A tense altercation unfolded at Jungceylon in Patong yesterday when a local tuk tuk leader confronted a metered taxi driver, leading the taxi’s foreign passengers to hastily disembark for their safety.

 

The incident occurred as the metered taxi dropped off a passenger at the bustling mall. Unaware of the brewing conflict, two foreign tourists entered the taxi.

 

Suddenly, the head of the local tuk tuk queue approached, loudly asserting that metered taxis were not allowed to pick up passengers in the area designated for tuk tuks.

 

Concerned for their well-being, the tourists promptly exited the taxi. The tuk tuk leader continued to threaten the taxi driver, challenging him to step out of his vehicle and insisting that the area was reserved solely for local tuk tuks.

 

The incident, witnessed by numerous tourists, was captured on video by the taxi driver from inside his vehicle and by onlookers on the street.

 

Later recounting the events to reporters, the metered taxi driver, identified as Dam, explained that after dropping off a passenger, he unknowingly picked up the two tourists in violation of the area's regulations.

 

Dam complied with the tuk tuk leader's demand for the tourists to leave his vehicle but expressed frustration over the threats.

 

"This is the first time I've faced such an incident, although my colleagues have encountered similar situations," Dam said, urging all taxi drivers and tuk tuk operators to resolve disputes peacefully and without resorting to intimidation.

 

Police have received a report on the incident, but no legal action has been initiated thus far.

 

Picture courtesy: Bounce Nation Kenya

 

-- 2024-06-24

 

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1 hour ago, webfact said:

later recounting the events to reporters, the metered taxi driver, identified as Dam, explained that after dropping off a passenger, he unknowingly picked up the two tourists in violation of the area's regulations.

what ###### regulations - you want to share with the customer 

 

 i would rather walk than give these a55hloes a penny, the sooner bolt is an option in phuket the better

Taxi wars in Thailand... part of the culture.

4 hours ago, smedly said:

what ###### regulations - you want to share with the customer 

 

 i would rather walk than give these a55hloes a penny, the sooner bolt is an option in phuket the better

Bolt, in driver and grab are in Phuket.

 

The only issue is that certain pick up areas are no go areas. The airport for instance, plus anywhere else that the tuk tuk mafia claim first dibs on. But in general, they are widely available.

A non event, no swords or guns, not a drop of blood just a boring argument.

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Taxi wars in Thailand... part of the culture.

In my opinion, the taxi war on Phuket is 10 times worse than in Thailand as a whole.

What terrible people with their red tuk, tuk vans.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Later recounting the events to reporters, the metered taxi driver, identified as Dam, explained that after dropping off a passenger, he unknowingly picked up the two tourists in violation of the area's regulations.

 

Dam complied with the tuk tuk leader's demand for the tourists to leave his vehicle but expressed frustration over the threats.

What pick up areas? What regulations? I am pretty sure that is just made up fantasies because scared of competition. The tuk tuk drivers know very well that they are facing distinction because of behavior, prices and scams. Therefore they feel the need to occupy specific areas and push away all other options. Same like the sicko´s in Win-MC-gang!

They just have to understand that it´s the customer that will chose the ride they want, and not the them forcing customers to chose what they don´t want.

 

Silly tourists, not knowing about illegal self-appointed pickup areas for the local tuk tuk thugs. Anywhere else in the world they can just step into a taxi, but in Phuket, nah. Not that simple. Still, a nice little experience to share among their family and friends about the land of smiles. Not many places you can be the cause of conflict among the local scum.

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

They just have to understand that it´s the customer that will chose the ride they want, and not the them forcing customers to chose what they don´t want.

 

That's not the way it works in Thai culture.

 

You obey authority, do not speak out, and you do as you are told. 

27 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

That's not the way it works in Thai culture.

 

You obey authority, do not speak out, and you do as you are told. 

😂 So, I should see a tuk tuk driver as an authority?

I BOLT the other Saturday to go get my car from Honda, I was having good chat with him along the way, BOLT do have a load of rules they have comply with before they can become a driver, the car has to be in the drivers name, and less than eight years old, and they have to change the Tabian rot, about 2500 baht, the insurance was almost 30,000 baht, they cannot pick up inside the airport, people have to walk out, he said the worst place to be is where the Cafe Del Mar is because of the mafia, 

If he didn't change the Tabian rot and the police stop him 2000 baht fine. 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Police have received a report on the incident, but no legal action has been initiated thus far.

....well now THERE'S a surprise!!

 

 

bob.

53 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

You obey authority, do not speak out, and you do as you are told. 

....and who is the authority exactly?

 

the bald headed gimp in the picture??

 

bob.

41 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

😂 So, I should see a tuk tuk driver as an authority?

 

He is above you in the hierarchy because he is a Thai with low status. 

 

You are a foreigner. 

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

The tuk tuk drivers know very well that they are facing distinction

Distinction?  That'll be the day!

16 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

He is above you in the hierarchy because he is a Thai with low status. 

 

You are a foreigner. 

😂 Yeah, sorry! Didn´t think about that. 😉 

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Distinction?  That'll be the day!

It´s a sweet dream anyway. Why did you have to wake me? 😉 

No legal action taken, you never know who owns what