I guess the locals will feel what a real Mafia is like now. As seen last week in Patong they soon go crying to the cops when things aren't going their way. No sympathy for them and their rotten cartels whatsoever from this corner. lets just hope innocent bystanders don't get caught up in this as it could get nasty.

Posted by Mister Ree on January 3, 2013 22:08

are the korean operated korean transporting to korean owned restaurants slash tours not interfering in their eyes?
are they hiding it better??

Posted by jon on January 3, 2013 22:43

Better you start learning to speak Russian local boys, the big boys have arrived, so move over. Locals if you want to run with the big dogs you cant afford to pee like a puppy. No sympathy here at all, feel the bite of might.

Posted by DuncanB on January 3, 2013 22:54

I agree with Mister Ree 100%.
They are learning to suck eggs

Posted by Tbs on January 3, 2013 22:55

The 'Russian mafia' suddenly look like a very nice bunch to me.

Posted by Swami K. on January 3, 2013 23:08

To conduct tours and sight-seeing,you need a tourist lisence, like I had doing tours. Taxis do not pay for tourist lisence, but still demand the job for them, even attack tourist companies. That, as most things concerning taxis, make no sence! Mafia rules.

Posted by Hockey on January 4, 2013 00:15

The one thing Thailand is missing are TOW TRUCKS. All the Illegal Taxi and Tuk Tuk that are on the Island need to be Towed and Impounded With fines that start at 10,000 Baht and increase every day for storage. The average taxi man can Not afford to be caught or their Vehicle taken away. That would Go for ANY Russian Taxis which seam to be illegal also. And to top if off, Phuket would be the financial winner. With that extra income they could get more Police. It sounds like they need them if they allow the Police station to be surrounded by taxis.

I did find it interesting in a previous article to learn that police own a good amount of Tuk Tuk on the Island. No wonder they don't do any thing when tourist are getting beat to death, it's their guys giving the beating. Maybe I'll retire in a different part of Thailand other than Phuket, you really have me thinking after this article.

Posted by John on January 4, 2013 00:28

On the other hand, in this case, Russians are not allowed to do a driver's job in Thailand, so I understand the reaction.

Posted by Hockey on January 4, 2013 00:35

Maybe if the tuk tuks run a honest buisness & offered good service they wouldn't have to fear competition instead there response is to obstruct a major road and complain to a police station,sooner this island gets a uncorruptable fully legal powered commercial transport regulation board the better (annual roadworthys be a good start).

Posted by slickmelb on January 4, 2013 01:14

"driver say is a Russian attempt to take their customers."

How are they the tuk-tuk/taxi's customers if they choose not to do business with them ?

They TOOK nothing, but earnt it by knowing how to do business better than the local drivers/extortionists.

Posted by Muz on January 4, 2013 04:42

Protesting and overcharging, this is what they can do best. Facing competition and giving good service for fair prices...doesn't even exist to them. Just hoping that any competition will teach them a lesson. Would rather jump on a crowded Pegas bus than traveling in a tin box and getting ripped off..

Posted by resident on January 4, 2013 06:25

Russians are already established in Phuket. Corruption is something Russians are familiar with and the Mafia is certainly looking for better opportunities. Generally Russians only like dealing with Russians Hope Phuket is prepared for more to follow ?

Posted by reader on January 4, 2013 07:23

Ha..i love it . . . a taste of their own medicine

Posted by Steve on January 4, 2013 07:32

.som nam na

Posted by Fez on January 4, 2013 07:33

Can't wait to see the Russians towing all of their new jet skis down to the beach for hire. Serve up some justice to those folks as well.

Posted by Ty on January 4, 2013 08:00

The Pegas buses (large and small) are locally contracted buses and drivers for the Russian based Pegast tour company. Their holidays typically are inclusive of excursions and tours (using their contracted and liveried buses of course). The amount of Pegast buses on the roads are indicative of the high numbers of Russian tourists that are here. Russians don't take kindly to being ripped off also, so the loss of business to local taxis/tuk tusk in Kata/Karon will be an ongoing theme.

Posted by Phil on January 4, 2013 08:12

Reading all this makes me wonder how much money is being paid to labor and immigration to turn a blind eye to clear violations of labor law in Thailand. Driving a taxi, minibus, whatever clearly is on the restricted list of jobs foreigners cannot do - Yes its clear that the russian mafia are moving into Phuket but are they wanted here? i doubt it. The problem i see is a turf war breaking out and people getting hurt. I mean lets be honest if a tuk tuk driver gives a beating to a tourist imagine what theyll do to a Russian Taxi driver stealing his customers. Scary times ahead i think.

Posted by Ciaran on January 4, 2013 08:21

HA HA HA .Som nam na suckers. Just wait for the invation in 2014 by the friendly asian neighbors coming in and kick your greedy tuk tuk butts.

Posted by One Expat 13 years on January 4, 2013 09:31

@ John

Spot on. Tow trucks. Impound every and all illegally parked vehicles and fine anyone blocking a public road Bt 10.000 on top.

Of course tuk-tuks would be exempt because most are owned by the very police that is supposed to fine them.

As usual, a typical Phuket problem that is caused by police corruption.

As to the loss of business, I can only say it's called COMPETITION.

Dear tuk-tuk drivers, who gave you the idea you can do and charge everyone strolling around your "turf" whatever you please ?

You have single-handedly caused more damage to Phuket reputation than any other group. Absolutely nobody wants to use your "services", they only do because there has been no choice.

That is guaranteed to change. Pegas is just one example. 2 months from now a public bus service will begin. Let's see how you react to that. Beat up the driver again ?

Being backed up by local police has given you the false impression of being untouchable and has come to a breaking point.

Remember, it's easy to be a big fish in a small pond but now the Big Fish from the Big Pond are here.

Change your ways or prepare to go extinct.

Offer the rides for Bt 20 like is the case in Had Yai and elsewhere in Thailand.

Your ride is unsafe, uncomfortable and any tuk-tuk with side entrance is also illegal.

Posted by Andrew on January 4, 2013 09:52

Be careful what you wish for people. There is a certain satisfaction to be had seeing tuk tuk cartels get some of their own medicine but the Russian mafia are serious hombres and you don't want them setting down roots on Phuket if you can avoid it.

Posted by Pete on January 4, 2013 09:56

@ Pete- too late. They are already well established here and have been for a number of years. Parts of Bangla now mirror their 'investment' in Walking Street in Pattaya. Don't know how much tea money is involved to allow women to be openly dancing in windows but definitely substantial.

Posted by Mister Ree on January 4, 2013 10:32

I have a feeling this thing is going to get a lot uglier before it gets better...As Pete said ..the Russian boys are tough...very different breed from other mafia groups...I don't know if the local boys here know exactly what they are up against yet...however, I don't see them backing down either and will patiently and diligently do what they will do to hold their ground...hopefully innocent people won't get caught in the crossfire.

Posted by Zig on January 4, 2013 10:54

Sorry Ed. I got it wrong. I t is 2015 The Asian free market Starts with free employes. Imagin when a Vietnamise driver charge a third of the price as tha tuk tuk maffia. Well, Maybe he got letter from the politicians in Patong, he will have to be careful about the locals.

Posted by One Expat 13 years on January 4, 2013 10:58

Now we have the choice to be scammed either by tuk tuk mafia or russian mafia.
the best way is to have a proper network of public transport mainly between airport and beaches , also not to allow mafia to set up so called taxi station every 10 meters without any authorization , a taxi station should be agreed by officials , and the worse is taxi fare ,scandalously high ,and agreed by officials ?? so If the fact that another mafia wants its part of the cake may be this will help to have a correct service and fair price .Competition is always much better than monopoly.Me too , Would rather jump on a crowded Pegas bus than traveling in a tin box and get ripped off.

Posted by Anonymous on January 4, 2013 11:11

I've seen Russian bars and agogos come and go over the last decade. Also, a rise in the amount of Russian language signs scatted around the phuket of recent. There is a real niche for tour companies that speak languages other than English / Thai. Phuket is international.

If they want the business they should learn to speak the language, so that they can give the best service. Doesn't the government talk about more high yield tourists. Well, if you are paying big money you expect good service and to be understood in your own language.

Posted by Ty on January 4, 2013 11:25

Guys, Pegas and other tour companies are LEGAL. But what is in the last paragraph? "Officials have already warned that the spread of the ''Russian mafia''... MAFIA! OMG, they call legal companies "MAFIA"? Haha, yes they are not perfect but they are much better than all these local tuk-tuks and taxis (which are the REAL mafia).
Haha guys who talk about Russian mafia or bad Russians... So you think local tuk-tuks and criminal taxis who overprice the meters, cheat customers, cover prostitution etc - they are NOT mafia? And Russians who work without work permits - they ARE? The problem with the public transport in Phuket is caused NOT by Russians, this situation has been here for all the time, even before the first Russians came here.

Posted by Andrew on January 4, 2013 12:01

This problem and with the start up of bus services looks like there will be a lot of trouble soon. Not all tuk tuk drivers are bad, many years ago my mother who is quite elderly came to Phuket and one night I parked my car in Patong (no not to see Soi Bangla) Anyway when we came back I could not find the car even after searching for ages, so we asked a tuktuk to drive us around the one way. He did and when we got out he would not take any money. We walked some more and then asked another tuktuk who drove as around and again would not take any money. Anyway eventually I found the car which had been surrounded on three sides by tuktuks so it was not visible from the other side of the road or driving past. So a mixed story but I like to think positive. As for all you moaners if you don't like it as the Thais say "go back to your country" pay higher taxes, can't drink and drive, not have ladies every where for hire, nanny state, immigration etc in many Western Countries. I know where I prefer, I don't upset the tuktuks or the Russians and therefore they leave me alone.

Posted by Happy Farang on January 4, 2013 12:28

I guess only when a foreign 'mafia' comes in, the authorities in Bangkok will do something about it. When Thais loot foreigners - well, that's the way things should be in the Thai universe, shouldn't they.

Posted by Swami K. on January 4, 2013 13:37

Any One knows this list?




Prohibited Jobs for Foreigners in Thailand
A Foreigner can work in Thailand under certain conditions. He or she will normally need a valid visa (some visas exclude working, like a tourist visa) and a valid work permit (there are few exceptions). The main law related to Foreigners working in Thailand is called the Aliens Working Act (B.E. 2521 or 1978) and was recently modified in B.E. 2551 (2008). Foreigners are also restricted to have businesses in certain fields under the Foreign Business Act of 1999.

A Ministerial regulation should be issued before 23 February 2010 to specify what Foreigners (aliens) can or can't do. This date is 2 years after the enforcement of the Working of Aliens Act of 2008.

However, until the new Ministerial regulation, there is a decree made in 1979 which prohibits Foreigners to work 39 occupations. Some of these prohibited jobs were modified or deleted. But at the moment, Foreigners (Aliens) are not permitted to work in the following positions:

Labour work except labour work in fishing boats under the next category below. The said work which is forbidden to aliens shall not apply to aliens who have entered into Thailand under an agreement on hire of labour concluded between the Government of Thailand and other nations, and also aliens whose status has been prescribed as legal immigrant and who possess a residence certificate under the law governing immigration.
Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery, except work requiring specialized knowledge, farm supervision, or labour work in fishing boats, particularly marine fishery.
Bricklaying, carpentry, or other construction work.
Wood carving.
Driving motor vehicles or vehicles which do not use machinery or mechanical devices, except piloting aircraft internationally.
Front shop sales and auction sale work.
Supervising, auditing, or giving service in accountancy, except occasional internal auditing.
Cutting or polishing precious or semi-precious stones.
Haircutting, hairdressing, or beautification.
Cloth weaving by hand.
Mat weaving or making utensils from reed, rattan, jute, hay, or bamboo.
Making rice paper by hand.
Lacquer work.
Making Thai musical instruments.
Niello work.
Goldsmith, silversmith, or gold/copper alloy smith work.
Stone work.
Making Thai dolls.
Making mattresses or quilts.
Making alms bowls.
Making silk products by hand.
Making Buddha images.
Knife making.
Making paper or cloth umbrellas.
Making shoes.
Making hats.
Brokerage or agency except in international trading.
Professional civil engineering concerning design and calculation, systemization, analysis, planning, testing, construction supervision, or consulting services, excluding work requiring specialized techniques.
Professional architectural work concerning design, drawing/making, cost estimation, or consulting services.
Dressmaking.
Pottery.
Cigarette rolling by hand.
Tour guiding or conducting.
Hawking of goods & Thai typesetting by hand.
Unwinding and twisting silk by hand.
Clerical or secretarial work.
Providing legal services or engaging in legal work, except arbitration work; and work relating to defense of cases at arbitration level, provided the law governing the dispute under consideration by the arbitrators is not Thai law, or it is a case where there is no need to apply for the enforcement of such arbitration award in Thailand.

Posted by PhuketGreed on January 4, 2013 13:55

if you wanna see greed, I invite you to visit bali,

and if you wanna see corrupt cops, thats right, go to bali,

I find thai cops cute and friendly and every taxi driver I had was very nice as well - in thailand

and guys, the russian mafia are NOT your friends, hilarious

Posted by ben on January 4, 2013 14:27

Russian counters destroying the income of the tuktuk's? Hahaha. They don't need to do that. The taxi and tuktuk drivers are doing that all by themselves.
"Som nam na"

Posted by Tinkerbell on January 4, 2013 14:50

The illegal taxis and tuk-tuk's antics really infuriates me. THey are not legal and they are a risk to all tourists. No proper insurance in case of accidents, insane driving skills that force everyone to fear for their lives when they are on the roads, and the demanding to eliminate competition. Given that the competition might or might not be the healthier choice in the long run, but the fact that they cannot even allow a slight dent to their huge profits infuriates me! So now the government gives in to (mild) acts of terrorism like this too?! Next time you are not happy, block a road! Next time you feel upset, block a street!
Civil indeed.

Posted by May on January 4, 2013 17:57

To be honest i would prefer the russian mafia instead of this greedy thai tuktuk mafia. I hope some of the will get some serious troubles with the russians. And me as european, the russian mafia is active in whole europe and as long as you don't mess with them you don't get any trouble. The Thai mafia is diffrent even if you don't mess with them you might get in trouble. And the russians are definetly not that greedy like the Phuket Taxi mafia.

Posted by Tradex on January 4, 2013 18:20

@phuketgreed: instead of writing a long list of jobs banned for aliens, just make it simple: ALIENS (FARANGS) CANNOT WORK AND WE, THAIS, CAN DECIDE WHAT JOB THEY CAN DO

Posted by paul on January 4, 2013 18:45

@paul 18:45

Paul, I didn't write this text! I just "Googled" for it and copied! Don't shot the "Piano-player" please. We have a serious topic here! I did NOT choose side, at this moment. I pin-pointed to a relevant topic. I'm here as a "guest" and not asked for my opinion, or, to, wise to express my opinion in
This Job related, Burning, issue. I'm told this is Thai affair!
I would like to stay part off my family & not forced
to leave! But to be honest my beloved wife of 10 years gets "kicked" out by "my" Queen Beatrix after 90 days also!

This should be A Wake Up Call, but Not only for Thais

Posted by PhuketGreed on January 4, 2013 21:35

Such a comedy!! Blaming on Legal tour operator :) i wonder if any tuk tuk did pay taxes ? of course except under payment to police?! or if any of them have any knowledge of Russian language ? Or if they time to time looking at the mirror and questioning themselves " where are we in this business ? what are we doing for the country ? are we really selfish or doing something for our people?. I am sure never!! Guy's wake up ! you destroy the image of the Country not only Phuket ! one day because of you we will not able to find clients to fill up our hotel's here ! that day is the day we lost the game !

Posted by Eddie on January 4, 2013 23:32

this is funny!! These taxi are ridiculous. They just take the advantage the business from others who did more attempts.

Posted by vickend on January 5, 2013 01:12

Hey everybody,
Arent you all making issue little bit more hard to solve? Only because the thai tuktuk drivers says that Pegas took their job, does it have to be true? Or do Pegas have to be mafia?
1thing that i think most of you dont know:
The people inside buses of this company, i mean the people.
From where the hell they appear so suddenly and became tuktuk customer? They are clients of agency, they passes many process to arrive to city!
Company sold them package, give them flights (this agency owns a charter flight company as well, so they carry their own clients) bring to phuket, book hotel, etc. And after all, people say these are tuktuk drivers customers? Most probably they have first time seen a big russian agency, thats why they think like this. But all this thousands of tourist didnt decide to come to thailand Suddenly, it didnt happen itself. It happened by this companies and believe me, if they stop bringing people to Thailand, there wont be any chance for tuk tuks to carry anybody in empty island?

Posted by Teshub11 on January 5, 2013 08:59

Russia are also in PATTAYA long time ago, WHY there is never a case of Song Taew driver block off the road ? Instead, I saw more and more new car to be able to serve more RUSSIAN CUSTOMER.

Because they CHARGE 50 BAHT per person as a public mail bus, and for those who needs a private ride and tour , then it is at a reasonable negotiating price. CUSTOMER never feel like they had been RIPED - OFF.

CUSTOMER do have RIGHT to CHOOSE THEIR OWN Service Provider. You think people wants to suffer in a big bus where they should have arrive hotel in 30 minutes from the airport in a private car , instead of 1 hours because they have to share the BUS ? But TAXI PRICE are TOO HIGH.

Hotel 1 night in Phuket approx 4,000 Baht , TAXI from Kata to Patong is 800 Baht 20% of room cost JUST ONE TRIP. Who has that kind of money to pay ? I am one of THAI who pay tax at top rate, STILL NEVER PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY ! especially to these REAL MAFIA TUK TUK.

I ALWAYS rent my own car !

Beside , All government guys, IF YOU DO TAKE SIDE ON THESE TUK TUK, you are KILLING other people on the island.

LAST TIME They also blocked Customer from the five star Big Boat too isn't it ?

Every time when I go to Phuket I spend money on food, restaurant, tour. For TAXI driver to do this, it just KILL the whole image of PHUKET.

OR the POLICE also don't care if any other THAI CITIZEN who has GOOD and Legal Business like HOTELS, RESTAURANT, will has the effects from this protest, as it scare TOURIST AWAY !

Posted by THAI on January 5, 2013 09:54

Ok

Pegas is a TOUR COMPANY selling package tours to Phuket and other places, they are compeletely legal and are tha same kind of company, doing the same kind of business that Thomas Cook, Neckermann, Star Tour etc is doing. Sure,they are probably a lot better at selling optional tours to their customers since they have limited linguistic ability, that is, they can't speak english. So, yes the take up among them is probably very high which is nothing but natural. Pegas also have A LOT of thai staff whom without their operations here would come to a standstill. Are people thinking that the Pegas bus drivers are Russian!?
Now, Pegas, a popular Tour Operator in Russia is a company with TURKISH ownership and has got NOTHING to do with any Russian Mafia, Mob or any other sort of organised crime. Why does every article about Pegas have to involve the word Mafia or Mob? It's slanderous! And no, i don't work for Pegas, but I'm in the tour operator business and know how they operate.

Posted by christian on January 5, 2013 15:24

Taxi meter is the only logic solution, all people are bored about Tuk Tuk mafia, illegal taxi overpricing scam etc.! I hope the The thai central govern come back soon for really take care this old problem!

Posted by angelo on January 5, 2013 15:37

Any PEGAS???s van or bus has a local driver plus at least one local tour guide???.it???s the way it is and will be as of Thai Law says???. So what???s wrong about it???. PEGAS creates jobs for local people , brings thousand of Russian tourists who spend cash in shops, spas etc and again??? all those shops, spas, clubs, markets belong to local people who is benefited most by the end???. If taxi drivers are so inefficient and can???t find the way to co-op with dynamic development of the island what are they going to do in 2015 when the country joins ASIAN???. And thousands of Pilipino people will come and take their jobs for real???..

Posted by Rolf on January 7, 2013 09:32

Well if I had not seen it myself, I would not have believed it. Yesterday I saw a Pegas Mini Van being driven with passengers inside by a White Russian guy.
There Rolf, it maybe only one, but it kills your argument in your opening sentence. BTW, better you have your keyboard cleaned Rolf, the question mark button is sticking and repeating.

Posted by DuncanB on January 7, 2013 12:53

@ Duncan B

Having a hard time believing it yourself, I'm sure you took a picture of it and posted in online so we could all believe.

Btw, a foreigner can legally drive a car registered to a Thai company as long as he is employed by or is the owner of that company and the Thai driver hired by the company is in the vehicle.

Posted by Andrew on January 7, 2013 14:30

**DuncanB **
Oh common! Even the kids on the streets knows that, transportation vehicles belongs the outsource companies!Or you better stop using what ever you are using it seems you are have side effects"hallucination's ". On the other side, i do have a question , why only in phuketwans news mentioned Pegas but the rest news not ( phuket gazette ) even the tuk tuk people says they are agains to street agencies.. well its q question mark.

Posted by oscar on January 7, 2013 15:01

" Yesterday I saw a Pegas Mini Van being driven with passengers inside by a White Russian guy."
Calm down! Was this PEGAS jumping lanes, driving almost in the trunk of the car before him, and sppeding, like usual?
If not, maybe the group of russian inside decided, to change the driver for some reason?
Or the guy, who get paid for the ride, had a health problem, after he refused, to slow down? Someone has to bring the people back.;-]

Posted by Anonymous on January 7, 2013 15:11

I think it's noteworthy to let people understand that the tour counters staffed by Russians that are working illegaly are not affiliated with Pegas the tour operator. In fact, they are in (illegal) competition with Pegas, and a huge problem for them. Just as they apparantly are a problem for the Tuk Tuk and taxi drivers, who does not even seem to know who they are competing with, and blame Pegas out of hand.

Posted by christian on January 7, 2013 16:07

Taxi meters are not a answer here
standard response meter not working
yes you guessed it theres not a meter in all of thailand thats working in a taxi always broken and if you find a rare one thats not its been tampered with in the drivers favour.
Towing and impouding has merit but where do u find honest men to run this
be a job for the boys and corruption be rife only towing and madatory crushing no exceptions would end this rot.

Posted by slickmelb on January 9, 2013 08:59

i don't understand. so the russian who pay taxes,who pay for license,who pay for police,who pay for rent.can not work??? and the tuk tuk mafia who don't pay for nothing,only smoke marijuana and drink wiski all day can work???

Posted by VVV on January 9, 2013 10:32

1 Ban all tuktuks and black licensed taxi's. 2 Allow only metered taxis with LPG tanks like in BKK. 3 Build a PST (phuket sky train) from the airport to Chalong Circle, Karon, Kata and Patong. 4 Give all tuk tuk drivers jobs on the metered taxis or train them to drive the Phuket Sky Train

Posted by Richard on January 9, 2013 20:51

Guys guys! Pegas and Russian tour companies do not have Russian drivers but are legit companies who pay tax, hire Thai drivers etc. etc. I do not see the problem here.

Posted by Richard on January 9, 2013 20:56