Drinking, smoking bus driver fined, loses job

Two women are seen drinking beer next to the driver of a route 34 minibus in Bangkok on Feb 19. Media reported they were friends of the bus driver, who also drank and smoked while on duty. The fare collector, who wore shorts, was looking on. (Photo from the page of Facebook user Pang Orathai)

A Route 34 minibus driver has been fired and fined 5,000 baht for drinking beer and smoking with friends during working hours on Tuesday this week.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority fined Chuchart Diloklarp, who confessed to misconduct after a passenger on the bus photographed the incident and posted it on Facebook.

He was also sacked by his employer, Kliaw World Co, a concessionaire of the state enterprise. The BMTA also fined the bus company 5,000 baht for failing to maintain service standards.

The bus itself was ordered off the road for seven days, from Feb 21 to 27.

Fare collector Manaspan Kaewsurin, who wore shorts while on duty on the same bus, was suspended from  work for the same period.

The BMTA issued a statement apologising for the poor and dangerous service.