The MP for Phuket District 1 is calling on passengers who are overcharged by taxi apps to report them. Somchart Techathavorncharoen, a Move Forward MP, says any taxi driver who doesn’t adhere to the rates laid down by the government should be reported.
“Taxi fares arranged via applications adhere to a uniform rate nationwide, established by the Ministry of Transport. Should you encounter a taxi service within an application that imposes fares deviating from the legally mandated standards, you have the option to file complaints through the 24/7 hotline at 1584.”
Somchart also shared the revised fare structure for taxis that operate via ride-hailing apps, which is published by the Government Gazette to inform people who use these systems.
Note that these published taxi fares are completely ignored by Phuket taxi cabals, especially the services provided at the Phuket Airport which have published their own flat rates to various locations around the island, vastly inflated when compared to the national published fares and rates.
The Phuket News reports that a transport ministry announcement recently confirmed updated rates and extra service charges. The rates are catergorised based on the vehicle size and the distance travelled…
Small Vehicles
The first 2 kilometres: 40 – 45 baht
Distance beyond 2 kilometres: 6 – 10 baht per kilometre
Mid-Size Vehicles
The first 2 kilometres: 45 – 50 baht
Distance beyond 2 kilometres: 7 – 12 baht per kilometre
Large Vehicles
The first 2 kilometres: 100 – 150 baht
Distance beyond 2 kilometres: 12 – 16 baht per kilometre
In the event of the journey being affected by heavy traffic, an extra charge of 2 baht per minute will apply.
Bolt and Grab have their own rate calculation system built into their apps, but always cheaper than the local taxis who rarely, if ever, use their taxi meters.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
