PHUKET: Some Phuket resorts have sided with bullying taxi drivers as the holiday island undergoes a public transport makeover that has broken the power of the ''untouchables,'' it was revealed today.
Managers at one large west coast resort even called a senior policeman in Bangkok last week and asked him to berate task force investigating chief Major General Praveen Pongsirin for pulling down a taxi shack. The Bangkok policeman made the call.
The resort mangement also called staff together and ordered them not to cooperate with police.
''Some Phuket resorts lack the courage or the faith to believe in ending the control that the taxi drivers have exerted for years using extortion and intimidation,'' Major General Praveen says.
''For more than three months, 13 officers in my team visited many resorts and talked to senior staff,'' he said. ''We were always dressed in civilian clothes.
''I was surprised at the lack of willpower at many resorts. There were managers who had little faith. At some resorts, we had to listen while the resort people told us for up to two hours why things couldn't change.''
He said there were also resorts that proved extremely helpful, including one where staff had receipts for corrupt payments. The receipts for extortionate money had been thoughtfully provided by the taxi drivers.
''I understand the sense of hopelessness among many resorts after so many years of bullying by the taxi drivers,'' Major General Praveen says. ''But change has come.
''It would be selfish and short-sighted not to want to be a part of the change. My advice would be, 'Don't think about your wallets for once.'''
A meeting is being held at the Kata-Karon municipal office at 4pm tomorrow. All resorts in the district are invited to send representatives.
A total of 96 arrests have been made among taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in the Kata-Karon region and 12 more people are being sought.
The task force is to move on to Phuket's Patong region as soon as the Kata-Karon case files are handed over to the Phuket Public Prosecutor.
Managers at one large west coast resort even called a senior policeman in Bangkok last week and asked him to berate task force investigating chief Major General Praveen Pongsirin for pulling down a taxi shack. The Bangkok policeman made the call.
The resort mangement also called staff together and ordered them not to cooperate with police.
''Some Phuket resorts lack the courage or the faith to believe in ending the control that the taxi drivers have exerted for years using extortion and intimidation,'' Major General Praveen says.
''For more than three months, 13 officers in my team visited many resorts and talked to senior staff,'' he said. ''We were always dressed in civilian clothes.
''I was surprised at the lack of willpower at many resorts. There were managers who had little faith. At some resorts, we had to listen while the resort people told us for up to two hours why things couldn't change.''
He said there were also resorts that proved extremely helpful, including one where staff had receipts for corrupt payments. The receipts for extortionate money had been thoughtfully provided by the taxi drivers.
''I understand the sense of hopelessness among many resorts after so many years of bullying by the taxi drivers,'' Major General Praveen says. ''But change has come.
''It would be selfish and short-sighted not to want to be a part of the change. My advice would be, 'Don't think about your wallets for once.'''
A meeting is being held at the Kata-Karon municipal office at 4pm tomorrow. All resorts in the district are invited to send representatives.
A total of 96 arrests have been made among taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in the Kata-Karon region and 12 more people are being sought.
The task force is to move on to Phuket's Patong region as soon as the Kata-Karon case files are handed over to the Phuket Public Prosecutor.
It would be very useful to know which resort goes to such lengths to put taxi drivers interests so far ahead of those of their customers.
I'm sure this would have a significant impact on their bookings and thus force either a change in their approach of force them out of business.
Posted by ThaiMike on June 9, 2014 11:50