PHUKET: A taxi driver in Bangkok who breached airport rules has been sentenced to five years' jail as officials continue to plan a makeover of the entire Phuket taxi system.
Driver Somwang Pumrung received the five-year term today after telling a court in Samutprakarn that he had breached regulations by entering Suvarnabhumi International Airport in search of customers more than 200 times.
Because he has children aged 12 and 10 months, the driver's jail term was commuted to a good behavior bond. He will be banned from driving a cab for five years and an electronic anklet will trace his movements for at least three months.
On Phuket, taxi drivers have frequently been caught inside the airport and some have even pestered passengers before they have been able to collect their baggage.
The taxi collection system at Phuket International Airport is likely to be modified to create orderly queues as at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports before the new international terminal opens on Phuket next year.
Plans to force taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in Phuket's Kata-Karon district to adopt a call-in system have slowed with local authorities appearing as reluctant as drivers to adapt.
Resorts mostly have no desire to bring the drivers in-house. Phuket is possibly the only holiday destination in Southeast Asia where taxi driver charge passengers for the return journey back to base, empty.
The Army's involvement in a task force following the May 22 military coup enabled local police and authorities to make a string of arrests for intimidation and extortion.
There's a strong push for the introduction of more meter cabs and islandwide pickups by all cabs. However, no signs have come in Patong or at the airport yet that the taxi drivers are preparing to change the obsolete Phuket system.
Driver Somwang Pumrung received the five-year term today after telling a court in Samutprakarn that he had breached regulations by entering Suvarnabhumi International Airport in search of customers more than 200 times.
Because he has children aged 12 and 10 months, the driver's jail term was commuted to a good behavior bond. He will be banned from driving a cab for five years and an electronic anklet will trace his movements for at least three months.
On Phuket, taxi drivers have frequently been caught inside the airport and some have even pestered passengers before they have been able to collect their baggage.
The taxi collection system at Phuket International Airport is likely to be modified to create orderly queues as at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports before the new international terminal opens on Phuket next year.
Plans to force taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in Phuket's Kata-Karon district to adopt a call-in system have slowed with local authorities appearing as reluctant as drivers to adapt.
Resorts mostly have no desire to bring the drivers in-house. Phuket is possibly the only holiday destination in Southeast Asia where taxi driver charge passengers for the return journey back to base, empty.
The Army's involvement in a task force following the May 22 military coup enabled local police and authorities to make a string of arrests for intimidation and extortion.
There's a strong push for the introduction of more meter cabs and islandwide pickups by all cabs. However, no signs have come in Patong or at the airport yet that the taxi drivers are preparing to change the obsolete Phuket system.
Not that these are often followed, but there are special laws for taxi drivers in Thailand.
Thai Traffic Act 2522
Title 12: Taxis
Section 93 (1000B)
Driver of a taxi shall not refuse to accept employment to convey passengers, except when such conveyance is likely to cause danger to himself or the passengers.
In the event of the driver of a taxi does not wish to be employed to convey passengers, a placard shall be displayed.
The manner of the display and the characteristics of the said placard shall be in accordance with the law on automobiles.
Section 94 (1000B)
Driver of a taxi shall not convey passengers in the number exceeding that prescribed in the license under the law on automobiles.
In counting the number of passengers, it shall be regarded that two children not older than ten years of age are equal to one passenger.
Section 95 (1000B)
Anyone shall not:
1. Solicit passengers for a taxi noisily or in a manner being a nuisance to the passengers or other persons
2. Round up, pull, hold back or force persons or their belongings to board any taxi.
Section 96 (500B)
Driver of a taxi shall not charge a fare in excess of the amount registered in the taxi meter.
The characteristics and use of a taxi meter shall be in accordance with the prescriptions in the Ministerial Regulations. (1000B)
Section 97 (500B)
The passengers shall pay a fare according to the amount registered in the taxi meter.
In a locality not governed by the royal decree pursuant to paragraph one, no driver of a taxi shall charge a fare in excess of the amount agreed upon with the passenger and such passenger shall pay the fare in the amount agreed upon.
The provision in paragraph two shall also apply to the taxis of the types not being prescribed in the royal decree pursuant to paragraph one.
Section 99 (1000B)
Driver, while driving a taxi, shall not
1. Smoke, play a radio or act in any manner that is a nuisance to the passengers
2. Extend a hand, arm or any part of the body out of the vehicle, except in displaying signals pursuant to Section 37
3. Control the steering wheel with only one hand, except when necessary
4. Use sound signals when entering into the area of a hospital, office or educational institute
5. Use horn sound signals to press other vehicles
6. Overtake or dash in front of other vehicles haphazardly and dangerously
7. Drive into other person's house area
8. Pick up a passenger in an area prescribed by the traffic officer with a traffic sign prohibiting picking up of passengers
9. Use impolite word, speak sarcastically at, insult, abuse or act in such manner to the passengers or other persons.
Section 100 (2000B and/or 1 month imprisonment)
The driver of a taxi shall convey his passengers through the shortest route or a reasonable detour and shall deliver them at the place agreed upon.
Driver of a taxi shall not forsake his passengers on the way in any circumstance.
Section 101
[The driver of a taxi shall dress in a uniform with an embroidered mark, according to regulations.]
Section 102 (1000B)
[If the Minister specifies a parking space for taxis, taxi drivers must park their taxis there in wait for passengers.]
Posted by NomadJoe on June 23, 2014 18:51