PATONG taxi-drivers complained today as passengers from the Queen Mary 2 walked past them to take pre-booked tours.
The luxury cruise liner anchored off Patong this morning, in a move that surprised even Tourism Authority of Thailand staffers who were expecting the ship to dock at Cape Panwa.
Waiting onshore in Patong and expecting that some of the well-to-do passengers on the round the world voyage would need a taxi was Pitsanu Suksiri.
As the passengers strolled past him for a selection of pre-planned tours in mini-buses and saloon cars, Khun Pitsanu said: ''Drivers are missing out because guests don't know they can catch a local taxi when they arrive.''
Some of the stalls near the pontoon jetty at the southern end of Patong beach sold fake bags and sunglasses, plus souvenirs and dresses, to the arriving band of passengers.
It's the maiden visit to Phuket by the Queen Mary 2, a top-class liner that has just about every facility imaginable on board.
One couple who strolled ashore today, Judie Touch and her husband, from Florida, are booked on the Queen Mary 2 for all 100 days.
''We're very pleased to be here,'' Mrs Touch told Phuketwan. ''The beach looks beautiful and so does the sea. I have been looking at photographs of Phuket in travel magazines, and now we are here.''
The couple are heading for James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay today, one of a range of excursions available to passengers in the hours before the ship departs for Penang in Malaysia at 6pm tonight.
Another cruise ship, one of the regular visitors, is due off Phuket this afternoon.
A tuk-tuk driver nearby at the southern end of Patong told Phuketwan that the empty parking space on the beach road was prebooked for a tuk-tuk.
When Phuketwan parked around the corner outside the Burasari Resort, a security guard said the space ''belonged to a taxi.''
Visitors to Phuket have been complaining more frequently lately about the monopoly of tuk-tuks, taxis and hire firms in Patong and Karon and the continuing high fares being charged.
Exorbitant fares are demanded on Phuket, even though other segments of the tourism industry have been obliged to offer large discounts to keep visitors coming.
Phuket Follows USS Nimitz with Queen Mary 2The luxury cruise liner anchored off Patong this morning, in a move that surprised even Tourism Authority of Thailand staffers who were expecting the ship to dock at Cape Panwa.
Waiting onshore in Patong and expecting that some of the well-to-do passengers on the round the world voyage would need a taxi was Pitsanu Suksiri.
As the passengers strolled past him for a selection of pre-planned tours in mini-buses and saloon cars, Khun Pitsanu said: ''Drivers are missing out because guests don't know they can catch a local taxi when they arrive.''
Some of the stalls near the pontoon jetty at the southern end of Patong beach sold fake bags and sunglasses, plus souvenirs and dresses, to the arriving band of passengers.
It's the maiden visit to Phuket by the Queen Mary 2, a top-class liner that has just about every facility imaginable on board.
One couple who strolled ashore today, Judie Touch and her husband, from Florida, are booked on the Queen Mary 2 for all 100 days.
''We're very pleased to be here,'' Mrs Touch told Phuketwan. ''The beach looks beautiful and so does the sea. I have been looking at photographs of Phuket in travel magazines, and now we are here.''
The couple are heading for James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay today, one of a range of excursions available to passengers in the hours before the ship departs for Penang in Malaysia at 6pm tonight.
Another cruise ship, one of the regular visitors, is due off Phuket this afternoon.
A tuk-tuk driver nearby at the southern end of Patong told Phuketwan that the empty parking space on the beach road was prebooked for a tuk-tuk.
When Phuketwan parked around the corner outside the Burasari Resort, a security guard said the space ''belonged to a taxi.''
Visitors to Phuket have been complaining more frequently lately about the monopoly of tuk-tuks, taxis and hire firms in Patong and Karon and the continuing high fares being charged.
Exorbitant fares are demanded on Phuket, even though other segments of the tourism industry have been obliged to offer large discounts to keep visitors coming.
Photo Album With the USS Nimitz now off Phuket and thousands of sailors taking leave, Phuket can look forward to the next large visitor, the remarkable cruise liner Queen Mary 2.
Phuket Follows USS Nimitz with Queen Mary 2
Phuket's Big Spend by the Hour: Time Starts Now
Phuket in Daylight The upmarket cruise liner Queen Mary 2 will give passengers nine and a half hours to spend on Phuket. Would you spend up big or save your money for Penang? Have your say now.
Phuket's Big Spend by the Hour: Time Starts Now
Phuket's First Waterpark a Test of Willpower
Photo Album With a fleet of buses circulating at Phuket resorts, the Splash Jungle waterpark aims to become the daytime equivalent of FantaSea and attract up to 2000 guests daily.
Phuket's First Waterpark a Test of Willpower
Phuket Tourists Tell: Rampaging Elephant Horror
UPDATE A Swedish couple have given a first hand account of a ride on a rampaging elephant that casts doubts over the use of male elephants for tourist rides on Phuket.
Phuket Tourists Tell: Rampaging Elephant Horror
Phuket Has 4000 Illegal Taxis, Meeting Hears
UPDATE Phuket has 4000 illegal taxis, a meeting has been told at Provincial Hall. Planning continues for possible changes to the dysfunctional,overpriced system of public transport on the island.
Phuket Has 4000 Illegal Taxis, Meeting Hears
Well done the cruse line company for keeping the customers from the rip-off taxis at the main port . I guess the word has got around about the taxi fare of 2600 baht to Patong .
Posted by Lord Jim on February 3, 2010 14:03