Mae Kham Pong community has come under fire recently as it has announced the increase of taxi fares to the village from 50 baht per person to 100 baht.
Many are saying that for a family of four this price is now prohibitive and extremely expensive, while local drivers argue that the price will be reflected in safety standards and convenience.
A recent Facebook post about Mae Kampong went viral, stating, “Mae Kampong is broken! It is no longer the same. The community bus fare is 100 baht per person. It’s too expensive!”
In response, others shared their views. One person explained, “The community bus fare is 100 baht per person for a round trip, and this includes parking. If you drive your own car, parking costs 50 baht per vehicle. For a family of 5 – 7, that could mean 500 to 700 baht just for the bus. People can choose to pay 50 baht for parking and drive themselves, or use the community bus. The service is there for convenience, and it’s up to each visitor to decide what works best.”
A local driver from Mae Kampong Village, a popular tourist destination in Mae On District, clarified the situation. He said that “those who choose to ride in the community’s four-wheel vehicles are charged 100 baht for a round trip. While many tourists prefer to drive themselves, the village offers two public parking areas: one at Mae Kampong Temple and the other at Mae Kampong School. Both are free, but parking is usually unavailable in the morning and only becomes accessible in the afternoon or evening. In some cases, drivers may park in front of a local resident’s house for a 50 baht fee. If no parking is available, visitors must return to service points and take a ride up to the village, where parking is free.
Due to limited space, the temple and school parking areas cannot accommodate all vehicles. Many villagers also use these areas for parking. As a result, taking the community bus is considered both practical and reasonably priced”.
The driver emphasized that using the community transportation is not just about convenience but also about ensuring safety on the narrow and crowded roads.
“During holidays, Mae Kampong Village is usually busy with tourists, both day-trippers and overnight guests. The roads often fill with cars and motorcycles. For this reason, local authorities and drivers strongly recommend that tourists use the community transportation service when visiting the village, to ensure safe and organized travel”.
