Cabbie fined for threatening Koreans

A Bangkok taxi driver who drove around the city instead of taking his Korean passengers to their destination, and then ejected and threatened them, has been fined and his licence suspended.

Surachart Artwongsa, 43, reported to the Land Transport Department yesterday. He was fined the maximum 1,000 baht for the offence and another 1,000 baht for his threatening behaviour.

His driving licence was also suspended for a month.

The punishment followed a post online by Kim Woo-ri, a South Korean show host visiting Thailand with his staff, according to media reports.

He said the cabbie had driven his metered taxi seemingly around in circles for 20 minutes, even though the journey normally took just 10 minutes.

When they complained, the driver told them to get out and later got out of his vehicle and threatened them with a “stick”. Reports said Mr Kim posted a video of incident.

Mr Surachart explained that the incident arose from his passengers speaking a language he did not understand. He thought they wanted to visit Sampeng market, and only later realised they wanted to go to Sathon Road, according to the reports.

He did not want to go to Sathon Road, so he told them to get out, without demanding they pay the fare.

He became angry when they did not close the doors and he had to get out of the cab to do it. He grabbed and waved a roll of paper, as he was seen doing in the video. He apologised to the Thai people and to his fellow cabbies for damaging their image. In October, a group of taxi drivers called for a fare rate rise. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said this would only be considered when taxi drivers can guarantee a certain level of service.

Department of Land Transport spokesman Kamol Buranapong said only 12,986 of the 80,647 taxis in Bangkok are registered with the Taxi OK programme, which mandates drivers and their vehicles pass additional, above-standard tests for roadworthiness, safety and service.