Illegal Taxi Driver Refunds Overcharged Lao Passenger
An unlicensed Ubon Ratchathani taxi driver refunded 3,600 baht to a Lao passenger after charging him nearly double the fair rate for a 94-kilometre trip to the Thai-Lao border. The driver was fined 2,000 baht and had his licence temporarily
UBON RATCHATHANI — An unlicensed taxi driver has admitted charging a Lao passenger 4,500 baht for a 94-kilometre journey and agreed to refund the 3,600 baht he received. The driver was also fined 2,000 baht by the provincial transport office for using a vehicle for an unauthorised type of service and had his private driving licence temporarily suspended.
The case came to light after a Lao passenger posted a video of his conversation with the driver, who had allegedly charged 4,500 baht for a trip from the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Transport Office to the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Sirindhorn district, approximately 94 kilometres away. The fare was eventually negotiated down to 3,600 baht.
Following the incident, transport officials summoned the driver to meet investigators at Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station. Sajja Sarawit, 32, appeared before Pol Col Saksri Krairat, chief of Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station, to give a statement.
Sajja admitted charging the Lao passenger 4,500 baht, explaining that the fare was eventually negotiated down to 3,600 baht. He said the passenger had arrived at the bus station, where he approached and offered a ride. He initially quoted a rate of 50 baht per kilometre before picking up the passenger and luggage and driving them to the Chong Mek border checkpoint. Upon arrival, he calculated the fare at 4,500 baht. The passenger offered 1,500 baht instead. Sajja said he told the passenger that he had no other customers and suggested going to the police, leading to further negotiations that resulted in the final fare of 3,600 baht.
Sajja apologised to the Lao passenger and offered to return the full 3,600 baht. He deposited the money with transport officials for the passenger to collect. The Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Transport Office also fined him 2,000 baht for using the vehicle for an unauthorised type of service and temporarily suspended his private driving licence.
Pol Col Saksri advised Sajja that if he wanted to work as a black-plate taxi driver, he should apply for proper registration with the transport office. He also said Sajja could register to work as a ride-hailing driver. After giving his statement, arranging the refund, and being fined under transport regulations, Sajja left the police station.
