Rude drivers and staff on some coaches that travel to Pattaya

About a year ago, the company introduced several new buses on its Pattaya-to-Bangkok route. The buses are more comfortable than the older buses in use. On the new bus, the cab, with the driver and a stewardess, is separated from the passenger compartment.

At the start of each trip, a short video presentation on a television screen welcomes the passengers. The video explains that the trip takes about two hours, etc. The video also cites several regulations. These are universal. Smoking on board is forbidden. Bringing food on board is forbidden. Passengers must not disturb other passengers. Speak softly and in a low voice. Cell phones must be turned off or the ring tones turned to a low volume. Playing radios and audio players without earphones is forbidden. 

These modern buses are often on late-evening runs from Pattaya to Ekamai. In the past several months, however, I have not seen these new buses. (Perhaps they have been pulled from service.)

The other buses used by the company are older and have an open cab. It is on these buses that some drivers and stewardesses are misbehaving. These buses do not play the welcoming video. 

Numerous times in the past year, just before departing from Ekamai, drivers on the first buses of the day to Pattaya – departing at between 5am and 6.30am – turned on the radio and played Isaan country music very loudly.

The sound of commercial radio so early in the morning is annoying. Loud country music is unbearable. Passengers are jolted from sleep. They cannot read. They cannot relax.

In several instances, passengers reminded the driver and stewardess of the company’s rule against playing audio without earphones, and the driver turned off the radio. In some instances, the driver and stewardess pretended not to be aware of the rule.

In several cases, the driver refused to turn off the radio, and the driver and stewardess argued with passengers, creating ugly scenes. The passengers were in the right and persisted. Eventually, the driver turned off the radio.

In a few cases the driver and stewardess ordered the complaining passengers to get off the bus.

In some cases, the driver agreed to turn off the radio but turned it back on toward the end of the trip, very loud, shocking passengers from sleep. The driver’s behaviour was deliberate and obnoxious. 

Four or five different bus drivers were involved in the incidents. One bus driver and one stewardess caused repeated incidents. 

The company must ensure that its regulations are followed. It should require the stewardess to play the welcoming video at the beginning of each trip, whatever kind of bus is in use. The company should also make clear to its drivers and stewardesses that the regulations against loud noise are to be followed by employees as well as passengers.

Jean Marcus

Bangkok