"Transportation" green light to increase “Taxi fares” in Bangkok

On November 9, 2565, Mr. Saksayam Chidchob, Minister of Transport, assigned Mr. Wirat Pimpanit, Advisor to the Minister of Transport, along with Mrs. Suksomruay Wanthaniyakul, Secretary to the Minister of Transport, as representatives. The joint executive committee of 4 taxi associations and the Thai Taxi Labor Confederation, led by Mr. Sadit Jaitiang, met to inquire about progress regarding the adjustment of fares, with Mr. Chirut Wisanjit, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport. Mr. Seksom Akkhaphan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Land Transport and relevant officials joined in the discussion at the Ministry of Transport conference room.

Mr. Wirat Pimpanit, Advisor to the Minister of Transport, said The Ministry of Transport has sympathy for all parties. Whether it is taxi drivers and the public who use the service. The Minister of Transport is concerned. and emphasizing the need to help all groups of people in distress with fairness and within the framework of the law therefore ordered the Department of Land Transport Proceed in the relevant section By having the least impact on the people who use the service.

sideMr. Chirut Wisanjit, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, said: The Department of Land Transport sincerely understands everyone's plight. and ready to listen to the opinions of all parties, all sectors

In this regard, the working group considered the impact of adjusting the passenger carrying wage rate for vehicles for hire that carry no more than 7 passengers (TAXI - METER) registered in Bangkok. with the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport as chairman of the working group The proposal of the joint executive committee of 4 associations, most of which are service providers in the airport area, has been brought forward. Along with data on changes in the cost of driving a taxi that TDRI has analyzed, come listen to opinions about adjusting taxi fares from the public and related agencies, including the Consumer Protection Foundation. Consumer Organization Council Office of the Consumer Protection Board Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council Office of the Ombudsman Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), representatives of the public sector and other groups of taxi drivers Whether it is a personal taxi driver and the taxi drivers cooperative group

Overall, the meeting agreed on increasing fares to be in line with the changing cost of living. and taking into account fairness to the people who use the service

Therefore, the working group has resolved to approve the fare rate proposed by TDRI. This rate will cause the fare to increase on average by 7.34%, which is in line with the change in the Core Consumer Price Index (Core CPI) in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

But it still doesn't meet the needs of the taxi drivers who came to demand it today. The meeting therefore had an understanding with the said taxi group about the rate that would be increased. based on the majority opinion of representatives of the public sector and related agencies They want the adjustment of fares this time to provide taxi drivers with sufficient income to survive. and has the least impact on the people who use the service

After this, the Department of Land Transport will expedite the process of legal documents for the announcement of the new fare rates. and proceed with forwarding the matter to the Ministry of Transport within 2 weeks in order to make the announcement process as quick as possible

After discussion The group of taxi drivers who gathered understood and accepted the fare rates according to the resolution of the working group. which is after the announcement of the new fare rates The Department of Land Transport will appoint a working group together with knowledgeable consultants. There is complete information in every aspect. To consider the appropriate fare structure further.

The taxi fares will be increased. Different from the current taxi fare:

– For the first 1 km distance, small cars with engine size 1,600-1,800 cc will maintain the price of 35 baht.

– Large cars, engine size 2,000 cc or more, currently 35 baht, adjusted to 40 baht

– Distances exceeding 1-10 kilometers, currently 5.5 baht per kilometer for small cars - large cars, adjusted to 6.5 baht per kilometer.

– Distances over 10-20 kilometers, currently small cars - large cars, 6.5 baht per kilometer, adjusted to 7 baht per kilometer.

– Distances over 20-40 kilometers, currently small cars - large cars, 7.5 baht per kilometer, adjusted to 8 baht per kilometer.

– Distances over 40-60 kilometers, currently small cars - large cars, 8 baht per kilometer, adjusted to 8.5 baht per kilometer.

– In the case where the vehicle is moving slower than 6 kilometers per hour Currently, small cars - large cars are charged 2 baht per minute, adjusted to 3 baht per minute.

For this fare increase It only affects taxis in the Bangkok area. There are a total of 80,000 cars in the system, out of the 60,000 cars actually in service at present, after the resolution to increase fares was passed. Number of taxis available Must be used to tune the new fare meter. to be the same standard