Phuket Taxi Mafia Confronts Tourists Over App-Based Ride

[webfact]

 

On 1 November, a video circulated on the Facebook page “Phuket Crime” showing two foreign tourists facing harassment from a local motorcycle taxi driver in Patong, Phuket.

 

The video, captured by the app-based taxi’s in-car camera, quickly ignited public outrage online. In the footage, the tourists, legally traveling in an app-registered taxi to Phuket Airport, encounter a local motorcycle taxi driver wearing a blue vest who blocks them from closing the car door and demands they exit the vehicle.

 

The incident occurred on Thaweewong Road in Patong. The driver of the app-based taxi tried explaining that the tourists had booked the ride through an official app.

 

However, the motorcycle driver insisted on checking the tourist’s phone for confirmation before forcefully asking them to leave the taxi, even after verifying the ride.

 

 

Another clip, recorded by the taxi driver, captures an exchange between the female taxi driver and the local motorcycle driver.

 

The latter, appearing agitated, confronts her, saying, “Don’t talk to me disrespectfully.” She responds by explaining that she was merely responding to the app's notification, reported Daily News.

 

The video has since attracted a flood of comments, criticising the behaviour of local "taxi mafias." Many call on Phuket authorities to revoke traditional taxi queues to restore the island's image, especially as digital apps continue to offer tourists a safer and more affordable option. 

 

All pictures courtesy: Daily News TH

 

-- 2024-11-02

 

 

[Denim]

Scumbag.

 

Why people still go to that place beats me.

[ChrisY1]

The Phuket taxi thugs and the Administration go hand in hand...they never want change!

[KireB]

2 hours ago, Denim said:

Scumbag.

 

Why people still go to that place beats me.

Maybe because Phuket has great beaches, wild nightlife and fantastic food? Just maybe.

[proton]

3 minutes ago, KireB said:

Maybe because Phuket has great beaches, wild nightlife and fantastic food? Just maybe.

Over priced tourist trap

[KireB]

22 minutes ago, proton said:

Over priced tourist trap

Pretty obvious you have no clue what you are talking about. 

[NickyLouie]

Phuket = worst place in TH

[spidermike007]

A five year prison sentence might send a statement to these vermin. The issue is that the taxi mafias have always been more powerful than the police and the army. They seem untouchable. Perhaps it is time for the people to take control and show the authorities what discipline, punishment and control look like. 

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

1 hour ago, KireB said:

Maybe because Phuket has great beaches, wild nightlife and fantastic food? Just maybe.

You forgot the temples.

[damo1967]

1 hour ago, NickyLouie said:

Phuket = worst place in TH

I would vote it is Pattaya.

[animatic]

Overpriced compared to Issan maybe, but hardly over priced in the world market.
 

This is not an argument about Phuket global pricing but about strong arm tactics of Taxi Mafia who are facing safer and more respect giving competition, cutting into their monopoly.

No matter if I was leaving that Grab/Uber/etc car, I would never get on a bike with this violent numpty driving. His actions lose him more in one than any imagined gain.

Edited November 2 by animatic
Spelling typo and paragraph setting

[LittleBear57]

1 hour ago, KireB said:

Maybe because Phuket has great beaches, wild nightlife and fantastic food? Just maybe.

There are better beaches and good affordable food elsewhere, not worried about the nightlife. Been twice to Phuket

. Overcrowded, overpriced and overrated.

[Peterphuket]

I've mention this before, the taxi mafia on Phuket consist largeley of people who maintain the faith of peace.

[Peterphuket]

6 hours ago, KireB said:

Pretty obvious you have no clue what you are talking about. 

My experience for many years is he speak the true.

Phuket is the most expensive province from Thailand, 25 years ago already.

[Jonathan Swift]

4 hours ago, Denim said:

Scumbag.

 

Why people still go to that place beats me.

Because the good outweighs the bad. Do the math. Any more questions? You're welcome. (I've been going there 10 years and counting)

[Slocum]

There is law, but no order in this country...bottom line is the administration to take the Rap.....just useless people running the joint..Simple....They have no shame in what's happening...

[Celsius]

8 minutes ago, damo1967 said:

I would vote it is Pattaya.

 

no it's Phuket by far

[BMW Overlander]

1 hour ago, proton said:

Over priced tourist trap

For those who can't afford it, yes.

[CM Dad]

4 hours ago, Denim said:

Scumbag.

 

Why people still go to that place beats me.

I visited Phuket once thirty-four years ago.  It was beautiful!  I rented a vehicle and drove myself and two friends all around the island.  We had wonderful food and enjoyed watching the sunset on a beautiful beach.  The trip was nice, but I have never had the desire to visit again.  Once was enough.

[SmokeandIce]

1 hour ago, KireB said:

Pretty obvious you have no clue what you are talking about. 

He certainly does; I agree with him 100 %. No place is perfect. But greed and corruption in Phuket is rife.

[helloagain]

1 hour ago, NickyLouie said:

Phuket = worst place in TH

Pattaya takes that award

[SmokeandIce]

8 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Because the good outweighs the bad. Do the math. Any more questions? You're welcome. (I've been going there 10 years and counting)

You might find it shocking but your opinion is not the definitive reality that you think it is.

[mikosan]

22 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

A five year prison sentence might send a statement to these vermin. The issue is that the taxi mafias have always been more powerful than the police and the army. They seem untouchable. Perhaps it is time for the people to take control and show the authorities what discipline, punishment and control look like. 

Maybe you could organise a vigilante group to sort the problem out. You could sit behind your keyboard directing operations. 555.

[Zack61]

4 hours ago, Denim said:

Scumbag.

 

Why people still go to that place beats me.

I concur.
40 years ago it was nice but now I can only describe it as a festering carbuncle. 

[Johno57]

Tourist thailand at its finest..over priced, drunks & conmen everywhere, people fighting & prostitutes arguing over money,   tourists think this is thailand ? Just another Bali clone full of corruption..

[ujayujay]

21 minutes ago, BMW Overlander said:

For those who can't afford it, yes.

Don't make yourself bigger than you are, dwarf

[Johno57]

Before the tsunami it was good, then the rebuild along the shoreline, the conmen on the beach chairs and jet skis, the drunken fools in all the bars trying to get a cheap young lady..

[Johno57]

23 minutes ago, SmokeandIce said:

 

 

Edited November 2 by Johno57

[Johno57]

Ten wasted years surrounded by ya mates..

[Guderian]

The place was dominated by taxi and tuk tuk mafia on my first visit over a quarter of a century ago. It doesn't sound like much has changed, lol.