Woman Poses as Foreign Tourist, Tries to Get Taxi to Siam (10 km) — Shocked as All Demand Flat Fares, Up to 700 Baht
A woman pretending to be a foreign tourist attempted to take a taxi to Siam, a distance of around 10 kilometers, but was shocked to find that every driver she approached demanded a flat-rate fare — the most expensive asking for a staggering 700 baht.
This incident comes amid ongoing tensions between traditional taxi drivers and app-based ride services. Recently, a group of taxi operators submitted a petition to the Ministry of Transport, urging authorities to revoke licenses allowing app-based ride-hailing cars to operate at airports nationwide, especially at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports. They claim these services have caused an 80-90% drop in trips and income, and they demand equal treatment between traditional taxis and app-based vehicles. Some drivers have even threatened to shut down airports if their demands are not met.
Meanwhile, many on social media argue that passengers should have the right to choose their ride, criticizing issues such as taxi drivers refusing passengers and demanding unmetered flat rates.
To demonstrate the issue, Facebook user Ketmanee Bualuang posed as a foreign tourist and tried to get a taxi to Siam. Despite the short 10 km distance, none of the drivers would use the meter. Instead, she was quoted flat fares of 200 baht, 300 baht, and shockingly, up to 700 baht — significantly higher than rates offered via ride-hailing apps.
