Thailand Hundreds of cabbies protest at Suvarnabhumi Airport

November 27th, 2006 by admin

Hundreds of cabbies protest at Suvarnabhumi Airport

SUVARNABHUMI: — Hundreds of cabbies blocked the taxi terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport last night in protest at a police arrest and ticketing of a driver. As many as 300 police were deployed to the protest.

The arrested driver had failed to turn on his meter when ferrying a passenger to the airport from Chon Buri province.

One of the protesting drivers said the blockade demanded justice for the arrested driver. He said taxis travelling interprovincial routes did not have to use meters.

The protest organiser, who asked to not be identified, alleged staff at a company that operated an Airports of Thailand taxi concession were corrupt.

They allowed “ghost taxis” to freely pick up passengers at the airport while those who paid Bt50 to enter the airport had to wait “hours” to collect a fare. Staff received Bt20 kickbacks from each unauthorised taxi.

Hundreds of taxis blocked entrances and exits to the commuter area while others blockaded the Thai Airways catering building, causing traffic congestion in the airport compound.

–The Nation 2006-11-27

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