baht bus rates in Pattaya - what's happening?

[mahjongguy]

Does anyone know what this article is attempting to say?

http://pattayadailynews.com/pattaya-min ... rate-fare/

[Undaunted]

I read the link and cannot figure it out however, it is time to increase the fares.

[windwalker]

The article seems to be in reference to rates on mini buses not Baht buses.

[Gaybutton]

The article seems to be in reference to rates on mini buses not Baht buses.

It's difficult to be certain, but I think you're right.

The NCPO (National Council for Peace and Order) normally deals with national, not local, issues. The best I can gather from the article is the NCPO imposed blanket fare restrictions on the mini buses. They usually drive between cities, so that makes it a matter of national, rather than local, policy.

The drivers whose hours usually fall within the time of day when there are few passengers are making less money than drivers operating in hours likely to have a full passenger load. They are protesting the restrictions.

Also, it already has been published that the baht bus fares are being raised from 10 baht to 20 baht, so I doubt that it's baht bus drivers protesting.

Unfortunately, virtually all the articles on the Pattaya Daily News are written by a non-native English speaker, and apparently they don't have a native English speaker to edit or proofread. As a result, it is often difficult to understand what the various articles trying to say. My guess is the articles are written in Thai and then go through some sort of translation software, and whatever comes out - that's what gets published.

Also, I doubt many of us would mind it if Pattaya's powers-that-be ever get serious about making the local taxi-meters actually using the meters . . .

[mahjongguy]

A previous article with a very similar headline said:
"Pattaya superintendent said that minibus cooperative would be allocated 4 lines for operation and each line is defined and distinguished with sticker. In addition, the driver will be controlled to drive in their line and they couldn’t collect fare in flat rate. The strict rule will be effective on 24 December 2016.".

So it sounded to me like the songteows.

" it already has been published that the baht bus fares are being raised from 10 baht to 20 baht"

I must have missed that, and that's what I'm looking to hear more about.

[Gaybutton]

it already has been published that the baht bus fares are being raised from 10 baht to 20 baht

I must have missed that, and that's what I'm looking to hear more about.

Within central Pattaya the fare is 10 Baht per person (note that in early December 2016 it was announced that the fare for tourists would be increased to 20 Baht from the 1st of January 2017).

http://www.pattayanewbie.com/information2.html

A Google search for "Pattaya baht bus fare increase" reveals a few more sites saying essentially the same thing.

I'm waiting to see the arguments break out when a "tourist" is someone living in Thailand under a retirement visa. Anyone going to be surprised when someone ends up in the hospital because of a fight over 10 baht?

[mahjongguy]

So, it will be a racial thing?

[Gaybutton]

So, it will be a racial thing?

Around here, who knows? Maybe to get the 10 baht rate, farang in Thailand will have to show baht bus drivers what kind of visa they have - and then hope the driver has a clue as to what he's looking at . . .

[Undaunted]

So, it will be a racial thing?

Racial or not is 10 baht really a game changer?

[windwalker]

For some farang 10 Baht is a big game changer!