PHUKET: The key taxi, tuk-tuk and public transport problems on Phuket are mostly now in the hands of Bangkok officials to resolve, the Governor's Special Committee on Economics heard today.
Phuket authorities lack the power to force personal vehicles being used as unregistered taxis off the roads, said the Deputy Director of Phuket's Transport Department, Wanta Pummamrotsukon.
He said talks had also broken down with taxi drivers in Kata-Karon on a proposal to make the district a role-model for the introduction of a call centre that would reduce the need to so many taxi and tuk-tuk ranks blocking the narrow local roads.
''Resolution of these problems is beyond the ability of our department on Phuket,'' he said.
A ruling is also expected to come from Bangkok on Phuket tuk-tuk and taxi fares. Several attempts have been made to establish an agreed rate, but to no effect.
The high fares - and the lack of an efficient low cost west-coast public transport system - remain one of the biggest gripes by tourists on Phuket. The rates, six times those of Bangkok, are seen as a turn-off that leads visitors to give up on Phuket and try other destinations.
It was agreed earlier this year when the Governor's special committees - designed to address problems related to tourism - were established that if Phuket authorities could not solve the issues, they would be passed to Bangkok for resolution.
The then Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, Prania Suwanrath, who drove the creation of the committees, has since been promoted to Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, which oversees all provincial administrations.
Representatives from about 40 key Phuket offices sit on the committee, chaired today by Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Samgkaosutthirak in the absence of Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
Phuket authorities lack the power to force personal vehicles being used as unregistered taxis off the roads, said the Deputy Director of Phuket's Transport Department, Wanta Pummamrotsukon.
He said talks had also broken down with taxi drivers in Kata-Karon on a proposal to make the district a role-model for the introduction of a call centre that would reduce the need to so many taxi and tuk-tuk ranks blocking the narrow local roads.
''Resolution of these problems is beyond the ability of our department on Phuket,'' he said.
A ruling is also expected to come from Bangkok on Phuket tuk-tuk and taxi fares. Several attempts have been made to establish an agreed rate, but to no effect.
The high fares - and the lack of an efficient low cost west-coast public transport system - remain one of the biggest gripes by tourists on Phuket. The rates, six times those of Bangkok, are seen as a turn-off that leads visitors to give up on Phuket and try other destinations.
It was agreed earlier this year when the Governor's special committees - designed to address problems related to tourism - were established that if Phuket authorities could not solve the issues, they would be passed to Bangkok for resolution.
The then Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, Prania Suwanrath, who drove the creation of the committees, has since been promoted to Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, which oversees all provincial administrations.
Representatives from about 40 key Phuket offices sit on the committee, chaired today by Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Samgkaosutthirak in the absence of Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
here we go again. a committee on a committee for a committee about a committee. perhaps they should set up a committee to look at the committee. Amazing thailand.
Posted by john on November 8, 2011 23:09