Cabbies say 'no' to service refusal

Published: 1 Jan 2013 at 17.43
Online news:

More than 2,000 taxi drivers in Bangkok have pledged not to refuse service to passengers by choosing who to take or where to go.

The drivers made their promise on Tuesday as part of a campaign called “Taxi Jai Dee” (jai dee in Thai means kind, good hearted) initiated by the Royal Thai Police.

The campaign, which started Tuesday and will finish at the end of the 2014 New Year holiday week, was launched at Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) where deputy national police chief Ruangsak Jaritek signed a commitment with Julie Sawangarun, president of Taxi Thai, Hua Jai Inter Club, representatives from the Taxi Drivers Association of Thailand and Wutthichart Kalayanamitr, managing director of The Transport Co.

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jgriff
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Discussion 17 : 02 Jan 2013 at 03.2417
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Says alot about a country when you have to do this with taxi drivers. Taxi drivers are just a start. Jet skis come to mind for one example.
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Spammeplez
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Discussion 16 : 02 Jan 2013 at 00.4716
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I was just in Thailand for the past month. My experience is at least 70% or more of the taxi drivers wanted a set price or refused service. Taxi drivers are certainly one of the most annoying things about Thailand.
I am a tourist, I look like a tourist and I was in tourist areas when I experienced this type of dishonesty. I come back every year since I love the Thai people and society. But many of the taxi drivers are so unThai. I'm sure its a reflection of who they service.
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Luetzow
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Discussion 15 : 01 Jan 2013 at 22.4615
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Nice idea but pretty useless. Mor chit Bus station has already taxi drivers who will go pretty much anywhere. They will go through lots of traffic and wait in line wich would not make them refuse a customer. Ive never seen a customer refused there.

I live in nonthaburi and have in 2 years or more never had a single driver here even attempt to not use the meter.

It is a specific attitude of taxi drivers who decide to vulture around in tourist areas. There is the big problem and there is where the problem should be tackled and not in places where the problem is very minimal or non existent already.
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rva
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Discussion 14 : 01 Jan 2013 at 22.1814
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D13: I have never had that happen to me, nor have I ever heard that from anyone else until now. Maybe this is something that only happens to you?
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patchar
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Discussion 13 : 01 Jan 2013 at 21.5413
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Yes, I've met some taxi drivers who are not rude but still wants you to pay more than what should come out in the taxi metered. And usually, they will not wait for the costumers to give them tips, they will asked immediately as if it's a required thing. Other countries don't do that, only in Thailand. I don't know if we consider that as begging.
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rva
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Discussion 12 : 01 Jan 2013 at 21.4512
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D10 Bangna: My sentiments exactly. It can be frustrating for me also to get denied a taxi ride, but it is very rare that this happens. And then I can just hail the next taxi that comes by (ten seconds later). Most drivers are very friendly and I've had some of the most hilarious conversations with them in both Thai and English.

What puzzles me about the drivers who deny rides though, they drive around half the day with in an empty cab. So long as they have a passenger in their car, they are making money. If they are driving around the city anyway, might as well keep the meter running, no matter the distance.
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gleentea
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Discussion 11 : 01 Jan 2013 at 20.5211
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felixqui,

Fail.
Are restaurants part of public transportation? When you open a restaurant, is there any law that says you must serve everyone without exception?
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bangna63
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Discussion 10 : 01 Jan 2013 at 20.3510
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I have been in Thailand 12 years now, and pro rata my Thai is very poor, outrageously poor in fact. However, the first couple of months apart, I have never experienced this problem. A few basic word of Thai so he knows you are not a tourist and I have had few problems.

A lot of it has to do with attitude and demenour.If you are polite and respectful, it is difficult for a Thai to say no. Just my 10 cents based on living and working here and with a Thai family, one of whom, is a .......taxi driver.......
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 9 : 01 Jan 2013 at 20.019
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A deputy national police chief signs an agreement with taxi organizations which basically says that 2,000 out of 100,000 or so taxi drivers will follow the law. Was it not just a month or two ago that the police promised us they will fine any taxi driver who refuses a fare? How many drivers did they fine? Or couldn’t they find any bad driver? Maybe they should look in front of any good hotel or well-known entertainment areas.
Again, it would be good if the police would enforce the laws from time to time. How about law enforcement once a week for a start – that would be already big progress.
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barryw
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Discussion 8 : 01 Jan 2013 at 19.558
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How nice of them to agree to obey the law! But why is it only at three locations and only for a year? Last week a taxi driver told my wife he wanted to "smash the farangs face" because I wouldn't get out of the taxi when he refused to go where I wanted. A nice way to treat 'guests' to the country.
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