Police to "Get Tough" with Baht Bus Drivers - According to Pattaya Mail

[Gaybutton]

Perhaps. Have a look at the article for yourself:

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd1

[Guest lester1]

I was amused to read the article. Whilst agreeing totally that baht buses push their luck in many ways, the complete absence of any way of checking or supervising what they do in real time on the streets means I cant see how City Hall can change things. The funniest part of the article was the bit about checking or insisting on departure times from certain stops. What is that all about???? Do these people live in the same city?

When the bus routes started up, City Hall couldnt even stop the obstruction the baht buses caused to the buses in protest.

As a Devils' Advocate once again ( I seem to be doing a lot of this recently), the baht buses stop anywhere because their passengers want them to, they stop in the middle of the road because they is nowhere for them to park against the kerb. This is because of the cars and bikes parked there, often illegally. This is because of the lack of car parks. This means people have to use the baht buses to get into and out of town. This means that people hail them in the street, which means they stop anywhere etc etc etc.

[Gaybutton]

I cant see how City Hall can change things.

 

Neither can I. As far as I can tell, most of what comes out of City Hall is nothing but a lot of bluster. My guess is that thought applies to most city halls throughout the world.

 

As a driver, I have no objections to the bah buses stopping to load and unload passengers. It doesn't take long and they can't always pull over to the kerb if parked cars and motorcycles prevent them from doing so.

 

My objection is when they careen over lanes of traffic, without warning, to pick up passengers and also damned near run over pedestrians. I also object to the attitude of some drivers. It seems as if it is "either-or." Some baht bus drivers are good, polite drivers and are pleasant and helpful. Some are quite honest and have even returned full wallets to the rightful owner when they have discovered them left behind on their bus. Some have gone to a great deal of trouble to do so.

 

Then there are the others, the ones who are rude, have a nasty disposition, try to cheat their passengers, and act as if they own the roads and nobody but themselves should drive on them.

 

I don't know what, if anything, City Hall can change, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[2lz2p]

Ah yes, baht bus routes and designated baht bus stops -- rule that they can not pick up passengers except at the designated bus stops.

 

Let me see, when did I first read that -- oh yes, now I remember. It was sometime in the late 80's.

 

I agree with GB that the stopping anywhere to let passengers on or off doesn't really bother me. When I use them, I like the fact they stop to pick me up and let me off when I ring the bell/buzzer. However, of late, I have noticed that more and more pass me by or quickly take off when I head for the back to get on. But, since one comes by about every minute or less, the wait for one that will pull over is not long.

 

As to City Hall - at last Sunday's Pattaya City Expats Club meeting, the Secretary to the Mayor acknowledged the problem with baht buses, but said that City Hall has no authority over them - as I recall he said that it was the Land Transport Office that does the licensing and regulating. Also, enforcement of traffic laws is the purview of the police (which are also not under the control or direction of City Hall). Just passing the information along. As to my own view, it seems in Thailand you always have the "flavor of the month" -- this month we crack down on this and then go on to something else - without consistent enforcement, IMO there will be no change.

 

 

 

[Guest zzrichard]

As person who uses baht buses and taxis, i find them to be a great service. You just can't beat the price. The only thing that I suggest is having a few drinks before getting on a motor bike...makes the ride more enjoyable...