Taxi fares to be raised as living cost rises

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BANGKOK, 21 May 2013 – The Transport Ministry is considering raising taxi fares, given the rising cost of living and cab rental rates. 

Minister of Transport Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt has reportedly ordered the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to go over the taxi fare rates after receiving a flood of complaints from cab drivers that rental rates and the cost of living have gone up considerably, whereas the fares remain pegged at the same rate, causing difficulties for all cab drivers to make both ends meet.

However, the minister said whether the fare will be adjusted is based on 3 factors: the starting rate, the per-kilo rate, and the rate charged during traffic snarl.

At present, the rental rate for an NGV-fuelled taxi is 650 baht per shift, and 550 baht a shift for one running on LPG.