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Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Chief of Marine Office 5, at today's meeting

End Phuket Taxi Blockades Now, Urges PM's Office

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A LETTER from the Prime Minister's office calling for an immediate end to ship blockades on Phuket and revelations of the large sums of money to be gained by local taxi drivers brought Phuket's transport crisis into sharp focus today.

Taxi drivers whose passengers included rich tourists from cruise ships stood to gain 30 to 40 percent commission on the sale of jewellery that sometimes carried a price tag of a million baht, a meeting at Phuket City's Provincial Hall heard.

''That's enough for a taxi driver not to have to work again for a very, very long time,'' the meeting heard. Some of the big tour agencies, particularly from Europe and Scandanavia, had already shifted their customers off Phuket to Khao Lak and other destinations where rip-offs did not occur, the gathering was told.

With a battle group that includes the USS Ronald Reagan now at sea and planning to anchor off Phuket soon, details also were provided for the first time about other serious blockades that had previously not been reported or only mentioned in outline.

Perhaps the most telling comment came from veteran Phuket hotelier Methee Tanmanatragul, who said: ''This is a very big issue. We are talking about death or survival, not just for one or two, but for the entire Phuket tourism industry.''

The meeting involving some of Phuket's top tourism and transport chiefs and police began with the announcement of the arrival of a letter dated March 30 from the PM's office noting that crew from the destroyer USS Decatur had been blockaded on March 22 and calling on authorities ''not to let it happen again.''

In that incident, the gathering later heard, two buses were halted by irate taxi drivers and local police were called to settle the dispute.

The letter from the PM's Secretary, Anchalee Vanich, failed to note a far worse incident that came on April 6. On that date, the taxi protesters at Phuket's deep sea port blockaded the road and prevented passengers from the cruise ship Silver Spirit - one of the world's top 10 luxury liners - from enjoying a single day stopover on Phuket.

Repercussions are expected from that blockade, which could lead to major losses for all of Phuket. A tour representative who wishes to remain anonymous told today's meeting: ''We are looking at alternatives now - Singapore, Malaysia, perhaps even Burma.''

And it emerged there was another blockade by taxi drivers just a week later, involving a Star cruise liner that was blockaded for half an hour.

Once bad weather leaves the cruise ships that have been anchoring off Patong with no choice except the deep sea port, the continuing crisis of blockade after blockade is likely to reach a new level.

It was pointed out that if 10 or 12 cruise ships arrive at the deep sea port each month, drivers have the capacity to make as much as $US50 a day for perhaps 30 days.

News of the series of fresh protests in the past few weeks will also provide little comfort to US officials who last year extracted a promise from Phuket authorities, after three blockades of varying intensity involving US vessels, that Phuket felt a collective ''sense of shame'' and that such incidents ''would never happen again.''

Such guarantees have proven to be worthless, depending as they do on the whim of the local collective of legal and illegal taxi drivers who operate around the Ao Makham deep sea port on Phuket's east coast.

The leader of the taxi group has said in the past two weeks that the group does not care if cruise ships choose not to come to Phuket, and that it has ''no problem'' with the US Navy.

It was noted at today's meeting that taxi drivers benefit by more than just a 1500 baht fare - the high price charged for a 30-minute trip across the island from the deep sea port to Patong - when cruise ship passengers are involved.

The drivers can collect 30 to 40 percent of visitors' spending on jewellery. ''Who cares about the cab fare when such options are available,'' the meeting was told.

''A deal for gems of between 500,000 baht and a million baht could set up a cab driver for a very long time.'' Guides were just as guilty as taxi drivers because they too received similar commissions, the gathering heard.

Earlier this week, Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat told an investigating committee in Bangkok chaired by Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban that he knew of cases where jewellery products made for just 100 baht were sold to tourists at 2000 baht to cover the cost of corrupt commissions to taxi and tuk-tuk drivers and hotels.

No wonder then that Thai Hotels Association marketing director Bhuritt Maswongssa made the point that the taxi drivers invest nothing in Phuket or its marketing to attract tourists, but make large amounts with little effort.

As Khun Methee said: ''We are talking about death or survival, not just for one or two, but for the entire Phuket tourism industry.''

It was noted that searches on Google for Phuket taxis, tuk-tuks and jet-skis bring up story after story noting extortionate prices and scams.

Even if a taxi driver took a passenger to a jewellery store and the passenger spent 40,000 baht, the commission was substantial, the meeting heard. Rip-offs were now threatening the whole Phuket tourism industry, participants were told.

Khun Methee again summed up the situation accurately when he said: ''We want to see everybody get the benefit from tourism in the long, long term, not like this.''

Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5, who says ''everything is fixed'' in dealing with the US Navy, is hosting a meeting on May 4 that may reach an arrangement with tour companies.

The Deputy PM's high-level investigation of tourism rip-offs on Phuket and in Thailand is expected to report at the end of May. Phuket's honorary consuls are due to hold their sixth meeting with Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha on May 23.
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Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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Well, it sounds like at least there are some intelligent people out there who DO see the problems.

Lets hope someone can fix them.

Posted by Tbs on April 20, 2011 15:51

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May be it is time to no longer always hit the drivers but the people behind who make the real money. Everyone knows who they are but no one dares to touch them!

Posted by Anonymous on April 20, 2011 17:52

Editor Comment:

Why is it that it's always nameless commenters who know all the answers?

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Maybe your website can have a membership function added so readers have the option of being a registered commentator?

At the moment they could just put anyone's name using a made up email to claim they're not hiding behind anonymity.

It's good to hear something is being noticed and done at a high level at last.

In terms of who is behind these Tuk Tuk organizations I think it is a number of people. But it is not just Tuk Tuks anyway, it is about the need for more effective power to a designated leader (or benign dictator).

Posted by Rob on April 20, 2011 20:04

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never finish to say: people from Phuket will have what they will deserve...

Posted by Dave on April 20, 2011 21:06

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It makes a mockery of the proposed free welfare handout to support 'poor taxi drivers' published recently.

I don't understand why local government doesn't get to grips with the problem and introduce a proper public transport system. That and providing pavements alongside roads so that people can stroll around and enjoy the sunshine.

Posted by Xircal on April 20, 2011 22:44

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Recently some very old friends who have visited Phuket several times Brit/Chinese couple, she (chinese) told me the diamond prices in Phuket are much higher than China. So not sure who is buying.

Posted by long time res on April 21, 2011 03:43

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Tour Guides can earn a commission on everything... right down to a Durian or a prostitute! Tuk Tuks are likely to be the same. It's great to hear the intelligent speak intelligently but sadly they don't have much actual power on the ground in Phuket and herein lies the problem. Easy to point the finger at the Governor but he can't do everything.

I don't hold much hope however when Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5 says "everything is fixed". Ask around the marine industry to find out more about the Chief... not exactly the most stand up community citizen.

Posted by Duncan on April 21, 2011 07:11

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May the fourth be with you chief.

Posted by Mac on April 21, 2011 09:00

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(moderated).

Posted by john s on April 21, 2011 10:32

Editor Comment:

There's no interest in people who have nothing new to say, john s. You're a bore.

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They look pretty angry in that foto. As there is local news for Phuket in Thai language we as foreigners are not always aware of their issues. We only get a few tidbits from our local news.

But that photo says a lot. And remember last year when it was the one of the Thai owners of Centara who was blocked going into her hotel and that hotel in Karon (old one) had a lot of problems.


There is a group of Phuket Town natives who got so fed up with all the shopping/commission scams that they set up their own tours. Guided walking tours of Phuket Town, with lots of eating in local spots and no shopping.

It is called Phuket Heritage Trails.

My point is that there are many locals who are also frustrated by this.

Posted by Vfaye on April 21, 2011 12:03

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(moderated)

Posted by john s on April 21, 2011 12:09

Editor Comment:

you've been given a say many times, john s. When you learn the difference between journalism and harping like a two-year-old, we'll be happy to consider you viewpoint. No, we are not there yet. When we are there, we'll let you know. Keep sucking your thumb.

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Was it not the Chief of marine office 5 when at a recent meeting of Consular officials and senior government officials here in Phuket made the comment "tourists are rich so what is the problem in charging them high prices", or words to that effect. If so how can anyone have any respect or belief for such an individual and why is he in such an elevated position with opinions like that. It begs to question who he is and how has he risen to such an elevated post!

Posted by Mick on April 21, 2011 16:46

Editor Comment:

That paraphrasing is probably a distortion of what he actually said. It's certainly true that the Chief of Marine Office 5 has expressed to us views that could be interpreted as ''don't rock the boat.'' Best wait until he has the chance to clarify his approach.

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What does it take to get a comment critical of Khun Phuripat published ?

IMO he is a key person in NOT getting this problem solved and he is being treated with kid gloves.

Posted by Chris on April 22, 2011 08:13

Editor Comment:

Khun Phuripat is one of a succession of people in that position who have always attempted to find compromise solutions, largely because they have no real alternatives. It now appears as though Phuket's administrative and business leaders - and leaders in Bangkok - finally recognise the need for change. If you have some points to make about the principles, fine. Attacking individuals solves nothing.

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The "compromise" Khun Phuripat advocates never seems to include the other party - the tourists.

Not even once have I heard of him discuss reductions in rates charged, be it Taxi, Tuk Tuk or Jet Ski issues.

As a matter of fact, he has not been shy in making his opinion known that he thinks it's perfectly ok to overcharge tourists. Quotes abound even in PW.

For him compromise is only about setting the pecking order as to who gets to rip off the tourists, where and how.

This is no personal attack, I don't know him personally at all, but I seriously disagree with his policies and attitudes towards tourist ripoffs.
You may not agree Ed, but isn't this the section where readers are given the chance to express their opinions.

To be fair, tourists get ripped off all over the world but only in a few places do locals keep on doing it for years.

Why ? Because they can. Because the authorities that are supposed to uphold the law are not doing their job.

It is no secret that corruption is widespread on Phuket. Those who speak up against it, including me, rarely have evidence. Those who have evidence, either have their own hand in the cookie jar or value their health more than justice.

When trying to get to the root of corruption, one has to look at those empowered to weed it out. If they not only fail to do so but publicly speak out defending the right of locals to rip off tourists, then those individuals should be the first ones to be held accountable.

This is why I don't like what Khun Phuripat does at all. Personally he may be a very nice chap for all I know but professionally I think he has no place on Phuket.

Posted by Chris on April 22, 2011 19:04

Editor Comment:

Khun Phuripat's control as marine chief ends at the point that the sea reaches at high tide. In this dispute he is an ''honest broker,'' a go-between, a negotiator. Your opinion, Chris, seems to be based on a little reading, no first hand experience, and a lot of unsubstantiated opinion. We may see soon enough who takes responsibility. For now, nobody is putting their hand up.


Tuesday March 19, 2024
Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa

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