BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s transport ministry announced a targeted surcharge for taxi journeys during rush hours and late-night periods, a move aimed at reducing driver refusals and easing congestion on the capital’s roads.
Small surcharge rather than a fare hike
The ministry said it would introduce a service fee of 10 to 20 baht for trips made during defined busy periods, while leaving the 35-baht base fare unchanged. The extra charge would apply at specified times, particularly after 9pm and during morning and evening rush hours, the ministry added.
Officials framed the measure as a flexible add-on rather than an across-the-board price increase. “This fee is not a price rise but an adjustment that reflects realities on the road,” Deputy Transport Minister Mallika Chiraphanvanich said, explaining the government’s intent to balance passenger needs with drivers’ costs.
Tackling refusals and late-night shortages
Transport authorities said the surcharge was designed to discourage drivers from refusing trips that are likely to get stuck in traffic or take them away from central areas. Passengers have long complained that taxi drivers decline fares when congestion is heavy or when journeys lead outside the city core; officials said the modest fee should encourage more drivers to accept such fares.
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) recommended the measure, the ministry said. “We want to create a balance — between the needs of passengers and the costs faced by drivers,” Mallika added.
Context — two decades without change
Taxi tariffs in Thailand have not been adjusted for more than 20 years. Governments had resisted raising base fares to protect riders from higher costs, but rising prices for petrol, gas and vehicle upkeep have squeezed many drivers, officials acknowledged.
Saying the surcharge responds to those pressures, Mallika stressed the administration was not planning a full tariff hike. Instead, the selective fee was intended to reflect peak-time conditions without altering the standing base rate.
Digital taximeters and phased rollout
Alongside the surcharge, the ministry is developing a digital taximeter system that will incorporate real-time data — such as fuel prices and traffic conditions — to make fares more transparent and equitable. “The new system will automatically recognise when peak periods are in effect,” Mallika said, adding that fees could then be calculated dynamically without driver intervention.
DLT Director-General Sarapong Phaitoonphong said technical and legal preparations were already under way and the government aimed to implement the surcharge in December 2025. He expressed confidence the measure would significantly reduce trip refusals, while noting that a broader tariff overhaul would wait until the digital system was fully operational.
New fee, old questions
Officials hope that a small evening surcharge — as little as 20 baht on some trips — will ease frustration for commuters and restore faith in the city’s taxi service. Whether the modest charge will change driver behaviour and reduce the daily chaos on Bangkok’s streets remains to be seen as authorities prepare for the December rollout.