Patong slams brakes on taxi conflicts to boost tourism image

[webfact]

Efforts are underway in Patong to reorganise the city’s unscrupulous motorcycle taxi services following a recent conflict among drivers over passenger pickups. Local police in the bustling tourist destination are taking steps to address the situation, which has negatively impacted the area’s reputation.

 

Chalermpong Saengdee, a member of the People’s Party representing Phuket, revealed that a meeting took place yesterday to streamline regulations for motorcycle taxi services in Patong.

 

The gathering featured local officials and police focused on resolving disputes and reducing competition among drivers, which has been detrimental to the image of local tourism.

 

During the meeting, a representative from the Phuket Provincial Transport Office outlined plans to regulate public transport. The introduction of a supervisory committee was proposed to tackle issues such as designating specific passenger pickup points.

 

“All motorcycle taxi drivers must be registered and possess a public transport driver’s licence obtained through a training programme.”

This initiative aims to prevent disputes and protect tourists from potential exploitation.

 

Concerns have been raised by Teerapong Chuaychu, the chief of Kathu district, regarding the growing number of altercations among public transport drivers vying for customers. This behaviour, he noted, risks driving tourists away from the region, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-11-07

 

 

[stevenl]

In general it is not the motorbike taxis that are the issue but the car taxis. Especially the queue guys, who paid in lots and lots of money for their place at the queues, who are unhappy with the Bolt, Grab and other taxis picking up everywhere.

[ikke1959]

Make a decent registry of motorcycle taxis with requirements and give them a sign that they are approved by the Government, instead of a jacket that you can buy everywhere... If people don't meet the requirements or make problems remove them ...But such things need enforcements and that lacks Thailand in all subjects

 

Same for car taxis

Edited November 7 by ikke1959

[Geoffggi]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

Local police in the bustling tourist destination are taking steps to address the situation, which has negatively impacted the area’s reputation.

Will these steps be forward or backward steps .................LOL

[spidermike007]

Since the taxi mafia's seem to be stronger and more powerful than both the police and the army, I don't see anything positive ever happening regardless of the amount of egg the authorities have on their face, from a staggering continuation of tax related incidents. 

 

The police not only don't care I think they tend to side with the taxi driver when an incident takes place. Lastly I think the cars are much bigger problem than the motorcycles. 

[Classic Ray]

Another lip service announcement to be able to claim they are doing something.

 

I only ever use ride hailing services in Bangkok as I was fed up with all the cheating or refusal to pick up.

 

My answer would be to impose only ride hailing services like Bolt or Grab on all taxis/motorcycle taxis/tuk tuks to control them and keep them honest  leaving only songtaews to be a service you hail at the roadside. Almost every tourist and resident can access the apps.
 

In Singapore you cannot even hail a passing taxi, you have to go to an official cab rank or use an app. That could also work in Thailand.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Efforts are underway in Patong to reorganise the city’s unscrupulous motorcycle taxi services following a recent conflict among drivers over passenger pickups. Local police in the bustling tourist destination are taking steps to address the situation, which has negatively impacted the area’s reputation

AGAIN ?

[Scouse123]

Regurgitated crap.

 

Their behaviour has been like this for years, natural norms don't apply to these protected taxi mafias.

 

Nothing been done and nothing will ever be done.

 

Next week they will have a ' crackdown ' What a load of tosh.

 

It's a sad situation when a tourist coming to spend their hard earned money is to be jostled, threatened and terrorized by these filth when all the tourist wants to do is ' have a holiday '

 

Of course these morons can never see further than their personal needs and wishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 7 by Scouse123

[kuzmabruk]

1 hour ago, Classic Ray said:

That could also work in Thailand.

Compliance is a non-starter in Thailand.  

[Spock]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Since the taxi mafia's seem to be stronger and more powerful than both the police and the army, I don't see anything positive ever happening regardless of the amount of egg the authorities have on their face, from a staggering continuation of tax related incidents. 

 

The police not only don't care I think they tend to side with the taxi driver when an incident takes place. Lastly I think the cars are much bigger problem than the motorcycles. 

This problem has existed for many decades. When I lived 6 months back in the 90s in Phuket I was glad I owned a car. The island has always been difficult for public transport and always will be. This announcement of action will prove as pitifully inadequate as every previous attempt to improve the situation. It's not a place I would visit or live in without my own transport.

Edited November 7 by Spock

[john donson]

a smart policeman must have family or friends, working as a taxi maffia, sorry, driver,  you know, as investment

[Peabody]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Efforts are underway in Patong to reorganise the city’s unscrupulous motorcycle taxi services...

Reorganize?  Into what?

Not a solution.

Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Spock said:

This problem has existed for many decades. When I lived 6 months back in the 90s in Phuket I was glad I owned a car. The island has always been difficult for public transport and always will be. This announcement of action will prove as pitifully inadequate as every previous attempt to improve the situation. It's not a place I would visit or live in without my own transport.

Absolutely correct, and it is exactly the same thing on Samui. I remember 10 years ago when the army established power they sent in a hundred soldiers to clean up the taxi problems, they set down all kinds of new laws and rules and edicts, and two weeks later everything was the same. I got into a taxi and asked them to use their meter and I was laughed out of the car. 

 

The authorities here are some of the least serious people I've ever encountered in my lifetime. 

[Aussie999]

Ah yes, tourist seasin is upon us, and here we we hear the same regurgitated BS we have heard time after time, they seem to forget tourts have good memories and remember that the BS keeps coming.

[metisdead]

Posts using a foreign language have been removed as this is an English language forum. 

[Frankie baby]

This initiative aims to prevent disputes and protect tourists from potential exploitation.

 

Why don't they start with augment & exploitation over the prices. This should go a long way to protecting the tourist.

[watchcat]

On 11/7/2024 at 2:40 AM, webfact said:

taking steps to address the situation, which has negatively impacted the area’s reputation.

 

This has been going on for at least 30 years.