May 1, 200916 yr http://phuketwan.com/tourism/bangkok-rejec...tuk-tuks-11028/ Bangkok Rejects Bid for More Phuket Tuk-TuksBy Apinya Saksri and Chutima Sidasathian Thursday, April 23, 2009 A REQUEST to register 373 extra tuk-tuks on Phuket has been rebuffed by transport officials in Bangkok, who want to double-check the need for that number. Phuket already has 1162 registered tuk-tuks. The additional vehicles would be distributed to co-operatives in the following districts: Kata-Karon 140, Patong 113, Phuket City 77, Kamala 43. The Phuket Tourist Association and tessaban groups from Patong, Kata-Karon, Kamala, police and an airport representative met yesterday at Provincial Hall to discuss the tuk-tuk issue. The Transport Department said in a letter that tuk-tuks were not built or maintained to high standards, or fuel-efficient. There was a need to restrict their use. The letter requested local authorities to look more closely at the transport needs of their communities. Tessaban Patong and police continued to try to provide special parking for tuk-tuks but tuk-tuks were constantly circling for passengers, creating a pollution problem, the meeting heard. Tourists constantly complained about prices. About 700 tuk-tuks operated in Patong, the meeting was told, although some were based in Phket City and Kata-Karon. Public transport had grown in Kata-Karon with buses, tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis but selected parking spaces were often occupied by vehicles beyond the marked zones. Other zones were carefully designated, but underused. Kamala had similar problems, the tessaban representative said, with numbers of tuk-tuks continuing to grow beyond control. PTA vice president Sarayuth Mallam said prices of tuk-tuks were a major problem, especially in Patong. As an example, he said, a tourist wanting to go from the Savoey seafood restaurant in beach road to Jungceylon was quoted 100 baht. But on arrival, the tuk-tuk driver wanted 100 baht per person. Other tourists who did not know Patong well paid high prices for short trips, or were taken on detours to disguise the fact it was just a short journey. Registration of more tuk-tuks would probably bring more problems, he said. There were differences between the groups. Tourism surveys of complaints among visitors had established transport as the No. 1 issue. Khun Sarayuth said it was important to have fixed prices between various places on the island, even if those prices seemed high. The president of the cooperative seeking the extra registrations, Natthanat Saelim, did not attend yesterday's meeting. Elsewhere at Provincial Hall yesterday, Deputy Patong Mayor Chairat Sukban said tuk-tuk registration should be controlled by the local tessaban. Many people complained to the tessaban about tuk-tuks, but only with control could the local authorities act. He said police just ignored it when tuk-tuks parked in the wrong zones. ''They make Patong look bad,'' Khun Chairat said. Why the hel_l would Phuket need 373 more tuk tuks?
May 1, 200916 yr Why the hel_l would Phuket need 373 more tuk tuks? Because they have not used up all the parking places on the red curbs ....
May 1, 200916 yr Author Why the hel_l would Phuket need 373 more tuk tuks? Because they have not used up all the parking places on the red curbs .... What about the bunch that are opposite Dino park mini golf, in front of Buffalo steak house. It is amazing they let that go on for as long as it has, that is a narrow road.
May 1, 200916 yr What about the bunch that are opposite Dino park mini golf, in front of Buffalo steak house.It is amazing they let that go on for as long as it has, that is a narrow road. Call the police and complain..... TIT (and the BIB) .....
May 1, 200916 yr wow. Just when I think no one cares, they do care and are fully aware of the problem. The tuk tuk coop needs to understand that fewer tuk tuks means more use of the individual vehicles boosting income per day. Oh screw it. I despise the buggers anyway. May birds poop furiously on them.
May 1, 200916 yr The tuk tuk coop needs to understand that fewer tuk tuks means more use of the individual vehicles boosting income per day. That sort of logic does not seem to compute. It's more about every man/women for him/her self. More Tuk Tuks = more drivers having a chance at a slice of the (shrinking) cake....
May 1, 200916 yr No, it's all about the one man who owns ALL the licenses making even more money. He owns a large hotel on the beach at Karon, too.
May 1, 200916 yr No, it's all about the one man who owns ALL the licenses making even more money. That's true too, but I thought there was more than just one man, but not much more than a handful covering all Phuket Island ...
May 1, 200916 yr Maybe, but, I was told he has them all. I know he controls Patong, Kalim, Kata, Karon, Chalong and Nai Harn areas. Possibly Phuket Town, too.
May 1, 200916 yr there is not just a single man at the head of this snake the number of registered tuk tuks is of course less than the number using those tuk tuk registrations anyhow in any event a good move for what it is worth
May 1, 200916 yr there is not just a single man at the head of this snakethe number of registered tuk tuks is of course less than the number using those tuk tuk registrations anyhow in any event a good move for what it is worth You haven't a clue how it works. You think that the tuk-tuk driver owns the license?
May 1, 200916 yr there is not just a single man at the head of this snakethe number of registered tuk tuks is of course less than the number using those tuk tuk registrations anyhow in any event a good move for what it is worth You haven't a clue how it works. You think that the tuk-tuk driver owns the license? i have a lot more than a clue re-read what i wrote and you will see you have misinterpreted me
May 1, 200916 yr Author They should give the guy his 373 tuk tuks but make him put meters in them. 10 baaht a kilometer sounds fair.
Create an account or sign in to comment