PHUKET: Russians have been trying to set up an illegal taxi rank in Cherng Talay, one of Phuket's five-star districts, senior Phuket officials were told today.
The Russian taxi drivers went to local police soon after, complaining that they had been abused by Thai taxi drivers and were in physical danger, Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada was told.
The Russians also complained to their embassy about ''the big Phuket taxi mafia,'' the vice governor heard.
But the envoys and police were unable to intervene so the Russians - who argued that they spoke the same language as Russian customers - eventually gave up.
Vice Governor Jamleran visited taxi ranks in the seven-resort Laguna Phuket complex today, talking to drivers at the canal Village and Angsana Resort queues.
There were 28 taxis at the ranks, and more than 10 ranks within Laguna. All had joined the move to legalise and improve Phuket's taxis, the vice governor was told.
Angsana taxi leader Wilas Kaviket said that the move to legitimise taxis was working well at Laguna Phuket, where the role had become a fulltime job rather than part time.
''We have reached agreement with the hotels on fares,'' Khun Wilas said. ''If we have language problems with a customer, the hotels help.''
The drivers all have uniforms and understand the need for high standards of service, he said.
The move to tame Phuket's taxis and tuk-tuks has been one of the big themes of 2012, with Phuket Land Transport Office Director, Terayoot Prasertphol, being judged the Phuketwan Phuket Person of the Year.
Deputy Phuket Land Transport Director Jaturong Keawkasi said today on the visit with Vice Governor Jamleran that IDs for taxis on display in all vehicles had brought a favorable reaction.
Codes with ID on the vehicles enabled drivers to know immediately which rank a taxi was from.
Khun Jaturong said that tuk-tuks appeared to now be charging people more than the basic fare of 200 baht for a loop of Patong, sometimes asking 400 baht or 500 baht.
Now that the taxis were on the way to being legitimised, the Land Transport office aimed to carry the concept of registration and quality service to Phuket's tuk-tuks from February, he said.
Around that time, new bus services are due to be announced between Phuket International Airport and Phuket's west and south.
The Russian taxi drivers went to local police soon after, complaining that they had been abused by Thai taxi drivers and were in physical danger, Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada was told.
The Russians also complained to their embassy about ''the big Phuket taxi mafia,'' the vice governor heard.
But the envoys and police were unable to intervene so the Russians - who argued that they spoke the same language as Russian customers - eventually gave up.
Vice Governor Jamleran visited taxi ranks in the seven-resort Laguna Phuket complex today, talking to drivers at the canal Village and Angsana Resort queues.
There were 28 taxis at the ranks, and more than 10 ranks within Laguna. All had joined the move to legalise and improve Phuket's taxis, the vice governor was told.
Angsana taxi leader Wilas Kaviket said that the move to legitimise taxis was working well at Laguna Phuket, where the role had become a fulltime job rather than part time.
''We have reached agreement with the hotels on fares,'' Khun Wilas said. ''If we have language problems with a customer, the hotels help.''
The drivers all have uniforms and understand the need for high standards of service, he said.
The move to tame Phuket's taxis and tuk-tuks has been one of the big themes of 2012, with Phuket Land Transport Office Director, Terayoot Prasertphol, being judged the Phuketwan Phuket Person of the Year.
Deputy Phuket Land Transport Director Jaturong Keawkasi said today on the visit with Vice Governor Jamleran that IDs for taxis on display in all vehicles had brought a favorable reaction.
Codes with ID on the vehicles enabled drivers to know immediately which rank a taxi was from.
Khun Jaturong said that tuk-tuks appeared to now be charging people more than the basic fare of 200 baht for a loop of Patong, sometimes asking 400 baht or 500 baht.
Now that the taxis were on the way to being legitimised, the Land Transport office aimed to carry the concept of registration and quality service to Phuket's tuk-tuks from February, he said.
Around that time, new bus services are due to be announced between Phuket International Airport and Phuket's west and south.
Absolutly comical
Posted by Zig on January 3, 2013 18:06