About 1,700 taxi van drivers operating at Suvarnabhumi airport are threatening to strike until Sunday.
The threat comes in response to a new rule imposed on them by airport officials, requiring taxi vans to take more than four passengers at a time.
The airport wants to speed up the transport of passengers from the airport, said driver Pathawi Meerach Thursday.
Any driver who refuses to follow the rule will face punishment and be blacklisted for refusing to take more than four passengers, said Mr Pathawi, a member of a group working to resolve problems about taxi service rates at the airport.
This rule would adversely affect the safety of the additional passengers because the standard accident insurance policy only covers a maximum number of four at a time, he said. This means the fifth and sixth passengers will not be covered by the insurance policy.
"If they want us to take more than four passengers at a time, they will have to ensure that the fifth and sixth passengers will be protected and compensated in case of accidents," he said.
Mr Pathawi also complained about the delay in the government's consideration of his group's calls. They are seeking permission to charge passengers for extra luggage as well as a decision on the second round of taxi fare hikes.
The government promised to let taxi drivers know of their decision last month, he said.
"If the Transport Ministry ignores us, it may have to hope we don't suspend our services today. Each driver has the right to decide whether or not he strikes. I cannot force them either way," Mr Pathawi said.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong said he had yet to receive any report about the threatened taxi strike at Suvarnabhumi.
If taxi drivers want to strike, they should give it a try, he said.
The ministry would not decide on the requested taxi fare hikes and the extra luggage charges, he said, because a feasibility study on them is still ongoing.