Many passengers complaint about taxis at Bangkok International Airport which are seen as old, overpriced and not always honest despite a 50 Baht surcharge. AOT steps in recently by defending taxis and by restricting passengers of using instead taxis stationed at the departure level…
BANGKOK – The taxi system at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport is under the fire of critics from passengers for many years. Complaints range from the dirty aspect of some taxis, cars’age, the lack of manners of their drivers, the THB 50 surcharge imposed on each trip and also the fact that taxis are not always honest. It can often happen that taxis do not take the straightest way to destination or use tampered taximeters.
To overcome the problem, many passengers then used to go to the departure floor to hail a taxi dropping off passengers. Of course, a real loss of business for the taxis downstairs. According to the airport’s authorities, some 3,000 passengers per day circumvent the rule by going upstairs to the departure area.
It as time to act. Not over official taxis’ dubious service standards but over passengers. Since November 1st, turnstiles have been installed on the departure level. Passengers disembarking by taxi can push the gate to get into the airport but not to get out…
According to AOT Suvarnabhumi airport director Rawewan Netrakavesna to the Bangkok Post, turnstiles have been put to relieve traffic congestion in front of the departures area drop-off zone. Taxis waiting for passengers are creating traffic jam and could also put passengers’safety in jeopardy. AOT explained to newspapers that the airport does not know if taxis have or not a licence. The airport’s manager also explained that she received as well complaints about non-official taxis cheating, refusing to use the taximeter or even turning violent against passengers.
Problems that are also common with the official registered taxis. AOT is also telling that supposedly, only less than two-year old taxis are allowed to carry passengers officially. An assertion that is hard to believe as some stationed taxis look more like ruins on wheels. But off the record, some inside observers know that AOT only acted to protect its interests as business connections exist between the airport’s authority and taxi companies. No AOT executive would of course admit it but this is often the norm in many Thai businesses.
AOT promises meanwhile to also improve the taxi system for passengers. Soon electronic tickets will be distributed while passengers will also be able to choose their taxi size and give in advance their final destination.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
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