PHUKET: Transport Department officers on Phuket are waiting on a telephone call from Phuket International Airport to start their campaign to rid Phuket of illegal taxis.
Officers intended to begin the campaign on Tuesday, but so far the invitation has not come from Airports of Thailand management to start work.
''We have to wait until we are asked,'' said Phuket Deputy Transport Director Wanta Pumararoskon. ''The airport is not managed by us.''
With the approval of Transport Minister, Jarupong Rungsuwan, Phuket airport General Manager Wing Commander Prathuang Somkhom and police from the Tachatchai station announced on March 13 that a crackdown on illegal taxis on Phuket would begin in two weeks.
Thousands of illegal taxis are believed to operate on Phuket, with drivers attracted by the high fares and relatively easy work. Often the private vehicles do not have appropriate insurance and are not equipped or maintained to international standard.
The high fares and poor attitude of the drivers of illegal taxis and tuk-tuks remain one of the largest sources of complaints from tourists about Phuket.
Many of the illegal vehicles operate in groups located at or near Phuket's resorts.
Officers intended to begin the campaign on Tuesday, but so far the invitation has not come from Airports of Thailand management to start work.
''We have to wait until we are asked,'' said Phuket Deputy Transport Director Wanta Pumararoskon. ''The airport is not managed by us.''
With the approval of Transport Minister, Jarupong Rungsuwan, Phuket airport General Manager Wing Commander Prathuang Somkhom and police from the Tachatchai station announced on March 13 that a crackdown on illegal taxis on Phuket would begin in two weeks.
Thousands of illegal taxis are believed to operate on Phuket, with drivers attracted by the high fares and relatively easy work. Often the private vehicles do not have appropriate insurance and are not equipped or maintained to international standard.
The high fares and poor attitude of the drivers of illegal taxis and tuk-tuks remain one of the largest sources of complaints from tourists about Phuket.
Many of the illegal vehicles operate in groups located at or near Phuket's resorts.
Seriously the police have to be invited to start a well publicized campaign to begin the cleanup of a long standing and internationally recognized problem within the Phuket transport industry.
You couldn't make this stuff up.
Posted by soupdragon on March 30, 2012 11:28