Phuket Taxi Driver Refunds Tourist After 3,500 Baht Fare

Phuket Taxi Driver Refunds Australian Tourist After 3,500-Baht Fare Complaint

A Phuket taxi driver has refunded an Australian tourist after charging him 3,500 baht for a trip from Phuket International Airport to Chalong. The first-time visitor said the driver convinced him to accept the fare by claiming it was the final available taxi, although he later learned the normal price was considerably lower. When summoned by the Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office, the driver said the correct fare was 800 baht and returned the remaining 2,700 baht. The Australian accepted the apology and reportedly agreed to withdraw legal proceedings against the driver. The resolution drew criticism from Thai residents who argued that simply returning the money should not necessarily end the matter, while officials had not yet confirmed whether additional penalties would be imposed.