News Analysis
A NEW schedule of proposed fares for Patong's tuk-tuks is likely to be approved when the committee of the Patong Taxi Federation meets later this week. Those expecting a reduction in fares may be in for a surprise.
While demand for lower tuk-tuk fares on Phuket has been widespread across the internet and on expat chat sites, acceptance of lower rates among tuk-tuk drivers is no foregone conclusion.
Phuketwan was told by a source close to the federation today that tuk-tuk fares have not increased in 10 years, so it could be time for a long-overdue rise in rates.
The issue of whether or not to increase fares has been under discussion behind closed doors over several weeks. Preechavude 'Prab' Keesin, 33, the federation's president, was giving nothing away in a recent ''first person'' interview with a print media outlet.
While acknowledging the need to set up a standard pricing system, Khun Preechavude said only that meters may be ''possible but not in the near future.'' He did no deal with the question of whether tuk-tuk fares should be reduced, held at current levels, or increased.
In practical terms, fares have tended to be negotiated downwards recently. One Australian family reported paying 150 baht this July for a journey from the north of Patong to the south of Patong that they would have expected to pay 200 baht for 12 months ago.
Tuk-tuk drivers in Kata-Karon are also said to be asking 300 baht for a ride to Patong that would once have cost 400 baht. But more drivers are griping and groaning about finding it hard to make ends meet.
The simple, obvious answer seems not to be considered: there are too many tuk-tuks on Phuket and the number of drivers needs to be reduced progressively as reforms are introduced to benefit the whole island.
Patong's new federation leader has been quick to distance the Patong tuk-tuk drivers from the three disruptive blockades that have alarmed US authorities and interrupted the orderly transfer of US Navy crews from the deep sea port at Cape Panwa to Patong.
Another incident of that kind could lead to US warships forsaking Phuket and finding a new and more reasonable liberty port, either in Thailand or in a neighboring country.
Meanwhile, debate continues about the logic behind the fares currently being charged on Phuket, which remain high when compared to the scheduled fares for Bangkok taxis. The Bangkok schedule is: first kilometre, 35 baht; additional kilometres up to 12k, five baht; additional kilometres 12-20k 5.5 baht; additional kilometres 20-40k 6 baht; additional kilometres 40-60k 6.5 baht; additional kilometres 60-80k 7.5 baht; additional kilometres beyond 80k, 8.5 baht.
A taxi driver who regularly does the trip between Bangkok and Korat, about 300 kilometres away, tells Phuketwan he usually charges 3000 baht for the journey, or 10 baht per kilometre, and fuel costs him 300 baht, or one baht per kilometre.
While tuk-tuk drivers on Phuket may say their vehicles are more expensive to run, if the vehicles are 10 times more expensive to run, then it may be time to find new vehicles.
The rise of the Patong federation has unified drivers in the largest west coast resort but Phuketwan has been led to believe that each taxi stand group largely sets its own prices, based on local demand, the needs of the drivers, and the negotiating skills of customers.
Khun Preechavude has been at pains to make the point that the use of the word ''mafia'' in connection with tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers is inappropriate because it smacks of doing illegal business.
However, any economist suddenly arriving on Phuket could be forgiven for questioning loudly how the tuk-tuk and taxi fares on the island could become so out of kilter with Bangkok, and with reality.
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No one cares if tuk-tuk drivers want to decrease or increase fare all around Phuket.
What everyone wants - local Thai people, expats and tourists - is a modern public transport system able to serve all beaches and villages, the same way as they have in Bangkok or any civilised city around the world.
- Is is normal for thousands of Thai resort staff to have to use uncomfortable converted trucks to go to work?
- Is is normal that parents have to buy motorcycles so their children can go to school?
One million people in Phuket are looking to local administrators and the central government to see how they will deal with these stubborn, selfish folk.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on July 12, 2010 13:48