The Public Transport Passenger Protection Centre has tracked down a tuk-tuk driver who repeatedly overcharged a Japanese tourist in Bangkok.
A Japanese tourist has posted a complaint on social media that a tuk-tuk driver in Bangkok charged too much for a short journey. The dishonest driver charged Japanese tourists 1,500 baht per person for the 5.8-kilometre trip from Asoke to Thaniya Shopping Centre, for a total of 6,000 baht for four passengers.
Chart Thai Pattana party chief Nikorn Jumnong, who is a former deputy transport minister, saw the tourist’s posting and was outraged by the incident, Khaosod reported. As far back as 2003, Nikorn established the Public Transport Passenger Protection Centre, operating a hotline with the number 1584.
Nikorn called the hotline and reported the incident. The staff responded immediately and tracked down the tuk-tuk driver, who was invited to the centre for investigation. The tuk-tuk driver did not fight back and admitted all the accusations made by the Japanese tourists.
The Land Transport Department found the driver’s actions to violate the Motor Vehicles Act of 1979 and imposed the following fines on the tuk-tuk driver:
- Fare violation under Section 22 in conjunction with Section 60: a fine of 2,000 baht.
- Breach of the dress code under section 5(15) in conjunction with section 58: a fine of 500 baht.
- Suspension of driving licence for 90 days.
- Mandatory attendance at a 3-hour passenger service awareness training session.
‘I am relieved that we have been able to resolve the issue to some extent,’ said Nikorn.
‘On 28 May, when I host the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, Otaku Masato, at the Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel, I will apologise to the Japanese people for this driver error,’ Nikorn promised.
Nikorn also expressed his satisfaction that the Public Transport Passenger Protection Centre 1584, which he founded and designed its logo, continues to provide good services to Thai and foreign passengers.
Nikorn encourages the public to utilise the service when needed.
Public Transport Passenger Protection Centre, hotline – 1584
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