Taxi Fares in Greater Bangkok to Increase by 7% Before End of Month

After eight years, the Transport Ministry and taxi drivers throughout Greater Bangkok agreed to a 7% fare rate hike, according to a report from The Bangkok Post yesterday. The department is expected to approve the rate increase before the month ends.

As part of the agreement, the flag down rate for ordinary taxis will remain at THB35 but fare for large cabs will increase to THB40 for the first kilometre. When travelling between one to 10 kilometres, all taxis will charge an additional THB6.50 compared to the previous charge of THB5.50.

Passengers would have to pay an extra THB7 for the next 10-20 kilometres; THB8 for 40-60 kilometres; THB9 for 60-80 kilometres; and THB10 for 80 kilometres and beyond.

The waiting time metre charge, on the other hand, will also increase to THB3 per minute versus the previous rate of THB2.

According to Land Transport Department Director-General Jirut Wisanjit, the updated fare structure is being finalised and will be sent to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob for approval. The approval is expected to be processed over the next two weeks. He added that the proposed fare rate hike was computed based on the core inflation in Greater Bangkok. 

In a report published by FocusEconomics on Nov. 7, Thailand’s inflation rate in October dropped to 6% versus 6.4% in September. However, its core inflation, which excludes the cost of raw food and energy prices, climbed to 3.2% last month compared to 3.1% in the month prior.