PHUKET'S tuk-tuk and taxi prices have reached new heights of craziness. Travellers now pay more to catch some taxis from Mai Khao to Patong than to fly from Phuket to Bangkok.
That's right. You get to ride from one of the fancy hotels at the north of the island to Patong for more than it costs for a fare on a flight from Phuket to Bangkok.
If there is one issue that the new Governor should be looking to resolve, it's this one.
The high prices asked for tuk-tuk and taxi rides on the island have become the Number One complaint tourists make to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Visitors who hailed a tuk-tuk the other night near the Karon Circle were told it would cost them 200 baht to go along the beach to Kata Villa, just near the Karon Sports Stadium.
That works out to about 100 baht a kilometre. Tuk-tuks in Bangkok operate for less than a tenth of that figure.
But it's the Mai Khao to Patong run that really sets the standard for sky-high fares.
From the Sala Phuket Resort and Spa in Mai Khao to Patong, an in-house taxi will cost you 1400 baht one-way. Catch one outside the resort and you will pay 900 baht.
From the Anantara Phuket Resort and Spa nearby, an in-house taxi to Patong will cost you 1800 baht one-way. Catch one outside the resort and you will pay 900 baht.
From the JW Marriott Resort nearby, an in-house taxi to Patong will cost you 1800 baht one-way. Catch one outside the resort and you will pay 900 baht.
Phuketwan called Air Asia on Thursday and was told the lowest price of a ticket one-way from Phuket to Bangkok was 1140 baht, including tax. Prices varied up to 4445 baht.
Thai Air economy was a bit more expensive, coming in at 3880 baht.
We guess people who pay the higher price for an airfare would probably also use the Mercedes Benz service from the Anantara to Patong.
That would set them back 3050 baht return. The round trip is a discounted fare compared to the one-way fare.
Even further south, closer to Patong, the taxi fares remain a little on the high side.
From the Banyan Tree in Laguna Phuket, Cherng Talay, to Patong, a one-way in-house taxi fare to Patong will cost you 1400 baht.
A local taxi will charge you 800-900 baht.
From the Dusit Thani, also in Laguna Phuket, a one-way in-house taxi fare to Patong will cost you 1300 baht.
A local taxi will charge you 600-700 baht.
The answer for guests is: catch the resort shuttle to Patong and back if there is one.
Or catch that plane for Bangkok instead.
That's right. You get to ride from one of the fancy hotels at the north of the island to Patong for more than it costs for a fare on a flight from Phuket to Bangkok.
If there is one issue that the new Governor should be looking to resolve, it's this one.
The high prices asked for tuk-tuk and taxi rides on the island have become the Number One complaint tourists make to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Visitors who hailed a tuk-tuk the other night near the Karon Circle were told it would cost them 200 baht to go along the beach to Kata Villa, just near the Karon Sports Stadium.
That works out to about 100 baht a kilometre. Tuk-tuks in Bangkok operate for less than a tenth of that figure.
But it's the Mai Khao to Patong run that really sets the standard for sky-high fares.
From the Sala Phuket Resort and Spa in Mai Khao to Patong, an in-house taxi will cost you 1400 baht one-way. Catch one outside the resort and you will pay 900 baht.
From the Anantara Phuket Resort and Spa nearby, an in-house taxi to Patong will cost you 1800 baht one-way. Catch one outside the resort and you will pay 900 baht.
From the JW Marriott Resort nearby, an in-house taxi to Patong will cost you 1800 baht one-way. Catch one outside the resort and you will pay 900 baht.
Phuketwan called Air Asia on Thursday and was told the lowest price of a ticket one-way from Phuket to Bangkok was 1140 baht, including tax. Prices varied up to 4445 baht.
Thai Air economy was a bit more expensive, coming in at 3880 baht.
We guess people who pay the higher price for an airfare would probably also use the Mercedes Benz service from the Anantara to Patong.
That would set them back 3050 baht return. The round trip is a discounted fare compared to the one-way fare.
Even further south, closer to Patong, the taxi fares remain a little on the high side.
From the Banyan Tree in Laguna Phuket, Cherng Talay, to Patong, a one-way in-house taxi fare to Patong will cost you 1400 baht.
A local taxi will charge you 800-900 baht.
From the Dusit Thani, also in Laguna Phuket, a one-way in-house taxi fare to Patong will cost you 1300 baht.
A local taxi will charge you 600-700 baht.
The answer for guests is: catch the resort shuttle to Patong and back if there is one.
Or catch that plane for Bangkok instead.
As if tourism was not dammaged enough in this country !!! It seems they really want to get rid of tourists.
One advice though, if you take a tuk-tuk you can always try to share it with some other passengers... I know the problem is elsewhere but it might help...
Posted by Antony on November 26, 2008 13:10