TUK-TUK drivers in Karon have reduced their prices and hope that others drivers around Phuket will follow their lead.
The cost for a trip from Karon to Patong is now 300 baht; from Karon to the airport 800 baht; Karon to Phuket City 500 baht. Reductions are in the region of 25 percent.
Fare cuts follow a succession of complaints from readers after an interview was published on Phuketwan with Porntep Chamkawn, president of Kata-Karon Tuk-Tuk Association.
Khun Porntep asked to have the comments translated into Thai and took on board many of the points made by Phuketwan readers.
''Tuk-tuk drivers will soon all be issued with standard uniform shirts,'' he said today. New signs are also on the way, informing tourists about the lower schedule of fees.
While the Kata-Karon drivers are acting on their own initiative, it is hoped their example will be followed by other tuk-tuk driver groups.
More than 500 tuk-tuk drivers operate in the area, with hundreds more based around the island.
Khun Porntep has a masters degree in political science and has been president of the tuk-tuk association for more than a year, and is trying to introduce some changes.
Since he arrived, association drivers have been involved in training to improve the service and hospitality aspects of their interaction with tourists.
Local security and safety in the water have also become issues of concern, with the drivers keen to improve Karon's reputation.
The reduction in fares is probably also a sign of recognition that the tourist industry on Phuket is experiencing difficult times.
Resorts have reduced rates and in many cases, asked staff to take extra unpaid time off.
Even with the rates reduction, transport fares on tuk-tuks on Phuket remain much higher than in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
Here are some of the responses from readers. For more responses and the whole 'Mafia' interview, click on the link below:
400 BAHT TO PATONG . . . what a joke! that would cost twenty baht in Pattaya . Dream on . . . i would rather walk than pay my hard earned money to you, and that is why nobody is here and nobody likes your service. in New York or London it would be cheaper . . . Another nail in the Phuket coffin
CAN YOU explain why a tuk tuk ride from Kata to Patong is Baht 400.00 and a taxi ride from Bangkok central to Suvaranbhum Airport is 350 Baht? Why do the Tuk Tuk drivers, not publish rates or have meters, like in any other part of the world. It is great of you that you all work together and you like to protect jobs for the local people in Kata and Karon but as a tourist I have to tell you that the most expensive taxis in the world by km are in Phuket. Not even in London or Paris do I have to pay Baht 400 for 5 km of driving.
THE FOUR big complaints I hear about tuk-tuks are:
1. Parking
2. Direct ripoffs
3. Price: Expensive? Fixed? Meters?
4. Anti-competitive thuggery
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?The cost for a trip from Karon to Patong is now 300 baht; from Karon to the airport 800 baht; Karon to Phuket City 500 baht. Reductions are in the region of 25 percent.
Fare cuts follow a succession of complaints from readers after an interview was published on Phuketwan with Porntep Chamkawn, president of Kata-Karon Tuk-Tuk Association.
Khun Porntep asked to have the comments translated into Thai and took on board many of the points made by Phuketwan readers.
''Tuk-tuk drivers will soon all be issued with standard uniform shirts,'' he said today. New signs are also on the way, informing tourists about the lower schedule of fees.
While the Kata-Karon drivers are acting on their own initiative, it is hoped their example will be followed by other tuk-tuk driver groups.
More than 500 tuk-tuk drivers operate in the area, with hundreds more based around the island.
Khun Porntep has a masters degree in political science and has been president of the tuk-tuk association for more than a year, and is trying to introduce some changes.
Since he arrived, association drivers have been involved in training to improve the service and hospitality aspects of their interaction with tourists.
Local security and safety in the water have also become issues of concern, with the drivers keen to improve Karon's reputation.
The reduction in fares is probably also a sign of recognition that the tourist industry on Phuket is experiencing difficult times.
Resorts have reduced rates and in many cases, asked staff to take extra unpaid time off.
Even with the rates reduction, transport fares on tuk-tuks on Phuket remain much higher than in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
Here are some of the responses from readers. For more responses and the whole 'Mafia' interview, click on the link below:
400 BAHT TO PATONG . . . what a joke! that would cost twenty baht in Pattaya . Dream on . . . i would rather walk than pay my hard earned money to you, and that is why nobody is here and nobody likes your service. in New York or London it would be cheaper . . . Another nail in the Phuket coffin
CAN YOU explain why a tuk tuk ride from Kata to Patong is Baht 400.00 and a taxi ride from Bangkok central to Suvaranbhum Airport is 350 Baht? Why do the Tuk Tuk drivers, not publish rates or have meters, like in any other part of the world. It is great of you that you all work together and you like to protect jobs for the local people in Kata and Karon but as a tourist I have to tell you that the most expensive taxis in the world by km are in Phuket. Not even in London or Paris do I have to pay Baht 400 for 5 km of driving.
THE FOUR big complaints I hear about tuk-tuks are:
1. Parking
2. Direct ripoffs
3. Price: Expensive? Fixed? Meters?
4. Anti-competitive thuggery
Photo Album One Phuket tuk tuk chief has his heart set on speedy forward movement, at the right price. Changes have been introduced in Karon to make the tuk tuk more user friendly.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?
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i would like to ask why all the best parking spaces in kata and karon are taken by he tuk tuks .
Myself and 90% of the farangs on the island never go to kata or karon beach because there is nowhere to park .
The establishments in kata and karon must be suffering . when will anybody learn that local busines is good business.
Peter J Notley
Posted by Peter Notley on November 13, 2009 16:32