LOCAL TAXIS blockaded a west-coast resort last night for about an hour in a dispute over a new shuttle bus service.
The manager of the resort agreed to talk to Phuketwan on condition of anonymity. Readers contacted the site last night to alert us to the blockade.
''We gave them what they wanted,'' the manager said today. ''We really had no choice. It was over a new shuttle service to Patong, and we had already tried to negotiate.''
Local taxi drivers called in other drivers from a neighboring beach to assist in making their blockade a bigger success.
It took place in one of Phuket's better-known beach destinations, where hillside property remains expensive and where the only real difficulty experienced by tourists is the lack of efficient, reasonably priced public transport.
Neighboring resorts and apartment blocks have also been pressured on occasions by the drivers.
The fare in a tuk-tuk or taxi from the resort where last night's blockade took place to Patong is 500 baht.
Blockades of the kind that disrupted traffic in and around the resort last night happen ''pretty well all over the place,'' the manager said.
He preferred to remain anonymous because of concerns about his staff, who have to pass by the local drivers on a daily basis going to and from work. He is also concerned about the future business of the resort.
''If a tourist does not have a car on Phuket, then you either have to stay in your resort or pay for tuk-tuks,'' he said.
''For the price of a fare from here to Patong, 500 baht, I could ride around practically all day in a taxi in Bangkok.''
He agreed that unless some solution to the existing extortionate fares problem was found, large numbers of tourists would eventually desert Phuket for other destinations.
''I had to go to tell the drivers last night that we were giving in,'' the manager said. ''We had to back down. We had no choice.
''Just about every resort has these kinds of problems,'' he added.
He said that he understood that shuttle buses from the FantaSea show in Kamala were tolerated because they had been in action for some years.
But the drivers have made it known they will not allow other shuttle services to pick up passengers ''in their territory.''
Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob has been involved in looking at potential solutions to transport crises involving tuk-tuks and airport taxis.
Provincial Hall was last week the destination for about 100 airport taxi drivers, protesting about the issuing of 30 new licences and airport rents that they say are excessive.
It is believed that problems with transport on Phuket are now also being raised at senior levels within the government in Bangkok.
Two incidents involving violence against tourists since Christmas have also intensified calls for changes.
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CommentsAdd your comment using the form below. Aren't the laws that are meant to protect people in this type of situation? Posted by Tbs on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 10:14 Another nail in the coffin.RIP Posted by Lord Jim on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 10:20 Who actually runs the law on this island ? Posted by Graham on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 10:34 Police are either unable or unwilling to enforce the law in these cases. Posted by Local on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 13:17 I saw this happening yesterday, tuk-tuk drivers taxi drivers etc... just blocking the front of the hotel. Posted by Benjie on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 13:35 Phuket is killing the tourism by allowing this to happen. Posted by Coyote on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 15:08 It seems that those tuk-tuk, jetski and other thugs virtually hold Phuket to ransom. It's sheer piracy. Posted by Karoshi on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 15:21 All these years we have been wishing these problems away, but there appears to be no workable solution. Posted by Cambody on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 15:58 somebody somewhere somehow has to stop this! tuk tuks/taxis have to be dealt with. tourists have had enough. Posted by john on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 16:32 just whay in-coming new arrivals need to hear, locals holding other locals to ransom.As one poster said this is a crime so arrest those on the day who were there and send out a message that resorts will not be blackmailed Posted by william dale on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 17:20 What are these guys thinking? Talk about killing the golden goose. Do they not realize people are not coming to Phuket anymore, because of their behaviour? Do they not realize that if they provided a good service, at a reasonable price, there would be enough work and income for everyone? Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 17:50 Are the taxi drivers in charge of this island? Posted by Phlip on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 18:10 5 1/2 years here ... I'm off and taking my family with me! Posted by Sean on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 19:32 In answer to the post by Graham, there is no law in Phuket. Anarchy rules. Posted by Local on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 19:35 The problem gets worse by the day, and still nothing changes. Posted by Colin on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 20:12 Pity the hotel "gave in", it will just make those people feel more invincible. Posted by Antz Pantz on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 20:38 I just took an aircon taxi in Singapore 11 km for Bt 230. How can Phuket justify the current Tuk Tuk and Airport Limo prices? Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 21:19 All this harassment of tourists . . . Posted by Lord Jim on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 21:41 Is anyone NOT aware that Pattaya has a baht bus system that works. Bear in mind it works over a smaller geographical area. It's pretty pointless banging on about it in articles about Phuket as it's NEVER going to change here. Posted by Mister Ree on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 21:53 this isn't a report - it's a rumor. Posted by another steve on Wednesday January 27, 2010 at 09:36 i find it farcicle to say that you won't name the resort as the manager is worried about his staff. Posted by another steve on Wednesday January 27, 2010 at 15:01 Does Phuket have a law to say the tuk tuks/taxis have a legal monopoly of transport services for tourists? Posted by Billy on Wednesday January 27, 2010 at 16:18 Do you think any government employees ever read these comments/blogs? Or perhaps they are just used to this type of lawless action and think everyone complains too much. I've lived around the world, settled in Thailand, but now I'm really thinking I should have never left Guatemala. Such a shame, Thailand is a wonderful place, too bad about all the ***** running the show. Posted by FedUpAsWell on Wednesday January 27, 2010 at 16:46 Tell us the resorts or are you too scared If it is true, report it as such. OR does the ***** control you too ? Posted by Graham on Wednesday January 27, 2010 at 19:31 Show on British television today. I know of five tourists who have changed holiday plans, many more will follow. The credit crunch has made us look ways to save money. Car hire is the way forward ..... Posted by bill tredy on Saturday January 30, 2010 at 16:06 Why didn't the cops break up this blockade? Until the cops act to assert hotels' and safari tours' rights to run free shuttle buses, there's clearly no free market force. Posted by tired of the act on Tuesday February 2, 2010 at 03:16 The Cops? Do anything? LOL! Posted by BOM on Friday February 5, 2010 at 20:28 Lets have real meter taxis and buses. Posted by Common Sense on Sunday February 7, 2010 at 13:36 Actually, the authorities should be very concerned about the skyrocketing prices everywhere. Why? Because if the rest of the Thai-population outside Phuket get the same idea, they will not be in power for long! Posted by BOM on Monday February 8, 2010 at 14:40 Phuketwan on Phuket Transport Phuket Transport Wins Probe as Former PM Visits Latest Phuket's transport system, dominated by tuktuks and taxis and excessive fares, is to be the subject of a 500,000 baht investigation into the island's future needs. Light rail is one idea. Phuket Transport Wins Probe as Former PM Visits Phuket to Trial Metered Tuk-Tuks, says Governor Breakthrough Exclusive Metered taxis may be tested in the Karon and Kata area on Phuket shortly if the island's governor has his way. It could be the start of the island's transport revolution. Phuket to Trial Metered Tuk-Tuks, says Governor Phuket Airport Crunch: Governor Has Seven Days UPDATING Report Phuket's taxi showdown began with a mass protest at Provinical Hall then was adjourned when the Governor asked for seven days to examine the issue and respond. Phuket Airport Crunch: Governor Has Seven Days Planet Phuket: Government Action is Needed Now Planet Phuket In the first of a new weekly column, Phuketwan suggests Government intervention is needed on Phuket to provide a sensible transport strategy so tourists keep on coming. Planet Phuket: Government Action is Needed Now Planet Phuket: Small Town Thinkers Out of Touch News Analysis Refreshing transport changes are being considered for Phuket, but not among those who still see only ''villages'' and where the island's city capital remains ''Phuket Town.'' Planet Phuket: Small Town Thinkers Out of Touch Phuket Nightlife Raids: One Under-Age Arrest Latest A sex worker under the age of 18 and two Burmese were among 57 women arrested during a raid on three nightclubs and massage parlors in Phuket City. Phuket Nightlife Raids: One Under-Age Arrest |
Friday March 19, 2010
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Enough is enough.. When they break the law arrest them.. Simple.
Unless at some point someone starts to stand up to them, this only gets worse and the problem harder to deal with.
Posted by LivinLOS on Tuesday January 26, 2010 at 10:05