NLA seeks solution to feud between Uber and taxi drivers

By The Sunday Nation

 

 

THE National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has been considering proposed solutions to the conflict between Uber and taxi drivers amid fears that the problem could hurt tourism, the National News Bureau of Thailand reported yesterday.

 

NLA member Wallop Tangkananurak expressed concerns during a debate on Friday about the ongoing feud between Uber and taxi drivers. Other lawmakers said they feared the dispute could shake the confidence of foreign visitors and tarnish the country’s tourism image. 

 

In reply, Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit informed the assembly that the ministry had summoned Uber executives and officials from the Land Transport Department and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to discuss the issue. 

 

He noted that all parties had agreed to conduct a feasibility study to assess the pros and cons of the Uber service and its short and long-term effects. 

 

“The results will be ready in the next four to five months,” Pichit told lawmakers. He said the government was helping taxis improve their services in order to boost passengers’ confidence and level of satisfaction. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30319020

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-25

Good luck with that. 

Easy. Legalize Uber and punish harressing and aggression.

They should allow Uber a temporary trial permit to operate alongside the taxis.

 

This will allow Uber drivers the chance to see if they can make good money by providing an alternative service, and also allow evidence to be gathered as to the pros and cons of the service they provide.

 

It will also allow taxi drivers the chance to improve their service and introduce new technology and standards to compete with Uber. 

 

The only people who who won't be happy are the taxi mafia who currently exploit the taxi drivers. How much is currently collected from them in tax? At least with Uber records are kept of every trip. With taxi drivers/mafia who refuse to use or tamper with meters, there is no record of their trips or income.

 

 

".....could shake the confidence of foreign visitors and tarnish the country’s tourism image."

 

 

Yes indeed, the REGISTERED Taxis do tarnish the country's tourism image.

And they do so since decades.

The only option is to revoke the license of any Taxi-driver and Taxi-company that does not follow the law, e.g.: using the Meter.

 

Never forget: Uber and Grab only exist and prosper due to the abysmal standard of Taxi services at Thailand's tourist spots (I explicitly exclude Bangkok) and in many cases intimidating and threatening behavior of the "transport" crooks.

1000 Baht for a 2km ride, anyone ?

The Thais can't stop technology, especially when the people want it. If it's not Uber it will be another company. Traditional taxis are now on the endangered species list, and they did it to themselves.

Legalize Uber and let the free market decide!  

 

I know the current "legal" taxis are completely useless so any improvement will improve Thailand's image with tourists.  We need to remember that most of the tourists are used to getting an Uber taxi back home so denying them this service in Thailand is just a great inconvenience.

This will never be settled because of price fixing and the broad ability to rip people off unchallenged, there is no such a thing as free and fair completion in Thailand - it is all about protecting your ability to RIP OFF and ultimately keep control, it is endemic in the whole country and the country itself 

11 minutes ago, smedly said:

This will never be settled because of price fixing and the broad ability to rip people off unchallenged, there is no such a thing as free and fair completion in Thailand - it is all about protecting your ability to RIP OFF and ultimately keep control, it is endemic in the whole country and the country itself 

How to fix this problem?

Persist with coup after coup or give democracy a go?

Easy. Penalize driver and passenger of uber for being illegal.

 

Then penalize taxi cabs for not picking up, or cheating fares or not using meter VERY stiffly.

 

Then legalize Grab Taxi to work only with licensed taxis and the fare to be paid automatically through app.

 

And finally increase the starting rate as 35thb is just too little given gas prices are no longer controlled.

 

All penalties have statutory minimums so high that it hurts.

 

Give police a 10% cut for each court proven conviction.

What about the pros and cons of the taxis?

1 hour ago, JayBird said:

Easy. Penalize driver and passenger of uber for being illegal.

 

Then penalize taxi cabs for not picking up, or cheating fares or not using meter VERY stiffly.

 

Then legalize Grab Taxi to work only with licensed taxis and the fare to be paid automatically through app.

 

And finally increase the starting rate as 35thb is just too little given gas prices are no longer controlled.

 

All penalties have statutory minimums so high that it hurts.

 

Give police a 10% cut for each court proven conviction.

Who is willing to do it?  This is work.  Who will be in charge?  If they could fix the taxis, they would have long ago.  Forcing the taxis to do things has not worked