‘taxi mafia’

[aussie dollar]

Governor lays out strategy for war on ‘taxi mafia’

PHUKET CITY: Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has unveiled more plans for cleaning up taxi and tuk-tuk services and reducing the influence of the island’s “taxi mafia”.

The Governor said the number of “limousines” allowed to operate from Phuket International Airport should be limited to 50-60 vehicles. All should be Mercedes Benz cars, Toyota Camrys or Volvos, no more than five years old, and with engine capacities of at least 2 liters.

Three meter taxis at a time should be allowed to wait at the stand directly in front of the airport terminal; the rest should wait outside the airport and be summoned in by walkie-talkie only when there is an opening for them at the stand.

Gov Udomsak was speaking yesterday at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall with representatives of Phuket Provincial Transportation Office (PPTO), Phuket International Airport and Phuket Tourist Association.

He reiterated the i mportance of having more meter taxis in the province. Metering, he said, would help end the domination of the Phuket “taxi mafia”, which enables some drivers to claim areas of the island as their own private turf.

Gov Udomsak said, “In Kata-Karon, for example, the [tuk tuk] drivers say they have agreed a good system among themselves, which is fine, but the problem is that they won’t let anyone else onto their patch.

“They say they have worked everything out for themselves, and no one can operate in their area – yet, at the same time, they are taking fares to Phuket City, Patong, all over.”

Similarly, the Governor said, in Patong, tuk tuk drivers had awarded themselves monopolies on operating outside certain hotels.

As things stood, said Gov Udomsak, registered taxis are effectively restricted to working to and from the airport.

“But if every taxi was metered, it could stop the territorial arguments,” he said.

He conceded that, even i f all taxis were equipped with meters, this would not necessarily solve all problems, as some drivers might refuse to use the meters.

He took up a suggestion from the meeting that police checkpoints could check whether taxis had meters, and whether the drivers were using them.

Said Gov Udomsak, “I’m sure tourists would be happier using taxis if they knew the drivers would use their meters – because they would get into trouble with the police if they didn’t.”

The Governor, estimating that it will take around two years to clean up Phuket’s taxi services, said, “We must make sure that our taxis and limousines are operating to certain standards.

“We know that they are giving people cause for complaint, but at present they are getting away with it, because people don’t complain about them – maybe because visitors are afraid of approaching the police.”

Brought to you by:
The Phuket Gazette
18:17 local time (GMT +7)

[Schmeen]

If they refused to use the meters the custmer has the option to get out.

Remember they said it would never work in BKK. case rested.

I do absolutely anything I can not to use the Patong tuk-tuks...anything!

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by Schmeen

I do absolutely anything I can not to use the Patong tuk-tuks...anything!

SAME SAME HERE..THATS WHY I STAY IN C AND N...........NO NEED FOR ANY FORM OF TRANSPORT...........AND IF I DO NEED A RIDE ..I JUST GET A MB TAXI.........
IJ

[Nicke]

And I will also recommend Supachai once again.

If you need a transport call Supachai to book a taxi, e.g. if you want to go to Phuket Town, Airport or Phuket Zoo and so on.

I can also help my friends if I have time, just ask me.

[stevem]

This has been talked about before, but sure does sound like they might be serious about it his time. Lets hope so, as this taxi bullshit is a big black mark on tourism here.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Nicke

And I will also recommend Supachai once again.

If you need a transport call Supachai to book a taxi, e.g. if you want to go to Phuket Town, Airport or Phuket Zoo and so on.

I can also help my friends if I have time, just ask me.

Most of the hotels I have enquired with will also pick you up and drop off at the airport if you promise to go ahead with your booking! Worth asking IMHO

[Denver]

Originally Posted by muffdiver

have been walking all over patong and never had any problems with roving Kateoys and belive me i'm normaly super super mau when i go home late night so where you and your GF have this bullshit from is out of my world.

Hi Muffdiver, your post may seem odd to a few who didn't see the string of ones before it which have been rightly deleted by Nicke. I think most of us knew who it was. Cheers Muffdiver, just letting folk know who read this and thought "What's he talking about!"

[steve@thaib]

That would be me Denver, thanks for clearing that up

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

That would be me Denver, thanks for clearing that up

Thats me then can't understand what been happenng to btyhidmthread,

What does that mean?? too many lagers not enought time. Time for bed methinks.

[seven]

Originally Posted by muffdiver

thanks Denver but when i did the post his post was still on, but anyway fine that the idiot has gone and i can have a few more cold carlsberg here

Agree,thanks to Denver too now i understand more..
A BIG thanks to the moderators

7

[cotambear]

It irritates me when I`m having a pleasant walk and my reverie is shattered by som tuk tuk git papping his horn at me. Maybe we should all agree to carry air horns when out, and blast em back for a taste of their own medicine.

I`m a bit cranky this morning.

[steve@thaib]

Originally Posted by cotambear

It irritates me when I`m having a pleasant walk and my reverie is shattered by som tuk tuk git papping his horn at me. Maybe we should all agree to carry air horns when out, and blast em back for a taste of their own medicine.

I`m a bit cranky this morning.

First laugh of the day there mate, thanks for that

[muffdiver]

Deleted the earlier post so that there want be any mistake now that dude has gone.