Bangkok taxi fares set to rise
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) on Wednesday gave the green light for a draft of new Bangkok taxi fares to put them in line with the current economic situation. The last adjustment was in 2014.
The move to adjust the fares was jointly proposed by the Thai Public Taxi Association, the Suvarnabhumi Taxi Coordination Association, the Public Taxi Drivers Association and the Electric Vehicle Taxi Association.
The DLT’s panel to consider the proposal comprises representatives from the Transport Ministry, the Thailand Development Research Institute and the Consumer Protection Board.
DLT director-general Jirut Wisanjit said the panel on Wednesday approved the draft of new fares for around 80,000 taxis in Bangkok:
• 35 baht for the first kilometre for taxis with 1,600-1,800cc engines (no change from the current rate)
• 40 baht for the first kilometre for taxis with over 2,000cc engines (currently 35 baht)
• 6.5 baht per km for the 2nd-10th km for all taxis (currently 5.5 baht/km)
• 7 baht per km for the 11th-20th km for all taxis (currently 6.5 baht/km)
• 8 baht per km for the 21st-40th km for all taxis (currently 7.5 baht/km)
• 8.5 baht per km for the 41st-60th km for all taxis (currently 8 baht/km)
• 3 baht per minute in case of traffic congestion when the vehicle travels less than 6km/hour (currently 2 baht/minute).
Jirut said the panel would present the draft to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob for approval in 1-2 weeks.
Once the new fares are approved and announced in the ministerial regulations, taxi drivers in Bangkok will need to “re-tune” their meters at DLT branch offices according to the new rates, Jirut added.
