The Ministry of Transportation must set a reasonable meter fee for Phuket. As a consequence, green plates, tuk tuks and the notorious illegal taxis will have to follow or undercut. Asking for higher fares than the meter cabs do, wouldn't make any sense anymore. It's simple maths.

Posted by Resident on October 10, 2014 07:42

Once & for all, set the fares same same as Bangkok. It is not rocket science.

There is NOT any justification for fares being higher in Phuket than other parts of the country:

1) Cars are NOT more expensive to buy
2) Insurance is NOT more expensive
3) Gasoline is NOT more expensive

Going back to the article by Khun Anoma of TAT:

''It's important that Phuket gets its appeal right,'' Khun Anoma said.

... raising the need for sustainability as a long-term strategy.

''Some businesses think we need more visitors but there has to be a balance,'' she said. ''We need quality tourists who will spend more.''

NOT on taxi fares methinks!

Posted by Logic on October 10, 2014 07:47

Just another example on a long list of typical Phuket window dressing exercises. Make bold public statements with a lot of fanfare and hope that the smokescreen created will hide the truth and appease the critics.

We have long since created a pool of friends in which we take each other to the airport and back when ever needed, free of charge. As much as we dislike the long trip, we hate paying even one baht to these extortionist taxi thugs even more.

Posted by Herbert on October 10, 2014 07:52

950 from airport to Kamala. 400 from Kamala to Patong and 500 from Patong to Kamala.

Posted by sunlover on October 10, 2014 09:02

The greed has more power than anything else. Not even the Military has enough power to taxi and corruption. It still seems so easy. If the Beachsellers are back in a month puket is back where you started. I'm very sorry for Phuket, I have loved this island. Always the same, talk a lot and in the end everything is worse. Where will this end???

Posted by steve on October 10, 2014 09:13

Bangkok officials are discussing hikes to the meter fares in Bangkok currently, as they haven't risen for 10 years it is claimed. Fair enough. But reports in the press have suggested officials will allow an increase (yet to be defined) on the proviso that taxis improve their service. One of those improvements being touted is that taxis must accept all fares and not decline to take a customer. The currently pick and choose approach is something I experience continuously in Bangkok, and while it's right of the authorities to demand this change (and hopefully find a way to enforce) surely the approach should be "taxis you improve first and then we'll increase rates for you" rather than again side with the taxis (ignore the customer) and hope they do what they promise (track record suggests the taxis will not honour what they say). Shame. Phuket follows the same principle... what can the authorities do to keep the taxis happy, not what can we do for the customer.

Posted by Duncan on October 10, 2014 09:18

If the drivers who were charged, released on suspended sentences and petty fines had been prosecuted properly the message might have got through. They now see the system for what it is- a joke, and feel free to act in whatever cavalier fashion suits them.

Meter taxis not using meters, green plates making it up as they go along- its a complete farce and people are really getting tired of it now.

Set up a PROPER complaints system where the phone doesn't get hung up on you and rapid enforcement of disputes can be conducted by investigators on motorbikes able to inflict heavy fines on miscreants.

The previous governor pandered to the taxis by endorsing the already exorbitant fares, hopefully the new Governor will take a tougher line- best thing to do is get the Transport Ministry officials from Bangkok to come down and set the fares- there's too much nepotism in Phuket.

Posted by Mister Ree on October 10, 2014 09:32

Makes me sick that all we now hear about in Thailand boils down to money, taxis (even in BKK now) want more money, 2 people were murdered - don't worry about the families of the deceased just worry about the tourists coming back = money. The TAT statement we want tourists who spend more money, greed has taken over the entire country and people are starting to leave or are not coming at all.

Posted by phuket madness on October 10, 2014 09:33

A few taxis confiscated, but the Army has not done anything about fares charged by tuk-tuks, Karon beach to Patong is still 400 baht for a seven minute ride at breakneck speed.

Posted by ripped-off on October 10, 2014 10:24

Spent 2 days last week in Pattaya visiting friends - meter taxis (2 out of every 3) refused to on their meter stating we not use meters here in Pattaya. Same same. Where there are 'farang' tourists there is rip-off, perceived as okay. Not good for the image of Thailand in general, so please take note Khun General!

Posted by Logic on October 10, 2014 11:06

.....and the doomsayers win with a dramatic dash past the post. The rosy-tinted glasses brigade who saw "change" are left far, far behind.

Posted by sir burr on October 10, 2014 11:14

"Even a two-tiered system, with the residents able to use the meter fare and tourists and expats charged a little more, would be acceptable."

No. It wouldn't.

Posted by phonus on October 10, 2014 12:15

For comparison sake, in Hua Hin a comparable fare of the 400 baht Patong to Kamala fare is 150-200 baht. I mention Hua Hin because it attracts a higher end demographic (the type Phuket says it desires) and it is one of Thailand's more expensive destinations. The Hua Hin tuk tuk drivers are usually polite & helpful. One does not have the same concerns using them as one does in Patong. Obviously, there is still something very wrong in Phuket and the army now must take responsibility for the mess and to honor the promises it made.

Posted by Ryan on October 10, 2014 12:26

Ed - typo:

"This is 100 baht about the listed price on signs at the airport of 550 baht."

Posted by Smithy on October 10, 2014 13:35

"The greedy game of leapfrog fares now being carried out out is likely to be the last straw for Phuket expats and tourists who had been led to believe by Phuket authorities that the taxi problems were being resolved."

Tourists are powerless while they are in Phuket but may very well vote with their feet and not return and encourage others not to do so. Residents are captives and have been fooled into the prospect of a better quality of life on Phuket by the beach and taxi mafia clean up. Phuket and Thailand's future doesn't look as bright at the moment. Disappointingly it becomes harder to remain optimistic about that future at the moment. It needs to some good actions to match the good promises.

Posted by Alan on October 10, 2014 13:45

950 from airport to Kamala. 400 from Kamala to Patong and 500 from Patong to Kamala.

Unbelievable fares - cheaper to hire a car ( and safer )

Posted by Anonymous on October 10, 2014 13:48

Somehow I can understand the concerns.
But if I have a holliday on the Island I spend at least 100K

To complain about 600 bht for a ride from and to the airport is silly.

Posted by Ron on October 10, 2014 15:24

Yesterday I caught a taxi from Nakhon Si Thammarat city to the airport. 13km and the meter showed 82 baht. 50 baht surcharge and 40 baht tip = 172 baht.

Posted by Arun Muruga on October 10, 2014 16:02

Why all the fuss? What's the big deal?

Each time we hear about this it's the same old story... the Government are now taking a hard line blah, blah, blah.

The solution is not with the Government or the police, it lies squarely with the consumer. If you don't like the fare don't get in a taxi... it ain't rocket science folks.

Quit moaning... do something!

Posted by Graham on October 10, 2014 19:34

In Kata-karon-Naiharn-Rawai-Chalong there is now quite awhile a ring of expats who drive each other to and from airport with closed wallets! It works fantastic, safe driving, including insurance for friends. I am sure the taxi mafia feels that in their wallet!. People, make pleasant deals with your neigbpurs, and ignore the Phuket transport mafia.

Posted by Kurt on October 10, 2014 20:16

999 baht from Rawai to the Airport.
They don't even bother to hide the "799" under the new sticker.
200 baht price jump. Must be high season...

http://goo.gl/snaHHe

Posted by Smithy on October 10, 2014 20:20

"The greedy game of leapfrog fares now being carried out out is likely to be the last straw for Phuket expats and tourists who had been led to believe by Phuket authorities that the taxi problems were being resolved."

Tourists are powerless while they are in Phuket but may very well vote with their feet and not return and encourage others not to do so. Residents are captives and have been fooled into the prospect of a better quality of life on Phuket by the beach and taxi mafia clean up. Phuket and Thailand's future doesn't look as bright at the moment. Disappointingly it becomes harder to remain optimistic about that future at the moment. It needs to some good actions to match the good promises.

Posted by Alan on October 11, 2014 01:59

quote from the editor to my post:
"Editor Comment:

What if you lived on the island, Ron, and earned 300 baht a day . . . or are you only concerned about yourself? How would you feel if the minimum price of a cab where you live was twice your daily earnings? Let's say you are a hot shot lawyer, earning $2000 a day. Is it OK if the taxi driver earns twice that to take you to the airport? Have you wasted your time doing a masters degree when all you needed to do was buy a car and convert it into a taxi and become a taxi driver? Are you socially responsible, or entirely self-interested?"

I was talking about tourist who spend a lot of money(tens of thousands) and complain over 600 Bht for a ride to/from the airport.

Posted by Ron on October 11, 2014 04:23

For the editor about this remark:

" Are you socially responsible, or entirely self-interested?"

Why don't you ask this question to the elite, the upper class?

Posted by Ron on October 11, 2014 04:34

To the editor,

Lets see if you are socially responsible...

Why dont you write about more than 40 % of the Bargirls who are MADE addicted to ice?

Posted by Ron on October 11, 2014 04:39

After being fed up of not being able to move around Phuket due to outrageous taxi/ tuc prices, I decided to move away. I've lived in Hua hin, chonburi/ pattaya, travelled all over the north and Bangkok, and never had a problem with transport. If a few times I found a taxi ride too expensive , I'd jump on a song thawe, .Taxi Pattaya to airport, 2 hours + 1200 baht, just one example. Airport to hua hin, 2000 baht, all in a comfortable Camry.I was thinking of moving back to Phuket as I have many dear friends there , and of course it's still a beautiful place with wonderful memories for me. Unfortunately, I think it's a lost cause, and I have no wish to go shopping to Phuket town, Festival or junk Ceylon, spend a day at Naiharn or Surin, and have to fork out over a thousand baht for a few miles!

Posted by Elizabeth on October 11, 2014 05:29

Whats wrong with ice usage on a hot day?
I understand Ron's concern but the liquid version is even more addictive.

Posted by Manowar on October 11, 2014 08:54

Well I have just arrived for my monthly 2 week return and after my last experience at the airport using a meter taxi and paying 825 baht to patong ...I relented and paid the 700 baht fixed rate that was on offer outside the main door. The driver still stopped at the checkpoint and signed something. I wasn't comfortable going back to this system but after a long flight I didn't have the patience or energy to confront this issue at the airport again and again ... My confidence in the meter taxi system has been completely eroded and to add to that I've been told several times that the meters have been " rigged " in some meter taxis ... Basically I'm like a lot of the readers on here ...Over it !!!!

Posted by surfersam on October 13, 2014 20:12

Editor Comment:

Is that why you come to Thailand, Ron, for the bar girls?

Why do you not answer my question?

Posted by Ron on October 15, 2014 00:58

To the editor

Editor Comment:

We've done no research on that topic. It's on a long list of issues, but not near the top of the list. With lower, more reasonable taxi fares, we will be able to crisscross the island more easily. At Bangkok prices, all residents would be able to travel, not just a few visitors who don't mind wasting money.

I did come for 14 years to Thailand, one of the reasons was of course the barscene. In my first visit a learned what drives these woman to enter the barscene.

I traveled from north to south and east to west in these years and what I saw was very upsetting and sad.

A country that keeps the majority of its people dumb and poor.

Hard labor, sickening low wages, almost no Healthcare, loan shark both legal and illegal, lack of money to buy good food. Corruption, intiidation.

The growing Kee nok attitude in later years from even the "lower classes" The murders of single western men in search for happines, swindeld.

Im under the impression that you your self never have been outside Phuket to see what Thailand needs.

Cheap taxi fairs for the locals? Realy?
Have you ever been in the slumps like the Bangkok slumps?

Placing yourself on a moral high ground by speaking and "fighting" for cheaper taxifares?

Is that what the Thai need?
You are a fine piece of art...

If you dare, let bargirls tell you what they, their families and country needs.
Let Thai woman in general speak out.

Goddamned, you do not know s*** what is going on in Thailand, stay on your Island.

You never investigated the very sad conditions of bargirls in Phuket, drugs ICE? Alcohol?

A bargirl status, according to locals is lower then that of a dog? And treated as such by their own people?

Fighting for cheaper taxifares, yeah, thats what Thailand needs....

And about "wasting" money in Thailand as you put it?

I gave up on spending/wasting money in Thailand two years ago, I will never come back again.

For you to fill the gap of income that many Thai feel of the money that I no longer "waste"

Moral high ground Huh? But do you see your own shadow that the sun casts when it comes up on your moral mountain?

Cheaper taxifare thats what Thai need, Ohh my Buddha....

You who do live for so long on Phuket?

Posted by rom on October 15, 2014 15:19

I knew it was too good to be true I knew it was too early to get my hopes up for change...this is the same thing just dressed in a different packaging nothing will ever be solved and the taxi's will always charge what ever the hell they want.

Posted by Andrew Ronayne on October 19, 2014 00:29

@ rom : you need to calm down. I run a bar in Patong. Not a single girl has to do anything she doesn't want to do. Not a single one of them was forced to work in it. They're free to leave anytime they like.
They earn many times more than the standard 300 baht a day, which is often sent back to other regions of Thailand to help whole families.
And not a single one of them "lives like a dog" as you put it. They rent out comfortable rooms in new apartment blocks and work barely 6 hours a day, IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

This article was about taxi prices, and i think everyone is very very disappointed that the same old system of extortion is creeping back, just as we "doomsayers" thought it would.

Posted by jimbo34 on October 19, 2014 09:13

Phuket at its best...ruining its reputation without care or sense of the future.

Posted by abigmagilla on October 19, 2014 09:26

The authorities need to set the ideas and foundations right by educating the cabbies. Imparting them that a meter-charge habits will bring more income when people & tourist are confident with their services.

Posted by Singapore Cabby on January 9, 2015 12:07