Motorcycle taxis saddled with problems

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Motorcycle taxis saddled with problems

Published: 9/02/2012 at 02:53 AM
Newspaper section: Life

Motorcycle taxi drivers have had to contend with extortion gangs for as long as we have had this convenient mode of transport shuttle us around to beat the city's horrendous traffic jams.

With greater demand for their service has come an avalanche of stands across Bangkok. And with this, the unsolicited attention of criminal minds looking to prey on the daily wages of hard-working drivers.

Past governments have worked to address this pressing social evil but to little avail. In my opinion, the latest call to revamp the registration and licensing process for motorcycle taxis to tackle exacerbated extortion will only scratch the surface of the problem.

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About the author

: Writer: Yvonne Bohwongprasert; Position: Reporter

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Discussion 1 : 09/02/2012 at 09:43 AM1
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There is one simple way to reduce this method of corruption. Simply put a meter on every motorcycle, do away with the fixed queue system, and allow the drivers to roam around the city and pick up passengers similar to conventional taxis. It is difficult to demand tea money from a transient force, and the extortionists are hardly interested in stopping the drivers and collecting their tea money one by one.

There will still be pockets of extortion, just as there is in the conventional taxi force, but for the most part this will solve the problem. Furthermore, almost all drivers would be excited at this proposal. So why is this concept being ignored? I do not believe it is far off the mark to suggest that people of influence stand to lose a bundle if this problem really is controlled. They want a solution for show, not one that truly helps the community and the drivers.
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Motorcycle taxis saddled with problems | Bangkok Post: opinion