Taxi drivers in Phuket have announced a one-day strike on 6 April, citing rising fuel costs and falling fares due to competition from ride-hailing applications. The action is expected to disrupt transport services across the island, with more than 4,000 drivers from taxi, van and green-plate hire services involved.

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On 3 April, Watee Wasanarungruang, president of the Phuket Yellow-Red Taxi Club (Ror Yor 6), said members are struggling to survive on daily earnings of just 100 to 200 baht. He criticised app-based operators and investors for generating significantly higher incomes while traditional drivers face mounting expenses and declining passenger numbers.

Drivers said tourism has dropped by around 70 percent since the start of ongoing conflicts, further reducing demand. At the same time, fuel prices have risen sharply, forcing drivers to spend much of their income on diesel, with some unable to afford basic living costs after refuelling.

The group also raised concerns about aggressive price competition from ride-hailing apps, which they claim are undercutting fares to unsustainable levels. For example, trips from Patong to Phuket town have fallen from over 400 baht to around 200 baht, despite high fuel consumption due to the island’s mountainous terrain.

Taxi operators estimate that more than 6,000 app-based vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, are now operating in Phuket. They allege that many of these are unlicensed, contributing to oversupply and lower fares across the market.

The drivers are calling on the government to intervene, particularly on fuel pricing, and to enforce stricter regulations on illegal transport services. Watee urged the Department of Land Transport and local authorities to apply existing laws more rigorously, including penalties and licence checks.

He also called on police to prioritise action against illegal vehicles rather than focusing on foreign motorcycle users, arguing that unlicensed operators knowingly break the law and undermine legitimate businesses.

Matichon reported that more than 2,000 to 3,000 drivers have already signed a petition and a large gathering is planned to submit formal demands to the Phuket governor. Drivers want the issue treated as a provincial priority to protect licensed operators and taxpayers.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 4 Apr 2026

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7 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

They allege that many of these are unlicensed, contributing to oversupply and lower fares across the market

Somebody is angry they can't charge 400 baht for half a km ride. Boo hoo.

No one will be crying if these mafia crooks are suffering

IF I ever return to Phuket (unlikely), I will do as previously and rent a car to stop these greedy vastards from exploiting me. Good luck with their strike - it will just lose them money and encourage more use of app based services.

Good, maybe they can show their losses with the tax papers... Or did I forget they don't fill them in??? Thailand is only focussed on protections and now concurrent companies, with fair deals, are coming into the market. The monopoly of the scammers is in danger so protest!!! Stupid

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Taxi drivers in Phuket have announced a one-day strike on 6 April

Excellent, please keep doing this. You will not be missed.

Do Phuket taxis drivers think that they are the only people in Thailand suffering?

I have sympathy for the farmers and fisherpeople who are struggling, not these scam artist criminal marfia-types driving taxis in Phuket.

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

fuel prices have risen sharply, forcing drivers to spend much of their income on diesel

Yes, so many of those red and yellow Toyota taxis use diesel!

The mafia is crying , poor souls.

Would be glad to see them all gone. I've never had a positive experience in Phuket with any taxi service. NEXT

15 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Do Phuket taxis drivers think that they are the only people in Thailand suffering?

I have sympathy for the farmers and fisherpeople who are struggling, not these scam artist criminal marfia-types driving taxis in Phuket.

With diesel now rising to 50 baht per litre, when it was 30 a month back life is going to change here.

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

With diesel now rising to 50 baht per litre, when it was 30 a month back life is going to change here.

Not related. As Lou pointed out, taxis don't drive diesel. It liquid gas or, especially Bolt, electric.

A perfect opportunity to repair the meters. (No dobt to tourist rates).🙃🙃

16 hours ago, stevenl said:

Not related. As Lou pointed out, taxis don't drive diesel. It liquid gas or, especially Bolt, electric.

Petrol has also gone up in price too, and gas. I do not see Lou's posts!

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Petrol has also gone up in price too, and gas. I do not see Lou's posts!

So that's why you mentioned the diesel price.

22 hours ago, stevenl said:

So that's why you mentioned the diesel price.

I was thinking of the standard type of 'taxi' one uses, basically a pick up. The stuff all comes from the same source... got nothing better to do but troll?

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I was thinking of the standard type of 'taxi' one uses, basically a pick up. The stuff all comes from the same source... got nothing better to do but troll?

Sure.

Have a great day.

On 4/4/2026 at 7:53 AM, Georgealbert said:

He criticised app-based operators and investors for generating significantly higher incomes while traditional drivers face mounting expenses and declining passenger numbers.

Surely the app-based drivers are also facing the same fuel increases?? Does he honestly think the app drivers are operating at a loss. As to "declining passenger numbers" - maybe the app drivers are making more money because they are taking the passengers that don't want to be ripped off by the taxi mafia i.e. the "traditional drivers". I guarantee you, that if I could put out my hand and hail a yellow/green taxi in Phuket knowing the meter would go on (as I do in Bangkok), I would use them more. I don't always like waiting for Grab, but at least I know what I'm paying for.

On 4/5/2026 at 5:24 AM, jacko45k said:

With diesel now rising to 50 baht per litre, when it was 30 a month back life is going to change here.

Topped up PT diesel this morning, juas off Hwy 340.

Central province, smallish village area.

฿52.75.

Two weeks ago ฿33.15 (lucky to get ฿1,500 in the tank).

Pretty much not driving at the moment.

Can't see any end to this for 6+months.

Devastating for the farmers!

Any word on how the taxi "strike" went?🙃🙃

19 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Any word on how the taxi "strike" went

Well I am in Pattaya... but I still expect there to be a massive waste of both fuel and water (we are in a dry spell and heatwave) for Songkran. It is what it is!

Poor souls can barely afford a new towel to drape over their broken meters!