Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?

[Dupree00]

Phuket Town isn't a tourist trap. Patong and it's connecting beach villages are.

[Dodger]

Stop it Dupes, Patts is great cos they have songteaws.

Tuk Tuks are ba$tards, but we have no choice, we have to use them.

Taxis surely aren't available on the island, nah can't be, so they have to use tuk tuks to tour around, wonder how much touring around they do in Patts?masses I bet!!!

Yes lads Tuk Tuks in Patong cost more than songteaw's in Patts or taxis in Bangkok. Phew glad we sorted that one out, I would have ended up with a sleepless night otherwise!!!

[Sham69]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Yes lads Tuk Tuks in Patong cost more than songteaw's in Patts or taxis in Bangkok. Phew glad we sorted that one out, I would have ended up with a sleepless night otherwise!!!

It is a topic that has been put up for discussion on the forum. Opinions and experiences have been recounted which is the purpose of the board.
I'm sorry if you find it banal and frivolous, but now that you have given your opinion do you think it should be end of discussion as in the "shirtless tourists" thread on the general section?

[Dodger]

What do you reckon?

[Sirgezza]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Ooops gonna buck the trend here, I've taken tuk tuk from Patong to Kamala a few times recently and the last few times they have dropped their asking price to 300, used to always be 400 with a load of arguing. Maybe things are on the mend????

Cheaper taxis, cheaper blackberry jam, looks like Patong is pricing itself back in to the market

[Dodger]

Heh it isn't getting down to gezzer levels just yet!!!

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by Dodger

What do you reckon?

I would reckon, for tuk tuk's a sticky with regular updated prices

and a search engine advise for t-shirt topics....

[dan boy]

Originally Posted by les1999

This is why I go to Pattaya, or should I say Jomtien because from Jomtien to Patts by Baht taxi is about 15 mins and 10baht - thank you very much.
Why go all the way to Patong to get ripped off ......!!!!!!!

Ooops, I paid 300 baht to Jomtien, didn't know it went all the way up there. He saw me coming........

[Dupree00]

Is it ok to not wear a shirt in a Tuk tuk if it is on the beach road?

[Dodger]

and how much do they charge now for billy joels???

[Simbo]

Completely off thread but the 'express train' from the airport to bangkok will cost B150 when it opens on or around the King's birthday in Dec ( allegedly this year's birthday BTW!)

[t0rn]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Stop it Dupes, Patts is great cos they have songteaws.

Tuk Tuks are ba$tards, but we have no choice, we have to use them.

Taxis surely aren't available on the island, nah can't be, so they have to use tuk tuks to tour around, wonder how much touring around they do in Patts?masses I bet!!!

Yes lads Tuk Tuks in Patong cost more than songteaw's in Patts or taxis in Bangkok. Phew glad we sorted that one out, I would have ended up with a sleepless night otherwise!!!

Not sure if this is a case of "truth hurts" or something else?
Not just a cost issue, though that does pee me off but there just seems to be so much hassle associated with a tuk tuk in Patong - assuming you agree to the rip off price, they'll refuse to go up a steep driveway/hill, attempt to charge waiting time, etc - all sorts of sh1t I can do without and don't encounter elsewhere.

[muddyhoop]

My God don't say anything bad about Phuket!!!!

[Mai Chob]

Originally Posted by Benjy

Well its a bit more than that, Mcdonalds is like 30% more expensive or whatever, I can get a Tuk-Tuk in Phuket Town at a cost more like 1/4 what the Patong buzzards charge.

Maccas Beach rd, 91 baht for a egg burger , hash brown and coffee...... next door at Molly Malones, 2 toast, 2 eggs, 2 potato patties, bacon, coffee, 99 baht. Go figure.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Robaht

Well, since a tuk-tuk is basically a modified Daihatsu Hi-Jet, I would find it very hard to believe that a new one like this one which costs roughly $9,000 US, plus shipping and insurance of $1,020, would then require an additional $25,000 USD in modifications and import/customs duties.

1.2 million baht? Sounds like a nice profit margin for Mr. tuk tuk mafia boss!

Or why a mini is 3m baht instead of the 700k they are in the west. Or a beetle.. Or a beemer.. Or. or..

Get used to it.. Cars not produced incountry have no price comparison..

The real cost is not the car, its the paying to be associated with the groups..

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by t0rn

Not sure if this is a case of "truth hurts" or something else?
Not just a cost issue, though that does pee me off but there just seems to be so much hassle associated with a tuk tuk in Patong - assuming you agree to the rip off price, they'll refuse to go up a steep driveway/hill, attempt to charge waiting time, etc - all sorts of sh1t I can do without and don't encounter elsewhere.

Torn where elsewhere?, cos there isn't anywhere else to compare with. Patts has the songteaw system we would all want everywhere, but Tong doesn't have it. Bangkok has metered taxis, we would accept but tong doesn't have.

So where else are you comparing that is on a like for like basis as Patong??

This is the situation in Patong, its not good, no one likes it but whinging on here every couple of months is doing diddly squat. Why you should say 'truth hurts'??? I don't live in Patong, I am not a tuk tuk driver, I very rarely use Tuk Tuks, as does any other expat, its for you tourists and its all you are going to get in the forseeable future.

If it puts you off and you prefer Patts or elsewhere then so be it, they have never affected my holiday or my life to make me decide against the island. For every plus of one place there is a negative, I live here because I like it, not defend every wrong thing, just point out the facts occasionally.

The example you give of occasionally getting crap even once the journey has commenced, is also intensly annoying, hence my lack of use. I have got a very reliable taxi guy, really pleasant, never over charges, never scams me, always turns up at any hour, so when I'm not driving, I've found the solution best suited for me, or maybe I should be on here having a pointless whinge and doing nothing about the tuk tuks, vote with your feet, don't use them!!!!

[Simbo]

I concur and the way ahead is finding good taxi drivers- they are out there.

[Robaht]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Or why a mini is 3m baht instead of the 700k they are in the west. Or a beetle.. Or a beemer.. Or. or..

Get used to it.. Cars not produced incountry have no price comparison..

The real cost is not the car, its the paying to be associated with the groups..

Wait, so the real cost is the fact that they have to be imported so you can't make a comparison (fees+customs+import duties+etc.), or the real cost is higher because they are paying to be associated with the groups (ie membership fees to the tuk tuk gang)? You argue both...

I find it hard to believe that a new tuk-tuk costs 1.2 million baht. That is what he said in the article, and to explain it he said they are "imported from Japan". But you seem to think it could be true that the sticker price including all import charges adds up to 1.2 million baht, and I honestly don't know -- but I reserve my right to be skeptical. Personally, in true freakonomics fashion, I think they'd find an alternative if the new Daihatsu Hijet tuk-tuk cost that much. It just wouldn't make sense.

He did not say, they cost 1.2 million baht because they only cost 600k but then the driver has to pay to be associated with my tuk tuk gang, buy a parking space, etc. While it may well be the case, it isn't what he said. Not that he'd ever say it, I guess.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Simbo

I concur and the way ahead is finding good taxi drivers- they are out there.

Why not list out thier numbers ??

Having a few phoneable guys who give fair rates who could get great business seems like a win win all round.

[Benjy]

until you call him up and he's busy or his rates have doubled due to demand.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Robaht

Wait, so the real cost is the fact that they have to be imported so you can't make a comparison (fees+customs+import duties+etc.), or the real cost is higher because they are paying to be associated with the groups (ie membership fees to the tuk tuk gang)? You argue both...

I find it hard to believe that a new tuk-tuk costs 1.2 million baht. That is what he said in the article, and to explain it he said they are "imported from Japan". But you seem to think it could be true that the sticker price including all import charges adds up to 1.2 million baht, and I honestly don't know -- but I reserve my right to be skeptical. Personally, in true freakonomics fashion, I think they'd find an alternative if the new Daihatsu Hijet tuk-tuk cost that much. It just wouldn't make sense.

He did not say, they cost 1.2 million baht because they only cost 600k but then the driver has to pay to be associated with my tuk tuk gang, buy a parking space, etc. While it may well be the case, it isn't what he said. Not that he'd ever say it, I guess.

Mean cost of cars is just a given.. We all know it.. That motors here that would be a couple hundred notes in the UK are a couple of 100'000.. A fella I met the other day was laughing at the price he had grabbed a car no one wants (Honda faux limo.. 3.5l, electric everything, leather, AC, etc) for 700 quid.. Wouldnt surprise me if the same thing would fetch 400 - 500k there.

But the cost of operating a tuktuk is a lot more than buying a car (I think many are leased) its the purchasing of license to tuggery with police tolerance by buying into one of the connected syndicates. Its paying the price of corruption bascally.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Benjy

until you call him up and he's busy or his rates have doubled due to demand.

Hence why it should be a few.. Having one doesnt help, but a list of ones that give good prices.. Or ones which realize how much biz they could get (yes I know.. Having foresight beyond the immediate gimmie now) through that would be a helpful thing.

[Benjy]

How much would it cost to run that car in the UK though, 250 quid road tax, petrol twice the price, Insurance, MOT etc...

It is the main thing I miss from back home though, a wide selection of cars to suit anyones taste at anyones budget.

[LivinLOS]

Well between the 30k baht price here and the 400k baht price there, I think theres some change to play with.. And thats at the uber cheap end.

Fuel is 1.05 ish I think, what non ethanol there ?? 32 baht ?? Proper 95 (v power for shell only place I know of for 95) that I like to use was around 37.. no MOT problems, insurance also dirt cheap (and why insure more than 3rd party for 100 quid, its a 700 quid car) you just cant slice it as 'cheap' there unless you mean some agricultural pickup nearly new, even then its a stretch.

But quite simply I dont really care the cost to run.. A super super clean mid 90s SL320 with hard and soft tops is 4.5k GBP asking.. Versus what 1.5 million baht ?? Was in a 350z the other day, absolute hotted up quick machine value 10k GBP and it had loads of money spent on performance upgrades.

Anyway.. Common complaint.. That horse has been flogged enough.

[Captain]

Originally Posted by Benjy

until you call him up and he's busy or his rates have doubled due to demand.

Always phone the same (taxi) driver, and he asks an honest price. If he has another client he rings one of his colleagues who will wait for me at the demanded hour...same price.

[Dodger]

Get a good number Benjy and you do not put it on the forum...............selfish yep suppose so.

[Goose]

He says a taxi meter doesnt make sense? It makes sense in BKK n keeps everybody honest. Dont be afraid to get a motorsai. I stay away from tuk tuks if I can...

[t0rn]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Torn where elsewhere?, cos there isn't anywhere else to compare with. Patts has the songteaw system we would all want everywhere, but Tong doesn't have it. Bangkok has metered taxis, we would accept but tong doesn't have.

So where else are you comparing that is on a like for like basis as Patong??

This is the situation in Patong, its not good, no one likes it but whinging on here every couple of months is doing diddly squat. Why you should say 'truth hurts'??? I don't live in Patong, I am not a tuk tuk driver, I very rarely use Tuk Tuks, as does any other expat, its for you tourists and its all you are going to get in the forseeable future.

If it puts you off and you prefer Patts or elsewhere then so be it, they have never affected my holiday or my life to make me decide against the island. For every plus of one place there is a negative, I live here because I like it, not defend every wrong thing, just point out the facts occasionally.

The example you give of occasionally getting crap even once the journey has commenced, is also intensly annoying, hence my lack of use. I have got a very reliable taxi guy, really pleasant, never over charges, never scams me, always turns up at any hour, so when I'm not driving, I've found the solution best suited for me, or maybe I should be on here having a pointless whinge and doing nothing about the tuk tuks, vote with your feet, don't use them!!!!

I accept you're not trying to defend the whole island. Subsequent posts where you have a 'good' taxi driver probably demonstrates that your not in the same situation of most tourists where there is no option but to pay through the nose or walk.
I have never and probably never will visit Pattaya though I understand the setup there is better.
I can't think of anywhere anywhere else I've been in Asia where the rip off is so immediate and so constant.
That said, I may pop down next weekend - are you up for a couple of drinks?

[ChoakMyDee]

The meter taxis in Bangkok are not hassle free either. I've had drivers refuse to take me because I insisted he turn the meter on(more than once). I've had drivers try to get a price up front and it took a lot of arguing before they finally turned the meter on(had to get out of the car and walk away). I've also had meter taxis refuse to take me because I wasn't going far enough for them. I assume when they see a farang, they want enough money for their retirement from the trip.

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by t0rn

That said, I may pop down next weekend - are you up for a couple of drinks?

Can't remember ever not being, looking forward to a few with ya!!!

[Benjy]

Originally Posted by ChoakMyDee

The meter taxis in Bangkok are not hassle free either. I've had drivers refuse to take me because I insisted he turn the meter on(more than once). I've had drivers try to get a price up front and it took a lot of arguing before they finally turned the meter on(had to get out of the car and walk away). I've also had meter taxis refuse to take me because I wasn't going far enough for them. I assume when they see a farang, they want enough money for their retirement from the trip.

Kuala Lumpar was the very worst place for that, I've never had a meter taxi actually use the meter without a lot of cajoling.

[The Loop]

I`ve been regularly giving out a link to some reliable drivers here on Phuket.

It got to the stage where Mr *** was always too busy to pick me up,so he sends some of his friends,colleagues,whoever, to pick me up for the trip to the airport....the last one in some old beat up piece of sh1t,that i was worried would break down on the way or have some sort of mechanical failure.
No problem about the speed though,it struggled to get over 60 k`s,and he was too busy playing with his phone and looking around at everything on the way.

I`ve got a new guy now who takes me for 450 baht from Patong/Kalim in a nice vehicle and in an orderly manner.

I`m keeping it to myself this time.

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by The Loop

I`ve got a new guy now who takes me for 450 baht from Patong/Kalim in a nice vehicle and in an orderly manner.

I`m keeping it to myself this time.

Is this return fare Lew?? cos if not you are paying more than for a Tuk Tuk arn't you?

Patong to Kamala we pay 300 baht brand new mitsubishi 7 seater, 500 return. Though occasionally get a tuk tuk back at 300.

That second bit was a point in one of my earlier posts, I used to have to argue to get 400 baht back, now 300 no probs, will start trying for 250 next!!!

[The Loop]

Originally Posted by The Loop

It got to the stage where Mr *** was always too busy to pick me up,so he sends some of his friends,colleagues,whoever, to pick me up for the trip to the airport....

Originally Posted by Dodger

Is this return fare Lew?? cos if not you are paying more than for a Tuk Tuk arn't you?

Patong to Kamala we pay 300 baht brand new mitsubishi 7 seater, 500 return. Though occasionally get a tuk tuk back at 300.

That second bit was a point in one of my earlier posts, I used to have to argue to get 400 baht back, now 300 no probs, will start trying for 250 next!!!

I know i only mentioned it once,but i was talking about the airport,one way.

[LivinLOS]

I have used Mr Jimmy for years.. Hes an airport limo guy (part of the evil empire) and manages multiple other drivers in his stable.. But between me and maybe 4 or 5 other mates who use him, many oil guys who fly in and out monthly, none have ever had him or his drivers turn up late.. Always airport Limo vehicles so no ratty ones.

500 baht to or from airport even as far as Karon.

I dont use him locally / inter island tho..