Taxi drivers who reject passengers will soon be liable to a maximum fine of 5,000 baht, increased from 2,000 baht, and the owner of the rented taxi in question will face a fine not exceeding 50,000 baht under a new bill currently being drafted by the Land Transport Department.

Land Transport deputy director-general Thanee Suebruek said that, according to statistics, the problem of taxi drivers rejecting passengers accounted for the highest number of complaints filed by passengers.

Taxi drivers rejecting passengers may indicate that the maximum fine of 2,000 baht under the existing law is too lenient, hence the move to increase the fine to 5,000 baht. The increased fine will be on a par with fines for other public transport rule infringement, such as by bus and passenger van operators.

Mr. Thanee said that the new law will also empower land transport officials to suspend the license of a cabbie, who rejects passengers, for between 15-30 days, subject him to a 3 hour lecture on driving etiquette and, if the malpractice is repeated, the cabbie may have his license suspended from 3-6 months or revoked in cases where they physically assault passengers or commit other offences against them.