The director of the Pattaya Baht Bus Cooperative said that taxi fares from the North Pattaya bus terminal to Beach Road have not increased and that a trip to Walking Street remains 20 baht.
Tawatch Fuekboonak confirmed the 20-baht fare to Pattaya and 30-baht to Jomtien Beach Road July 9 following a letter to Pattaya Mail editor that alleged drivers at the Rung Ruang terminal on North Road were now demanding 50 baht for any destination on Beach Road.
Tawatch said the only case in which fares are 50 baht are higher are when passengers negotiate directly with drivers to be taken to off-route hotels and destinations.
Tawatch Fuekboonak, director of the Pattaya Baht Bus Cooperative, confirmed that bus fares are 20-baht to Pattaya and 30-baht to Jomtien Beach Road from the bus station in North Pattaya.
Kithipong Limjitaworn, a baht bus driver who said he has been working the bus station for five years, said he other drivers he knows still charge 20 baht. Only special requests cost more and are negotiated between passenger and driver.
In any case, Tawatch asserted, “The fares concerned cannot be described as expensive whatsoever. Because of the current economy, gas prices and daily expenses, (the fares) are fair for both parties.”
He noted that regular baht buses still charge just 10 baht for set routes.
Tawatch urged anyone finding drivers charging more to write down the truck number and contact the Pattaya Baht Bus Cooperative at 038-423-554. Drivers can be fined 500-2,000 baht and referred to the Department of Land Transport for sanctions.
