Koh Phangan Boat Operators Demand Mid-Journey Payments From Tourists

[Georgealbert]

 

File picture for reference only.

 

Concerns over tourist safety have been raised on Koh Phangan after reports surfaced of longtail boat operators halting their vessels mid-journey to demand payment from passengers.

 

A social media post on 4 January described a troubling incident that occurred during a late-night boat trip. According to the post, at approximately 02.00 on New Year’s Eve, around 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi to travel to a local entertainment premises. The operator allegedly stopped the boat in open waters and demanded 400 baht per person for a one-way fare, refusing to continue the journey until all passengers paid.

 

“The waves were rough, and there was no option to return,” the post explained. “With memories of the recent tragedy where a Korean tourist died in a longtail boat accident, everyone felt they had no choice but to pay.”

 

The incident sparked outrage online, with comments including, “This is daylight robbery,” “Why are the authorities ignoring this?” and “This will ruin our tourism industry.” Others criticized the lack of fare transparency and suggested that payments should be collected before departure.

 

The controversy comes just days after a tragic accident involving a longtail boat off Koh Phangan’s shores. On 29 December 2024, a boat named Pichitchai capsized, leaving 13 people overboard and one Korean tourist dead.

 

In defence, a boat operator from Rin Beach claimed the practice of collecting fares mid-journey was necessary to prevent passengers from fleeing without paying upon arrival. “We’re not trying to be cruel,” the operator argued. “We’re protecting our livelihoods.” The operator also dismissed claims of rough sea conditions during the incident.

 

Wijak Chupharekit, Director of the Regional Harbor Office in Koh Phangan, announced that an investigation is underway. A meeting with around 50 local water taxi operators is scheduled for 7 January, to establish clearer service guidelines.

 

“We must ensure that our transportation services meet high standards and safeguard the reputation of Koh Phangan as a premier tourist destination,” Chupharekit stated.

 

The incident underscores ongoing challenges in regulating transportation services on the island, renowned for its Full Moon Parties and pristine beaches. With the spotlight on local authorities, tourists and residents alike are awaiting decisive action to address these concerns.

 

-- 2025-01-05

 

[Geoffggi]

48 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Others criticized the lack of fare transparency and suggested that payments should be collected before departure.

The above statement is absolutely correct, this would take any kind of misunderstanding away plus the boat owners or captains would have no reason to demand any additional payment 

[EVENKEEL]

I've taken boat tours from several locations including Samui and always paid before boarding boat. 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

 

File picture for reference only.

 

Concerns over tourist safety have been raised on Koh Phangan after reports surfaced of longtail boat operators halting their vessels mid-journey to demand payment from passengers.

 

A social media post on 4 January described a troubling incident that occurred during a late-night boat trip. According to the post, at approximately 02.00 on New Year’s Eve, around 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi to travel to a local entertainment premises. The operator allegedly stopped the boat in open waters and demanded 400 baht per person for a one-way fare, refusing to continue the journey until all passengers paid.

 

“The waves were rough, and there was no option to return,” the post explained. “With memories of the recent tragedy where a Korean tourist died in a longtail boat accident, everyone felt they had no choice but to pay.”

 

The incident sparked outrage online, with comments including, “This is daylight robbery,” “Why are the authorities ignoring this?” and “This will ruin our tourism industry.” Others criticized the lack of fare transparency and suggested that payments should be collected before departure.

 

The controversy comes just days after a tragic accident involving a longtail boat off Koh Phangan’s shores. On 29 December 2024, a boat named Pichitchai capsized, leaving 13 people overboard and one Korean tourist dead.

 

In defence, a boat operator from Rin Beach claimed the practice of collecting fares mid-journey was necessary to prevent passengers from fleeing without paying upon arrival. “We’re not trying to be cruel,” the operator argued. “We’re protecting our livelihoods.” The operator also dismissed claims of rough sea conditions during the incident.

 

Wijak Chupharekit, Director of the Regional Harbor Office in Koh Phangan, announced that an investigation is underway. A meeting with around 50 local water taxi operators is scheduled for 7 January, to establish clearer service guidelines.

 

“We must ensure that our transportation services meet high standards and safeguard the reputation of Koh Phangan as a premier tourist destination,” Chupharekit stated.

 

The incident underscores ongoing challenges in regulating transportation services on the island, renowned for its Full Moon Parties and pristine beaches. With the spotlight on local authorities, tourists and residents alike are awaiting decisive action to address these concerns.

 

-- 2025-01-05

 

Anyone stupid enough to use a long tail in anything but calm water and certainly at night is deserving to be exploited, IMO. I have no sympathy at all. I hated those longtail taxis with their unmuffled motors ruining the ambience. If it wasn't for people using them they wouldn't be around.

 

The OP doesn't say where they were going from or to, but road transport can get most places on Phangan so no need to use a longtail. Many resorts even provide a service with their own vehicles.

 

I bet the longtails didn't have lifejackets for all the passengers.

 

 

pristine beaches.

Rin pristine?

[thaibeachlovers]

23 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

The above statement is absolutely correct, this would take any kind of misunderstanding away plus the boat owners or captains would have no reason to demand any additional payment 

Culturally, in LOS fares are collected after completion of service.

Paying before would IMO inevitably lead to complaints of being landed at the wrong ( closer ) place, or other suchlike scams.

 

As long as the demanded fare does not exceed the agreed price, I don't even see what the problem is. Were they intending to do a runner on landing?

[thaibeachlovers]

I think a picture would be a fitting addition to the conversation.

 

Here's one of 4 happy campers heading away from Rin, presumably to Samui.

Please to note it's sunny and hot, but no overhead canopy to shield from the sun, and no life jackets in sight.

If that motor breaks down ( not unknown ), they'll get heat stroke, and if need water they'll be lucky.

Back home they have to wear a seat belt when in a car, but on arrival in LOS seem to assume nothing unfortunate will ever happen when traveling around. Hence the bandaged individuals in Rin that thought it would be a good idea to rent a m'bike, despite never having ridden one in their lives before.

[smedly]

pay up or swim, sounds more like an attempt to extort 

 

simple solution, agree destination - agree fare - pay - go, what is so complicated

[Geoffggi]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Culturally, in LOS fares are collected after completion of service.

Paying before would IMO inevitably lead to complaints of being landed at the wrong ( closer ) place, or other suchlike scams.

 

As long as the demanded fare does not exceed the agreed price, I don't even see what the problem is. Were they intending to do a runner on landing?

For some modes of transport you are possibly correct but I have never been onboard an internal flight or train ride where I didn't pay first

[mokwit]

Was he demanding payment or renegotiating the fare halfway through?

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

For some modes of transport you are possibly correct but I have never been onboard an internal flight or train ride where I didn't pay first

But this was a taxi.

[PoorSucker]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Culturally, in LOS fares are collected after completion of service.

19 years in Thailand, only times I pay afterwards is in Song-Theaw

[impulse]

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

For some modes of transport you are possibly correct but I have never been onboard an internal flight or train ride where I didn't pay first

 

 Just using the Chao Phraya boats as an example, I have paid in advance, paid on the boat, and paid at the destination pier. 

 

In K-Buri, I pay the longtail guy after the ride.  Which works well for him, because I pay 1000 baht for the 800 baht hour trip.  I'd be reluctant to tip in advance, not knowing whether it'll be a favorable experience.  OTOH, I could do a runner at any of the landmarks and cemeteries on the itinerary.

 

So I can see both sides, especially at 2:00AM when they may not have anyone on duty collecting fares before the ride.  Which would seem to be the most practical solution. 

 

Edit:  BTW, shameless (and off topic) plug...  If you're ever at the Bridge on the River Kwai in K-Buri, I highly recommend the longtail tours starting under the bridge.  I saw some fascinating stuff, like the other WWII cemetery, temples in caves (that doubled as bomb shelters during WWII), and the lesser known museum that isn't as comprehensive as the great Aussie run museum, but still fascinating if you like history.  You get to choose where they take you...

 

 

[richard_smith237]

Stopping the boat halfway though the journey is clearly extortion. 

Charging 400 baht per passenger is clearly a rip-off. 

 

Money is either paid when boarding or when alighting - it can't be any simpler than that. 

 

IF the boat pilot has encountered passengers fleeing in the past, the simple solution is to charge on boarding - and charge the agreed 'normal fare'.

 

 

OF course - there is always a back story: Whenever transport is involved in Thailand there is always a potential scam.

Its happened so many times: i.e.

- Bus station to boat Pier: 200 baht....  at arrival the driver demands 200 baht each...

- Or, they take you to a different (closed pier), and then claim a misunderstanding and ask for more to take to the correct pier.

- Or, they take you half way, and then get you to change vehicles, then the new driver wants payment (and the other driver has already left).

 

.... All these scams used to be common and it doesn't surprise me one bit that similar scams exist with longtail boats.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Culturally, in LOS fares are collected after completion of service.

Paying before would IMO inevitably lead to complaints of being landed at the wrong ( closer ) place, or other suchlike scams.

 

As long as the demanded fare does not exceed the agreed price, I don't even see what the problem is. Were they intending to do a runner on landing?

For some modes of transport you are possibly correct but I have never been onboard an internal flight or train ride where I didn't pay first

 

Have you ever been in a Taxi, TukTuk or LongTail boat where you paid first ???

 

That said, paying first removes any 'pricing ambiguity' - the issue of course is often a lack of clarity and deliberate misinformation to attempt to get more money (as with the examples in my comment above). 

 

 

The reality is most Taxi drivers are reasonably fare - but in area's of higher tourist footfall the potential scam attempts increases significantly.

 

 

[petedk]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Culturally, in LOS fares are collected after completion of service.

Paying before would IMO inevitably lead to complaints of being landed at the wrong ( closer ) place, or other suchlike scams.

 

As long as the demanded fare does not exceed the agreed price, I don't even see what the problem is. Were they intending to do a runner on landing?

 

Are you sure? I don't think I have ever paid the fare for any form of transport after completion of service. It's always been money first.

 

Edit: Oh, I forgot motorcycle taxis and taxis. Yes, I pay them after the ride.

[Tropicalevo]

4 minutes ago, petedk said:

 

Are you sure? I don't think I have ever paid the fare for any form of transport after completion of service. It's always been money first.

I have never paid money first for a taxi

 

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

around 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi to travel to a local entertainment premises.

[hotchilli]

On 1/5/2025 at 4:57 AM, Georgealbert said:

In defence, a boat operator from Rin Beach claimed the practice of collecting fares mid-journey was necessary to prevent passengers from fleeing without paying upon arrival. “We’re not trying to be cruel,” the operator argued. “We’re protecting our livelihoods.” The operator also dismissed claims of rough sea conditions during the incident.

BS....

Passengers should pay to get in the boat before it departs... not extorted half-way.

[KhunLA]

I find that story hard to believe, or that all 20 people paid.  I certainly wouldn't, and good luck trying to toss me off the boat 

[scorecard]

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I find that story hard to believe, or that all 20 people paid.  I certainly wouldn't, and good luck trying to toss me off the boat 

 

Would be nice to see some specific fact based comment about the provision of life jackets and some comment on the regular monitoring of these boats by an appropriate government agency.

[newbee2022]

On 1/5/2025 at 4:57 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

File picture for reference only.

 

Concerns over tourist safety have been raised on Koh Phangan after reports surfaced of longtail boat operators halting their vessels mid-journey to demand payment from passengers.

 

A social media post on 4 January described a troubling incident that occurred during a late-night boat trip. According to the post, at approximately 02.00 on New Year’s Eve, around 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi to travel to a local entertainment premises. The operator allegedly stopped the boat in open waters and demanded 400 baht per person for a one-way fare, refusing to continue the journey until all passengers paid.

 

“The waves were rough, and there was no option to return,” the post explained. “With memories of the recent tragedy where a Korean tourist died in a longtail boat accident, everyone felt they had no choice but to pay.”

 

 

The incident sparked outrage online, with comments including, “This is daylight robbery,” “Why are the authorities ignoring this?” and “This will ruin our tourism industry.” Others criticized the lack of fare transparency and suggested that payments should be collected before departure.

 

The controversy comes just days after a tragic accident involving a longtail boat off Koh Phangan’s shores. On 29 December 2024, a boat named Pichitchai capsized, leaving 13 people overboard and one Korean tourist dead.

 

In defence, a boat operator from Rin Beach claimed the practice of collecting fares mid-journey was necessary to prevent passengers from fleeing without paying upon arrival. “We’re not trying to be cruel,” the operator argued. “We’re protecting our livelihoods.” The operator also dismissed claims of rough sea conditions during the incident.

 

Wijak Chupharekit, Director of the Regional Harbor Office in Koh Phangan, announced that an investigation is underway. A meeting with around 50 local water taxi operators is scheduled for 7 January, to establish clearer service guidelines.

 

“We must ensure that our transportation services meet high standards and safeguard the reputation of Koh Phangan as a premier tourist destination,” Chupharekit stated.

 

The incident underscores ongoing challenges in regulating transportation services on the island, renowned for its Full Moon Parties and pristine beaches. With the spotlight on local authorities, tourists and residents alike are awaiting decisive action to address these concerns.

 

-- 2025-01-05

 

There is a song by Chris de Burgh:

Don't pay the ferryman,

Don't even fix a price,

Don't pay the ferryman,

Until he gets you to the other side.

🤗

[Peterphuket]

20 men on board, I would suggest to the captain ‘and sail through now or we will throw you overboard’, not so difficult I guess....

[Watawattana]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

Would be nice to see some specific fact based comment about the provision of life jackets and some comment on the regular monitoring of these boats by an appropriate government agency

You mean the same type of regular monitoring of buses that might have saved those 25 souls in that October crash?

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

You mean the same type of regular monitoring of buses that might have saved those 25 souls in that October crash?

Yes, I mean all transport options.

 

And there's many other 'situations' which have serious monitoring in many other countries which are lax or non-existent in the LOS. One example is the construction industry; there's continuous incidents which result in large sections of building under construction falling  down and there's regular deaths. 

 

There's also the regular deaths at zebra crossings, and you regularly see cars, m/cycles, trucks, buses etc., making no attempt to stop for pedestrians. This situations has multiple faults, and proper monitoring to collect valuable data to help construct better laws and better equipment is just one missing item. 

[Burma Bill]

On 1/5/2025 at 4:57 AM, Georgealbert said:

at approximately 02.00 on New Year’s Eve, around 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi

comments including, “This is daylight robbery,”

 

Surely this should be "nightime robbery'?😄

[BusyB]

On 1/4/2025 at 10:57 PM, Georgealbert said:

Others criticized the lack of fare transparency and suggested that payments should be collected before departure.

 

My thought exactly. It would also keep fares to a sensible level.

 

Returning from Cambodia via Koh Kong  (back in Snooky speedboat days - those were the days 555) and the Friendship Bridge on a pick up, half way across the bridge the truck stopped and the guy in the back insisted on raising the fare although it had already been agreed. OK, we weren't on the ocean at night, but he didn't reckon with the anger and resistance I immediately  stirred up with the other backpackers, and we began to exit the truck. He was quite startled and backed down and the ride continued. All agreed no tips for him either.

 

I'd probably have faced off on the water at night as well - not so sure I'd get the backing there however. Very scary situation for many, especially if they can't swim. Fact is though, if they'd refused to pay and he'd returned them to the beach, he'd have been in trouble not them once it got out on social media - like now. Sometimes you've got to sacrifice what you want for higher issues. I didn't want to walk the rest of Friendship Bridge either, but I wasn't gonna let a cheap creep like that blackmail me and I'd have hopped off on my own if need be.

 

[BusyB]

9 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

There is a song by Chris de Burgh:

Don't pay the ferryman,

Don't even fix a price,

Don't pay the ferryman,

Until he gets you to the other side.

🤗

 

On all transport I've had in LOS the fare is agreed beforehand and paid afterwards. If service and fare are fair there's usually 10% on top from me. Amazing how much happiness that can unleash.

[newbee2022]

3 minutes ago, BusyB said:

 

On all transport I've had in LOS the fare is agreed beforehand and paid afterwards. If service and fare are fair there's usually 10% on top from me. Amazing how much happiness that can unleash.y

 

Yeah, unfortunately Chris de Burgh didn't know better😀

[BusyB]

12 hours ago, hotchilli said:

BS....

Passengers should pay to get in the boat before it departs... not extorted half-way.

 

Seriously - how many people run away to avoid paying their fare under these circumstances?

 

It's simple - they can squeeze more out of cowed non-swimmer passengers on the open water at night.

 

The fare should be agreed before and paid on completion of service. 

 

LOS 2 main business rules:

 

1/ Always agree the price be it transport, construction, whatever beforehand.

2/ Don't pay till the service has been satisfactorily completed. 

[BusyB]

3 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Yeah, unfortunately Chris de Burgh didn't know better😀

 

Maybe he never tried a long tail in LOS ...

[ryxyz]

That was the kind of blackmail some acquaintances and I experienced on a boat traveling from Luang Prabang, Laos to Chiang Saen, Thailand many moons ago.  As a non-swimmer, I was pretty scared by their antics.