Sorapong contends that charge increases are necessary in order to pay for improved passenger services. The most recent hike in taxi charges took place in 2014, when it was authorized. The taxi associations ask for an increase in the starting fee for the first kilometer from 35 to 45 baht and an increase in the cost for each additional kilometer from 5.50 to 10 baht. Representatives from the Department of Land Transportation, the Thailand Development Research Institute, the Consumer Protection Board, and the Transport Ministry will be on the panel. He pledged to release more details on the rising cab prices in October, when the national minimum daily salary will rise by 5 to 8%. This will occur on October 1st. The Transport Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Sorapong Paitoonphong, stated that the proposed hike would be carefully considered while taking into account the requirements of customers, business owners, and taxi drivers. The working committee was constituted, according to its head Sorapong, by Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, to investigate the appropriate rate and any potential repercussions. When a taxi gets snarled up in traffic or moving more slowly than 25 kilometers per hour, they want to raise the price from 1.50 baht to 5 baht per minute. For transfers between the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in Bangkok, the additional 50 baht would also increase to 75 baht for normal taxis and 95 baht for larger taxis. Four associations of taxi drivers and service providers have submitted a proposal, which the Transport Ministry is currently reviewing. Taxi prices in Bangkok are therefore expected to increase later this year.
