Foreign couple exposed for repeated taxi fare scams in Phuket
A foreign couple in Phuket allegedly attempted to avoid paying a taxi fare yesterday, February 3, but ultimately paid after the driver threatened them with legal action.
The female Thai taxi driver took to social media to warn other drivers to be cautious of the foreign couple. The Phuket Times also shared her story to alert taxi drivers working mainly in tourist areas.
The taxi driver explained that the total fare was 150 baht but the foreign couple paid her 100 baht, prompting her to demand the remaining 50 baht. The foreigners claimed they only had 100 baht and pleaded with the driver to take pity on them and give them a discount.
However, the taxi driver refused and asked to see the couple’s wallets. She stated that their wallets were packed with 100-baht and 1,000-baht banknotes. They had more than enough to pay the fare but lied to her.
After that, the couple changed their story, claiming they had given the driver a 1,000-baht banknote instead of a 100-baht bill. The driver, confident in her memory, showed them the cash she had received, proving she had not been given a 1,000-baht note.
According to the taxi driver, she and the foreign couple argued for some time until she threatened to call the police, at which point the couple paid the rest of the fare.
More victims surface
The driver expressed her disbelief at having to argue with passengers over a mere 50 baht but insisted she wanted to defend her rights.
Based on comments from netizens, this female taxi driver was not the first victim of this foreign couple. A Thai man shared that the couple booked a taxi to Chalong Pier a few days earlier and refused to pay the fare. They even laughed at the taxi driver before running away.
Another Thai woman recounted a similar incident in which the couple paid her service fee with a 500-baht banknote but later claimed they had given her a 1,000-baht bill and demanded their change. She had to call the police to resolve the dispute.
In a related case involving a foreign couple in Phuket, a Thai restaurant owner took to social media to warn about a Russian couple who repeatedly dined and dashed, seeking free meals from various restaurants in the province.
As of now, no legal action has been reported against either foreign couple.
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