Illegal motorcycle taxi riders charged for extortion

BANGKOK, Jan 5 (TNA) – Two illegal motorcycle taxi drivers have been charged and detained for extorting and threatening passengers during the New Year holidays. Superintendent of the Bang Sue police station, Seksit Supha-uan said the police requested the court to reject bail pleas of the two suspects for fear that they would tamper with evidence. They had also threatened passengers to accept the unfair fare, overcharged during the New Year holidays when transportation service is in high demand for crowds of travellers. The police have substantial evidence against them such as witnesses and video clips, taken by passengers. The duo are charged for extortion, misuse of vehicle, operating a vehicle without a valid driver's license, vehicle tax evasion and not carrying the copy of vehicle registration. Many passengers lodged complaints to the police about a group of illegal motorcycle taxi drivers, threatening and overcharge them as high as 450 baht for one-kilometre ride. The duo confessed to the crime, saying they had done for a year. They targeted victims, travelling from provinces during the long holidays when passengers cannot find any other transportation. According to the police, they have many criminal records. (TNA)