Bangkok taxi how many people

Thailand has recorded more than 1. On hundreds of pink and orange taxis, chilis, eggplants, cucumbers and basil leaves sprout from soil contained in black plastic sheeting reinforced with bamboo or wooden poles. The taxi trade in Bangkok normally relies heavily on tourism but tight restrictions on entering the country means it has almost come to a standstill. The engines are broken, tyres are flat. There's nothing that could be done," he said.

Photos subject to copyright. Thailand's tourism plans in doubt as cases rise. James, the fleeced tourist, called the tourist police and they soon found Sawoei, who was paraded before the media the same time his colleagues were holding placards demanding justice.

He also received a fine of 2, baht for tampering with the meter, and another 5, baht for overcharging a passenger. This comes to 7, baht, or the equivalent of a little under two fares from the airport to Khao San, an amount Sawoei probably can recoup in an afternoon. Oh, and yes, he did have his taxi license taken away from him. For a whole six months, dear reader.

That's right: long days. Sawoei was paraded before the media but it was hard to tell if he was repentant. If he shared any emotion with his friends over at Chatuchak, it was a look of being really, really hard done by. And if that wasn't enough for one day, there was another incident regarding taxi drivers. It was announced by the Land Transport Department that the fine for cabbies who reject passengers would go up from 2, to 5, baht.

This is something James Loakes, and anybody else who has just arrived in Bangkok, should know and understand. As weird as it sounds, in Bangkok you don't tell a cab driver where you want to go. You have to ask his permission. It's a cultural thing. It's like not being allowed to touch people's heads, or taking off one's shoes when entering a house.

This is what happens: When hailing a cab, one waits for the cabby to wind down his window. When he does, you peer deferentially into that open window and say, in an obsequious tone, where you wish to go. The driver will pause, and look away. He may even scratch his chin. For a good three to five seconds he will contemplate your destination.

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