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Crisis of confidence: Thailand’s taxi troubles drive tourists away
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2025
Thailand’s tourism sector is facing renewed scrutiny as ongoing problems with dishonest taxi practices damage the country's reputation among foreign visitors, particularly from key markets like China.
A recent report by Mastercard identified Bangkok as one of the world’s top four cities for tourist scams, with 48% of cases involving taxis or rental cars.
Complaints about drivers refusing to use meters or charging inflated fares have become so widespread that they’re now commonly referenced on travel forums, review platforms, and even AI tools like ChatGPT.
The issue has had a ripple effect, prompting many Chinese travellers, once Thailand’s most lucrative market, to shift their focus to other destinations such as Vietnam, citing frustration over unfair taxi experiences.
Tourism has long been a pillar of the Thai economy. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector generated over 2 trillion baht in revenue in 2018.
But by 2023, that figure had dropped to 1.67 trillion baht, and ongoing reputation issues are making recovery more difficult.
Adith Chairattananon, Secretary-General of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), told Krungthep Turakij on May 22 that the problem has existed for decades. “When taxi metres were first introduced in the early 1990s, the service was welcomed — new cars, regulated prices. But in the past 10 years, complaints have skyrocketed,” he said.
He noted that tourists from the Middle East, a key demographic for many ATTA members, frequently report taxis refusing to turn on meters or demanding extra charges mid-trip. "It’s no longer a few bad apples. It’s a systemic issue tied to weak law enforcement and a culture of impunity," Adith said.
He added that with the economic downturn, some drivers increasingly target short-term foreign tourists who are unlikely to pursue legal action. “Those who play by the rules struggle, while those who bend them earn more and face no real consequences.”
Thailand’s tourism sector is facing renewed scrutiny as ongoing problems with dishonest taxi practices damage the country's reputation among foreign visitors, particularly from key markets like China.
www.nationthailand.com
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