The Professional Association of Public Taxi Motorists has asked the Transport Ministry for permission to increase the starting fare rate at Mo Chit 2 bus station to 50 baht while urging it to solve the problem of illegal taxis.

The problem of "mafia" taxis at Mo Chit 2, which has caused difficulties for legally registered taxis and for passengers, has been going on for decades, said the association's president.

No policy has solved such problems, he said, leading Mo Chit 2 to be taken over by non-registered taxis and private vehicles providing illegal taxi services.

These taxis and vehicles, he said, charge fixed fares that are higher than the legal limit.

The association recently surveyed 1,000 passengers between March 1 and 13, asking if they would approve of its plan to increase the starting taxi fare at Mo Chit 2 from 40 baht to 50 baht, to encourage more taxi drivers to queue up at the bus terminal to reduce the passengers' long waits for taxis.

Some 99% of the passengers said they would agree with the higher price in exchange for better service.