Army targets baht buses, taxis

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

 

The military will turn the screws on Pattaya’s baht buses and taxis again this month, ending the practice of warning drivers and banning them from camping outside malls and hotels.

 

Maj. Gen. Popanan Lueng­panuwat, head of the National Council for Peace and Order in Banglamung, met with transport operators, police and city officials Aug. 22 to announce yet another “D-Day” on enforcement of its traffic policies.

 

Starting Sept. 1, he said, drivers of tour buses, baht buses and taxi cabs caught violating traffic and parking rules no longer will receive a warning. They will be fined on the spot and, in some cases, their vehicles impounded for seven days.

 

Popanan noted that since the army imposed its new rules in February, more than 700 drivers have been cited, fined and trucks impounded, but violations continue.

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/news/army-turns-screws-baht-buses-taxis-184869

[ChristianPFC]

The headline is a bit misleading.

 

The army prevents baht buses and taxis from waiting for customers outside shopping malls and hotels. A practice I despise, because in Silom/Sukhumvit/Surawong it goes in hand with refusing to use the meter, and blocks one lane of traffic.

 

One could argue that there is an economical benefit if the car waits for customers instead of driving, but they do so to overcharge unwary customers and inadvertently cause traffic jams (when I have to hail a taxi in Silom/Surawong from the second lane).

 

In other areas (e.g. Ladprao in front of The Mall Bangkapi) however this works fine, taxis standing at night when traffic is light waiting for customers, they use the meter and don't block the traffic.