During the Thaifex international trade expo, taxi drivers operating at the Muang Thong Thani convention center have drawn harsh criticism on social media. They have been overcharging customers, turning away Thai customers and refusing to use their meters for both Thai and foreign passengers.
For a trip from Muang Thong Thani to the Silom or Sukhumvit neighborhoods, some of the drivers have demanded up to 5,000 baht.
When a Thai passenger tried to hail a taxi to take him from a parking lot at Muang Thong Thani to the location of the trade fair, a distance of about one kilometer. He was asked to pay 300 baht and the driver refused to use the meter, according to Pakpoom. One of those who posted on social media about the actions of the cabbies. Pakpoom added that many passengers used the motorcycle taxi service in place of the taxi service.
A Thai PBS news crew went to Muang Thong Thani to look into the claims and found that they were accurate. While waiting to pick up foreign passengers, some cab drivers did not turn on the “unoccupied” light in an effort to overcharge them for trips back to the inner city.
The management of Muang Thong Thani acknowledged to Thai PBS that taxi drivers take advantage of patrons, particularly foreigners, every time a significant event is held at the exhibition venue by refusing to use their meters and demanding extortionate fees for trips into the city, charging up to 5,000 baht one way.
According to a management official, the Land Transport Department and the police will be asked to deploy personnel at the location to crack down on dishonest taxi drivers.
According to a Land Transport Department representative, travelers who were victimized by cabbie extortion or who encountered cabbies who refused to utilize meters can report these incidents by calling the department’s 1584 hotline.
It is up to the passenger to accept or reject the fare demanded from foreigners from whom exorbitant fares are demanded, according to the manager in charge of managing public transportation services at the venue, who stated that his staff is prepared to inform passengers about taxi fares.
A punishment of up to 2,000 Baht is imposed for failing to use meters or overcharging customers.
