PHUKET: Eighty-seven extra tuk-tuks are to be declared legal and added to the streets of Phuket - but they will be confined to Phuket City and their roofs will be painted yellow.
The compromise with the antsy outlaw drivers was announced today by Governor Nisit Jansomwong at a meeting with tuk-tuk representatives and with 40 drivers waiting outside at Phuket Provincial Hall.
The deal pleased some of the drivers but not others, a few questions from Phuketwan indicated, with some still keen to work in Patong, not Phuket City.
Restrictions on tuk-tuk working in Phuket City have always failed to work in the past, which is why so many operate on the west coast and so few are found in the island's east coast capital.
There will be no set fares for the yellow-top Phuket City tuk-tuks. The base fare will be 20 baht per passenger, and everything else is negotiable.
Today's settlement may be an uneasy peace if the drivers can't make a good income under their yellow tops in Phuket City.
To sweeten the deal, Phuket Land Transport Department chief Teerayuth Prasertpon told the drivers he would provide Phuket police with a written instruction that yellow-topped tuk-tuks could operate in Phuket City even though their yellow numberplates were still pending.
''I hope we can have everything approved through Bangkok within two months,'' he said. ''We should talk again then.''
For his part, Governor Nisit asked whether the 87 tuk-tuks - bought in expectation that registration would follow - had been part of a business deal or purchased by individuals. He was told the tuk-tuks were owned by their drivers.
''I am glad you will be independent,'' the governor said. The plan will be for them to organise into a cooperative, even if some would prefer to be in Patong.
Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana said that the island's administrative capital was short of tuk-tuks and could use the extra vehicles, although there has been no reaction so far from Phuket City's existing tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.
Some of the 87 have been on the edge of their seats for up to 12 months, harassed by police and by their unfriendly legal colleagues in Patong.
Allowing anyone who wants to become a tuk-tuk or taxi driver does not necessarily appear to be the ideal solution to the holiday island's oversupply and extortionate fares.
Historically, attempts to restrict tuk-tuks to operations on one side of the holiday island or the other have always failed.
Land Transport director Teerayuth has also told 306 meter taxi drivers at Phuket International Airport who say they don't have sufficient work that they must negotiate direct with the Army.
The compromise with the antsy outlaw drivers was announced today by Governor Nisit Jansomwong at a meeting with tuk-tuk representatives and with 40 drivers waiting outside at Phuket Provincial Hall.
The deal pleased some of the drivers but not others, a few questions from Phuketwan indicated, with some still keen to work in Patong, not Phuket City.
Restrictions on tuk-tuk working in Phuket City have always failed to work in the past, which is why so many operate on the west coast and so few are found in the island's east coast capital.
There will be no set fares for the yellow-top Phuket City tuk-tuks. The base fare will be 20 baht per passenger, and everything else is negotiable.
Today's settlement may be an uneasy peace if the drivers can't make a good income under their yellow tops in Phuket City.
To sweeten the deal, Phuket Land Transport Department chief Teerayuth Prasertpon told the drivers he would provide Phuket police with a written instruction that yellow-topped tuk-tuks could operate in Phuket City even though their yellow numberplates were still pending.
''I hope we can have everything approved through Bangkok within two months,'' he said. ''We should talk again then.''
For his part, Governor Nisit asked whether the 87 tuk-tuks - bought in expectation that registration would follow - had been part of a business deal or purchased by individuals. He was told the tuk-tuks were owned by their drivers.
''I am glad you will be independent,'' the governor said. The plan will be for them to organise into a cooperative, even if some would prefer to be in Patong.
Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana said that the island's administrative capital was short of tuk-tuks and could use the extra vehicles, although there has been no reaction so far from Phuket City's existing tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.
Some of the 87 have been on the edge of their seats for up to 12 months, harassed by police and by their unfriendly legal colleagues in Patong.
Allowing anyone who wants to become a tuk-tuk or taxi driver does not necessarily appear to be the ideal solution to the holiday island's oversupply and extortionate fares.
Historically, attempts to restrict tuk-tuks to operations on one side of the holiday island or the other have always failed.
Land Transport director Teerayuth has also told 306 meter taxi drivers at Phuket International Airport who say they don't have sufficient work that they must negotiate direct with the Army.
I am happy to hear some compromise has been found that is acceptable to some who can make a reasonable living.
For those who want to work in Patong - get the message - you are not wanted or needed with your rip off tactics.
Posted by Logic on May 11, 2015 19:15