Whoever makes taxi driver Prasit laugh gets a discount
Prasit Suwan (70) has to enter the strangest taxi driver with the strangest taxi Thailand are. The roof of his car, dashboard and trunk are covered with foreign banknotes, old and new, and coins.
Between the front two seats is a karaoke set for passengers to use, and there are mouth fresheners and quick salts for those who become unwell during the ride.
But the most special are the handwritten announcements: passengers who make the driver laugh, who tell a joke and more, receive a discount on the fare. Thanks to those gimmicks and his helpful and outgoing nature, Prasit has gained great popularity not only with fellow drivers, but also with foreign and Thai passengers.
The media has already made him a celebrity, highlighting the karaoke in his car and his role as a volunteer aid worker. Because when Prasit sees an accident, he gets out of his car and helps the victims.
Prasit never has any problems with his customers
Prasit has only been working as a taxi driver since his retirement as an army corporal at the age of 60. That decision was motivated by his desire to help and serve people from all walks of life. “After I retired, I wanted to find a job that would give me the freedom to do my own thing. This job is perfect for me. I've always wanted to be my own boss.'
He never has any problems with his customers. He knows how to defrost even the most difficult passengers. “I never react to how people behave towards me. I am always respectful and kind, even when people yell at me. I don't take them seriously and give them the benefit of the doubt. Service orientation comes naturally to me.'
That this attitude is appreciated is evident from the fact that he now has 57 friendship books, in which passengers have written something about their experiences in the taxi. And from the hundreds of banknotes he received as a tip. The last time he counted them, it came to 100.000 baht.
Four times passengers tried to rob him. Once a young man tried to strangle him with a belt, but Prasit put his hand between them so he could keep breathing. Fortunately, a young woman, who was with the miscreant, intervened. But this incident did not deter Prasit either. The banknotes and coins are still not glued, but are in neat plastic covers.
(Source: Bangkok Post, January 16, 2013)
Nice exception to most taxi drivers. I'm generally not that fond of the "air fresheners" and all the decorations and certainly no karaoke in the taxi.
After hundreds of journeys, I am very happy when a taxi in Bangkok takes me from A to B without cheating me.
Glad if a taxi driver wants to take me to a busy place at all, he knows his way around, not like a driver and raced through the city under the influence.
In all those years I have had too many unpleasant experiences with rude, aggressive, drunk and half-asleep taxi drivers.
So this elderly ex army corporal could be a breath of fresh air.
For all fairness; good experiences too. So not just negative. The problem is probably there are too many taxis and the earnings are too low.
In addition to my not always positive experiences with BKK's taxi drivers; they are always 100 x better than the Tuk Tuk drivers, and a taxi can always be found outside rush hour and in the rainy season.
Almost all the times that I had to use a Tuk Tuk, whether or not I was forced to use a Tuk Tuk, crazy prices were asked, sometimes life-threatening driving, the tuk tuk was almost thrown out in the event of a collision and the driver disappeared without a trace.
You sit with your head in the roof, see nothing and die of the stench and noise. Moreover, I have not experienced a tuk tuk driver who knows his way around, he is concerned with unsuspecting tourists and making quick money.
For taxi, absolutely required that you ask for the meter to be turned on. Be aware, if possible, that you get into a newer car, there are still incredible wrecks driving around without brakes with a corresponding driver.
If you are in a hurry in the middle of rush hour with all the traffic jams, for a short distance, a motorcycle taxi may be an alternative, cheap and fast, but only suitable for the weary daredevil.