POLICE on Phuket are investigating a dispute between a tour company and local taxi drivers, with Phuket's Police Commander reminding the island's officers today that they must uphold the law and not succumb to pressure groups.
Two couples who wanted to go to see the world-renowned FantaSea show, Danish tourists visiting Phuket, found themselves at the centre of the continuing attempt by local taxi drivers to prevent competition and preserve their monopoly.
Responding to a booking, the Together Tour Agency sent a car from the Kata Jo group to pick up the four visitors and take them to the FantaSea show yesterday.
When the car arrived at the Baan Karon Resort, south of Patong, the Danish couples slipped into the vehicle for their evening out.
However, local taxi drivers surrounded the car, raised their voices, told the driver he could not take the tourists to FantaSea, and forced the four tourists to leave the car.
Surasak Janprasartporn, who runs Together Tour Agency, decided the time had come to complain to police. He told the driver: ''Tomorrow we are going to the police station to object to this behavior.''
The driver, Khun Surasak said today, said at first that he would be happy to complain at the police station.
But today, Khun Surasak found the driver harder to contact. When Khun Surasak did eventually raise the driver, he told Phuketwan, the man said he was happy to go to the police station - but only as a witness.
''I don't want to accuse anybody,'' he said. Khun Surasak went ahead and visited Chalong Police Station, lodging his objection to the behavior of the local taxi drivers.
He was told he could sue to recover the money, but as there was no assault on any party involved, it was difficult for the police to act.
Later today, having been informed about the incident, Police Commander Pekad Tantipong issued his advice to police at Phuket's eight stations to uphold the law.
''Phuket is a holiday destination and we cannot have tourists threatened,'' he said.
Khun Surasak said that the Danish couples involved were adults who understood what was happening and that the tour company was not to blame.
They realised that they were in the middle of a long-standing dispute, Khun Surasak said.
''What worries me is what could happen one of these days when young tourists fail to act coolly and calmly in the face of these thuggish tactics,'' he said.
And the two couples from Denmark? They walked some distance tonight from their resort, then caught a ride to see the FantaSea show they missed the prevous night.
They are unlikely to catch a local Phuket taxi ever again.
Phuket 'Video Vigilantes' Capture Quad Ride on BeachTwo couples who wanted to go to see the world-renowned FantaSea show, Danish tourists visiting Phuket, found themselves at the centre of the continuing attempt by local taxi drivers to prevent competition and preserve their monopoly.
Responding to a booking, the Together Tour Agency sent a car from the Kata Jo group to pick up the four visitors and take them to the FantaSea show yesterday.
When the car arrived at the Baan Karon Resort, south of Patong, the Danish couples slipped into the vehicle for their evening out.
However, local taxi drivers surrounded the car, raised their voices, told the driver he could not take the tourists to FantaSea, and forced the four tourists to leave the car.
Surasak Janprasartporn, who runs Together Tour Agency, decided the time had come to complain to police. He told the driver: ''Tomorrow we are going to the police station to object to this behavior.''
The driver, Khun Surasak said today, said at first that he would be happy to complain at the police station.
But today, Khun Surasak found the driver harder to contact. When Khun Surasak did eventually raise the driver, he told Phuketwan, the man said he was happy to go to the police station - but only as a witness.
''I don't want to accuse anybody,'' he said. Khun Surasak went ahead and visited Chalong Police Station, lodging his objection to the behavior of the local taxi drivers.
He was told he could sue to recover the money, but as there was no assault on any party involved, it was difficult for the police to act.
Later today, having been informed about the incident, Police Commander Pekad Tantipong issued his advice to police at Phuket's eight stations to uphold the law.
''Phuket is a holiday destination and we cannot have tourists threatened,'' he said.
Khun Surasak said that the Danish couples involved were adults who understood what was happening and that the tour company was not to blame.
They realised that they were in the middle of a long-standing dispute, Khun Surasak said.
''What worries me is what could happen one of these days when young tourists fail to act coolly and calmly in the face of these thuggish tactics,'' he said.
And the two couples from Denmark? They walked some distance tonight from their resort, then caught a ride to see the FantaSea show they missed the prevous night.
They are unlikely to catch a local Phuket taxi ever again.
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Khun Surasak said that the Danish couples involved were adults who understood what was happening and that the tour company was to blame.
The tour company was to blame ?!?!? Just unreal..
Posted by LivinLOS on March 15, 2011 21:46
Editor Comment:
Thanks, that should say ''not''.