PHUKET: Eighty percent of public parking spaces in the Karon district have been taken over by tuk-tuks and taxis, a meeting was told today.
And the number of tuk-tuks and taxis continues to grow ''day by day,'' said the local council's senior officer, Werasak Anekwongsawat.
Members of the public who parked in tuk-tuk or taxi designated spots had their cars scratched or faced intimidation, he said.
Khun Werasak was speaking at a special meeting called today at Karon Council offices to address tourism-related issues.
Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada, who chaired the meeting, said he had just returned from three weeks in Europe.
''The fares are about the same here as they are there,'' he said. ''But the service there is much better.''
Solving the problems associated with tuk-tuks and taxis was Karon's number one issue, he said.
He said similar problems in Chonburi had been fixed by the local authorities.
He turned to the mayor of Karon and said: ''Are you brave enough to try to fix this problem here? Are you brave enough to change?''
He said that the tuk-tuk and taxi drivers were ''beating themselves.'' ''You are eating fast but the meal will not last long,'' he added.
He said Phuket had all the laws it needed ''but we do not have law enforcement.''
He questioned whether the drivers cared about the feelings of tourists, the people on whom they depended for their income.
''You only seem to care about the money,'' he said. ''Taxi prices are high and the service is bad.''
Karon was chosen last year as the ideal place on Phuket to begin trials of a central call service for taxis so that the district's streets could be cleared. Drivers rejected the plan.
And the number of tuk-tuks and taxis continues to grow ''day by day,'' said the local council's senior officer, Werasak Anekwongsawat.
Members of the public who parked in tuk-tuk or taxi designated spots had their cars scratched or faced intimidation, he said.
Khun Werasak was speaking at a special meeting called today at Karon Council offices to address tourism-related issues.
Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada, who chaired the meeting, said he had just returned from three weeks in Europe.
''The fares are about the same here as they are there,'' he said. ''But the service there is much better.''
Solving the problems associated with tuk-tuks and taxis was Karon's number one issue, he said.
He said similar problems in Chonburi had been fixed by the local authorities.
He turned to the mayor of Karon and said: ''Are you brave enough to try to fix this problem here? Are you brave enough to change?''
He said that the tuk-tuk and taxi drivers were ''beating themselves.'' ''You are eating fast but the meal will not last long,'' he added.
He said Phuket had all the laws it needed ''but we do not have law enforcement.''
He questioned whether the drivers cared about the feelings of tourists, the people on whom they depended for their income.
''You only seem to care about the money,'' he said. ''Taxi prices are high and the service is bad.''
Karon was chosen last year as the ideal place on Phuket to begin trials of a central call service for taxis so that the district's streets could be cleared. Drivers rejected the plan.
So the question was asked, but no indication of the Mayor's reply. Maybe it was unprintable!
Posted by Mister Ree on June 3, 2013 17:56