PHUKET: A prominent taxi shack toppled on the Patong beach road today as the President of the Tuk-Tuk Association of Patong welcomed the task force action and suggested it also include Phuket's ''black'' tuk-tuks.

''The number of illegal taxis and tuk-tuks on Phuket continues to grow,'' said Sakon Srisompoch. ''There are at least 100 illegal tuk-tuks in the Patong district.

''I wonder what is the reason why Phuket Province authorities have never been able to sort this problem out? The question also remains - where do all the legal taxis and tuk-tuks park?''

Khun Sakon said he was hopeful that the police would see the process through and take control, ''not just for a few days.''

''In the past,'' he said, ''We have complained to Land Transport and the Governor several times. Nothing happened.

''Authorities on Phuket seldom use law enforcement. That's why Phuket has become like this.''

While it was too early to hope for dramatic change in the approach to taxis and tuk-tuks on Phuket, those who have proposed change have pointed out that Phuket needs a system where metred cabs and call centres end the rip-off where tourists and residents are forced to pay double.

The double payment covers the trip the passengers take and a second trip they don't take - as the driver returns to his rank.

This is because the whole Phuket system is based on a traditional arrangement where each village rank agreed to not pickup fares in areas controlled by neighboring village ranks.

Drivers wait at designated parking spots in the most desirable positions, especially in Patong and Kata-Karon.

The result in the 21st century: a system in shambles, where local drivers have adopted intimidatory tactics to create more jobs at higher fares.

Instead of parking and waiting, drivers should be circling the island, looking for passengers or waiting to be called to a job, at a realistic fare.

That refreshing alternative, for Phuket's taxi drivers to adopt new technology and work for a living, just like drivers do in Bangkok and other parts of the modern world, may be coming soon to Phuket - if the island's authorities have the courage not to compromise.