Bangkok: Crackdown on unruly taxi drivers begins

Authorities kicked off their campaign to get tough on unruly taxi drivers Wednesday, including those who refuse to use meters and turn away passengers. 

Col Wirat Wongchan, deputy commander of the 11th Military Circle, said the military unit, the Land Transport Department (LTD), the Royal Thai Police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and other agencies concerned are working together to inspect taxi services in a bid to boost convenience and safety for passengers.

The move is in line with National Council for Peace and Order policy, he said, adding that police, army and other officials will perform strict driver checks.

According to Col Wirat, both uniformed and plainclothes officers will focus on eight key spots — Future Park Rangsit, Yaowarat, Mo Chit bus station, CentralWorld, MBK, Platinum Fashion Mall in Pratunam, Wat Phra Kaeo and Soi Nana.

Officers, will also inspect taxis in front of other shopping malls, community areas, heavy traffic zones and bus terminals.

LTD chief Asdsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket said drivers will be checked to ensure they have proper licences.

Drivers must not refuse to take passengers and are obliged to use the meter during the journey and wear appropriate attire, he said.

Violators could face a fine of 1,000 baht, or risk having their taxi driving licences revoked. Operators of taxi services could also be held accountable for any offences.

"The deployment [of officers] to carry out inspections will be intense over the next two or three days," Mr Asdsathai said.

Also targeted are drivers who reject Thai passengers in favour of foreigners, whom they rip off by refusing to use the meter and taking longer routes to destinations.

"These practices must be stopped, as they cause trouble for the public and affect the country's image among foreign tourists," the LTD chief said.

He said the LTD will launch a special training programme for taxi drivers on Aug 30 for those who do not yet have proper licences.

Drivers can then submit the training certificate and sit an exam if they want to obtain taxi licences, he said.

According to Mr Asdsathai, 10-20% of 160,000 taxi drivers still do not have the correct licences.

The LTD also urged taxi garages to deliver records of taxi drivers and contact numbers to the agency quickly, or be prepared to face the consequences for failing to cooperate.

A total of 23,753 complaints about cab drivers were made via the call centre number 1584 between October and July.

Common complaints include drivers rejecting passengers, using bad language, failing to take passengers to their destinations, reckless driving and refusing to use the meter.

A total of 14,865 drivers were summoned to report to authorities; 32 licences were suspended and one revoked.

Source: Bangkok Post