Picture courtesy of The Phuket News

 

Local taxi drivers created a blockade at Phuket Deep Sea Port, preventing an outside cab from picking up tourists and resulting in police intervention. The standoff occurred shortly after the arrival of the Genting Dream cruise liner, carrying 4,200 tourists. Police, led by Superintendent Colonel Somsak Thongkliang, mediated the situation to prevent violence.

 

The confrontation underscores ongoing tensions between local taxi cooperatives and outside operators on the island. With approximately 60 local drivers controlling access to arriving passengers, arriving tourists faced uncertainty regarding their transport. However, authorities confirmed that the situation ended peacefully without injuries or property damage.

 

The dispute reflects long-standing issues regarding taxi operations in Phuket, where transport control is a frequent point of contention. Previous incidents have drawn criticism from both Thai officials and international visitors, who often cite limited options and high fares. Efforts by police to regulate cab operations have not fully resolved these tensions.

 

Police announced plans to continue monitoring the situation to prevent further conflicts while promoting dialogue between rival taxi groups. Increased coordination and regulation are expected to be pivotal in resolving these disputes in the future.

 

Key Takeaways

• Police were called to diffuse a taxi standoff in Phuket.
• The incident sheds light on ongoing disputes over taxi operations.
• Authorities aim to prevent further incidents through regulation and dialogue.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-19

 

 

If taxidrivers just did their job instead of overpricing and drive around to get more money there was probably nothing the matter, They have ruined their own business.. Besides that we live in the 21st century and others like Grab and Bolt are easy to book on a mobile... But conservative Thailand is not willing to enter the 21st century or change things

My turn to rip them off...move aside it's my turn to rip them off.

7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

If taxidrivers just did their job instead of overpricing and drive around to get more money there was probably nothing the matter,

But this was in Phuket.

 

Which is place where you shouldnt use a Taxi or Tuk Tuk.

 

My customer. My soi. My mafia. My Phukit.🙃🙃

So what happened, were other taxis allowed in?

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

So what happened, were other taxis allowed in?

Only 60 taxis for 4200 people were allowed to scam these tourists. The others were not allowed

Phuket is such trash.

 

Worst place in TH next to Samui 

25 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Only 60 taxis for 4200 people were allowed to scam these tourists. The others were not allowed

Ok, let me rephrase my question for those with slower cognitive sense.

 

What happened after the police intervened, were more taxis allowed in to transport the cruise guests?

The taxi mafia have been quiet recently. But here we go again. A replay of a scene many times before.

 

A small number of taxis regard themselves as having a monopoly on passengers arriving at the port, when legally no such monopoly exists. This imaginary right to passengers is enforced by the taxi mafia by force.

 

i very much doubt that outside taxi drivers were eventually let in first.  More likely the mafia took their fill and the outside drivers the left overs.

 

you would think that a proper system could be instigated and enforced. Failing a “system”, the mafia should be neutered and the law applied. Meantime, they are like a pack of dogs fighting over the carcus of an animal.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Efforts by police to regulate cab operations have not fully resolved these tensions

 

Why am I not surprised? Instead of talking to these locals who think they should have a monopoly, get some cahones and TELL them to back off! 

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The standoff occurred shortly after the arrival of the Genting Dream cruise liner, carrying 4,200 tourists. Police, led by Superintendent Colonel Somsak Thongkliang, mediated the situation to prevent violence.

A nice welcoming party for the cruise liner and passengers.

Go Thailand

 Phuket Taxi Tension Leads to Police Intervention.

 

The Law has no guts,

One way to Fix the Taxi Mafia, when they hassle other Taxis just confiscate their taxi  for a couple months they soon learn.

Well there goes another 4200 tourists with a positive image of Phuket. 

Swift and timely police intervention.

Mass fist fight in front of thousands of travellers off the oceanliner, would significantly damage Thai tourism.

I lived on Phuket from1984. They were thieved then, drunk thieves. I’ve seen myself getting out of a taxi from Karon to Patong and having to get out on top of the hill and walk. Between ya ba and Mekong they’re a danger. 
Ill never understand why the Phuket authorities can’t regulate taxis, valid licenses, a charge, renewable. Maybe they’re getting paid to leave them to their own devious devices ! In Bali,  the taxis companies have their own lit up taxi signs on roof, and there’s one company that’s a leader in good tarifs. Easy to bring in such a method and cheap.

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Only 60 taxis for 4200 people were allowed to scam these tourists. The others were not allowed

Where was it reported that 4,200 people needed taxis?

I didn’t see * need* , it’s written the Dreamliner was carrying 4200 passengers. I suppose on a day visit, loads would want to visit.

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

The taxi mafia have been quiet recently. But here we go again. A replay of a scene many times before.

 

A small number of taxis regard themselves as having a monopoly on passengers arriving at the port, when legally no such monopoly exists. This imaginary right to passengers is enforced by the taxi mafia by force.

 

i very much doubt that outside taxi drivers were eventually let in first.  More likely the mafia took their fill and the outside drivers the left overs.

 

you would think that a proper system could be instigated and enforced. Failing a “system”, the mafia should be neutered and the law applied. Meantime, they are like a pack of dogs fighting over the carcus of an animal.

The Thi smile,but only for the first 40 drivers. !

5 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

The taxi mafia have been quiet recently. But here we go again. A replay of a scene many times before.

 

A small number of taxis regard themselves as having a monopoly on passengers arriving at the port, when legally no such monopoly exists. This imaginary right to passengers is enforced by the taxi mafia by force.

 

i very much doubt that outside taxi drivers were eventually let in first.  More likely the mafia took their fill and the outside drivers the left overs.

 

you would think that a proper system could be instigated and enforced. Failing a “system”, the mafia should be neutered and the law applied. Meantime, they are like a pack of dogs fighting over the carcus of an animal.

Those drivers paid money, sometimes a lot of it, for the right to a taxi stand and a monopoly there.

 

This is however a rearguard fight, other taxis are taking over, step by step.

5 hours ago, digger70 said:

 Phuket Taxi Tension Leads to Police Intervention.

 

The Law has no guts,

One way to Fix the Taxi Mafia, when they hassle other Taxis just confiscate their taxi  for a couple months they soon learn.

Theres one tiny Problem.....the Cab Drivers aren´t the owner of the Taxis😉😉😉

16 hours ago, ujayujay said:

Theres one tiny Problem.....the Cab Drivers aren´t the owner of the Taxis😉😉😉

That does't matter, when the taxi gets impounded the Boss won't be too happy about that and the driver may find himself out of a job .

19 hours ago, ujayujay said:

Theres one tiny Problem.....the Cab Drivers aren´t the owner of the Taxis😉😉😉

The cars may be financed, but the drivers are the owners.

On 9/20/2025 at 7:44 AM, damian said:

Well there goes another 4200 tourists with a positive image of Phuket. 

 

And they probably won't return.

 

21 hours ago, stevenl said:

The cars may be financed, but the drivers are the owners.

The majority of taxis belong to cooperatives and private companies that rent their vehicles to drivers!

Pink: Sarahamit Taxi Cooperative. Blue: Thai Taxi Cooperative. Orange: Bowon TaxiCooperative Yellow: Samakkhitham Taxi Cooperative.

The minority: Two-Tone Taxis: Yellow and green taxis are typically privately owned by the driver. 

6 hours ago, ujayujay said:

The majority of taxis belong to cooperatives and private companies that rent their vehicles to drivers!

Pink: Sarahamit Taxi Cooperative. Blue: Thai Taxi Cooperative. Orange: Bowon TaxiCooperative Yellow: Samakkhitham Taxi Cooperative.

The minority: Two-Tone Taxis: Yellow and green taxis are typically privately owned by the driver. 

This is a Phuket topic.

On 9/20/2025 at 12:26 PM, biggles45 said:

 

Why am I not surprised? Instead of talking to these locals who think they should have a monopoly, get some cahones and TELL them to back off! 

You mean some superior;)

17 hours ago, stevenl said:

This is a Phuket topic.

 

17 hours ago, stevenl said:

This is a Phuket topic.

Really........Most Phuket Taxis are owned by Samakkhitham Taxi Cooperative! It seems, you have no Idea

5 hours ago, ujayujay said:

 

Really........Most Phuket Taxis are owned by Samakkhitham Taxi Cooperative! It seems, you have no Idea

The issue concerns green plated taxis. Privately owned cars.

18 hours ago, ujayujay said:

 

Really........Most Phuket Taxis are owned by Samakkhitham Taxi Cooperative! It seems, you have no Idea

In addition to my earlier answer, Samakkhitham doesn't own most Phuket taxis.