Ekkamai taxi driver demands 400 baht for 10-minute ride

A heated encounter unfolded in the Ekkamai area of Bangkok when a taxi driver charged a passenger an exorbitant fare of 400 baht for a 10-minute ride without using the meter. The incident, captured on TikTok sparked a public outcry.

The passenger, who had been enjoying a rare trip to Ekkamai, was shocked to discover that the driver demanded a flat rate instead of using the meter. Upon questioning the fare, she was met with a hostile response from the driver in the middle of a busy street. In the video, she claims that officials seem to turn a blind eye to this issue.

“Everyone in the country knows but the authorities never seem to. It’s like nowhere is meant for Thai people anymore. If this continues, people are going to suffer. Can the relevant authorities please address this issue?”

In the clip, she narrates her experience, saying,

“I was in Ekkamai for a visit after many years and noticed that only about 20% of the people here are Thai, the rest are foreigners. I was just out for a normal day and decided to hail a taxi to a nearby restaurant. The ride took only 10 minutes, yet the driver charged me 400 baht.

When I asked why it was so expensive and if there was no meter, he shouted at me in front of many people saying, ‘There are no meters here!’”

The incident has brought to light the ongoing issues with taxi services in Bangkok, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Ekkamai. It raises concerns about the enforcement of regulations requiring taxis to use meters and the protection of passengers from being overcharged.

The passenger’s plea for intervention highlights a broader issue faced by locals and tourists alike. The expectation is that taxis should adhere to the law and provide transparent pricing, ensuring that both locals and visitors can travel without fear of being exploited.