Probe Urged into Chinese-Operated Car Rental Service in Phuket

[webfact]

 

Democrat Party deputy leader Chaichana Detdecho has called on the Royal Thai Police and the Land Transport Department to scrutinise a car rental service allegedly run by "grey" Chinese businessmen in Phuket. The investigation is in response to mounting concerns from local Thai car rental operators.

 

Chaichana revealed today that multiple reports have been received from Thai car rental businesses on the island. They allege that Chinese businessmen have set up a similar service, using counterfeit license plates and employing Chinese drivers who lack proper driving licenses. Adding to these concerns, the Chinese operators are reportedly offering steep discounts, which may undercut and potentially obliterate the local Thai-operated rental services.

 

Chaichana emphasised the urgency of the matter, warning that if authorities do not intervene promptly, tourism-related enterprises such as car rentals, tour agencies, and eateries, traditionally operated by Thai nationals, might increasingly come under Chinese control. He pointed to the example of Bangkok's Huai Khwang district, which now hosts numerous Chinese-owned restaurants and stores, suggesting a similar business infiltration could happen in Phuket, reported Thai PBS.

 

The deputy leader also noted that Chinese businessmen have established a significant presence in Huai Khwang and are now expanding into the Banthat Thong area. This trend raises concerns about the economic impact on local businesses.

 

Earlier this month, China’s prominent online retail platform, Temu, commenced operations in Thailand, directly challenging existing e-commerce giants Shopee and Lazada. Temu's strategy involves offering substantial discounts to attract Thai customers, capitalising on the relatively lax e-commerce regulations in Thailand.

 

As the investigation unfolds, local operators and authorities await further developments, hoping to preserve the integrity of local businesses in the face of increasing foreign competition.

 

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS via Line

 

-- 2024-08-14

 

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[Hawaiian]

As China's economy cools off more Chinese money is moving offshore, despite attempts by Xi to stop it.  Evidently, some of that money is winding up in Thailand.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Chaichana revealed today that multiple reports have been received from Thai car rental businesses on the island. They allege that Chinese businessmen have set up a similar service, using counterfeit license plates and employing Chinese drivers who lack proper driving licenses. Adding to these concerns, the Chinese operators are reportedly offering steep discounts, which may undercut and potentially obliterate the local Thai-operated rental services.

Concerned citizens... Lol

[jcmj]

Sure they can get drivers easy with the new extended visa. Thailand has opened up the floodgates not considering the effects. 

[thesetat2013]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Earlier this month, China’s prominent online retail platform, Temu, commenced operations in Thailand, directly challenging existing e-commerce giants Shopee and Lazada. Temu's strategy involves offering substantial discounts to attract Thai customers, capitalising on the relatively lax e-commerce regulations in Thailand

Shopee and Lazada need some competition. There products offered are mostly cheaply manufactured and sent with high shipping fees. There customer service is not good also. I hope TEMU gets them to re-evaluate their products and services which they advertise in their apps. 

[gargamon]

1 minute ago, thesetat2013 said:

Shopee and Lazada need some competition. There products offered are mostly cheaply manufactured and sent with high shipping fees. There customer service is not good also. I hope TEMU gets them to re-evaluate their products and services which they advertise in their apps. 

I've purchased from temu in the past. Poor selection, low quality. Stick with AliExpress, lazada and shopee. 

[sikishrory]

Funny. I have had to find a rental car just this last week to pick up a friend from the airport.

What I have learnt.

Quite a few seem to be operated by Russians with Russian contact people.

The ones owned by Thai typically charge you about 200 - 400 baht extra because you are a foriegner.

Typical Thai style ripping you off at every opportunity. No sympathy from me.

[ChipButty]

My experience with Chinese guest they tell me first the Thai's don't speak Chinese and they get ripped off, not just farang get ripped off, 

Lot of meaning this week about Chinese, better the Thai's take note and improve their service, 

As for Russians here in Phuket they do tend to stick together, 

Maybe they think they get better service from their own, it's common knowledge all Thai's want to do is scam people, it's coming back to bite them in their nuts, 

[BusyB]

"Probe urged ..."

 

Google Translate tells me that means "Negotiate size of brown envelopes."

 

 

[Celsius]

10 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

Shopee and Lazada need some competition. There products offered are mostly cheaply manufactured and sent with high shipping fees. There customer service is not good also. I hope TEMU gets them to re-evaluate their products and services which they advertise in their apps. 

 

How? it's literally the same stuff sold for more.

[watchcat]

On 8/14/2024 at 1:29 AM, sikishrory said:

Quite a few seem to be operated by Russians with Russian contact people.

The ones owned by Thai typically charge you about 200 - 400 baht extra because you are a foriegner

 

As this is Phuket, you're absolutely riight.