and an exam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinostar Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 1 hour ago, meme1967 said: The quality and service offered by the majority of taxi drivers is absolute rubbish. People want to travel safely, in a clean air-conditioned vehicle that does not refuse to take them where they want to go and does not rip-off people. The authorities should ban all the old, smelly taxis from the road, and make sure that the taxis are new, clean and fresh. So far I was fortunate, was refused a few times, but mostly kind taxi drivers. The overall state of the cars could be better, cleaner and newer, but then the fares will/should go up as well. We (farangs) choose to live in an Asean country, but do not want to accept the conditions. Comparing with your own standards, as if these were better, is having your cake and eat it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinostar Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 3 minutes ago, ChoakMyDee said: No sympathy from me. I hope they all go out of business and a new proper taxi service starts up with properly trained drivers that have to pass a criminal record check and an exam. Why are you actually here? Want everything cheap cheap cheap, but with high quality? Wake up farangs (I'm one myself, awake) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinostar Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 I have very mixed feelings about Uber. Some bad experiences, like wrong location, no English speaking drivers, smelly car, too small cars, bad drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyF Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Taxi drivers would obviously prefer it if Uber and Grab went away so they can remain the only show in town and continue to arrogantly pick and choose their customers and destinations, drive with the crackly radio at full blast, no air con etc. I'd say 10% of them are good, 10% are OK, 80% are dicks. No sympathy from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yooyoo Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 It's called competition by a safe secure service .... nothing stops him from applying and joining Uber as a driver... I guess the way he drives coukd disqualify him .... customers can and do report bad and unsafe driver behavior to Uber.... something I imagine is unheard of in Thailand.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdkane Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 it really doesn't bother me if a taxi is old or a bit shabby...it gets me to my desired destination, and that is the main reason why i use a taxi... i don't like negotiating for fares, but that usually happens before i get in, so it's not out of my control when i lived in bkk and used a taxi nearly every day, i occassionally would find myself in a dodgy situation with drivers...usually when i travelled with my gf at the time during the late evening hours (she finished work at 9pm, so often were out and about at 11 pm)...drivers would always hit on her, assuming that because she was with a farang, she must be a prostitute...one even proposed to rob me...a few were just odd, perhaps high...most drivers are simple and good at their jobs, but these few are so extreme in their behavior that they stick in my memory and completely bias my expectations...now, i dread getting a taxi at night, and expect the worst... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desire2016 Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 1 hour ago, akirasan said: Australian taxi drivers whinged in the media endlessly when Uber was introduced there too. Great to see the service starting up in Thailand. I have used grab taxi twice in Bangkok so easy to use ,the drivers arrive on time great service I will continue to use them , I have lived in phuket for 17 yrs in Bangkok I have had to get out of so many cabs because of the usual meter not working,500bt OK ?!!no stop and you start over ,I'm happy to tip an honest canoe but learnt a long time ago of how they try to rip flangs off ,thumbs up Uber -grab taxi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 27 minutes ago, MikeTexas said: Every time I have to use a cab I get screwed. I've had them quote one price and then try to raise it at the end of the ride and several other things. I have absolutely no sympathy for any taxi driver. Is this Bangkok taxis or from BKK or DMK airports? City taxis usually use the meter for short trips around town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anythingleft? Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Love the way they shout for police and laws to be initiated when it suits, nevermind the illegal parking and rip offs when all is good Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdkane Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 i've never used an uber or grab...by the time the service was widely available here, i lived in an area that did not require taxis...how do they compare to regular taxis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextStationBangkok Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Uber and Grab tax brought revolution to F$%# the tax criminals on the road, especially around Siam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brer Fox Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 If he is in Bangkok all he needs do is go to Soi 4 Sukhumvit, turn off the meter like the rest of his mates and charge what ever he can get away with. There is a motza to be made. If the going is a bit slow there during the day he could move to the bus stop between Soi 3 and Soi 5 (where the hookers stand on the footpath) turn on his blinkers and wait for the highest bidder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo2014 Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Damn those UBERS - they are taking our business and offering a far better, safer and more pleasant experience. Damn them all to hell!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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