Transport officials are considering increasing taxi surcharges to 60 baht for sedans and 90 baht for vans at Suvarnabhumi airport, but are likely to reject pleas from cab drivers to charge extra for baggage or to use flat rates, said a source.
Drivers of so-called "taxi vans" believe they should receive higher fares for carrying more suitcases and passengers than standard-sized taxis.
The deliberations follow threats from the drivers of five-door van taxis at the airport to strike if the authorities refuse to raise fares.
They say the current 50-baht fee is not enough to cover the higher fuel bills associated with larger engines.
If Transport Minister Prajin Juntong backs the measure, the surcharge increase would be on top of meter-based fare rate hikes approved in December.
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Patthawi Mirat, who represents the drivers, said his group proposed a new surcharge of between 140 and 150 baht, but the final figure would be up to ACM Prajin and transport executives.
ACM Prajin declined yesterday to say what he would do, saying a meeting of transport executives yesterday did not reach a conclusion. "We need to consider the issue further," he said.
He and other executives would meet again next week.
He said authorities are considering the drivers' call to charge passengers with extra luggage, which add weight and lead to more fuel consumption.
They also weighed the idea of flat rates, which drivers say would help cover fuel costs for long journeys better than meter-based fares do.
ACM Prajin said he and his team are not rushing to decisions about the baggage fees, saying further talks with state and private stakeholders, as well as passengers, are necessary.
A Transport Ministry source, however, said the executives are likely not to approve the extra luggage fee because the surcharge increase would already help the drivers.
Meanwhile, the Land Transport Department, which enforces legal meter usage, was unlikely to accept a proposal that the drivers be allowed to switch off meters and offer a flat rate to passengers.
In the department's view, charging by the meter is more widely accepted internationally, the source said.
A driver who recently cheated a Japanese traveller at Suvarnabhumi airport by allegedly starting the fare at 75 baht instead of 35 baht has been banned from picking up passengers at the airport, its director Praphon Patthamakitsakun said.