Meters.. Whats so complex ??

I would argue that a open air noddy van should be a lower meter rate than a air co enclosed car.

Set the meter rate.. And everyone pays it.. If the profession under pays then less people will desire to work in it. The only reason theres so damn many of them is they make so much by enforcing their cartel. Plus a certain element joins so they can get off on the bully boy / gang mentality so many of them like to put on.

Posted by LivinLOS on December 13, 2009 09:36

Meters are a panacea. How will meters solve the problem of excessively high fares?

Answer: They won't.

How will meters reduce the core problem, the oversupply of tuk-tuks?

Answer: They won't

A strategy for public transport on the island that gradually phases out tuk-tuks and replaces them with a workable alternative is the only answer. Everything else is a work-around to prop up a failing system.

Posted by Angelfire on December 13, 2009 09:50

@Angelfire Meters provide a clear and fair system of payment, it means the price is the price for all people, at all times. It also shines a spotlight on the excessive overcharging as it becomes visible how ridiculous a 300 baht ride for 1km around Patong really is.

And if the pay is lower, then the job is less appealing, and we wont have this again ridiculous oversupply which in turn means they (claim) they need to increase prices because of lack of work.

The very idea that they argue they need higher prices, because theres not enough work to support them all, shows they have no grasp or desire to grasp the supply / demand dynamic.

Posted by LivinLOS on December 13, 2009 12:21

Please, stop beating around the bush ! The only honest answer to this problem is a bus service .

Posted by elizabeth on December 13, 2009 13:04

.......... and a couple of steam rollers to flatten the tuk tuks!!

Posted by Mister Ree on December 13, 2009 13:40

A large part of the over-supply of Tuk-tuks in Kata and Karon is due to the local transport monopoly allowing large numbers of unlicensed (and therefore uninsured) private cars and vans to offer taxi services on the extensive lengths of the public highway that they control. On many of the stands, the unlicensed (white registration plate) cars outnumber the licensed 'yellow plate' tuk-tuks.

The fact that these vehicles can openly offer taxi services with impunity from enforcement is an indication of the power of the Kata & Karon monopoly and the complicity of the enforcement authorities in the supporting the monopoly.
Meters will only be effective if someone is willing to set sensible rates and enforce their use. Not much chance of that happening!

Posted by Nemo on December 13, 2009 13:56

Tuk-Tuk drivers have no right at all to complain about other public service stransports either from private sector or phuket province administrations (OrBorJor & OrborTor)
All limousines, taxi, minibus and buses are driven by Thai people which is perfectly legal and it does not matter if they are not native from Phuket.
All Thais are legally in their right to work as drivers for large Thai companies which pay full government taxes and in no way is a job by the Thai law for those lazy, rude and bad mannered local people who want to go back to the middle-ages.
Those local people are the same families who make problems on all Phuket beaches with tour boats willing to pick-up customers directly on the beaches opposite the customer's hotels.
To Phuket Governor, my request is: please send ASAP the case to justice court to get an official position and deal according with the rule. That's it.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on December 13, 2009 14:02

The tuk tuks and the locals are the law in Kata and Karon beach . i have seen this for so many years now. .Until there is law nothing will be done with the tuk tuk cartel.

Posted by peter j Notley on December 13, 2009 15:31

Some local thais feel like the tourist industry owe them a nice, lazy living, after the big cash was burned fast as they sold their family heritage (land) long ago to some clever Sino-Thais from Bangkok. So this village people and their leaders, the long-enough-here-to-feel-native people invented this goose with the golden eggs.

As it is normal for monopolies, excess is created. Too many, too high prices, no natural regulatories, like free floating of demand and supply, like innovation etc. And now they are strangling the goose and everyone "dislikes" them.

Change will come. It will cost jobs and will make people angry. The mobsters should be warned, that this thing is over. Or has Phuket always to wait until Bangkok kick your ass?

And then: Start go innovativ! Make the tuk tuks a real cool tourist attraction! First get them electric. Get them disney style but a real nostalgic feeling. Make them fun cars to drive with entertaining hosts as drivers. Why not let them be a tourist info guy, who also offer, when asked, good advice, wheres a nice shooting range, waterpark, gem shop, etc. Some tourist actually like that infos. Change! Grow up! GO FUTURE!

Then they will have a future alongside with busses and metered taxis. But of course, excess monthly take homes will be the past. You strangled the goose enough. Now is time to work for the money. Like everyone else does. Do not ask, what the tourists have to do for you, ask what you can do for them. That is the better idea in the long run. Vietnam, Cambodia et all. aint that stupid.

Posted by Lena on December 13, 2009 18:41

Lean times require that Thailand no longer tolerate the Tuktuk cartel, which unnecessarily drives up the cost of a vacation.

Let there be a bus route, 2 hours a day, between Kata and Patong.

If the Tuktuk drivers complain that their daily wages have dropped from 3000 a day to 30 a day, then reduce their staff by 90%.

And most of all, don't let their whining prevent businesses from employing their own shuttle drivers.

Posted by TaxiDriver on December 13, 2009 20:31

Only sober competition!!!!

Posted by Darek on December 14, 2009 03:30

Lots of feeling showing here and cannot understand why the tuk tuk drivers never get the message!

So tell me, who is using the tuk tuks?

Posted by Anonymous on December 16, 2009 07:36

Never used a tuktuk, been there six times in seven years. Ok perhaps 5-6 times, but only as it has been a must. They had so ripoff fares at the first time, so I take a walk for now, if i have to go a further place, i have my own connections to make it.

Boycott tuktuks so you their prices will go to the right.

Posted by kjekjefi on December 22, 2009 05:43