The Tourist Police arrested a taxi driver that attempted to gouge passengers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and later abandoned a fare. He was found with methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia in his car.
Police detained Boonchuay Pimnon, 37, after searching his vehicle and tracking him down due to fare abandonment, reported NNT.
Initially, Boonchuay denied the charges and attempted to bribe police with TH5,000 but later admitted to using methamphetamines daily. He explained he was operating from Suvarnabhumi Airport’s upper floor but on the day of the incident was invited by another cabbie to pick up fares from its lower floor, where he convinced one traveler to pay a lump sum for the ride instead of going by the meter.
Police charged him with refusal to use the meter, overcharging, and failing to complete a taxi ride — all of which he was fined THB7,000 for. He may have his license revoked as well.
Additionally, he has been charged with narcotics possession and bribery. For the two charges, he’ facing a punishment of 15 year prison term and/ or a fine of THB210,000 maximum.
The arrest took place after Boonchuay’s fare posted a video clip to Facebook explaining that she had been deserted on the highway by her cab after departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport for Huay Kwang. She said that only after they were on their way did the driver demand a THB500 lump sum for the ride and refused to turn on his meter. The video clip was widely circulated before leading to the capture of the driver.
