PHUKET: A man who alleges local taxi drivers have set up a checkpoint on a public road at a Phuket tourist beach destination disputes what local taxi drivers have said about their actions.
The drivers told a Phuket news outlet that they set up a ''temporary checkpoint'' to stop minibuses from picking up tourists at resorts along the beachfront in Nai Thon, a Phuket beach destination near Phuket International Airport.
But the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Phuketwan that he was driving a saloon car when he went to meet a Russian friend at a Nai Thon resort. The car was stopped as he and his friend drove out of the resort, the man said.
''I have no connection with the travel industry,'' the man said. ''I was just picking up my friend. My friend was gobsmacked when the taxi drivers refused to let him go with me.''
The local taxi drivers' spokesperson later told another Phuket outlet how the drivers yesterday surrounded a minivan that they believed had picked up two tourists, without the local taxi drivers' permission.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha ordered local authorities and police to investigate the man's claims about the first incident, which took place last month.
If what the spokesperson for the taxi drivers told the other Phuket news outlet is correct, vehicles are stopped at their ''temporary checkpoint'' quite frequently.
The man who told Phuketwan about the first incident said: ''This happens every day. Nobody does anything, and nobody is likely to ever do anything. The local mafia has total control.''
Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers are said to decide who comes and goes in vehicles from virtually every resort on Phuket.
The drivers told a Phuket news outlet that they set up a ''temporary checkpoint'' to stop minibuses from picking up tourists at resorts along the beachfront in Nai Thon, a Phuket beach destination near Phuket International Airport.
But the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Phuketwan that he was driving a saloon car when he went to meet a Russian friend at a Nai Thon resort. The car was stopped as he and his friend drove out of the resort, the man said.
''I have no connection with the travel industry,'' the man said. ''I was just picking up my friend. My friend was gobsmacked when the taxi drivers refused to let him go with me.''
The local taxi drivers' spokesperson later told another Phuket outlet how the drivers yesterday surrounded a minivan that they believed had picked up two tourists, without the local taxi drivers' permission.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha ordered local authorities and police to investigate the man's claims about the first incident, which took place last month.
If what the spokesperson for the taxi drivers told the other Phuket news outlet is correct, vehicles are stopped at their ''temporary checkpoint'' quite frequently.
The man who told Phuketwan about the first incident said: ''This happens every day. Nobody does anything, and nobody is likely to ever do anything. The local mafia has total control.''
Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers are said to decide who comes and goes in vehicles from virtually every resort on Phuket.
What is the clear stance of Phuket governor, Police and civil servants about the illegal control by local taxi mobs in Phuket?
We never hear anything about it!
If it is illegal and officials can do nothing, then the tourism industry in Phuket have to strike back by closing temporary their hotels, daily tours and so on....until the central government clear the situation.
If it is legal, then it may be the time to move investment in another province or country.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on November 2, 2011 09:12