Today's Updating Report
TWO HOURS of talks today reached agreement that appears to have settled a potentially explosive dispute involving taxi and limousine drivers at Phuket International Airport.
Sixty new licences are to be added to fleets at the airport, but instead of being given to one of the airport operators, 30 will go to each major operator.
Airports of Thailand, which runs the Phuket operation, also made some concessions to alleviate the financial burden now being faced by all taxi and limo drivers.
Agreement was reached in two hours of talks at the airport, with Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob and senior representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Airports of Thailand also present.
The AoT agreed to not impose the annual 10 percent increase in airport rent on drivers this year, and will leave it at the 2009 levels.
More than 100 airport taxis surrounded the island's administrative headquarters at Provincial Hall in Phuket City earlier this year in a protest about the extra vehicles.
That protest led Governor Wichai to look more closely at the whole airport taxi structure. Along the way, Airports of Thailand took severe criticism for contributing to the high cost of taxis with large rental charges for drivers, most of which is passed on to customers.
Concern about Phuket's high-cost transport system has continued mounting amid reports that 4000 illegal taxis operate around the island and the village zoning of tuk-tuks has led to fares that are 10 times those of Bangkok.
Metred tuk-tuks are likely to be trialled soon as demand increases for an island-wide, low cost bus service.
UPDATE More key meetings are planned after a historic gathering of representatives from Phuket's tourism source nations suggested a new approach to metered tuk tuks and taxis on the island.
Phuket Tuk-Tuks, Taxis: Fairer Fares Proposed
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UPDATE Phuket has 4000 illegal taxis, a meeting has been told at Provincial Hall. Planning continues for possible changes to the dysfunctional,overpriced system of public transport on the island.
Phuket Has 4000 Illegal Taxis, Meeting Hears
Phuket Taxis Blockade Forces 'Shuttle Retreat'
Phuket Taxi Latest A blockade at a resort on Phuket's west coast has led to a victory for local taxi drivers who wanted to stop a new shuttle service starting to Patong. After an hour, they had won.
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Phuket Limo Drivers Accused of Seeking 'Extras'
Latest An expat resident on Phuket has detailed an incident that points to the return of the tourism turn-off when airport taxi and limo drivers seek extra commissions from arriving travellers.
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I am so confused!!! They agreed on SIXTY more taxis? Where are they going to park? Doesn't that lessen the pie?
Am I misunderstanding something? What is the benefit and necessity of 60 more and who makes the profit from that?
I certainly must have misunderstood this.
Editor: The usual suspects make the profits. Fewer tourists, more taxis. Perfect Phuket logic.
Posted by VFaye on May 6, 2010 12:52