BANGKOK, 23 April 2015, The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has stepped up measures against taxi drivers who tamper with or refuse to use their taximeters, as well as drivers who abandon their passengers.
DLT Director-General Theerapong Rodprasert explained that the department’s decision to impose heavier penalties was prompted by a need to safeguard passengers and their property. He added that taxi misconduct has been damaging the reputation of the country.
Mr. Theerapong said that serious taximeter violations or failure to ensure the safety of a taxi’s passengers and their property would result in the suspension or withdrawal of the driver’s license, even on the first offense.
As for minor violations, Director-General Theerapong said the department employs three-strike penalties. A first offense will result in a fine of 1,000 baht and the driver must attend an attitude adjustment course. A second offense will result in the same fine, as well as a one-month suspension of the driver’s license. The third offense results in the same fine, as well as a one-year suspension.
However, if all three strikes are committed within a 30-day period, the taxi driver will have his or her license revoked immediately.
The Director-General said recently there were three taxi drivers punished on second offenses. Authorities received reports that they abandoned their passengers after picking them up from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and demanding a flat rate instead of using the taximeter.
Since imposing harsher punishments, the DLT has suspended 120 taxi licenses, while two drivers had their licenses revoked.
