June 2, 2008
Bangkok - Taxi drivers plan to go on strike if their demand to raise the initial fare is not fulfilled.
Vithoon Naewpanich, president of the Siam Taxi Cooperatives, revealed he met Chairat Sanguanchue, acting director general of the Land Transport Department, to call for 20% fare hike.
The initial fare has remained at 35 baht for more than 16 years. It will then be 40 baht if approved.
Vithoon said the fare hike was to cope with rising energy costs and cost of living.
He and delegates from the public taxi drivers met the Transport Minister Santi Prompat last week, giving him a 15-day deadline to make a decision on the issue.
Taxi drivers will park their cars on the Rajadanoennok Road indefinitely if no satisfactory solution.
They will also reduce 30% of the number of taxis running on the road and limit the driving speed to not more than 40 kilometres per hour to show their protest.
