Was I scammed? Ao Nang taxi mafia

We booked a grab outside Ao nang McDonald’s and upon entering the grab, a local taxi man came up to the drivers window shouting, stating that if they drive us they will fine them 2000 baht and report the driver to the police. The driver seemed scared and was asking us to cancel but we couldn’t but it also appeared that she couldn’t on her end as the drive had already started.

10 minutes go by and we’re still sat in the car not moving. The driver then gets out of the car and pays them off to let us past. The driver seemed shook and said they was scared and that it was the taxi mafia. The driver then proceeded with the trip.

The driver never asked for any money from us but we felt bad and provided a generous tip as we believe that she had to pay the taxi mafia off and we felt bad because of this. Is this really the mafia?