A Bangkok woman’s frustrating ride-hailing experience has ignited debate over passenger rights and taxi driver accountability after she was forced to pay a toll despite explicitly instructing the driver to avoid the expressway.
The incident came to light after TikTok user @aomsintupleng posted a video detailing her ride with a ride-hail cabbie who ignored her request to take the regular route. Instead, the driver used the expressway without consent and insisted she pay the 50-baht toll.
In the now-viral clip, the woman argues that her objection wasn’t about the money but about the lack of respect for her instructions. “I can afford 50 baht, but that’s not the point,” she says in the video. “If I wanted to save time, I would have told you to take the expressway.”
The argument escalated to the point that she exited the vehicle before reaching her destination.
The video quickly attracted widespread attention online, with many netizens sharing similar experiences involving ride-hailing services. Most sided with the passenger, calling the driver’s actions unprofessional and a violation of consumer rights.
The situation has prompted renewed calls for better enforcement of regulations requiring drivers to follow passenger instructions unless safety or traffic conditions necessitate an alternative. Some users urged ride-hailing companies to clarify their policies and improve accountability mechanisms for reported violations.
As public discussion grows, transportation authorities are being urged to address such incidents more seriously to protect passengers and uphold service standards.
