Baht buses are once again in the news, even though basically nothing has changed since the last time they were making headlines.
The most recent complaints come from alleged overcharging during a recent beauty contest. Organizers, media and even beauty contestants were allegedly charged much more than the standard, written fare.
The matter was brought up at the Feb. 8 Pattaya Business & Tourism Association meeting at the Green Park Hotel in North Pattaya, where once again members wanted authorities to urgently resolve these kinds of issues in order to better the city’s tourism image.
Tawat Puakbunnak, president of the Pattaya Transport Cooperative.
Tawat Puakbunnak, president of the Pattaya Transport Cooperative, answered the charges by saying that the co-op has a car ply normal baht bus routes to see if anything nefarious is going on, such as arguments between tourists and baht bus drivers, and/or tourists being dropped off half way to their destination. He didn’t elaborate on how they would be able to recognize the latter, but did say that if passengers feel cheated, they should record the white letters on side of the baht bus and on the floor of the passenger space, or its license plate, and report this to the Pattaya Transport Cooperative office, at 144/37 Moo 4 Pattaya-Naklua Road, Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi; or phone 081-9838-716, 038-423-554. He said the office would investigate the driver and, if necessary, dole out punishment.
Tawat then went on to outline the company’s discipline procedures. “If the information reported by the passenger or tourists turns out to be true after investigation, the Pattaya Transport Cooperative will warn the driver and he will be fined from 500-2,000 baht. There will be a report filed at the Provincial Land Transport office and if there are repetitions or violence against passengers or tourists, the drivers will be fined, and his public transportation permit will be terminated permanently. If further investigation reveals criminal actions, he will face legal actions.
“The Pattaya Transport Cooperative’s board committee is currently in discussions with the Pattaya Land Transport office to outline disciplinary measures. The measures are expected to be finalized within 4-5 months,” Tawat concluded.
Before the meeting concluded, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh brought up another matter regarding baht buses. “Pattaya roads have limited lanes leading to tight traffic; a major complaint made by citizens and tourists to Pattaya City is that of baht buses not parking in an orderly manner. Many drivers park their buses and wait for passengers at important tourism spots, such as Walking Street, causing traffic snarls.”
He suggested that, “…Since the city will remove beach-bus signs on Pattaya 2nd & 3rd roads, Sukhumvit Road and the road to Jomtien Beach, as their rental contract with Pattaya City is over, these spots should instead be used as designated baht bus stops for picking up and dropping off passengers, creating a more disciplined commute and better safety for the passengers and tourists.”
