Bangkok: Fine for cabbies refusing service

**xanax** · 01-09-2012, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Personally I think that anyone who uses this number to complain is a bit of a cvnt. If a taxi driver doesn't want to take me, I don't wanna go in his cab, so we both happy.

I've got bigger things to worry about.

I thought you said they always wanted to take you and never got a refusal? If a taxi does not want to take somebody they are the cvnts not the people who provide them with what is not a bad living at all. Some people just seem to enjoy shite service and they even tip when they get it.

**Bobcock** · 01-09-2012, 04:00 PM

Not a bad living? How much do you reckon they make per day?

**Dillinger** · 01-09-2012, 05:36 PM

Probaly a fair whack from hiso Welsh guys who rush in where angels fear to tread

**xanax** · 01-09-2012, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Not a bad living? How much do you reckon they make per day?

It depends if they rent or have their own cars. Had a good bloke the other day who had just bought a 2 million baht house near Udom Suk (small one), not bad going and a damn site better than driving a bus or a van for a living.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-09-2012, 01:54 AM

Few cases of cabbies rejecting passengers on 1st day - The Nation

Few cases of cabbies rejecting passengers on 1st day

Jessada Jantharak,
Wisit Chuanpipatpong
The Nation on Sunday September 2, 2012 1:00 am

Only 13 complaints were received yesterday when the Metropolitan Police Bureau started imposing a Bt1,000 fine on any taxi driver turning down passengers.

All the taxi drivers against whom complaints were received would be located and fined if they were found to have actually refused to accept the passengers, the police said.

The Land Transport Depart-ment's passenger protection centre yesterday received complaints against 13 taxi drivers through its 1584 hotline. The number of complaints is much lower from the average day.

The complaints were less than usual as yesterday was the weekend and the initial data from the centre under Land Transport Department was reported before data gathering time. Normally, there are an average 100 complaints about this problem every day, or about 2,000 per month. This problem has been the biggest grouse of passengers followed by taxi drivers' improper manners and reckless driving, according to the bureau.

Police said passengers who were refused by any taxi drivers despite the "vacant" sign being on, could file their complaints with police present at the scene so that the drivers could be caught red-handed. Complaints could also be made through traffic police hotline 1197 if there was no police officer present at the scene.

Passengers have to remember the licence plate, the colours of the taxi and the driver's appearance, or take a photo or record a video clip.

Senior traffic police officer Lt-Colonel Prasopchok Iampinit advised spurned passengers to video-record the taxi involved for evidence if no police was nearby to fine the cab driver on the spot.

However, taxi driver Bancha Samruatjit, 47, expressed concern that the new fine against taxis turning down passengers might be abused or unfairly implemented.

Meanwhile, many taxi drivers said they were happy with warning tickets for petty traffic violations. The warning tickets for petty traffic violations were implemented yesterday for the first day.

About 12,800 complaints were filed against taxi drivers between January and June. The top complaints included refusing to accept passengers, being verbally rude, dropping off passengers before the agreed destination, unsafe driving, and refusing to use the meter.

Top excuses

The following are the main reasons taxi drivers cite for turning down passengers:

_ Rental time is running out and the taxi must be returned

_ Running out of gas

_ Traffic congestion

_ The destination is too near or too far

_ Passengers refuse to give extra money (tip) for long distance

_ Preferring foreign passengers who tend to pay tips or are unaware of detours

-----
Taxi drivers unhappy about crackdown - The Nation

Taxi drivers unhappy about crackdown

Thanaphat Kitjakosol
The Nation on Sunday September 2, 2012 1:00 am

The campaign against taxi drivers who turn down passengers has met with complaints from the cabbies and also raised doubts among commuters about their success.

Cabbies criticised the Bt1,000 fine for refusing to accept passengers as the crackdown kicked off yesterday.

Passengers believe the measure is not going to meet with success unless there is strict enforcement.

Taxi drivers will be immediately fined Bt1,000 if they are caught red-handed refusing to accept passengers while leaving the "vacant" sign on and in cases where passengers complain to police present at the scene.

Pol Col Weerawit Wajanapukka of Traffic Police Division said if police are not present at the scene, passengers can file a complaint on hotline 1584 or 1197 or Thai Traffic Police by providing the name of the driver, the taxi registration number, and the time and place of the incident. Police will then summon the driver for investigation and prosecution.

The top reasons or excuses cited by taxi drivers for not accepting passengers are: taxi rental time is up and the vehicle must be returned, running out of gas, traffic congestion, the distance is too short or too long, passengers refusing to pay more for excessively long distance, accepting only foreign passengers.

None of these reasons can exempt them from being fined. What irritates many passengers is when the drivers turn them down without citing any reason, with only a shake of their head.

Udon Khanti, chairman of the Volunteer Taxi Cub, believes the Bt1,000 fine for a first-offence is too harsh. He said taxi drivers should be given the right to refuse passengers in some circumstances such as those who they think may harass or assault them, and allowed to refuse to go to destinations that are too isolated where they could be at risk of being mugged.

Weerapong Butkaew, a taxi driver, said near the time to return the taxi, he cannot take a long-distance trip or to a destination out of his way because if he returns the taxi late, he would be fined by the taxi operator.

Sanya Wongtri, 29, opposed the crackdown across Bangkok and suburbs, arguing that the police should crack down only in congested areas where there are lots of passengers such as Siam, Silom, Pratunam, and Mor Chit.

Kasem Jumduang, a taxi passenger, hailed the crackdown, saying regulating taxi service is much needed but he was not sure the measure is practical and effective because police are not present at the scene everywhere. If taxi drivers are summoned by police they can simply deny involvement.

"It may be like other enforcement measures such as crash helmet and seat belts, which die down after a few months of campaign,'' he said.

Piyathip Tantaprapa, a company employee, disapproved of the crackdowns saying it gives the police a chance to harass taxi drivers. She believed the problem should be tackled at the root by giving training and screening taxi drivers so as to grant professional licences only to those without criminal records.

Chantra Kochokchai, 46, said she was often turned down, but she feared the crackdown would not be consistent.

The crackdown on taxi drivers is part of ongoing efforts by the Metropolitan Police Bureau to solve the traffic congestion. Other measures such as banning police from setting up checkpoints to give tickets during rush hours and monitoring on-duty traffic police by putting cameras on them to reduce bribery have received overwhelming public support.

The MPB is planning to strictly crack down against motorists for 13 other offences: racing on public roads; excessive speed, unsafe overtaking, drunk driving, travelling the wrong way up, not wearing a crash helmet, double parking, no licence plates, excessive toxic fumes, illegal parking, parking on a footpath, driving along a footpath, and taxi drivers refusing to accept passengers. Traffic offenders will receive a warning ticket for a first-time offence and if they repeat the offence, they will be fined at the maximum rate.

Statistics show that about 12,800 people filed complaints against taxi drivers for several offences from January to June this year. The top complaints included refusing to accept passengers, verbally rude, dropping off passengers before the agreed destination, unsafe driving, and refusing to use the meter. Of the total, 4,207 taxi drivers or 32 per cent have been summoned for questioning and fined.

**Seekingasylum** · 02-09-2012, 11:31 AM

The excuse that the cab has to be returned to the depot is the one that gets me not least because it is the one given by idiots on this board as reasonable justification for the bastards' caprice.

If they were to think about it for just a nano second they'd realise that if the timing was that critical why the fuck have they got their " for hire " light illuminated, touting for business?

**Seekingasylum** · 02-09-2012, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Leave the whining about it to some poncy wannabee Hi-so Thai who thinks that the rest of the nation is there to service him/her.

I've got bigger things to worry about.

It's raining, it's stinking hot, your balls are drowning in their own sweat, you're carrying two bags, you're hungry and you've been stuck in a meeting with a bunch of Thais who won't say what they think and you just want to get home. You've been rejected by 3 cabs already, without explanation, and one of your bags has just split open.

Oh, never mind. I wonder what's for tea? I wonder if the CO2 level is at tipping point, I wonder if that pimple on my dick is something to do with that floosie last week? I wonder what it would have been like if I hadn't been born a Welsh twat with only half a brain and a chip on my shoulder the size of a Merthyr Tydfil slagheap?

So many things to worry about, so little time ..... Now, where's that cab?

**StrontiumDog** · 06-09-2012, 02:00 AM

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nati...-30189850.html

Taxi complaint hotline buzzing

The Nation September 6, 2012 1:00 am

The Land Transport Department has received more complaints about taxi drivers refusing to take on passengers after it became an offence punishable by arrest since September 1.

"Over the past three days, the department received 60 such complaints. There are also 11 complaints about taxi drivers dropping passengers off midway," Pol Lt-Colonel Prasopchok Iampinij said yesterday. The Traffic Police Division, which is preparing to launch the www.thaitrafficpolice.com website to record warnings that have been issued so far.

"After three warnings, the driver will be fined," Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Worasak Nopsittiporn said.

**parryhandy** · 06-09-2012, 06:51 AM

hmm once was a time this administration courted taxi drivers, how things have changed.

**bobo746** · 06-09-2012, 07:08 AM

I couldn't count how many knock backs i've had from cabbies,i just keep flagging them down until one says yes,if it gets to hard i just wander away and have another beer no dramas.

**BobR** · 06-09-2012, 08:45 AM

The right to only associate with and do business with those persons we want to is a basic right that has been lost in the West. Sad to see it violated here. When you cheer or tolerate others having their rights violated by a manic oppressive government, you can be assured your turn will come soon.

Besides, why are they picking on the taxi drivers, the majority of them supported the PTP?

**Albert Shagnastier** · 06-09-2012, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by bobo746

I couldn't count how many knock backs i've had from cabbies,i just keep flagging them down until one says yes,if it gets to hard i just wander away and have another beer no dramas.

A good way of evening out the fuckery is to simply flag down cabs while you're having a nice beer and intending to go nowhere. When they stop tell them their cab is a bit shabby and you'll call a limo instead.

**StrontiumDog** · 01-01-2013, 11:10 PM

Cabbies say 'no' to service refusal | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Cabbies say 'no' to service refusal

Published: 1/01/2013 at 05:43 PM
Online news:

More than 2,000 taxi drivers in Bangkok have pledged not to refuse service to passengers by choosing who to take or where to go.

The drivers made their promise on Tuesday as part of a campaign called “Taxi Jai Dee” (jai dee in Thai means kind, good hearted) initiated by the Royal Thai Police.

The campaign, which started Tuesday and will finish at the end of the 2014 New Year holiday week, was launched at Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) where deputy national police chief Ruangsak Jaritek signed a commitment with Julie Sawangarun, president of Taxi Thai, Hua Jai Inter Club, representatives from the Taxi Drivers Association of Thailand and Wutthichart Kalayanamitr, managing director of The Transport Co.

Pol Lt Gen Ruangsak said more than 2,000 jit arsa (volunteer) cab drivers had vowed they would not refuse service to passengers and would only charge fares on the meter for both local and foreign customers.

The campaign also calls for the participants to uphold quality services while doing their job, both during this New Year festival and at regular times.

Pol Lt Gen Ruangsak said the initiative was launched after many complaints from commuters about taxi drivers refusing service if they do not want to go to a specific place. The jit arsa cabbies will be deployed at Mo Chit Bus Terminal, Southern Bus Terminal and Ekamai Bus Terminal.

He said he had instructed officers to strictly enforce the law and punish cabbies who refuse service or overcharge taxi fares. Under the 1979 Land Traffic Act section 93, violators face a maximum fine of 1,000 baht, 15 day-seizure of their driving licence and deduction of 20 driving-offence points.

The campaign's aim is to reduce public grievances while also being a New Year gift for commuters, he said.

**StrontiumDog** · 01-01-2013, 11:15 PM

^ So what happened to the original scheme?

I recall for a few weeks after the first 'plan' cab drivers along Sukhumvit did appear to be doing the right thing.

Then it returned to normal. Lots of refusals.

Now we have 2,000 of the supposedly 90,000 cab drivers doing this 'jai dee' thing. So what about the others?

Last night was a fine example. Cab drivers absolutely refusing to take anyone on the meter. Thousands looking to get home from central Bangkok. I understand it is pay day for them....but..........

**panthira** · 01-01-2013, 11:35 PM

The cabbies are poorly paid.
Many are heroes returning my lost cell phone or.. and not even ask for a reward but there are those a holes around the hotels, panthip , shopping malls in Bkk that will not go on the meter nor for a short ride..like 10min...have had repeated denials..5 in a row..said i was going to call police and they just laugh..all of you who have been here awhile know this is a useless law..never to be enforced

**StrontiumDog** · 15-02-2013, 11:29 PM

Taxi drivers face harsher penalties for rejecting passengers | MCOT.net

Taxi drivers face harsher penalties for rejecting passengers

By Digital Media | 14 ก.พ. 2556 17:28

BANGKOK, Feb 14 - Any Bangkok taxi driver found repeatedly shunning would-be passengers will soon be at risk having his/her driver’s license suspended or even revoked, the Department of Land Transport chief warned today.

The department is considering additional penalties against taxi drivers who turn down passengers as the agency has been flooded with complaints.

Land Transport Department Director General Somchai Siriwatanachoke said the department imposed a Bt1,000 fine on any taxi driver who refused to accept intending passengers since September. However, complaints from passengers over the issue account for over 60 per cent of all complaints regarding taxi services.

To solve the problem, he said, the department has prepared to take legal action against those who repeatedly reject passengers by suspending and revoking his/her public driving licences.

Moreover, Mr Somchai said, the department has invited managers of 35 leading department stores in Bangkok and adjacent areas where there are taxi stands nearby to discuss measures to solve the problem.

All department stores have been asked for cooperation to install signboards publicising regulations that taxi drivers are forbidden to refuse passengers.

He said that CCTV cameras will also be installed at the taxi stands to record the images and behaviour of taxi drivers who violate the regulations.

Call centre telephone number 1584 for receiving complaints will also be publicised, he said.

The Land Transport Department's passenger protection centre 1584 hotline is available around the clock. Passengers may lodge complaints by giving details on the registration number, time, date and place to make it easier for the authorities to track down violators. (MCOT online news)

**English Noodles** · 16-02-2013, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

Up their minimum fare to 50-60bt

Why? Thats 2 hours pay for some people.

**Stranger** · 16-02-2013, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

Never had this problem with taxis, only twice at Kao San Road for obvious reasons.

Total bullshit.

Although having said that, maybe you always took the bus for obvious reasons.

**hillbilly** · 16-02-2013, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by bobo746

I couldn't count how many knock backs i've had from cabbies,i just keep flagging them down until one says yes..

The same situation still exists today. I know, it happens to me at least twice a week.

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