Junta slammed as Pattaya "baht buses" taken off the street

[webfact]

Junta slammed as Pattaya "baht buses" taken off the street

 

Picture: Facebook

 

PATTAYA: -- The Thai public have turned on the military as they began a crackdown on the activities of Pattaya's baht buses this week.

 

The junta acted on what they called "D-Day" for the 'song thaews" that carry people around the resort. Thirty two vehicles were impounded for picking up passenger in undesignated areas. These are being kept at the grounds of Wat Pho Samphan temple in Banglamung.

 

And not only will the drivers have to pay a fine to get them back, they have to wait three days for the return of their livelihoods.

 

Many Thai people online thought this was too much with some suggesting it was just the military now taking over the job of fleecing the public.

 

 

Others agreed that something should be done to make traffic flow better but still sided with the drivers saying they felt they were being unfairly treated.

 

When the story was aired on the Pattaya News Facebook page comment was rife among the Thais yesterday.

 

Kaew Jerarad said: "It's getting harder to live in Pattaya. Just let them do their job. All these regulations - it's crazy. This is a tourist town!"

 

Rit Jai Tai chipped in: "Sure the driving habits can be poor at times, they often don't indicate for example. But taking their vehicles for three days is excessive".

 

Mai'i Khanitta screamed: "Let people get on with their jobs!"

 

Junta spokesman Suwit Laklang defended the crackdown saying it was D-Day for the baht buses on Wednesday and they had been warned. They would have to pay a fine and wait three days to get their vehicles back.

 

And he further warned if they break the regulations again the punishments will be more severe a second time around.

 

But Facebook poster "Heuy Mai Tong" had some tasty expletives for the military when commenting: "So you are gonna crackdown on the song thaews? How about doing something about the crime in Pattaya you ****s!"

 

Source: Pattaya News Facebook

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-02-03

 

[zorro1]

Damn the army is doing just about everything they said they would

[Tatsujin]

9 minutes ago, zorro1 said:

Damn the army is doing just about everything they said they would

Sure, but is it actually making things "better"?

[zorro1]

Sure, but is it actually making things "better"?

Enforcing the law? It's never popular for certain groups.

[colinneil]

Actions like this will make the drivers sit up and listen.

Iwas going to say sit up and think, but that is an alien concept to them.

[khunianb]

Great news because the baht buses are a major cause of traffic congestion problems. 

[trogers]

6 minutes ago, Tatsujin said:

Sure, but is it actually making things "better"?

How does one make gangrene better without cutting off rotting flesh?

[LennyW]

Sadly it is only 32 of the bloody things!!

 

[fforest1]

11 minutes ago, khunianb said:

Great news because the baht buses are a major cause of traffic congestion problems. 

How very very wong you are...

The baht buses move huge numbers of people who with-out the BBs

would all need their own transport...

Edited February 3, 2017 by fforest1

[fforest1]

11 minutes ago, trogers said:

How does one make gangrene better without cutting off rotting flesh?

By leaving them alone and letting them do their job...

[fforest1]

21 minutes ago, Tatsujin said:

Sure, but is it actually making things "better"?

Nope...

[nakhonandy]

Huge amounts of Thais rely on these to get to and from work.

 

How is this helping?

[fforest1]

29 minutes ago, zorro1 said:

Enforcing the law? It's never popular for certain groups.

What laws? 

The BBs have been operating just fine for decades..

The current slapped together regulations were just made-up

a few months ago..

 

Edited February 3, 2017 by fforest1

[Thaiwrath]

Had they been given a 500 baht fine and a slap on the wrist, people on here would be complaining that the punishment was a joke.

When they get a harsher punishment, people claim it is a joke.

A bit of a lose/lose situation for our beloved junta. 

[zorro1]

What laws? 
The BBs have been operating just fine for decades..
The current slapped together regulations were just made-up
a few months ago..
 

They had it coming , half of them stop running the route as soon as it rains and becoming greedy taxis they throw passengers off if they get approached by Japanese with suitcases, they often turn down a side soi if there is heavy traffic still charging the fare though

They are grubs and the law is the law! Good on the junta!!

[thai3]

Never were 'buses' they should have buses but these metal crates keep the system to themselves, they are songtaews, buses are large, have proper seats and doors.

[AlexRich]

The Baht buses are a great service, one of the best things about Pattaya, the ease of getting around relatively cheaply ... the Army messed up here! 

[Chicog]

Just eradicate them and install a proper, fixed fare bus service.

 

 

[Kru Baa]

Idiots. About the only  thing in Pattaya that does work and they have to go F it up. Typical This, they always want to fix stuff that isn't broke until it actually is broke and then leave it that way.

[Destiny1990]

Look how these songteaws block traffic right at the turn infront of the walking street entrance.those ones are thinking its a taxi stand while its the main road!!

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, fforest1 said:

How very very wong you are...

The baht buses move huge numbers of people who with-out the BBs

would all need their own transport...

Usually 6 or 8 and when one wants to get off 20 other vehicles are held up behind them.

There would be more people on foot or using motorcycle taxis. They bring Soi Buakhao to a standstill.

Them and the large coaches are a big part of Pattaya's traffic problems.

They think they own large sections of the town.

[AhFarangJa]

Come on Jingthing.....I thought you were the oracle on Baht Buses............

[aimbc]

What are people complaining about leave them alone?  There are how many buses as most people have said?  And only 32 buses were impound.  Then these guys deserve it for breaking the law.  The rest are going on with their lives.  Yes it seems like only a certain group of people think this is wrong.  It's about time.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

Come on Jingthing.....I thought you were the oracle on Baht Buses............

Sorry to disappoint. This is new territory. 

[Emster23]

Although this isn't in article, safe to assume this mainly involves Beach Road? I live in Jomtien and have yet to see a designated pickup spot, other than ones for bus service from a few years ago that was put out of business.

Are they going to go after motorcycle taxi drivers who block sidewalks and take up parking spaces too? I would welcome that.

[AhFarangJa]

My Bad J......I remember posts a long time ago regarding fares on these buses......

[Sooo Upto Me]

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Actions like this will make the drivers sit up and listen.

Iwas going to say sit up and think, but that is an alien concept to them.

 

So is Listen.

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

My Bad J......I remember posts a long time ago regarding fares on these buses......

This isn't about fares. 

[avidflyer]

I can't be sure, of course, but I suspect doubling the fares to 20 Baht might help. It has been about 15 years since the fare doubled to 10 Baht. No wonder the BB drivers need to do everything that they can to earn a practical/living wage. And be aware that the drivers need to pay "someone(s)" for the privilege of being able to ply their trade.

 

With a higher fare I would expect to see an improved quality of BBs and the lousy ones trashed. Some of those BBs are freakin scary!

 

(JT thinks I'm nuttier prez trump.)

[BWPattaya]

I was with a 79 year old friend on Soi Bhuakao. We waited twenty minutes for a baht bus but there wasn't one. Walking from Soi Diana to South Pattaya wore him out. Let's have the Baht buses back