Pattaya mayor orders probe into taxi overcharge during fireworks festival

Picture courtesy of The Pattaya News

A crisis involving an alleged overcharge by a motorbike taxi driver during the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival on Friday, November 24 has prompted immediate action from Pattaya Mayor, Poramase Ngamphichet. He has instructed the local police to investigate the incident involving a passenger charged more than 1,600 baht for a short journey, sparking outrage amongst locals.

Previously, a 35 year old musician named Chumpol Meesri complained to Pattaya police. He detailed that he had utilised a motorbike taxi service from an Esso gas station in South Pattaya to Pattaya Beach for the fireworks event. The driver, who Chumpol suspected to be from another town, demanded over 1,600 baht (US$45) for two services.

The total journey was just 8 kilometres, which equates to a staggering 200 baht per kilometre, a price point far…