Passenger van drivers seek military help

[misskit]

A group of 35 passenger van drivers lodged a complaint with the military against what they alleged as unfair treatment by their controller.

The group leader Nathee Somnoek told the media that they been operating on Route 156 shuttling between King Mongkut Institute of Technology’s Lat Krabang campus and the Victory Monument without any problem for about two years until recently when several of them were arrested for allegedly operating on route different from the one they were allowed.

He claimed that they had paid the controller whom they did not identify 300,000 baht for each van for the right to operate on Route 156 plus 5,400 baht a month for parking fee and another 180 baht daily fee which is charged whether they operate their vans or not.

Nathee said the controller initially promised to arrange for the documentation to legalise their operations on the route but, lately, informed them that he could not make the arrangement and that they should return to their previous route.

The driver, said Nathee, felt that they were cheated by the controller and, therefore, wanted to seek justice and help from the military.

Sub-Lt Nimit Chancharn, the platoon leader based at Suvarnabhumi international airport, told the van drivers that he would summon the controller for talk to settle the dispute at Charakhae Noi police station.

The officer said the controller acted like a criminal influential figure and that he would report the matter to his immediate superior.

Passenger van drivers seek military help - Thai PBS English News

[Neverna]

Wow. 35 drivers. Half a million baht each over 2 years. Nice little earner for someone.

[Bettyboo]

Traditionally, the minivan routes, especially in places like Victory Monument, were controlled by the military mafia.

[terry57]

^^

Huge money huh.

[Maanaam]

Traditionally, the minivan routes, especially in places like Victory Monument, were controlled by the military mafia.

This comptroller might be a cop or under a cop's protection since the drivers went to the army and not the police.

It's quite disturbing when soldiers have apparent civil justice powers when there is no martial law in force.
Or is it still in force? Officially, I mean.

[terry57]

^

As long as someone is doing something about these " Mafia, rogue Cops" ? it's all good innit.

Everyday another story comes out where these stand-over merchants are getting sorted by the Junta.

Great stuff I recon.

[Seekingasylum]

Err, Terry, the "mafia" is the status quo..........