Police rounded up 139 tuk-tuks and taxis parked around The Grand Palace yesterday, in a crackdown of bad drivers who take advantage of tourists flocking to Bangkok’s famous landmarks.
A total of 87 drivers were charged for causing annoyance and obstructing traffic in the area. Police acted according to numerous complaints of drivers loitering around the landmark to find tourists they could scam.
Usually, these drivers will offer alternative activities to visitors, such as overpriced boat rides along the Chao Phraya River or shopping at jewelry and tailored suit stores that the drivers have arrangements with, according to Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachet Hakpan, a deputy commander of Tourist Police.
Maj. Gen. Surachet said the scheme denies foreigners an essential and unique cultural experience, and as a consequence, the arrested drivers will have their licenses suspended for three months, reported Bangkok Biz News.
Investigations are now being conducted on the participating stores that took part in the scheme, and a warrant has been issued for the four tour guides benefiting from this organized hustle.
“The four guides should either be prepared to turn themselves in or flee. We won’t stop until we find them and bring them in. We have their names and photos,” Surachet told reporters at the scene.
Thailand expects 34 million visitor arrivals by the end of this year alone. As such, tourist police have been urging all parties in the service industry to uphold the image of Thai tourism.
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