BANGKOK – Recently, a Japanese tourist took to social media to complain about being overcharged by a tuk-tuk driver in Bangkok. The tourist was charged 1,500 baht per person for a 5.8-kilometer ride from Asoke to Thaniya shopping mall, a total of 6,000 baht for four people.
On May 16, 2024, Mr. Nikorn Jumnong, director of the Chart Thai Pattana Party and former deputy transport minister, saw the tourist’s post and was deeply disturbed. He thought of the Public Transport Passenger Protection Center, which he had founded in 2003 and which has a hotline with the number 1584.
He called the hotline and reported the incident. The staff responded promptly and asked the tuk-tuk driver to report for investigation. The tuk-tuk driver admitted to the allegations made by the tourist.
The Land Transport Department considered the driver’s actions to be a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and imposed the following penalties:
- Violation of fare regulations under Section 22 in conjunction with Section 60: A fine of 2,000 baht.
- Violation of dress regulations under Section 5(15) in conjunction with Section 58: A fine of 500 baht.
- Suspension of driving license for 90 days.
- Mandatory attendance of a 3-hour training course on passenger service awareness.
“I am relieved that we have managed to solve this problem to some extent,” said Nikorn. “On 28 May, when I attend a reception for the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Otaka Masato, at the Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel, I will apologize to the Japanese people for this mistake,” said Mr. Nikorn.
He also shared that he is very happy that the Public Transport Passenger Protection Center 1584, which he founded and whose logo he designed himself, is still able to provide good service to Thai and foreign passengers. He encourages the public to know about this service so that they can make use of it.
