Phuket Airport 'Black Taxis' Given Ultimatum

[webfact]

Phuket Airport 'black taxis' given ultimatum

Phuket Gazette

An officer checks the license of a 'black plate' taxi driver at Phuket Airport. The drivers have been warned to get legal, or get fined. Photo: Warisa Temram

PHUKET: -- Phuket International Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham and Wantha Phummararossukontha, Assistant Director of Phuket Provincial Transport Office (PPTO), have warned illegal taxi drivers to obtain the correct license plate or face stiff fines.

Mr Wantha said action was being taken as many passengers had complained of overcharging by “black plate” taxi drivers, and the concerns he had received from legitimate taxi drivers at the airport.

“To protect passengers, we will be conducting checks for illegal taxis. For the first two weeks offenders will receive a warning,” he said.

“After two weeks, anyone operating a taxi without the correct license will be fined 2,000 baht,” he added.

Mr Prathuang added that the airport will put up signs to warn potential violators of the penalties they face if caught and inform the public about the steps they were taking to stamp out black taxi operations.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12578.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-03-14

[Soupdragon]

Phuket is a 'closed shop' when it comes to transport. The authorities would do better examining the operating practices of the cartels and their price fixing. Tourists don't care if the taxi is black, pink or polka dot, they do want a fair price.

[laurentbkk]

Those "black" taxi opperate also in Bangkok , nothing new here beside sometime the authority who want to clean up this mess but push them away by the door they will come by the window .... I have heard that story about blaxk taxi for the last 20 years and nothing has been done so far .... lets finger cross this time again .

[steelepulse]

A sign telling potential passengers that black plate taxis don't have proper insurance and are illegal would help. The signs in Thai telling black plate taxis about potential fines doesn't really help tourists at all,nor will it stop the practice as those that are issuing fines will either be bribed or threatened.

[fire and ice]

A sign telling potential passengers that black plate taxis don't have proper insurance and are illegal would help. The signs in Thai telling black plate taxis about potential fines doesn't really help tourists at all,nor will it stop the practice as those that are issuing fines will either be bribed or threatened.

What use is the insurance? Great, you get your leg cut off in an accident and the car is "insured". For your diligence of choosing and "insured" car you will get Thai compensation of around 15,000 baht - so what? Almost every tourist would have travel insurance that would cover it (properly) anyway.

[stevenl]

I don't think black plate taxi's at the airport are a big problem, I don't think there are many.

But any kind of sign won't help, unless aimed at Thais to scare them (but probably won't help anyway). The tourists that arrive are being 'sold' a taxi when they exit the terminal, and they have no idea about the car it is going to be.

[glassdude007]

Does this mean the belly scratchers snoozing watching TV in the Bamboo huts,

Hanging out front of the resorts all around the island are gonna get real jobs now???

Abandon thier roadside bungalows??

Hmmm I wonder?

[KarenBravo]

The way I read it, is that only black taxis at the airport will be affected. For every other black taxi on the island, it'll be business as usual.

[Tanaka]

2000B fine? Man what a terrible blow. Yeah that will teach them for sure. How about 100.000B? Every time. And how about setting fixed prices between the airport and specific destinations like Patong, Kata, downtown Phuket etc?

[stevenl]

2000B fine? Man what a terrible blow. Yeah that will teach them for sure. How about 100.000B? Every time. And how about setting fixed prices between the airport and specific destinations like Patong, Kata, downtown Phuket etc?

No, I would prefer meters.

[richard_smith237]

Metered Taxi's are the only acceptable solution. Until then authorities are simply turning a blind eye to the real issues at hand and proving how in reality the situation is either out of their control, or they don’t care.

[blackthorn2005]

2000B fine? Man what a terrible blow. Yeah that will teach them for sure. How about 100.000B? Every time. And how about setting fixed prices between the airport and specific destinations like Patong, Kata, downtown Phuket etc?

How about cracking down on the 'Meter' taxis at the airport who do not turn there meter on, unless you demand it?

Edited March 14, 2012 by blackthorn2005

[belg]

what is 2000 baht of fine, in the country without meters and a 20 km trip costs 1500 baht

[stevenl]

what is 2000 baht of fine, in the country without meters and a 20 km trip costs 1500 baht

You must be an extremely bad negotioator.

[BanglaMayor]

Metered Taxi's are the only acceptable solution. Until then authorities are simply turning a blind eye to the real issues at hand and proving how in reality the situation is either out of their control, or they don’t care.

Remember thatg many meter meats lay a rag over the meter and quote you! I wonder how much black spray pain Home Pro sold to to convert to non meter taxis.

[NamKangMan]

what is 2000 baht of fine, in the country without meters and a 20 km trip costs 1500 baht

You must be an extremely bad negotioator.

Bit hard to negotiate when it's late at night, raining, and every driver you speak to says. "1500 baht." (it's called collusion) That's when you get on the phone to your "Black Taxi" driver. :) :)

[stevenl]

what is 2000 baht of fine, in the country without meters and a 20 km trip costs 1500 baht

You must be an extremely bad negotioator.

Bit hard to negotiate when it's late at night, raining, and every driver you speak to says. "1500 baht." (it's called collusion) That's when you get on the phone to your "Black Taxi" driver.

BS. Except on NY eve these prices don't happen, not even on Phuket.

[Soupdragon]

BS. Except on NY eve these prices don't happen, not even on Phuket.

With all due respect unless you monitor every fare leaving the airport how can you say that. I assure you they do and more.

Edited March 16, 2012 by Soupdragon

[stevenl]

BS. Except on NY eve these prices don't happen, not even on Phuket.

With all due respect unless you monitor every fare leaving the airport how can you say that. I assure you they do and more.

Sorry, especially not at the airport. Big signs there 'Patong 150 Baht' (shared minibus), many people touting the airport limousines with big signs as well for 650 Baht. So people paying 1500 Baht for a 20 K ride from the airport, does not happen. 1500 Baht would be the price for a taxi to Khao Lak, can be cheaper but 1500 baht would be about the standard fare, but that is way over 20 K.

[NamKangMan]

what is 2000 baht of fine, in the country without meters and a 20 km trip costs 1500 baht

You must be an extremely bad negotioator.

Bit hard to negotiate when it's late at night, raining, and every driver you speak to says. "1500 baht." (it's called collusion) That's when you get on the phone to your "Black Taxi" driver.

BS. Except on NY eve these prices don't happen, not even on Phuket.

Not hard to tell you haven't caught an airport taxi for a while.

Upon returning from a recent visa run, I asked, just out of interest, "How much Patong?" He replied, "1300 baht." I then just went and got into a metered taxi.

In any case, what about the first time to Thailand tourist. They have no idea about the transport debarcle here. They all end up paying the 1300 baht, or more. Then, they meet an expat who tells them they were ripped. Definately not happy tourists. First impressions are lasting.

[Soupdragon]

BS. Except on NY eve these prices don't happen, not even on Phuket.

With all due respect unless you monitor every fare leaving the airport how can you say that. I assure you they do and more.

Sorry, especially not at the airport. Big signs there 'Patong 150 Baht' (shared minibus), many people touting the airport limousines with big signs as well for 650 Baht. So people paying 1500 Baht for a 20 K ride from the airport, does not happen. 1500 Baht would be the price for a taxi to Khao Lak, can be cheaper but 1500 baht would be about the standard fare, but that is way over 20 K.

So the tourist I spoke to recently didn't really pay 1600 Baht from the airport to Kamala then. They will charge you whatever they can get away with.

[LivinginKata]

1,600 baht from airport to Kamala is a real rip off. But maybe a hotel organised taxi might cost that much.

[stevenl]

I speak to lots of tourists and am at the airport very often, at least once a week. Big signs with prices everywhere, and many people touting limousines. So yes, anybody who pays 1300 Baht or something like that is really not looking at any of the signs and simply agrees to the first price mentioned. And those ridiculous prices will only come up after they have passed the airport limousine stand inside.

[Jimi007]

Not hard to tell you haven't caught an airport taxi for a while. Upon returning from a recent visa run, I asked, just out of interest, "How much Patong?" He replied, "1300 baht." I then just went and got into a metered taxi. In any case, what about the first time to Thailand tourist. They have no idea about the transport debarcle here. They all end up paying the 1300 baht, or more. Then, they meet an expat who tells them they were ripped. Definately not happy tourists. First impressions are lasting.

I took a taxi from the airport in late July. I was headed to the meter taxi stand and was approached by an airport "limo" driver offering me a ride to Rawai for 600 Baht. I said 500, he said no. Then the meter taxi said 600 and I told them in Thai I know the price is 500 Baht, they said okay. So, I guess some people who don't know can be suckered into a high price.

[GiantFan]

Just back from the HK Rugby 7's. On the way out, still a lot of black plates in the parking lot. Back last night. At least 20 touts asked if I wanted a taxi. Nothing seems to have changed.

On a slightly different issue, After collecting my bags and walking out to my car, I had an uneasy feeling. Once you are out in the parking lot, no security, bad lighting, etc... It wouild be nice to improve the lighting and have a few police walking the beat.

[geriatrickid]

what is 2000 baht of fine, in the country without meters and a 20 km trip costs 1500 baht

You must be an extremely bad negotioator.

Bit hard to negotiate when it's late at night, raining, and every driver you speak to says. "1500 baht." (it's called collusion) That's when you get on the phone to your "Black Taxi" driver.

BS. Except on NY eve these prices don't happen, not even on Phuket.

Depends where you are going. For my past 4 airport taxi rides, taxis refused meter and dispatcher at airport insisted on 500 baht to Patong. Aot is 600 baht. I'd rather take my chances with the taxi prick then have the bait and switch of paying for a car and then being out in a van with a stop at a gem store. (honest). I was furious, but short of getting out, what could I do on a rainy late night?

[cloudhopper]

what is 2000 baht of fine, in the country without meters and a 20 km trip costs 1500 baht

You must be an extremely bad negotioator.

You must work in the 'hospitality' industry here.

[steelepulse]

Back on topic, didn't I just read yesterday that nothing is happening as it is up to the AOT to enforce said measures, and the AOT hasn't given the good ahead to crack down on the black taxis. Surprise, surprise...................

[simon43]

I went to collect some hotel customers late last night (2am) from the airport. Some arriving passengers were being quoted 1,500 baht at the limousine taxi stand for a trip to Surin Beach. (That's maybe 20km).

Some of these new idiot black taxi guys even thrust their taxi signs in my face as I walked out of the terminal building and hassled me to take a taxi. In humourous response I thrust my customer name sign in his face and started to escort him to my hotel car. (The other taxi drivers who know me were p*ssing themselves)

Simon