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#1
29-11-2005, 09:45
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Tuk tuks - what's the story?
I read a lot of comments by the BMs I regard as having a good handle on matters in Patong about tuk tuks.
What's the reason for the general dislike of them? Corruption, hustling, the feeling that they rule the place, that they can't drive? 
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#3
29-11-2005, 10:11
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Hustling is my only gripe........but it's only a minor one....they have to make a quid like everyone else.
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#4
29-11-2005, 10:18
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They'll take you for a "ride"..............and not a very comfortable one at that................whenever thay can
They are also way more expensive than a metered taxi in BKK.........however in Patong I have never realy seen a taxi unless it is to/from the airport or for use more like a hire car for a day out or a longer trip usualy arranged by the hotel.......does anyoe know if standard metered taxis are easily available for short trips around Patong????
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#5
29-11-2005, 10:23
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Taxi meters are not permitted to operate in Patong. Why you ask, well its because of the tuk tuk mafia dictating what can and what cant be done.
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#6
29-11-2005, 14:02
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for the tourist if ur here 2-3-4 weeks no problem u can live with them but beyong that u begin to see what they are all about...........they are the biggest cancer in patong and a real danger...........just try crossing the road at the top of bangla near taipan can be very dangerous
I personally dont like some one clapping their hands loudly in my face and shouting tuk tuk I dont like being ripped off (not a money thing) They will go to any length of violence to get what they want They have other jobs and connections which gives them incredible powers bearing in mind they are just little taxi drivers theirs alot more to this mob than they've got to make a living G
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#7
29-11-2005, 14:55
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I had a bit of a punch up with a tuk-tuk driver once, cant agree more they are some of the biggest dicks in Thailand. Saying that though, go to Phuket Town and they are actually really nice guys (and about 1/4 price of Patong).
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#8
29-11-2005, 15:57
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My experience with them has been "you want tuk tuk"? and if I didn't want one either ignore them or decline. I've used them a bit and always agreed on a price first and never had any problem at the other end. (Though I think one did nick a camera out of my pocket once when i'd been mickey-finned and fell asleep in the back).
 Other than the fact they can't drive I've had no other complaints. Sure they're always at you to take a ride, but certainly no worse than the tailors around Bangla. Also scratching my head to work out how they would have any mafia-type pull. They're only taxi drivers aren't they? I'm really curious because the ex-pats and others who travel to LOS quite a bit really seem to have a dislike for them.
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#9
29-11-2005, 16:09
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Its the biggest mafia organised gang on the island. Why do you think that there are no buses (other than the town bus to Phuket) operating from Patong and along the coast?? Why arent taxi meters allowed to operate along the west coast??? Several years ago there was an attempt to start a bus service along the west coast beaches. The first bus ever was operating I believe between Karon and Patong. The bus was stopped and the driver beaten senseless. Needless to say that was the last of the bus service. Those guys are dangerous, dont mess with them.
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#10
29-11-2005, 18:35
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People usually didn´t like them before the tsunami and now worse. When most thaipeople helped victims with food, clothes and shelter the tuk tuk guys and taximen overcharged the trip to the airport for the tourists who fly home, making a profit out of a disaster! Do I have to say more????
 
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#11
29-11-2005, 19:01
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The other thing, and I agree again with all above, is that they take up parking space everywhere so makes it very difficult for people with cars to get near any shops or restaurants, and if you dare to take what they consider their rightful space you are quite likely to return to two flat tyres and lots of smug grins.
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#12
29-11-2005, 19:45
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Some of them seem to be permanently p*ssed or wacked-out on Red Bull. The motorbike taxis don't seem to be too bad though (bit scary, however), but do try to overcharge - get the GF to sort out the charge before you get on. My Thai wife won't take any bull these days - I think the drivers are quite intimidated sometimes! V.funny when she swears at them in english (forgetting they don't understand).
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#13
29-11-2005, 20:07
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In Patong there are a couple of tuk tuks driving around with stickers showing the U.S. flag (Stars and stripes) crossed with the Israeli flag (Star of David) with the line “The true axis of evil”. ‘nuff said IMO.
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#15
30-11-2005, 04:30
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The main problem with motorbike taxis, are that some are insuranced and some arent. The newer green shirts have insurance.
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#16
30-11-2005, 07:13
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Must agree, they are generally much nicer and also cheaper. My teelak never takes a tuk tuk if it´s only her and me and not raining, seems to hate the tuk tuk guys  She even prefered to walk when we couldn´t get a motobike taxi
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#17
30-11-2005, 10:08
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Just like the tow truck drivers here in Sydders then?
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#18
30-11-2005, 12:58
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mmmmm Motorbike taxis
Be warned they are usually drunk in the nightime stop at lights pass around bottles of beer for a swig with fellow drivers at their rest point usually drinking laow, kaow, san song, beer or anything they can get their hands on but yes generally nicer than Tuk Tuk as they mostly dont come from Phuket, enough said G
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#19
30-11-2005, 13:13
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So there`s only two decent tuk tuk drivers in the whole of Patong?
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#20
01-12-2005, 01:24
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Tuk-tuks: I try to avoid them as much as i can, the greedy hasseling bastards. I enjoy almost everything about Patong. But the transportation-business is so much better everywhere else i have been in Thailand.
Talking of politics, i came across some controversial T-shirts in Pattaya last year  Last edited by MajorTom : 01-12-2005 at 03:34.
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#21
01-12-2005, 03:27
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There's only one taxi firm I use in Patong and that's 'Fat Bastard Taxis' they operate up and down the Beach road for a velly special plice my friend. Always on time, always with a smile. You can't beat 'em!
 Not much of the seat left for you to sit on! But hey!! Ring 0800 Fat Bastard now, for the ride of your life! 
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#22
01-12-2005, 14:53
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dear mr.D on your next trip to los bring your fly swapper and hit the anoing tuktukflies in their bollocks maybe they will treat us like the gentlemen we are.
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#23
01-12-2005, 15:16
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More like, you'll be taken away to hospital if your lucky
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#24
01-12-2005, 16:05
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Have you seen the size of some of those Tuk Tuk Drivers BB? Not likely to hit them with anything! I like my nose where it is! They will be too busy watching me zip up and down the Beach Road with another beauty on the back of my Honda!
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The idea is to die young.........as late as possible.
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#25
01-12-2005, 23:52
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they all look small to me 555555555 and the only tuktuk driver that looks at you is BOB15
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