TWO OF the best-known tourism brands in Thailand are embroiled in an argument with Phuket tuk-tuk drivers that has also involved police, and possibly will soon involve the island's governor.
The brands are Centara, the expanding Thai resort chain that is part of the Central group, and Siam Safari, a well-regarded tour company that has been operating on the island for 20 years.
The row came to a head about noon on Monday when tuk-tuk drivers blocked the entrance to the upmarket Centara Karon Resort Phuket.
The drivers let other guests come and go but would not allow a Siam Safari vehicle to pick up customers, who happened to be guests at the resort.
For years, Siam Safari has been picking up and dropping off customers at resorts all over the island.
Now the Karon tuk-tuk drivers say it's time to allow them to carry the guests from resorts, including the Centara, to Siam Safari, which has its main centre several kilometres away in Chao Fa Road West, Chalong.
Siam Safari and the Centara are, it seems, not yet prepared to have the tuk-tuk drivers assume this role. Siam Safari contacted Chalong police who went to the resort and ensured that the guests were able to board the Siam Safari vehicle.
The management of Centara has booked an appointment with the Governor of Phuket, Wichai Praisa-ngob, for Wednesday. It appears likely that the issue will be a topic for discussion.
We cannot say for certain because the general manager of the resort was in Bangkok today, Phuketwan was told, and the duty manager did not return several calls we made tonight to the resort.
Most customers of Siam Safari, Phuketwan has been told, make their bookings through international agents before arriving on Phuket.
However, the president of the Karon-Kata Tuk-Tuk Association, Porntep Chamkawn, said: ''Drivers in this area see vehicles from businesses in other areas come to pick up guests in their own vehicles.
''The money goes direct to the companies. What about the tuk-tuk drivers who have to sit outside the resorts, waiting for work?
''They see these vehicles come, and take customers away, and the money is gone with the customers. The local people are doing their best to protect the environment.
''All the attractions of Karon and Kata are looked after by the local people. Yet outsiders come and take the money.
''It's not fair. We need to make sure that the money stays in the local area. All we want is 350 baht for every trip involving between one and four customers.
''If there are five customers, we will need to take two tuk-tuks, so it will be 700 baht.''
The fare is one-way, from anywhere in Karon-Kata to Siam Safari, and Siam Safari remains free to continue to return the customers to their resorts afterwards, Khun Porntep said.
The point was made to Phuketwan by a tourism industry contact who preferred to remain anonymous that Centara and Siam Safari spend a lot of money to promote Phuket and its attractions.
The huge amount that others spend to bring people to Phuket is a factor that the tuk-tuk drivers do not seem to take into account.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?The brands are Centara, the expanding Thai resort chain that is part of the Central group, and Siam Safari, a well-regarded tour company that has been operating on the island for 20 years.
The row came to a head about noon on Monday when tuk-tuk drivers blocked the entrance to the upmarket Centara Karon Resort Phuket.
The drivers let other guests come and go but would not allow a Siam Safari vehicle to pick up customers, who happened to be guests at the resort.
For years, Siam Safari has been picking up and dropping off customers at resorts all over the island.
Now the Karon tuk-tuk drivers say it's time to allow them to carry the guests from resorts, including the Centara, to Siam Safari, which has its main centre several kilometres away in Chao Fa Road West, Chalong.
Siam Safari and the Centara are, it seems, not yet prepared to have the tuk-tuk drivers assume this role. Siam Safari contacted Chalong police who went to the resort and ensured that the guests were able to board the Siam Safari vehicle.
The management of Centara has booked an appointment with the Governor of Phuket, Wichai Praisa-ngob, for Wednesday. It appears likely that the issue will be a topic for discussion.
We cannot say for certain because the general manager of the resort was in Bangkok today, Phuketwan was told, and the duty manager did not return several calls we made tonight to the resort.
Most customers of Siam Safari, Phuketwan has been told, make their bookings through international agents before arriving on Phuket.
However, the president of the Karon-Kata Tuk-Tuk Association, Porntep Chamkawn, said: ''Drivers in this area see vehicles from businesses in other areas come to pick up guests in their own vehicles.
''The money goes direct to the companies. What about the tuk-tuk drivers who have to sit outside the resorts, waiting for work?
''They see these vehicles come, and take customers away, and the money is gone with the customers. The local people are doing their best to protect the environment.
''All the attractions of Karon and Kata are looked after by the local people. Yet outsiders come and take the money.
''It's not fair. We need to make sure that the money stays in the local area. All we want is 350 baht for every trip involving between one and four customers.
''If there are five customers, we will need to take two tuk-tuks, so it will be 700 baht.''
The fare is one-way, from anywhere in Karon-Kata to Siam Safari, and Siam Safari remains free to continue to return the customers to their resorts afterwards, Khun Porntep said.
The point was made to Phuketwan by a tourism industry contact who preferred to remain anonymous that Centara and Siam Safari spend a lot of money to promote Phuket and its attractions.
The huge amount that others spend to bring people to Phuket is a factor that the tuk-tuk drivers do not seem to take into account.
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One wonders why the guests do not drive the eco-friendly tuktuk, driven by ecofriendly driver, who clean the beaches and toilets in their spare time, so the ungrateful tourists have a nice holiday experience.
When does Phuket grow up and kick this bad influence monopoly into the place it belongs.
Business does not belong naturally to someone. You have to earn it with good service etc. Then every one would like to take your ride.
But now Tuktuks do not need to think about, because (they think?) they OWN the streets.
Posted by Lena on December 8, 2009 22:36