Picture courtesy of Welcome Pickups

 

Taxi and public transport groups in Phuket are urging officials to tackle the growing problem of illegal taxis disrupting the island's transport system. Ride-hailing apps are ignoring these unlicensed vehicles, causing issues for both passengers and compliant drivers.

 

A formal complaint was lodged with the Phuket Damrongtham Center on 30 June by frustrated transport operators, calling for immediate action. The complaint was received by Director Monchai Sae Lao, with officials from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) in attendance.

 

“These apps allow illegal vehicles to operate unchecked,” said the groups, highlighting the threat to licensed operators and passenger safety.

 

The complaint stresses that unregistered taxis exploit a flawed system, offering lower fares and undermining legal businesses, while also posing safety risks.

In response, the groups proposed several solutions:

 

1. Cash rewards for reporting illegal taxis.
2. More accessible channels for filing complaints.
3. Public listings of transport vehicle registrations for passenger verification.

 

Significantly, they demand full transparency from local officials, urging the PLTO to publish details of licensed vehicles and drivers, a request previously denied even in severe cases.

 

The meeting was described as "cordial," with a shared intent to establish a fairer and safer transport system for residents and tourists.

 

Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has escalated the issue to the provincial level, forwarding it to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society for further consideration, with Cabinet discussions anticipated.

 

With mounting pressure, the aim is for Phuket’s taxi system to become regulated, ensuring a reliable and safe service for all.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-01

 

 

What about taximeters for all taxis ? 

48 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

With mounting pressure, the aim is for Phuket’s taxi system to become regulated, ensuring a reliable and safe service for all.

 

Ha.

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Significantly, they demand full transparency from local officials, urging the PLTO to publish details of licensed vehicles and drivers, a request previously denied even in severe cases.

And what purpose would the taxi collective use this for I wonder - easier to find and intimidate perhaps?

Traffic is so bad, it's a horrible business anyway.

 

Cab driver I had last year said 10-15 years ago he could get 8-10 airport fares a day. Now he says he only works 4AM-7AM, goes home, then comes back and works 9pm-11pm and hopes to get 3 or 4 fares in. Other hours he is stuck in gridlock for hours, so what is the point.

 

In all these Thai airports (same in PI) there is an official desk with fares posted. The most dangerous are the illegal guys in BKK.

 

 

Phukets always been a mess for transport...

Time for a major change.

I love it. It's burying these dinosaurs.

This is the "just grab" option in the app if you want to support change. 

 

I'm at the Phuket airport and just checked prices for a ride to Jungceylon in Patong (8:30 AM on a Wednesday):
    •    InDrive: 464 THB
    •    Bolt: 477 THB
    •    Grab: 714 THB
    •    Airport fixed rate: 800 THB
    •    Metered taxi: Technically an option, but the meter mysteriously “doesn’t work”

 

Only Grab is allowed to pick up inside the terminal. If you book with Bolt or InDrive, you must drag your luggage out to the main road like it’s an Amazing Race challenge.

 

No wonder the taxi cartel is so grumpy about the competition.

Why are there illegal cars in the first place?

 

I’ll tell you why. Because legal taxis are expensive and involve arguments over the use, or not, of meters. 
 

Offer a cost effective, efficient, friendly service and you will drive the illegal taxis out of business.

How about Phukhet Visitors demand Taxi Divers use meters at all times!!

 

oh and accept payment by. Can QR codes even though it’s traceable. 

Phuket taxi drivers are horrific, and are one of the worst aspects of visiting Phuket.

 

Put meters in them all, with card and/or QR code payments and remove them all from the streets of Patong - and the problem will be solved.

 

they can wait at a central holding pen (behind jungceylon) and can come to designated ranks when a customer wants one. 
 

and take half of them off the road employing the drivers in a proper minibus service such as the one in Hong Kong ….. 

 

Safe, fair and cheaper transport for all. 

I've used quite a few of these so-called illegal taxi services and found them to be cheap, safe and very polite. May be the larger taxi services should follow their example and stop over-charging etc. On service, these so-called taxi apses are here to stay (on merit). 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The complaint stresses that unregistered taxis exploit a flawed system

 

That would be the system that allows registered taxis to overcharge passengers with impunity and threaten competitors with violence? Sorry, no sympathy...

Taxi and public transport groups in Phuket are urging officials to tackle the growing problem of illegal taxis disrupting the island's transport system. Ride-hailing apps are ignoring these unlicensed vehicles,

causing issues for both passengers and compliant drivers.

 

Share ride apps are legal here since 2021 here, isn't it?

 

Google search when did Thailand legalize share ride app services

 

18 hours ago, Chalong circle said:

What about taximeters for all taxis ? 

 

Free lancing  taxi drivers seem to be more honest than the ones in "meter taxi".

 

The former only charges  the prescribed amount(notified before passenger ride).

While the regular ones often make headlines for rip-off, doging  the law(keep their device down).

18 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Ha.

 

Demanding the "transparency" they themselves lack.

How about this.  A reward for reporting Taxi meters that don't work.  Driver gets caught so many times in year he is restricted from driving for X amount of time.

 

People choosing not to get robbed by high fare, avoiding confrontation and wanting a cleaner, friendlier ride.  I can see why Taxi's are angry. 

Looks like that the meter maffia is losing money. 🙂