PHUKET: Four Phuket village chiefs who allegedly control Phuket's illegal ''black'' taxis, tuk-tuks and jet-skis were named today as Khun Noi, Khun Aon, Khun Pong and Khun Isamamae.
The names of the men were given by the Superintendent of Tachatchai Police Station, Colonel Sakchai Limjalern, to a meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada said that all three Phuket district chiefs would be asked to present data noting the number of taxis, tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, jet-skis and drivers in their districts.
Only the Thalang district chief was present at today's meeting. The chiefs of Kathu, which oversees Patong, and Muang, which oversees Phuket City, were absent.
Vice Governor Jamleran said a letter would be sent to all three district chiefs requesting them to supply the relevant information. Then action would begin.
Phuket Tourism Association vice president Sarayuth Mallam, who said last week that too many meetings were not attended by Phuket's administration leaders, was at today's meeting.
So was Chief of Phuket Marine Office 5, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, and Phurit Maswongsa, head of the National Economic and Social Development Board on Phuket.
Khun Phurit said one of the largest taxi ranks on Phuket was the one at Central Festival in Phuket City, where there were 40 to 50 illegal taxis.
''Ninety percent of those taxis are illegal,'' he said. ''Drivers claim that because they are paying off their vehicles, they cannot register them.''
This wasn't true, said Phuket's Deputy Land Transport Director, Wanta Pumararoskon.
''Any 'black' taxi can become a registered legal taxi,'' he said.
Khun Wanta said the Land Transport office had tried to erect a sign promoting fares in Kata-Karon, but the idea had been abandoned because of opposition from local drivers.
Khun Sarayuth said he had noted a large group of illegal taxi drivers outside the Twinpalms and other resorts in the Surin beach district.
Khun Phurit said Pattaya had a similar problem but the problem was far worse in Phuket.
Vice Governor Jamleran said he recently received a telephone call from the Minister of Transport.
''The British Ambassador contacted the minister because some British citizens complained when they were held up at a checkpoint organised by the illegal taxi drivers in Nai Thon,'' Vice Governor Jamleran said.
The names of the men were given by the Superintendent of Tachatchai Police Station, Colonel Sakchai Limjalern, to a meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada said that all three Phuket district chiefs would be asked to present data noting the number of taxis, tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, jet-skis and drivers in their districts.
Only the Thalang district chief was present at today's meeting. The chiefs of Kathu, which oversees Patong, and Muang, which oversees Phuket City, were absent.
Vice Governor Jamleran said a letter would be sent to all three district chiefs requesting them to supply the relevant information. Then action would begin.
Phuket Tourism Association vice president Sarayuth Mallam, who said last week that too many meetings were not attended by Phuket's administration leaders, was at today's meeting.
So was Chief of Phuket Marine Office 5, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, and Phurit Maswongsa, head of the National Economic and Social Development Board on Phuket.
Khun Phurit said one of the largest taxi ranks on Phuket was the one at Central Festival in Phuket City, where there were 40 to 50 illegal taxis.
''Ninety percent of those taxis are illegal,'' he said. ''Drivers claim that because they are paying off their vehicles, they cannot register them.''
This wasn't true, said Phuket's Deputy Land Transport Director, Wanta Pumararoskon.
''Any 'black' taxi can become a registered legal taxi,'' he said.
Khun Wanta said the Land Transport office had tried to erect a sign promoting fares in Kata-Karon, but the idea had been abandoned because of opposition from local drivers.
Khun Sarayuth said he had noted a large group of illegal taxi drivers outside the Twinpalms and other resorts in the Surin beach district.
Khun Phurit said Pattaya had a similar problem but the problem was far worse in Phuket.
Vice Governor Jamleran said he recently received a telephone call from the Minister of Transport.
''The British Ambassador contacted the minister because some British citizens complained when they were held up at a checkpoint organised by the illegal taxi drivers in Nai Thon,'' Vice Governor Jamleran said.
This is new. Perhaps changes are coming. Let's hope so. It's long overdue.
Posted by Joe on July 2, 2012 14:29