Pattaya motorcycle taxis warned: No more extortion/taking advantage of tourists

Following the attack on a German tourist by a Beach Road motorcycle taxi rider a meeting was arranged Sunday at Alcazar.
It was designed to issue a strong message – but several top figures were absent.
Some 50 representatives of the “win” riders were present to hear lectures from the Department of Land Transport, Bang Lamung authority and the military.
They were told that despite reorganization, training and appeals for cooperation the motorcycle taxi drivers in Pattaya were still misbehaving.
Pattaya is an important tourist destination and the “win” simply must do better said the DLT’s Nopparat Sarachainakorn.
The message was clear: Be good to tourists and locals and do your job properly.
And stress was made on no more extortionate fares – no more taking advantage of anybody.
Last week a rider was caught on film kicking German tourist Andreas Bauer in the face as he attempted to wheel his rented bike away from a traffic stop.
His action looks like it has prompted quite a strong reaction from the authorities to clear up the bike taxis though several more senior figures in Pattaya – and the police themselves – were notable by their absence from the meeting on Sunday. SN – EP