A motorbike taxi rider in Thailand claimed he scammed a Malaysian tourist out of money because his washing machine broke.
After charging the lost tourist 500 baht for a distance of only two kilometers, the rider claimed this is the first time he has ever overcharged a passenger.
A councilman in Hat Yai posted about it on Facebook. According to him, a Malaysian visitor lodged a complaint to him regarding a Thai motorbike taxi driver.
The Thaiger reported that the Malaysian tourist informed the councilman that the police had clamped his car. Therefore, he needed to pay a fine at Mueng Had Yai Police Station in order to get the clamp lifted.
Then, the Malaysian man signaled a passing motorcyclist. However, the motorbike taxi rider demanded 500 baht from him just to bring him to the local police station.
The councilman added that the Malaysian’s car was roughly two kilometers away from the police station. Therefore, the correct cost for the journey should have been around 100 baht, not 500 baht.
Yesterday, another Thai news, Khaosod reported that Traffic Police Inspector had detained the culprit, the motorbike taxi rider.
The Traffic Police Inspector said that the motorbike taxi rider originally denied the accusation, saying the Malaysian tourist tipped him 500 baht. He then eventually revealed his guilt after police warned him he could go to jail for lying, reported The Thaiger.
Needed money to fix a broken washing machine
The rider admitted to having no passengers that day. He then saw the Malaysian was stuck and offered him a pricier ride. He also denied threatening the tourist and said that it was his first time scamming a customer in 21 years as a taxi rider.
The reason he scammed the tourist was that he needed money to fix his broken washing machine. The rider apologized for tarnishing Hat Yai’s reputation.
In addition to that, the rider was charged for charging more than the standard fare. He faces a 5,000 baht fine. Police also fined him 2,000 baht for his untaxed motorbike. Police may suspend his driver’s license as well.
Source: The Thaiger