Phuket
Raid nets six rigged metered-taxi drivers

PHUKET: Six metered-taxi drivers were caught and charged for using tampered meters in a swoop initiated by the Phuket Land Transport Office on Friday.
“We mounted the raid after many complaints were filed by both tourists and locals about high fares being charged for metered taxis in Phuket,” said Phuket Land Transport Office [PLTO] Chief Teerayout Prasertphol.
The six drivers were fined 2,000 baht each for replacing the meters that they had registered with PLTO.
“The starting fare is normally 50 baht, increasing by 12 baht increments per kilometer. However, these meters were clocking up higher fares than that,” Mr Teerayout said.
“Many people ask why we don’t check taxis at the airport, but we can’t, as the taxis have yet to start a trip there. The route to Patong is the best spot to catch them.”
PLTO officers said they will continue to focus on the problem and execute more raids in the future.
Despite complaints about high taxi rates, Mr Teerayout told the Phuket Gazette that fares would not be reduced in Phuket.
“The standard fare will be maintained. However, we will work hard to deal with taxi fraudsters who increase fares,” said Mr Teerayout.
In light of the current raids, Governor Nisit Jansomwong will be issuing a press release next week about the upcoming launch of the mobile phone application GrabTaxi that he tabled earlier this month (story here).
“I think the GrabTaxi app will help improve the taxi system in Phuket. Since the customers and the drivers will be dealing with each other through an app, less fraud will occur,” Mr Teerayout added.
— Kongleaphy Keam
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

-
Pattaya3 days ago
Foreign sex pest caught assaulting Thai beauty contestant
-
Business2 days ago
Thai Airways has sold 11 of its old aircraft, 26 to go
-
Patong2 hours ago
UPDATE: 19 year old Australian falls to his death at a Phuket hotel
-
Patong1 day ago
19 year old Australian falls to his death at a Phuket hotel
-
Crime2 days ago
More than 100 foreigners in Phuket swindled by visa agency
-
Expats1 day ago
Norwegian man stabs himself in Pattaya hotel
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Thai health chief received special drug due to obesity, not privilege
-
Crime3 days ago
Thai man jailed for rape in London massage parlour
You must be logged in to post a comment Login