NORTHEASTERN Khon Kaen taxi drivers said this afternoon (May 22) that they are ready to join forces with their colleagues in Bangkok in closing the Government House to pressure the authorities to seriously organise and take legal action against unlicensed black-plate taxis and ride-hailing services that have led to them losing customers and income, Amarin TV said.
At 1 p.m. today some of the over 40 Khon Kaen Airport Taxi Club drivers who service this provincial airport and were waiting for customers said they had been following the rally by Bangkok Taxi Cooperative members at Government House yesterday and their threat to blockade Suvarnabhumi Airport. This is so because they and their colleagues in other provinces too have been severely affected by ride-hailing apps, especially Grab, Bolt and Maxim, and black-plate taxis.
Mr. Amphon Kotboonma, president of the Khon Kaen Airport Taxi Club, said taxi drivers have been fighting the problem of private cars working through ride-hailing apps and black-plate taxis all along but no agency has seriously solved this problem.
In Khon Kaen every day around 40 taxis registered at the provincial airport and are also members of this club have to compete with six black-plate taxis and more than 30 private cars working through ride-hailing apps even though there are only flights landing here in the morning, afternoon and evening.
“Legal taxis must comply with Land Transport Department’s regulations, and there are costs the drivers are responsible for, including the public vehicle driver’s licence, first-class insurance, vehicles must be fitted with specified size of engine, they have to be inspected after specified number of trips and drivers have to undergo training including first aid training.
“However private cars providing service can use any car, some do not have a public vehicle driver’s licence, some do not have insurance. Therefore, this movement hopes that the government will solve the problem and help people who make a living legally get justice.”
Mr. Thaweechok Sasai, Khon Kaen Airport Taxi Club’s vice president, said some black-plate taxis and ride-hailing cars are decorated like taxis and the drivers walk around looking for customers with taxi signs but the local police, tourist police and airport officials did not do anything.
He therefore fully encouraged Bangkok taxi drivers to continue their fight and if they need the support of provincial taxi drivers in closing Government House then Khon Kaen taxi drivers are ready to join them immediately because this is something they too have been battling all along.
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Mr. Amphon Kotboonma and some Khon Kaen Airport taxis. Photos: Amarin TV
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