Taxi drivers stuck in reverse

News > Investigative Report

The government's plans to increase the cost of compressed natural gas has transport operators up in arms and could weaken its support base among cabbies wooed by Thaksin

Published: 15/01/2012 at 03:11 AM
Newspaper section: Spectrum

Earlier this month, the government reached a compromise to increase the price of compressed natural gas (CNG) by just 50 satang per kilogramme starting tomorrow. In a concession to angry transport operators, Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong dropped the original plan to increase the price of CNG _ more commonly known known as NGV (natural gas for vehicles) _ at the rate of 50 satang a month for 12 months until it reached 14.50 baht a kilogramme. Mr Kittiratt has promised further consultation with the transport sector in the next few weeks before deciding whether there will be further CNG price hikes.

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT: Vitoon Naewpanit, chairman of the Thai Transport Association.

But for struggling taxi drivers trying to survive on a day-to-day basis it's a simple numbers game.

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About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

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falangsur
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Discussion 15 : 15/01/2012 at 11:24 PM15
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75,000 taxis!! In New York City there are just under 13,300 metered taxis. Anyone want to guess one major reason for traffic congestion in Bangkok?!? We need fewer cabs - higher charges for a medallion type system to raise money - some of which goes to upgrading buses and trains - and really try to fix things. Of course taxi mafias will never allow this......
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jwagner
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Discussion 14 : 15/01/2012 at 07:54 PM14
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Go ahead and raise the meter prices. The poor people can continue riding the bus and the middle class can pay a little extra.
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heartie
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Discussion 13 : 15/01/2012 at 05:56 PM13
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For anyone who travels extensively (year-after-year) as I do, you know that the problems with Thai taxis are minor by comparison to other taxis around the world. Don't believe me? Try the taxis in Vietnam or Bahrain. Better yet, try the expensive taxis in Japan on for size. Or the old smelly ones in Malaysia (for a higher price and rude experience). I can go on and on. It's the tuk-tuk drivers who deserve the worst criticism in Thailand for their constant hounding and high prices. By contrast, 90% of the time, I'm happy with the Thai cabbies' service, cars and overall experience!
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amerman
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Discussion 12 : 15/01/2012 at 05:14 PM12
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You wonder why Taxies refuse to take a customer somewhere and you see them just driving around making the traffic worse or many places they just sit and talk with friends all day? Its this way. It cost Aprox. 400bt to fill up a taxie LPG tank. The make aprox 2000 bt per tank. On one tank you can drive from Rangsit to Pattaya and back easy. The guys are making good money. The problem I see is there are too many taxies. Like most services in Thailand there seems no control of the companies. Raise the price of LPG just might make them work a little harder in the future. Then again maybe not.
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dao
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Discussion 11 : 15/01/2012 at 02:37 PM11
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Taxis used to run on gas before now they run at a fraction of the cost on NGV .That is why their fees havent gone up .
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airborne
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Discussion 10 : 15/01/2012 at 11:25 AM10
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This is a fine example of how the boss treats his friends. Red shirts and their falang sympathizers take notice.
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bubbs
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Discussion 9 : 15/01/2012 at 11:07 AM9
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Disc's 3,5 & 7. I use taxi's frequently and in general the service is fine, yes sometimes the cabs are a bit shabby.
Try a taxi in Shanghai or Shenzhen and see what dirt is like.
As for poor rude and cheating drivers yes in the 16 years I have been here I have come across some less than 1%. I just smile and get on with it, there are always other cars
When I see a fee of around 140 Baht for a 20 km trip it makes me think how much would this have been in London
Some people just complain for the sake of it and their generalisations are pathetic
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Ian Wensor
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Discussion 8 : 15/01/2012 at 10:48 AM8
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I may be wrong but when reading news items like this, I come to the conclusion that the Government has a secret agenda in that it's hell bent on making it economically necessary for people to rort the system which will further discourage tourism, ultimately bring Thailand to it's knees and thus pave the way for the likes of Thaksin to get his foot back in the door - Death takes small bites.
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tobi

Discussion 7 : 15/01/2012 at 10:46 AM7
thai taxi drivers tend to complain alot and the cheap service we get offered has also resulted in the most selfish drivers that will refuse every inconvenient trip. try to go somewhere other than the center of bkk and you will most likely spend hours hunting down the last decent driver who is willing to offer his service.
the whole system needs a good makeover, take south korea, fares are approximately double the price of thai cabs, but they hardly ever refuse and the cars are in mint condition with sat nav, etc.
from iPhone application.
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hawaiiman
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Discussion 6 : 15/01/2012 at 10:36 AM6
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If Thailand subsidizes CNG, private car owners are encouraged to convert away from petrol. Cleaner air is the result. Not a bad thing.
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