Make PattayaMail.com your Homepage | Bookmark              SERVING THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF THAILAND             Pattaya Blatt | Chiang Mai Mail | Pattaya Mail TV
 
Pattaya Mail Web
 
NEWS
 

NCPO begins crackdown on Pattaya motorbike taxis

Plan requires lower fares, polite drivers

Capt. Sittichai Chamsawat of the 14th Military Circle in Chonburi joined Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Banglamung Permanent Secretary Pongsathit Pijnont and relevant agencies at the taxi stand on Beach Road and Soi 9 where officials began registering motorbike-taxi drivers for a newly regulated program.

Urasin Khantaraphan
The National Council for Peace and Order’s promised crackdown on Pattaya’s wild motorbike-taxi industry has begun, with drivers outside Pattaya Police Station becoming the first to see fares reduced and operating practices improved.
Capt. Sittichai Chamsawat of the 14th Military Circle in Chonburi joined Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Banglamung Permanent Secretary Pongsathit Pijnont at the taxi stand at Beach Road and Soi 9 where officials began registering motorbike-taxi drivers for a newly regulated program already being implemented in Bangkok.
Anop Praditsakul, the local motorbike-taxi boss controlling 65 bikes across the top and bottom of three streets around Soi 9, cooperated with the military in its effort to combat unfair practices by drivers and reduce the influence of organized-crime gangs controlling taxis.

The National Council for Peace and Order’s promised crackdown on Pattaya’s wild motorbike-taxi industry has begun, with drivers outside Pattaya Police Station becoming the first to see fares reduced and operating practices improved.

If successful, the changes being forced upon the virtually independent drivers will mean substantial benefits to Pattaya tourists and residents and take a substantial bite out of the money drivers squeeze out of them.
Sittichai said motorbike taxis will have to adhere to existing, but currently ignored, Land Transport Department fare regulations, which state rides of two kilometers or less should not exceed 25 baht. The third through fifth kilometer adds only 5 baht each to the fare.
Currently, Pattaya motorbike taxis charge 40 baht for even the shortest rides.
Sittichai said distances of more than five kilometers would remain negotiable.
Other changes required under the new program would mandate drivers treat customers politely, be properly dressed, wear the correct jersey and long pants, have a yellow public-transport license plate, have helmets for both driver and passenger, park unobtrusively, not use drugs or alcohol, and display a license at taxi stands with the names of all registered drivers.
Registrations are being taken through July 15 at city hall.
The NCPO moved to regulate motorbike taxis as Pattaya is a major tourist hub that comprises of at least one million tourists. However, there have been several problems regarding public transportation services within the area. Problems such as unreasonable public transportation fares, poor services, and Mafia-style groups taking advantage of residents have been common.
The junta’s three-phase plan calls for systematizing motorcycle-taxi operations and communicating with operators about inappropriate activities while solving the problems of extortion gangs and official corruption, updating the Traffic Act, regulations and guidelines, and making the changes permanent..


HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]

NCPO begins crackdown on Pattaya motorbike taxis

Police chiefs order renewed crackdown to solve Pattaya’s worsening traffic

Dongtan Beach masseuses call on Pattaya officials to crack down on foreign workers

Wall planned along Pratamnak Road to stop mudslides

Alcohol sales banned July 11 & 12

3 Pattaya communities want cleaner streets, drains

AIDS-prevention officials take on Soi 6

Suspected Kanchanaburi drug dealer busted in Pattaya

Indian confesses, but police bust drunk Thai woman for motorbike hit-and-run

American attacked by ‘jealous’ Thai

Confessed murderer of Sawang Boriboon volunteer surrenders, released on 5,000 baht bail

7 Indian tourists hurt in minibus crash in Huay Yai

Parents outraged at school inaction after eighth grader nearly gang-raped in Bang Saray classroom

German drugged, robbed in Soi Buakaow guesthouse

2,000 pledge loyalty to monarchy in Pattaya

Fearing death, Burmese fishing ‘slaves’ jump overboard in Rayong

Mediation, witness-protection touted in grassroots justice push

Drunken elderly couple moved from Naklua canal to shelter

4 more communities air grievances at CRC forum

Buddhist Lent begins today

Sweet smell of lottery success for Naklua flower vendor

Pattaya community leaders mull how to make Naklua ‘Walking Street’ market less painful

Pattaya Grand Sale 2014 underway

Sister Joan returns to Ireland for a well earned holiday

Advertisement

  Property for Rent
  Condos & Apartments
  Bungalows - Houses - Villas

  Property for Sele
  Condos & Apartments
  Bungalows - Houses - Villas
  Articles for Sale/Rent
  Boats
  Business Opportunities
  Computers & Communications
  Pets
  Services Provided
  Staff Wanted
  Vehicles for Sale / Rent: Trucks & Cars
 

 



News
 Local News
  Features
  Business
  Travel & Tourism
  Our Community
  Our Children
  Sports
Blogs
 Auto Mania
  Dining Out
  Book Review
  Daily Horoscope
Archives
PM Mike Franklin
Classic Charity Golf
Tournament
PM Peter Cummins
Classic International
Regetta
Information
Current Movies
in Pattaya's Cinemas

 Sophon TV-Guide
 Clubs in Pattaya
News Access
Subscribe to Newspaper
About Us
Shopping
Skal
Had Yao News
Partners
Pattaya Mail TV
 Pattaya Blatt
 Chiang Mail Mail