Motorcycle taxis: Junta cleans up
To put an end to abuses with motorcycle taxis, the junta introduces a new license and makes it a requirement that the motorcycle belongs to the driver. The permit makes it easier to trace a driver who goes wrong.
The measure should also put an end to the current practice, in which mafia figures make large profits through so-called seua win to lease to drivers. A sue win is a permit to wear a vest. On the outskirts of Bangkok, in Min Buri and Nongjok, 20.000 baht must be paid; in the center of Bangkok, amounts of up to 500.000 baht are being asked, said Chalerm Changthongmadon, president of the Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Association.
Of the 107.002 registered motorcycle taxis nationwide, 49.763 operate in Bangkok. It is estimated that 50.000 drivers do not have a license. Yesterday in Lam Luk Ka (Pathum Thani) at the Laksi Monument the official start of the registration took place (photo above), which incidentally already started last Thursday. Every day 500 drivers register; so far 20.000. Registration lasts until Friday.
Kukiat Sinakha, commander of the Second Infantry Regiment, who was in charge, says the NCPO's registration policy has received good feedback. According to him, it helps to tackle problems such as illegal drivers, excessive fares and traffic violations.
The Department of Land Transport is considering making a special driver's license compulsory for motorcycle taxi drivers. It hopes to have that matter settled by the end of next year.
During the special report laid Bangkok Post to listen to a number of drivers. They expect the bad boys be kept out of the door from now on, but fear that the number of directors may decrease.
Subin Pongsiri (42), secretary of a board of directors at Lat Phrao soi 101, thinks so. He says setting rates based on distance is not wise, because customers will end up paying 'unfair charges'. [Does he mean too low?]
Boonthong Intra, 45, head of the Soi Thonglor station, says some drivers are turning away customers for long journeys because of traffic congestion. He expects that they will continue to do so even at higher rates. It's always busy; on Friday there can be a queue of a hundred people, he says.
Furthermore, I can add from my own observation that at the location in my street there is now a tarpaulin banner in the colors of the Thai flag, on which the rates are stated. I also saw such a banner at another location. The drivers have also had a visit from soldiers.
(Source: Bangkok Post, July 1, 2014)
Although the protests against the junta are visibly decreasing, I don't know what is brewing under the skin, I take my hat off to what the regime manages to (Thai) box for each other in a short time!
Taxi, moped or car, is almost a means of public transport, which of course earns the mafia big money, tribute to this operation and may many more follow. I hope that abuses in the sex industry, exploitation, recruiting girls under false pretenses, etc. etc. will be high on the list of priorities. I wish Thailand a clearer conscience!