Thailand’s taxi troubles: Tourists slam overpriced rides and shoddy service

Thailand‘s taxi services have received a poor rating in a recent survey conducted by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), with foreign tourists slamming the country’s taxis for overpriced fares and shoddy service. The survey, which was conducted on 200 foreign tourists during the final quarter of 2022, showed a rating of just 3.5 out of 5 for taxi services in the country.

One tourist said…

“Drivers would only agree to provide service at an agreed price without using the meter, resulting in tourists having to pay more money.”

This is a common frustration for visitors to Thailand, who feel like they are being taken advantage of by taxi drivers.

TCT President Chamnan Srisawat has advised the government to work with private taxi companies to offer transport services that guarantee equal fares using the meter. If these new services become popular, traditional taxis will face competition, leading to better service and fairer treatment for all taxi customers.

The TCT also suggested the government allocate more budget to tourist destinations for public works, such as better waste management and environmental preservation. The TCT suggested that capacity restrictions be implemented to reduce overcrowding and provide guests with a better experience at tourist attractions.

According to the survey, 98% of tourists visited Thailand for leisure, with the majority choosing Bangkok and Phuket as their destinations. Tourists spend an average of 1,000-3,000 baht per night on accommodation and stay for an average of two weeks per trip.

Taxi drivers ripping off their customers is an age-old custom in Thailand. Drivers are well aware of fines and suspension threats by the government but they shrug and refuse to use a meter even if a passenger threatens to report them. They believe foreigners or tourists won’t follow up with their threats.

Thailand remains a popular destination for tourists but the country needs to address the issues of overpriced taxi fares and inadequate waste management if it wants to maintain its reputation as a top tourist destination.

Complaints can be filed with the department’s Public Passenger Protection Centre hotline at 1584, and with the Traffic Police 1197 hotline.