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Patong, Phuket City Tuk-Tuk, Airport Taxi Fares Flagged
By Pathomporn Kaenkrachang Thursday, January 27, 2011
MAXIMUM proposed rates have been set for tuk-tuks and taxis in and out of Patong by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha and a special committee.
Not more than 200 baht is the proposed tuk-tuk fare for up to four people anywhere around Patong, with negotiation downwards still possible if customers wish.
For taxis or tuk-tuks, the suggested rates are Patong to Chalong, 500 baht; Patong to Cape Promthep, 600 baht; Phuket City to Patong 500 baht; Phuket City to Karon, 550 baht; Patong to the airport, 800 baht (1500 baht return.)
The suggested sample rates are to be discussed with a Memorandum of Understanding expected to be ratified by all parties during the first week in February.
Governor Tri said today that Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen would head the special fares committee. Both men were at Phuket City's Provincial Hall today when the suggested fares were presented.
On the committee with them are Patong businessman and President of the Patong Taxi Club, Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin, the Director of Kathu District, Siripat Patkun, the Chief of the Transport Office, Phuket, Kanok Siripaint, and a senior Kathu police patrol officer, Lt Colonel Jakkrawad Boontaweekulsawad.
Signs around Patong are expected to go up once the rates have been formally agreed. An announcement about a proposed taxi call centre is expected on February 9.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
800 to the airport !
What a joke, in a Tuk tuk !
In Bangkok the same trip would cost about 200 Baht, there is 38 Km. to the airport from Patong, startup is 35 Baht and then 36 KM of 4.5 Baht total 197 Baht !
Posted by
Karsten
on
January 27, 2011 18:31
I'm sure my taxi from the airport rank to Patong was only 450/550 last year (inc 50 airport surcharge).
So the rate agreed to by the Governor and the 'Special Committee' is now almost double.
No intention of stepping foot back on Phuket.
LOL
Posted by
philip
on
January 27, 2011 18:47
Editor Comment:
That's a maximum rate, for negotiation downwards . . . and not to be confused with metered cabs. Of course, you can't hail a metered cab from Patong to the airport.
Ridicolous, they still are ridicolous. PEOPLE FROM PHUKET CAN'T CHANGE ANYTHING IN PHUKET!!! An example: go to get a look at the public parking on Patong beach: the situation is exactly like one month ago: nothing is changed!!
Posted by
Dave
on
January 27, 2011 19:29
Why should a Tuk Tuk driver making on one airport trip from 2 times 45 minutes (90) receive 5 times 300 (a high daily wages) if I ask him to bring me to the airport to "collect" a friend and to take us back to Patong. I call that extortion. And don't come with the argument it is open for negotiation. This will be the standard.
Posted by
PhuketExpat
on
January 27, 2011 19:35
These proposed prices are more expensive than those that are available now. What a joke.
Posted by
cammo
on
January 27, 2011 19:42
As expected, the fares that Tuk-Tuk drivers have been demanding before, which are for example 10x more expensive than in Had Yai, have now been accepted as official fares.
Despite all the complaints and feedback from tourists and even some very influential (foreign) people, Tuk-Tuk drivers have made absolutely no concessions whatsoever in prices.
In this expected move the Tuk-Tuk rip-off is now official policy of Phuket.
I certainly hope the HCs will press the Governor for an explanation on this decision.
Posted by
Chris
on
January 27, 2011 19:47
I always pay THB400 for a taxi airport-Patong, and THB500 Patong-Airport and now Governor proposes THB800, crazy! If he says 800 why do u want the cab driver to negotiate downward. I think now rather than to pay 400 like before, they will follow the Governor 800. I think it's time to change my regular destination holiday. Can find nice beaches in other places that Phuket!
Posted by
Peter
on
January 27, 2011 20:26
The ''official'' Tuk Tuk prices from Karon, opposite the Mermaid Hotel to for December 2010;
Kata centre 200 Bath
Kata beach 250 Bath
Patong 300 Bath
Patong, Bangla Road 400 Bath
Bangtao beach 800 Bath
Phuket town 500 Bath
Airport Bath 1,000 Bath
Nai Yang beach 1,000 Bath
Big Buddha 1,000 Bath
Chalong temple 400 Bath
Khao Lak 2,500 Bath
Now, this would be the theoretical Prices for Phuket, using the Bangkok taxi metre according to distance list;
From Karon to;
Kata centre, aprox 3 km, around 50 Bath
Kata beach, aprox 4 km, around 60 Bath
Patong, aprox. 8 km, around 75 Bath
Patong, Bangla Road, aprox. 8 km 75 Bath
Bangtao beach, aprox 15 km, around 110 Bath
Phuket city, aprox. 20 km, around 140 Bath
Airport, aprox. 50 km, around 320 Bath
Nai Yang beach, aprox. 26 km, around 170 Bath
Big Buddha, aprox. 16 km, around 110 Bath
Chalong temple, aprox. 9 km, around 75 Bath
Khao Lak, aprox. 100 km, around 700 Bath
Please note, I got the distances from Google map, and they may vary some.
Yeap, great solution!
Posted by
Mack
on
January 27, 2011 21:04
could it be the rates are so high because of all the persons in the "food chain" in other words all the persons that have to be paid off to operate a transportation means in phuket
remember the bus route that was 20 baht and went around patong and karon?
the divers were beaten and the routes were canceled. anyone ever get arrested for this?
Posted by
Mikey
on
January 27, 2011 23:53
@Posted by Mack.
My 3 bars worth of soap.
After you've taken your many baths and become all squeaky clean, oh it's you who are responsible for the water shortage, you must come to the realization that this is puke'et and nothing will change the Status Quo.
Corruption and nepotism reign supreme.
Don't like it ? Foxtrot Oscar to BKK or don't use the bus Gus or ride a bike and get squished under an ice truck.
The choice is yours. Your presence is only tolerated here until your pockets are empty.
BTW. If asked, the officials will tell you Google maps are inaccurate.
Posted by
innocent bystander
on
January 28, 2011 00:29
Is this really the big change we were waiting for? Guess all those who said that things will never change were pretty much right, Editor?
Can I also point out that I have just come back from a trip to Ao Nang, Krabi where tuk tuks around the Ao Nang area are 20 Baht, they also allow fair competition from baht bus, pick up type taxis and super cool looking samlors complete with big sound systems and disco lights, all at very realistic prices. Might I suggest that next time you Interview Governor Tri or any of the other all talk no action officials, find out why Phuket can't replicate that system?
Posted by
Chalongian
on
January 28, 2011 03:33
Editor Comment:
We prefer not to sit back and cackle and chortle, Chalongian. If you like what you saw, say something to someone who supports real change.
Why would you risk your life and pay 800 baht to go to the airport in a tuk tuk and sweat your nuts off when you can pay 600 baht and go in an air conditioned taxi
Posted by
Nick
on
January 28, 2011 03:44
From another Thai newspaper;
Pattaya Beach Bus Service routing Pattaya Floating Market ''Jomtien'' Second Road - Pattaya Bus Terminal is available now to serve Pattaya people and tourists.
... within an affordable price of 20 baht for adult and 10 baht for kids or students.
Posted by
Mack
on
January 28, 2011 09:20
Editor Comment:
Sounds like Phuket City's wonderful pink bus service, which cheap and is free for school children. One side of the island is full of longstanding questions. The other side holds the answers.
Re: photo caption...Phuket's tuk-tuks: has progress on public transport come to a halt?
I would say no, it is going backwards.
Posted by
Ty
on
January 28, 2011 15:23
Agenda appears to be "Let's rip-off everyone, make a bundle of cash, oh and who really gives a S*** if Phuket burns, we'll be OK."
Big wheels keep on turning and in the end the only one's that will really stuffer will be the Thais just trying to make an honest living.
For all the officials are doing someone really ought to call in a priest and give Phuket it's last rights.
Posted by
Graham
on
January 28, 2011 17:27
lucky i live living on the right side of the island and pink buses, price tags and not too many sexpats..
enjoy the wrong side on the town boys!
Posted by
Orajit
on
January 28, 2011 18:05
Editor.
Why? do you stick up ALL the time for Phuket as if you are a educated person you will know that there are plenty of RIP OFFS in Phuket - Get Real and Honest for a change.
Posted by
graeme
on
January 28, 2011 18:23
Ty, TFFT, going backwards, yeeHaa, Old Phuket as it was. Backwards in leaps and bounds, new olypic champions, FFFFFF I mean PPHHHHHUKET!
Posted by
Robin
on
January 28, 2011 18:33
I was in Patong this past December. I noticed all the Tuk Tuk guys were steadfast on a 200 baht opening pitch. And they would not bargain at all for lower. This is just to travel from say Bangla to the east part of town where the road becomes two-way. I refused to pay this and opted to walk allot more to get around. As I walked, I don`t know how many times I`d be propositioned for a ride by the Tuk Tuks vendors. The streets were lined with idle Tuk Tuks. Not many people were paying their prices. That's what tourists need to do. Refuse to pay and maybe it will get better. If the norm becomes 800 to the airport, then I will be visiting another part of Thailand or a different country. Little costs to get around a tourism place like this is what attracts me to there. Make it too costly? Then why visit?
Posted by
Rob Canada
on
January 28, 2011 22:54
The ONLY way to fix this problem is NOT going to Phuket!!! It is a s**** hole!! I was always there before.. But when I noticed the tuk tuks and motorbike taxis scamming the tourists.. I got bloody fed up!!! Haven't been there for three years!! Thailand is a big country!! SKIP Phuket!!
Posted by
Roger
on
February 8, 2011 21:53
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800 to the airport !
What a joke, in a Tuk tuk !
In Bangkok the same trip would cost about 200 Baht, there is 38 Km. to the airport from Patong, startup is 35 Baht and then 36 KM of 4.5 Baht total 197 Baht !
Posted by Karsten on January 27, 2011 18:31