New 'protection' for motorbike taxis

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New 'protection' for motorbike taxis

Published: 30/01/2012 at 06:30 PM
Online news: Transport

A son of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, Wan, will be assigned to coordinate with police to protect motorcycle taxi operators from extortion, Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said on Monday.

Mr Charupong said this after about 150 representatives of motorcycle taxis in Bangkok and nearby provinces filed a petition complaining they were being extorted by police and military officers demanding protection money.

Wan Yubamrung (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

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fundeena
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Discussion 13 : 31/01/2012 at 06:54 AM13
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Interesting that Deputy PM Chalerm does not call for an investigation into allegations that police and military are engaged in extortion.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 12 : 31/01/2012 at 06:47 AM12
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I guess his conversations with the motorcycle drivers will go similar to this: “Do you know who my father is? […] How much do you pay? […] And remember who my father is!”
I guess together with his father he is the perfect example of what we can expect from the PT government. Thanks, red-shirts, for voting for them.
P.S.: Great picture!
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fundeena
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Discussion 11 : 31/01/2012 at 06:44 AM11
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Mr Chalerm's son is qualified for the position just as T's sister is qualified, I'm sure.
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ronald
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Discussion 10 : 31/01/2012 at 12:09 AM10
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abbub, disc9. There have been no families that have had son's,brothers,sisters,etc. at same time in the UK Parlaiment for 200 years. In US, yes clans like Kennedy's & later Bush's and Clintons. In India,Pakistan,Philippines,etc., same families swop control in present time. I don't think Disc5, kasper was meaning PT, or any party, but the general Thai system. You accept that a few families control all Thai people & follow like sheep?
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abbub
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Discussion 9 : 30/01/2012 at 10:50 PM9
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KASPER D5: This happens almost everywhere, and is use more disguised in Europe or the US. Look though at the current land scandal at Khao Peng mountain. The officials refuse to force Tan Thaugsuban who is alleged to have obtained the land deeds illegally, to return the deeds.

Tan Thaugsuban is no other than the son of former DPM Suthep! This man himself was largely responsible for bringing down a government in 1992.

At that time Suthep was agriculture minister and responsible for distributing vast lands to farmers in Pukhet. It became a scandal when he was discovered to have partially distributed that land to 11 wealthy families.

In 2009 for another dubious affair he was barred as an MP but allowed, through legal loopholes to retain the office of deputy PM.

Political family affairs are the norm in Thailand, not exclusive to PTP politicians. Land acquisition seems to be a specialty of Khun Suthep and kin.
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canuck
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Discussion 8 : 30/01/2012 at 09:58 PM8
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Is he going to do anything about how the Tuk Tuk, Motorcycle taxi and taxi drivers rip off the farang. I am sick of the Mafia taxi drivers waiting to rip me off as I leave the customs area at the airport. Security doesn't even try to stop them. They should be arrested the like scam artists that they are. This is not good for Thailand's Tourist trade.
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bkk1
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Discussion 7 : 30/01/2012 at 08:36 PM7
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This is the Thai way of life no matter who son will look into this it will never stop we should be looking at keep them on the road and off the foot parth where we all try to walk with out gettingran over by the mob taxi gangs thats why they pay the police so they break the law and get away with it
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abbub
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Discussion 6 : 30/01/2012 at 08:18 PM6
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From what i know it is often the police themselves accused of extorting money from these moto taxi drivers. I have even heard there are station set up by the police exclusively for their favorites.
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kasper
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Discussion 5 : 30/01/2012 at 07:45 PM5
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You know you are in a 3rd world country when ministers and MPs hire their whole family as advisors :-)
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The Dark Side
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Discussion 4 : 30/01/2012 at 06:56 PM4
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He is only going to charge 50% of what they are now being forced to pay. Look at the life of this family they are easy to find on the internet. Why are any of them not in jail?
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