Pattaya Taxi Driver Suspended For Overcharging Tourists
A Pattaya taxi driver was suspended for seven days after charging two Thai tourists 300 baht for a shared ride that normally costs 15 baht, sparking an investigation by the local transportation cooperative.
PATTAYA — 6 July 2026, A pickup truck taxi driver in Pattaya has been suspended for seven days after allegedly charging two Thai tourists 300 baht for a shared ride—normally 15 baht for most trips—even though the vehicle was already carrying several other passengers. The tourists said they were shocked by the fare and initially thought the driver was joking.
The Pattaya Transportation Cooperative took disciplinary action after one of the passengers shared the incident on Facebook, alleging they were charged an excessive fare for a trip from Runway Market Pattaya to Terminal 21 at about 23:00 on Sunday, despite the vehicle already being full of passengers.
According to the post, the driver claimed the requested destination required a charter fare. The passenger said they were not seeking a refund or upset about the money itself, but were deeply disappointed by the experience. As frequent visitors to Pattaya who had always encountered friendly locals, they said it was the first time they had felt taken advantage of.
Following the complaint, Thongchai Sukhochai, president of the Pattaya Transportation Cooperative Limited, said the cooperative immediately contacted the passengers to apologise and assure them that strict disciplinary action would be taken in coordination with the Department of Land Transport. He stressed that the cooperative would not protect drivers found to have violated the rules.
Thongchai said the driver was summoned for questioning and initially suspended for seven days, during which the vehicle must remain parked at the cooperative's office with a notice explaining the disciplinary action. The cooperative will also review the driver's disciplinary history before referring the case to the Chon Buri Provincial Land Transport Office for further consideration.
The driver apologised to the two passengers and the public. "It was raining heavily that night, and I am sorry for everything I did that harmed Pattaya's reputation," he said. "I apologise to the public and to the two passengers. I accept the punishment imposed by the cooperative and the transport authorities, and I want the opportunity to make amends."
