Unless the fare offered comes with some monitoring system, eg meters and enforced meter use, what they say makes no difference.

Posted by LivinLOS on May 29, 2010 12:28

Why not hold a referendum in Phuket Province about public transport? Then we will have a clear picture of what local Thai people think about it.

Posted by Whistle- Blower on May 29, 2010 12:42

WE EXPATS Can say what we want but it means nothing. The Governor knows exactly what the problem is. He will do his utmost to solve it.... let's wish him all the best and hope he gets a satisfactory solution before he retires in September.

Posted by J D on May 29, 2010 15:27

Frankly between the rude aggressive taxi drivers and irritating tailors, Phuket is the last place in the world I would visit or recommend to anyone else.

Posted by John on May 30, 2010 01:49

Whoop-dee-doo!

We'll go from having tuk-tuks that charge 10 times the Bangkok price to tuk-tuks that will charge 5 times the Bangkok price and it will be with official sanction as meters will be used.

An "everyone saves face" solution, except the tourists will still be getting ripped off.

Editor: If there's a bus service as a choice, not too many people will be complaining.

Posted by Sir Burr on May 30, 2010 04:37

OK So we are all complaining about this BIG PROBLEM..we all have choices.no one likes what we have. We all... complain...you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.....This is the furthest Phuket's ever gone to try and solve this transport problem. Remember it can only be solved by both sides agreeing to a compromise.

Any suggestions who should do this rather than the Governor... us Farangs maybe?

Editor: JD, this is an issue for Thais and Thailand. You are a passenger, just like the people you call ''us farangs.'' Clearly, all expat visitors, (including those who are not ''farang'') and residents have an interest in resolving the issue. If you have some suggestions, please pass them on to your honorary consul, or the governor.

Posted by J D on May 30, 2010 06:31

Like JD writes that this is the closest Phuket has ever come to solve the issue and I really hope the solution also considers locals, not just tourists. I hope this plan includes airport limos or taxis as well.

I just flew from Bangkok where I drove with taxi to the airport, which was great and I was happy to pay for the service and tip the guy. Only to come to Phuket at 23.00 where limo drivers were waiting and bothering me at the luggage carousel! Why do they now let them in all the way there?

Luckily I had a friend to pick me up. It is absolutely crazy at the airport at the moment. Especially if you arrive outside busy hours and especially with 60 new cars looking for a fare.

Get these guys out from the airport building to a designated area where you can walk to ask for a taxi if you need one and stop bothering us tourists! We know how to shout "TAXI!"

Posted by Jimmy on May 30, 2010 08:36

Yes, i agree with Jimmy, even its a little off-topic, Phuket airport is a mess, people bother you before you even collect the luggage. Then, inside the passenger area, about 10 people try you sell you a trip to phi-phi island etc.

Allowing this people inside the passenger area is against international airport security standards! And finally, you get ripped of when leaving the car park. My friend and I both traveled to Bangkok and both parked our car for one night at the car park. We both left at the same time the parking area. Both paid a different price!!!!!

Posted by CR on May 30, 2010 16:12

@Sir Burr has got it right.

Meters only solve one problem: the dispute that occurs when a fare X is agreed upon, but at the destination fare Y is demanded. That's an issue, of course, but it's not the core problem. In itself, it does nothing to reduce the average fare; it just gives a government imprimatur to the higher fares.

The core problem is the lack of alternatives. A public transport system that includes *buses* will add competition, forcing the taxis and tuk-tuks to adapt their fares and their service in order to survive in the market.

Posted by D on May 30, 2010 16:53

Don't forget the tuk-tuks are a danger themselves. The Tuk-Tuks are not fit for Phuket's hilly terrain and they cause a lot of dangerous overtaking on the road. They are passed by other vehicles uphill, and downhill they drive like crazy. For the taxi fare they are charging, they should offer proper taxis.

Posted by jorgen on May 30, 2010 23:00

Call me blazingly naive, but why shouldn't the taxi/tuk tuk rates be exactly the same as in Bangkok, one of the biggest cities in the world?

In most every other country, the government sets the fares, the taxi drivers have them programmed into their meters. Fiddle with the meter, don't switch it on or otherwise try to gouge passengers and you lose your licence. End of story. No negotiations, no 'compromise'.

Of course, the only reason that Phuket even has to humor the tuk tuk federations is that there is no alternative to them.

If there's an upcoming island-wide bus scheme coming for Phuket, I'd be glad to hear it. If we have that, then tuk tuk drivers can charge what they want. Nobody will be using them.

The federations will keep the talking shops going for years. Energy is better expended getting the public transport alternatives up and running.

Posted by Doug on May 31, 2010 04:50

Problem: Too many taxis. That is why they charge so much. Drop the number from probably a thousand taxis, down to 100...then the taxis can charge reasonable rates (same as Bangkok) and make good money. But with a thousand taxis, they only get a ride a day or a ride every couple days...that's why they charge so much.

Editor: That seems correct. But the drivers also get ripped off in terms of extortionate airport rents and car repayments. Reducing costs and driver numbers to efficient, fair levels may take years.

Posted by James Santhi on May 31, 2010 08:56

When I first arrived on phuket four years ago I had a prebooked car from the airport to Phuket City, it cost 800baht $30 Aus. I thought it was cheap and I still do. However 400baht Karon to Patong is not cheap and there lies the problem, the short haul fares. I now pay 700 baht Karon to airport 500Baht to come back as I use a meter taxi from the airport.

Why do the police not give protection to these guys so they can pick up on the coast and Phuket City instead of getting out quick before they get bashed?

Meter taxis can and should solve the problem. Until the problem is solved, enjoy Phuket, or go to Pattaya.

Posted by azzagood on June 2, 2010 18:32

Jimmy raises a very important point.

Just exactly why are these taxi touts inside the airport security area at the luggage carousel?

This question needs to be put directly to the airport manager - and suitable action taken.

Editor: We raised it with the airport and officials there were planning on looking at security camera footage to substantiate the facts.

Posted by Simon Luttrell on June 2, 2010 20:59

Open up the market to competition. Remove any protection rackets, and prices will be in line with the rest of Thailand in 24 hours.
If the airport charges too much, then form a rank off site. Problem solved. This is the usual going nowhere nonsense.

Posted by Mike Hunt. on June 3, 2010 17:43

I hope the Tuk Tuk drivers would not be so aggressive if some one is not happy with their behavior. In Rawai at a T-junction, a TT driver nearly caused a collision between four vehicles because he wanted to take over in the junction where a car was turning in, another turning out and avoiding head on collision, he nearly rammed me on the motorbike.

Spontaneously out of fear I shouted "What are you doing!?!?" and he got so angry that he followed a long way, honking his horn and showing that he wants me to stop. I can only guess what would have happened if I had stopped. One can read about getting stabbed if you tell them they are doing wrong in the traffic.

Furthermore TT drivers always get a lot of back-up and gang beating has happened many times before. I mean, can a person not be humble, admit he did a crazy move endangering four other vehicles because he was in such a needless hurry in a situation that just breaking an waiting two seconds would have been a normal way of driving?

Why are they so hurt, why are they so angry and why do they chase you to hurt you for saying something he really earned to hear. No middle finger or anything bad was done from my side. Anger management, politeness and common driving sense seem be needed many times here!

Posted by Threathened driver on June 5, 2010 11:07

The best way to solve this problem is to AVOID Phuket! I live in Bangkok. I used to love Patong! But these so called Tuk Tuk m****.. really messing things up for many tourist and expats!!

If u go to Phuket..DON'T use the Tuk Tuks or the Taxi services at all..U will see that these so called Scam Artists will wake up and realise.. NO MONEY!! Problem solved!!

Posted by Roger on June 11, 2010 16:28