The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has banned a taxi driver who attempted to overcharge customers at Suvarnabhumi airport on Wednesday.
Patchara Pornyuthapong, executive vice president of Suvarnabhumi airport which is under the supervision of the AoT, said on Frida the airport has temporarily banned Niwat Rangkitchaya who tried to cheat customers at the airport.
He was prohibited from providing taxi services at the airport from Thursday.
His case was also referred to the Department of Land Transport which is authorised to suspend or revoke a driver's licence and to consider punitive action against taxi drivers, she said.
The move came after four customers, whose names were not given, accused Mr Niwat of trying to overcharge them on the airport surcharge at three times the normal 50-baht rate after they hailed his taxi outside Suvarnabhumi airport's Terminal 1 on Wednesday.
They asked Mr Niwat to drop them off in the Pracha Uthit area, but as they were about to get into the vehicle, the driver bumped up the fare, telling them they had a lot of luggage.
The passengers then filed a complaint with airport authorities.
Mr Niwat later admitted he attempted to overcharge but relented when the customers refused to pay. However, the four went to the authorities and complained.
The incident later went viral on social media, drawing huge criticism from the public, prompting the AoT to take action.
Ms Patchara insisted the airport imposes strict rules on taxi drivers at the airport. Aside from the airport surcharge, customers are charged by the meter.
Action has been taken against taxi drivers who failed to comply with the regulations in the past. They face temporary or permanent bans at the airport.
The airport authorities have also made it a point to address individual problems related to the quality of taxi services and drivers' conduct, according to Ms Patchara.
She said taxis providing services at the airport must be registered with authorities. The registration data makes tracing drivers easier while there are officials stationed at or near taxi ranks to check on drivers and provide assistance to customers.
She also suggested customers keep taxi queue tickets issued by the airport as evidence in the event they are cheated or lose their belongings.