Picture: INN

 

INN reported that their sources in the private sector in Phuket had told them it was time that free enterprise among competing taxis and public service vehicles was allowed at Phuket airport.

 

The source noted that the taxi mafia on the holiday island had been ripping off the public since the year dot. 

 

Moves to rein them in had all failed and now it was time to act decisively.

 

Their main point was to allow free competition at the airport that would result in lower fares for the consumer.

 

Also taxis should be allowed to arrive at the airport without passengers. 

 

New pricing structures were introduced by the local department of land transport in November 2021 but a recent spat has caused the whole issue of overcharging to resurface. 

 

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The source has been Identified as.... every expat that's lived here for a while!!!

I think it depending of the "friendly" tuk-tuk drivers.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The source noted that the taxi mafia on the holiday island had been ripping off the public since the year dot.

ALLOWED to rip off the public since the year dot.

 

It's high time all of Phuket was opened  up to free taxi competition

This is another aspect of Phuket that will never, ever, change.

 

just look at the recent case of the taxi passenger who kicked up a fuss about being charged 600 baht for a taxi ride when grab would have been 160 or something similar. That taxi driver was fined 2000 baht.

 

BUT, the elephant in the room that nobody to my knowledge commented on or raised any eyebrows, was that the passenger only took a taxi in the first place because grab and another ride app refused to pick him up from the hotel because it wasn’t “allowed”. Allowed being the threat of physical intimidation from the taxi mafia.

 

the taxi mafia in Phuket is a law unto itself deciding what fares will be charged, to whom and by what means. It will always be so and it’s an absolute disgrace.

When doing Sand box there, I booked and paid in advance for 2 taxis using booking.com. Prices seemed reasonable and I avoided any hassle.

The cost for a Taxi from Korat to Bkk is around 2000 baht (quote today), the cost from Phuket airport to Patong is what? 800 baht at least. Go figure.

This was the case years ago and still the same from what i gather.

Doubt I will ever return to Phuket even though it has some beautiful places to visit, just way to much corruption for this fella. All this in the land of BS, cheers

6 hours ago, beechbum said:

The source has been Identified as.... every expat that's lived here for a while!!!

???????????????????? ????

There is a bus service that runs on the west coast of Phuket between the airport and Rawai and back stopping at all the beaches on the way. I've used it a number of times. Fare is currently a flat 100 baht so its partucularly good for couples and solo travellers.The times I've used it it's been practically empty. Check phuketsmartbus.com for information and times. 

A bit off topic, but does anyone know what happened to the video news 

Phuket Extra and JP Mestanza? I have not seen his postings since December 2021.

When you come out of the airport door turn left and walk down a short way you will find a bus that will take you into the center of town cheap.

do the patong tuk tuks still try and charge hundreds of baht to go a mile or so?

 

another great thai taxi mafia is at laem chabang cruise port where it operates at unbelievable rip off prices posted in clear view....whoever is mr big there is a very rich man..prices so outrageous that many cruise passengers just stay on the ship and miss bangkok and pattaya...obviously the TAT knows about this but does NOTHING..been going on for years

They sure got it right by saying it is a taxi mafia.

Been there, done that. "Free competition" amounted to collusive price fixing where a taxi driver wouldn't dare give you a fair deal in fear of reprisal by other taxis. The current system was supposed to help cure that problem. If the taxi drivers hate it - it must be working ???? 

 

The real solution would be requiring all taxis to be metered. That's quite likely to happen - just after hell freezes over.

On 2/5/2022 at 11:28 PM, IanDelMar said:

There is a bus service that runs on the west coast of Phuket between the airport and Rawai and back stopping at all the beaches on the way. I've used it a number of times. Fare is currently a flat 100 baht so its partucularly good for couples and solo travellers.The times I've used it it's been practically empty. Check phuketsmartbus.com for information and times. 

Indeed, it was recently restarted. It takes about 2 hours Apt-Rawai, when a taxi would be about 1:15 for 900 B. Pleasant ride too, with seaside views from Kata to Surin. The main problem is that trips are limited in number, and are not suitable to catch morning flights out or for late landings.

 

As for main topic, indeed the taxi and general transportation situation in Phuket is a shame.

16 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

Been there, done that. "Free competition" amounted to collusive price fixing where a taxi driver wouldn't dare give you a fair deal in fear of reprisal by other taxis. The current system was supposed to help cure that problem. If the taxi drivers hate it - it must be working ???? 

 

The real solution would be requiring all taxis to be metered. That's quite likely to happen - just after hell freezes over.

My last trip, I got a metered taxi airport to Rawai beach. When you land, skip the official taxi stands inside the airport (they ask 1000 for this trip). Keep walking to the left, you find a couple of stands offering metered. They start at 50, and the lady said there would be another 50 on top of the meter. Inferior cars I have to say, but ok. Of course the driver tried to overcharge. In the end, all in it was 900. The trip is about 50km.