Phuket Taxi Mafia Confronts Tourists Over App-Based Ride

[Dave1954]

52 minutes ago, damo1967 said:

I would vote it is Pattaya.

Whats wrong with pattaya

[Aussie999]

54 minutes ago, LittleBear57 said:

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

. Overcrowded, overpriced and overrated.

Due to the poor tranport options, and not promoted by TAT, tourists tend to miss out on nice places, eg Hua Hin,  Chumphon, Surat Thani

[Hardcastle P]

5 hours ago, Denim said:

Scumbag.

 

Why people still go to that place beats me.

More importantly where are the RTP

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Phuket has a powerful taxi mafia. What a surprise! Or maybe not.

When I visited Phuket 30 years ago, that mafia existed already, and it was obvious.

Somehow it seems the Thai authorities don't know about this. And because they don't know it exists, they don't do anything about it.

TiT, Amazing Thailand.

 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

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.

Remove his licence, then remove him from any taxi station in Thailand.

Yeah sorry I was thinking out-loud again... Taxi mafia rule not the officials..

[Katatonica]

9 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

no it's Phuket by far

In your humble yet unexplained opinion apparently. Phuket has many redeeming features such as many square kilometres of unspoilt forest, dozens of extremely good beaches with clear water in high season, decent surf off-season and the surrounding islands, Phang Nga bay and incredible mainland topography at Khao Sok and Hat Rai Ley, etc. There are many world class restaurants and for the wealthy many incredible resorts. Several hundred villas in the multimillion dollar range as well as several hundred yachts, yacht facilities outclassing even Singapore. Many billionaires seem to be happy to have property there. Maybe you've just visited Patong? Even that's a cut above Pattaya, which I had the misfortune to have to work in for a few months a year or two back, hated the place. I live near Patong  but I rarely venture there either.

[Katatonica]

3 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Remove his licence, then remove him from any taxi station in Thailand.

Yeah sorry I was thinking out-loud again... Taxi mafia rule not the officials..

Regarding your last sentence there may be a little intersection there.

[hotchilli]

2 minutes ago, Katatonica said:

Regarding your last sentence there may be a little intersection there.

Indeed... 

[Celsius]

9 minutes ago, Katatonica said:

In your humble yet unexplained opinion apparently. Phuket has many redeeming features such as many square kilometres of unspoilt forest, dozens of extremely good beaches with clear water in high season, decent surf off-season and the surrounding islands, Phang Nga bay and incredible mainland topography at Khao Sok and Hat Rai Ley, etc. There are many world class restaurants and for the wealthy many incredible resorts. Several hundred villas in the multimillion dollar range as well as several hundred yachts, yacht facilities outclassing even Singapore. Many billionaires seem to be happy to have property there. Maybe you've just visited Patong? Even that's a cut above Pattaya, which I had the misfortune to have to work in for a few months a year or two back, hated the place. I live near Patong  but I rarely venture there either.

 

Yes I am not a multimillionaire so I visited Phuket as an ordinary tourist. is that wrong? I didn't like it, it gave me a strange sleazy and unsafe vibe like nowhere in Thailand. As for outclassing Singapore, what a bunch of crapola. Perhaps you as a billionaire can tell me more on this fine forum you decided to join between your multi million yachts and homes in Phuket.

[Burma Bill]

2 hours ago, NickyLouie said:

Phuket = worst place in TH

 

I agree, along with Pattaya and Bangkok!

 

(no further comment from me)

[Denim]

3 hours ago, KireB said:

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

 

A million years from now they will be finding fossilized babushka footprints in the lower sand strata,  I think these women are asking a lot from the sun trying to get an all over tan.  

[gravity101]

1 hour ago, Johno57 said:

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..

Lol. What? Are you talking about Pattaya maybe? Sounds like your describing some slum in Haiti. Get a grip. You probably live in Issan.

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, KireB said:

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

Wild nightlife? Ten years ago, maybe. Now? Other than Bangla, which is an abomination, I found the island boring and tame on my trip late last year. The nightlife has declined and is very poor. 

[gravity101]

13 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

Yes I am not a multimillionaire so I visited Phuket as an ordinary tourist. is that wrong? I didn't like it, it gave me a strange sleazy and unsafe vibe like nowhere in Thailand. As for outclassing Singapore, what a bunch of crapola. Perhaps you as a billionaire can tell me more on this fine forum you decided to join between your multi million yachts and homes in Phuket.

What did he say that was wrong? I agree with all he said. Phuket is becoming a millionaire's playground, like it or not. And why is it becoming that you should ask? Top notch shopping, dining, environment, hospitals, regional connectivity as well as excellent sailing grounds for our yachts with a myriad of beach

destinations to choose from. And yes, loads of Singaporeans and Singapore expats do 5 days offshore 2 days on here, because it has a better lifestyle and its cheaper for them to do that in terms of housing and schooling.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Zack61 said:

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

I first visited Phuket 48 years ago, needless to say it was very undeveloped and quite idealic. I came back about 15 years later and it was starting to get developed but still very nice. As recently as 2010 it was far more developed but at least it had good night life. Now? Overcrowded, overpriced, chock full of obnoxious Russians and low end tourists, and some of the worst nightlife I've seen anywhere. Yikes. I never need to return. 

[Kalorymetr]

15 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I first visited Phuket 48 years ago, needless to say it was very undeveloped and quite idealic. I came back about 15 years later and it was starting to get developed but still very nice. As recently as 2010 it was far more developed but at least it had good night life. Now? Overcrowded, overpriced, chock full of obnoxious Russians and low end tourists, and some of the worst nightlife I've seen anywhere. Yikes. I never need to return. 

Young lads seem to like it. Maybe night didn't get worse but someone just got old and has different views. 

[gravity101]

Just now, Kalorymetr said:

Young lads seem to like it. Maybe night didn't get worse but someone just got old and has different views. 

This is the answer to most subjects on thaivisa.

[kuzmabruk]

2 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

For those who can't afford it, yes.

We keep the prices high so the poor farangs have to stay in Pattaya and Issan.  555

[black tabby12345]

In recent months, Thaiger calls any form of crimes/scams 'Mafia' ever too often.

 

Don't Take My Name In Vain,  the real mobsters  would say.

 

[Surasak]

2 hours ago, Zack61 said:

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

It was quite reasonable 30 years ago. Then I took my Thai family in 2012.  We have all vowed, never again.

[golli]

Unfortunately Phuket is a shadow of what it once was. It's now over run by foreigners living there who have no respect for Thai people or culture and have driven the price of accommodation through the roof. The Thai food is western style and expensive. The taxi mafia has always been there so I used local van drivers who I became friendly with over the years. My last trip was exactly that my last time in Phuket. There are a lot of friendly beachside places to visit with good beaches, music, food and women if that's what you're looking for. Places like Khao Lak and Chumphon.

[Jiggo]

7 hours ago, Denim said:

Scumbag.

 

Why people still go to that place beats me.

Yep, one holiday a year for some, who would waste it in Phuket 

[BarraMarra]

The Governor of Phuket is only thinking of the Economic value to the Island that's why there even prepared to kill there Golden Goose as long as Planes carry on landing. A few years ago the Taxi mafia were blocking roads leading to hotels preventing tourists entering or leaving there hotels, wat action was taken ? a meeting between the head of Taxi's, governor, and head of Police were shown the same response " Don't meddle with us " One head of police came and tried to sort out the mafia but was quickly replaced and moved to another province. look at Patong a garbage litter strewn beach due mostly to the food vendors Tourists having to dodge Motor cycles delivering food on the pedestrianized promenade threats and slashing of tyres if you try and park on beach Rd where the Tuk Tuks park. yes the Pearl of the Andaman. Already known as little Moscow and the Taj Mahal. 

[madmitch]

Not quite sure why a motorbike taxi is complaining; who is going to take a motorbike to the airport?

 

It's also a fact that many of the so- called taxi mafia have now signed up as drivers with the various apps, realising it's actually more lucrative than joining a queue, waiting to get a ride.

 

Finally, it's great to see all the Phuket haters out in force whenever they see a headline like this. If you don't like it don't go there. 

[Stuart dunsmore]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

 

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

 

 

Total Scumbags who only make the tourists visit more welcoming places. 

[khunPer]

If the Thai government seriously wish to improve tourism, they better do something about taxi-mafia and overpriced rides without meter...

[JBChiangRai]

I’ve just had 5 nights in Phuket, I’ve stayed many times.

 

I have to say it is a <deleted> hole.

[paul1804]

I first visited Phuket in 1988 and it truly was  then a magnificent destination, I rented a Suzuki 4wd and drove myself and a couple of Austrian ladies that I met the day of my arrival around the island for the next 10 days. We had a ball and those ladies both cried when I departed 10 days later saying it was such a wonderful place to visit and they had enjoyed every minute of their stay. Bangla road was really very quaint with half a dozen bars and about as many restaurants. I returned 25 years later and couldn't believe my eyes or how the very nature of what Phuket was had deteriorated. I blame the governor's of the island for allowing it to become what it has, however these taxi Mafia are also on Ko Samui so not just a problem in Phuket and with the same lack of action from the authorities! 

[thecyclist]

3 hours ago, damo1967 said:

I would vote it is Pattaya.

At least Pattaya is cheap. 

[portisaacozzy]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

 

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

 

 

Because they dont know !