TUK-TUK drivers who staged a protest about Patong's one-way system yesterday were part of a small group who were behaving selfishly, says the President of the Patong Taxi Federation, Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin.
''They are just a handful,'' Khun Prab said. ''This is old-style Patong. Over the years, the rest of us have changed to make Patong more international.''
Khun Prab said the 30 drivers who protested yesterday at Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong, remained outside the tuk-tuk federation, which now has 600 tuk-tuk drivers and 1000 taxi drivers as members.
''We have trained drivers who wear uniforms, and we walk together with the Governor and other leaders and authorities on Phuket,'' he said.
The small group of rogue protest drivers, he said, were based on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road, close to the Jungceylon shopping mall.
Talks on Monday at Patong Municipality will be aimed at resolving the conflict. The protest drivers want the clockwise one-way system around the beach road and Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road reversed to run anti-clockwise.
They argue that in correcting the problems that occurred by motorists having to travel on the wrong side of the road when traversing two-way connecting sois, the new system causes extra unnecessary travelling time.
The drivers say that both problems would be resolved by reversing the direction of the main loop, which would allow for two-way traffic to be restored to the connecting laneway sois, with motorists travelling on the correct side of the road.
The one-way system was introduced in 2007 and alterations to make the connecting sois one-way were introduced on January 15, to mixed reviews.
Khun Prab said the changes were the result of a consensus by all authorities after negotiations.
''We have tried to invite these drivers many times to meetings, but they always choose not to come,'' he said.
While Khun Prab at one stage told Phuketwan that he would like to see the one-way system reversed, he has been content to compromise in a reaching a consensus with others involved in the decision, including Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
''This is a very small group expressing dissent,'' he said. ''There have been no complaints, for example, from the tuk-tuk drivers in Kalim [the village north of Patong], who have to deal with extra-long trips.
''The protest group has never behaved as part of the Patong community. They suit themselves.''
Public protests of the kind staged by the drivers yesterday have been discourage over the past couple of years, with the present Governor and his predecessor encouraging dissenters and those with grievances to send delegations to lodge any protest directly with the authorities at Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
Monday's meeting is expected to consider what the rogue tuk-tuk drivers have to say. The drivers have prepared a map of their proposal and its adoption appears to considerably shorten many trips.
It has a been a busy time for tuk-tuks. On Thursday, provisional agreement was reached on a range of maximum fares for tuk-tuks in and around Patong that did not placate critics who argue the fares remain excessively high.
On the other side of Phuket in Phuket City, a ''pinkie bus'' service criss-crosses the capital, offering low-fare trips for adults and free trips for schoolchildren.
Tuk-Tuk Drivers Revolt: 'Reverse the Patong One-Way!'''They are just a handful,'' Khun Prab said. ''This is old-style Patong. Over the years, the rest of us have changed to make Patong more international.''
Khun Prab said the 30 drivers who protested yesterday at Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong, remained outside the tuk-tuk federation, which now has 600 tuk-tuk drivers and 1000 taxi drivers as members.
''We have trained drivers who wear uniforms, and we walk together with the Governor and other leaders and authorities on Phuket,'' he said.
The small group of rogue protest drivers, he said, were based on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road, close to the Jungceylon shopping mall.
Talks on Monday at Patong Municipality will be aimed at resolving the conflict. The protest drivers want the clockwise one-way system around the beach road and Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road reversed to run anti-clockwise.
They argue that in correcting the problems that occurred by motorists having to travel on the wrong side of the road when traversing two-way connecting sois, the new system causes extra unnecessary travelling time.
The drivers say that both problems would be resolved by reversing the direction of the main loop, which would allow for two-way traffic to be restored to the connecting laneway sois, with motorists travelling on the correct side of the road.
The one-way system was introduced in 2007 and alterations to make the connecting sois one-way were introduced on January 15, to mixed reviews.
Khun Prab said the changes were the result of a consensus by all authorities after negotiations.
''We have tried to invite these drivers many times to meetings, but they always choose not to come,'' he said.
While Khun Prab at one stage told Phuketwan that he would like to see the one-way system reversed, he has been content to compromise in a reaching a consensus with others involved in the decision, including Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
''This is a very small group expressing dissent,'' he said. ''There have been no complaints, for example, from the tuk-tuk drivers in Kalim [the village north of Patong], who have to deal with extra-long trips.
''The protest group has never behaved as part of the Patong community. They suit themselves.''
Public protests of the kind staged by the drivers yesterday have been discourage over the past couple of years, with the present Governor and his predecessor encouraging dissenters and those with grievances to send delegations to lodge any protest directly with the authorities at Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
Monday's meeting is expected to consider what the rogue tuk-tuk drivers have to say. The drivers have prepared a map of their proposal and its adoption appears to considerably shorten many trips.
It has a been a busy time for tuk-tuks. On Thursday, provisional agreement was reached on a range of maximum fares for tuk-tuks in and around Patong that did not placate critics who argue the fares remain excessively high.
On the other side of Phuket in Phuket City, a ''pinkie bus'' service criss-crosses the capital, offering low-fare trips for adults and free trips for schoolchildren.
News Analysis Tuk tuk drivers have rebelled against the Patong one way system and demanded that changes are made to prevent wasted time on trips. They seem to have a point.
Tuk-Tuk Drivers Revolt: 'Reverse the Patong One-Way!'
Patong, Phuket City Tuk-Tuk, Airport Taxi Fares Flagged
Latest Suggested maximum fares have been decided by a committee that has been looking at tuk tuk and taxi rates. The fares can be negotiated downwards.
Patong, Phuket City Tuk-Tuk, Airport Taxi Fares Flagged
Phuket Tuk-Tuks, Taxis Top Unhappy New Year
Will Change Come in 2011? The year 2010 is ending with tuk tuks and taxis the hottest issue. Assaults marked the start of 2010, and rip offs and extortion continue to damage Phuket tourism.
Phuket Tuk-Tuks, Taxis Top Unhappy New Year
Tuk-Tuk Problems Solved Soon: Phuket Governor
Latest Phuket's Governor tells a meeting with honorary consuls and embassy representatives that answers are on the way for the island's tuktuk and taxi transport problems.
Tuk-Tuk Problems Solved Soon: Phuket Governor
Aussie Media Damns Phuket's Jet-Ski Scams
News Analysis With damaging reports being published in Australia's leading news outlets, it's time for a real solution to Phuket's out of control jet ski scammers.
Aussie Media Damns Phuket's Jet-Ski Scams
Governor Promises a 'Safer Phuket' for Aussies
Latest The safety of tourists was high on the agenda when Australia's new ambassador called on Phuket's new governor. The governor has some improvements in mind.
Governor Promises a 'Safer Phuket' for Aussies
It's time for the Gov to show them who is the boss
Posted by ADAM on January 29, 2011 11:10