Phuket Taxis Agree To Standard Fares

[noob7]

That's my whole point! Shuttle bus to Patong seems like a gap in the market opportunity and my other point was it's not exactly a rip off either the cost of a cab fair as it is if it's less than 1000 baht from airport-patong it's still not exactly a rip off! You'd get 5km out of sydney airport for the same amount! As for the Thais they're tourists like anyone else.

You probably don't know, what happened to the busdriver of the 'westcoast link', some years ago?

It was the second day (or so), some cars blocked the road, stopped the bus, and the driver got beaten up. He refused, to drive again, the company, starting this link, stepped quickly away from this 'gap in the 'market opportunity'.

And the BiB's didn't catch anyone. (If I remember right, it's a while...)

[ThaiSold]

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

And the minimum wages, in Norway, is 57 NOK (~300Baht), a day? That would really make it expensive.

Come on, a 'Taxi' from Patong to the Airport cost 2.66 days of work, for a normal Thai

A 'Can', from Patong to Kata cost 1.66 days working, for a normal Thai

That IS expensive, for this country. Also, the capitol has cheaper taxi fares, as this province!

Tell me one Thai you know that makes 300 baht a day and goes on a holiday to Phuket! 555 If you wanted to go 60km out of Chiang Mai airport it would cost you more than 800 baht more expensive than Phuket!!

[KarenBravo]

That's my whole point! Shuttle bus to Patong seems like a gap in the market opportunity and my other point was it's not exactly a rip off either the cost of a cab fair as it is if it's less than 1000 baht from airport-patong it's still not exactly a rip off! You'd get 5km out of sydney airport for the same amount! As for the Thais they're tourists like anyone else.

You probably don't know, what happened to the busdriver of the 'westcoast link', some years ago?

It was the second day (or so), some cars blocked the road, stopped the bus, and the driver got beaten up. He refused, to drive again, the company, starting this link, stepped quickly away from this 'gap in the 'market opportunity'.

And the BiB's didn't catch anyone. (If I remember right, it's a while...)

Oy! It wasn't me that said that. Quote the correct poster please.

[cekipa]

And what makes Phuket so different that it justifies those horrendous fairs in the first place?

Ooooooooo.........I know the answer to that one.

Apparently, it's because Phuket has these things called "hills" and the tuk-tuk drivers claim that they use more gas than everywhere else in Thailand (seriously).

... but then, going downhill, they engage the engine at minimum getting therefore the issue balanced....

[GeorgeO]

Interesting that they want 1,000 Baht from Rawai to the airport. I just called the meter taxi and got the same ride yesterday for 500 Baht. I don't know how much business they'll get at those prices, but they won't be getting any of mine. I thought the idea behind this push to register taxis was to stop the rip off, instead they legitimize it. Put meters in the taxis and tuk tuk and quite playing these games!

Spot on. How can you expect to get a fair price when those with a duty to govern it cave into the demands of the taxi companies. I last went to Phuket five years ago, and I now feel so much better, and less threatened, for it....!

[Soupdragon]

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

And the minimum wages, in Norway, is 57 NOK (~300Baht), a day? That would really make it expensive.

Come on, a 'Taxi' from Patong to the Airport cost 2.66 days of work, for a normal Thai

A 'Can', from Patong to Kata cost 1.66 days working, for a normal Thai

That IS expensive, for this country. Also, the capitol has cheaper taxi fares, as this province!

Phuket is a tourist place. Tourists use the taxis, hence the price is market price. You can't compare it to BKK

Market suggests fair competition. No such thing on Phuket.

[NomadJoe]

From Patong to the airport 800 Bt, from the airport to Patong 650 Bt?? Am I missing something?

One reason for that. The taxi mafia along in the beach towns is very well organized. The government is not able to regulate them.

This is why this trip in a Bangkok metered taxi for this distance (35km) would be 190B (35B for first 3km and 5B for each additional km, add 100B inbound for "airport tax."

[NomadJoe]

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

And the minimum wages, in Norway, is 57 NOK (~300Baht), a day? That would really make it expensive.

Come on, a 'Taxi' from Patong to the Airport cost 2.66 days of work, for a normal Thai

A 'Can', from Patong to Kata cost 1.66 days working, for a normal Thai

That IS expensive, for this country. Also, the capitol has cheaper taxi fares, as this province!

Tell me one Thai you know that makes 300 baht a day and goes on a holiday to Phuket! 555 If you wanted to go 60km out of Chiang Mai airport it would cost you more than 800 baht more expensive than Phuket!!

Errmm...Thai's can't come to Phuket any more..to expensive largely to the artificially inflated cost of transport. Kinda the point of most of the posts on this thread.

And 60km is almost twice the distance from Patong to the airport, so thanks for pointing out that a Chaing Mai taxi, which by your own estimation is already "expensive", gets you nearly twice as far as a Phuket one would for the same money.

Phuket is the only place in Thailand where the taxi/tuktuk system is priced entirely for the tourists.

Edited September 14, 2012 by NomadJoe

[NamKangMan]

How about standard fairs LIKE IN THE REST OF THAILAND, which is by meter?!?!

And what makes Phuket so different that it justifies those horrendous fairs in the first place?

Is Phuket in Thailand???? I thought it was its own country. It may as well be.

Edited September 14, 2012 by NamKangMan

[sandgroper2]

If 800baht is such a problem, then you can't afford to go to phukete. To leave the airport grounds in Perth,Australia,after midnight costs over 1000baht. Thailand is still dirt cheap,unless you are a cheap Charlie. Stop and smell the roses.

[masterbiker49]

Got to be the highest priced taxi's in the world.

Thank god I do not have to have anything to do with these scum.

I just pity the poor tourist's having to put up with this total and utter crap.

Now highway robbery has been legitamized in Phuket.

+1. Interesting Airport to Patong 650,Patong to Airport 800.Can't even get it right for the rip off,I tell everyone to keep clear of Phuket,rip off capital of Asia if not The world.Sunami did not sink Phuket but Mafia & Crime there will,roll on Upgrade of Pattaya,if they do what is in the pipeline it will P*?$ all over Phuket.

[LivinginKata]

If 800baht is such a problem, then you can't afford to go to phukete. To leave the airport grounds in Perth,Australia,after midnight costs over 1000baht. Thailand is still dirt cheap,unless you are a cheap Charlie. Stop and smell the roses.

Depends on your point of view, ie are you a once year tourist or travelling here on a regular basis and know the true cost of living here in Phuket. Annoys me to hear people saying the cost of a taxi in London, Perth, wherever is much more. Yes it is cos the cost of living there is much more. Look at the prices in other parts of Thailand, that's the true comparison.

[NamKangMan]

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

And the minimum wages, in Norway, is 57 NOK (~300Baht), a day? That would really make it expensive.

Come on, a 'Taxi' from Patong to the Airport cost 2.66 days of work, for a normal Thai

A 'Can', from Patong to Kata cost 1.66 days working, for a normal Thai

That IS expensive, for this country. Also, the capitol has cheaper taxi fares, as this province!

Phuket is a tourist place. Tourists use the taxis, hence the price is market price. You can't compare it to BKK

No. It's not a "market price."

They have colluded to set a high "standard fare."

There are no free market forces acting on the transport industry on Phuket.

[NamKangMan]

If 800baht is such a problem, then you can't afford to go to phukete. To leave the airport grounds in Perth,Australia,after midnight costs over 1000baht. Thailand is still dirt cheap,unless you are a cheap Charlie. Stop and smell the roses.

It's 800 baht from the airport to your accommodation, then a lot more, over the time of your holiday, just to go to markets, the beach, the nightlife, exploring the island etc. In many cases, during low season, people pay more for their transport than they do for their accommodation over the duration of their holiday.

Unfortunately, most don't find out about the ridiculous cost of transport on Phuket until they are actually here. It's the "hidden cost" to having a holiday on Phuket.

Then, they spot "Motorbike Rent - 200 baht a day" - so, they jump on and many end up dead or badly injured.

Of course, the whole time we have foreigners arguing with tuk-tuk drivers that it can't be 400 baht to go 1.5 km home at night because their room per night is 500 baht.

Have said it before, and will say it again. Nothing good has been implemented for tourists, and the tourism industry on Phuket, for a long time. It's just getting worse as Phuket outprices itself compared to other destinations in Thailand, and neighbouring countries.

Edited September 14, 2012 by NamKangMan

[skorchio]

So the cheapest fare out of Patong is 350 THB. That just over seven pounds, and over ten dollars. Well done to the vice governor, you know when the attitude of the local politicians is to rip off the visitors, then it is open season for everyone

[sandgroper2]

If 800baht is such a problem, then you can't afford to go to phukete. To leave the airport grounds in Perth,Australia,after midnight costs over 1000baht. Thailand is still dirt cheap,unless you are a cheap Charlie. Stop and smell the roses.

Depends on your point of view, ie are you a once year tourist or travelling here on a regular basis and know the true cost of living here in Phuket. Annoys me to hear people saying the cost of a taxi in London, Perth, wherever is much more. Yes it is cos the cost of living there is much more. Look at the prices in other parts of Thailand, that's the true comparison.

I lived in phang nga for18 months , went to phukete every week or so, been living pattaya for 7 years.aveagoodweekend.

[skorchio]

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

And the minimum wages, in Norway, is 57 NOK (~300Baht), a day? That would really make it expensive.

Come on, a 'Taxi' from Patong to the Airport cost 2.66 days of work, for a normal Thai

A 'Can', from Patong to Kata cost 1.66 days working, for a normal Thai

That IS expensive, for this country. Also, the capitol has cheaper taxi fares, as this province!

Phuket is a tourist place. Tourists use the taxis, hence the price is market price. You can't compare it to BKK

Why can't it be compared to BKK? I see absolutely no reason whatsoever. There are Thai nationals living in both and there are tourists in both. I see both locations as very comparable, what are you talking about?

[Shot]

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

And the minimum wages, in Norway, is 57 NOK (~300Baht), a day? That would really make it expensive.

Come on, a 'Taxi' from Patong to the Airport cost 2.66 days of work, for a normal Thai

A 'Can', from Patong to Kata cost 1.66 days working, for a normal Thai

That IS expensive, for this country. Also, the capitol has cheaper taxi fares, as this province!

Tell me one Thai you know that makes 300 baht a day and goes on a holiday to Phuket! 555 If you wanted to go 60km out of Chiang Mai airport it would cost you more than 800 baht more expensive than Phuket!!

HEY.....I'm the nonsensical member. Keep off my turf.

[sandgroper2]

If 800baht is such a problem, then you can't afford to go to phukete. To leave the airport grounds in Perth,Australia,after midnight costs over 1000baht. Thailand is still dirt cheap,unless you are a cheap Charlie. Stop and smell the roses.

It's 800 baht from the airport to your accommodation, then a lot more, over the time of your holiday, just to go to markets, the beach, the nightlife, exploring the island etc. In many cases, during low season, people pay more for their transport than they do for their accommodation over the duration of their holiday.

Unfortunately, most don't find out about the ridiculous cost of transport on Phuket until they are actually here. It's the "hidden cost" to having a holiday on Phuket.

Then, they spot "Motorbike Rent - 200 baht a day" - so, they jump on and many end up dead or badly injured.

Of course, the whole time we have foreigners arguing with tuk-tuk drivers that it can't be 400 baht to go 1.5 km home at night because their room per night is 500 baht.

Have said it before, and will say it again. Nothing good has been implemented for tourists, and the tourism industry on Phuket, for a long time. It's just getting worse as Phuket outprices itself compared to other destinations in Thailand, and neighbouring countries.

just got back from2 weeks in Bali, nice hotel,not too flash,160 aus dollars a night. Thailand is dirt cheap. Except for taxis compared to Bali, hired one for 3 hours, 20 dollars.

[BabyJebus]

Got to be the highest priced taxi's in the world.

Thank god I do not have to have anything to do with these scum.

I just pity the poor tourist's having to put up with this total and utter crap.

Now highway robbery has been legitamized in Phuket.

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

But mcdonalds pays over 600b an hour in norway when in thailand it pays 30b

[LivinginKata]

just got back from2 weeks in Bali, nice hotel,not too flash,160 aus dollars a night. Thailand is dirt cheap. Except for taxis compared to Bali, hired one for 3 hours, 20 dollars.

Agreed, taxis are much cheaper in Bali. Gas/petrol cheaper, we hired a jeep for equivalent of 300 baht/day. Food/Hotels much the same as Phuket.

[rbrooks]

I get it now. They have just made the ripoff legal and official across the board by the local authorities. Now that is amazing and actually quite smart. I wonder if that is Farang price or do locals have to pay the same fee?

[RamblingSam]

If as you all say, the taxi fares are so high, why are some of you still living or going there, instead of somewhere else in Thailand? Surely, if someone from each Falang country, contacted all their major travel agencies, advertising the name and number of decent-priced Taxis, and also pointing out what IS a reasonable Bt per Km rate, these taxis would very soon realise they have to moderate their fares.

I also would have thought it would not be very difficult/expensive to 'buy' some advertising space on ThaiVisa, local newspapers websites etc, listing the phone numbers of taxis that deliver good service at XXX Bt per Km? Just moaning about the situation, without DOING something about it, just means that the Taxi Mafia will carry on the same as usual. Admittedly I don't live in Thailand, but I certainly do visit, but being disabled, I rent a car rather than rely on on Taxis etc.

[LivinginKata]

If as you all say, the taxi fares are so high, why are some of you still living or going there, instead of somewhere else in Thailand?

Because we folks living here or frequent visitors have our our cars or bikes and would never think of taking a taxi/tuktuk. Unfortunately that can lead to drinking and driving but that is another topic.

[tropo]

From Patong to the airport 800 Bt, from the airport to Patong 650 Bt?? Am I missing something?

Not much difference.

Airport to Pattaya 1,500

Pattaya to Airport - start at 800 baht.

How about standard fairs LIKE IN THE REST OF THAILAND, which is by meter?!?!

And what makes Phuket so different that it justifies those horrendous fairs in the first place?

We don't have metered fares in Pattaya. They are all negotiated.

Edited September 14, 2012 by tropo

[Mrjlh]

They had better state this the "total fare" not per person!! Also it appears the taxi drivers do not want to put "meters" in their cars. That would solve 90% of the problem. There are several ways to get to each city from the airport and visa versa. Some shorter, some longer and fixed fares solves that issue. But these fares are excessively high and will hurt business. I can almost fly from Bangkok to Phuket on some discount fares for the price they charge to some places.

[starkey_rich]

Got to be the highest priced taxi's in the world.

Thank god I do not have to have anything to do with these scum.

I just pity the poor tourist's having to put up with this total and utter crap.

Now highway robbery has been legitamized in Phuket.

LOL, what countries have you been in? A 25km ride in Norway would cost you probably 8,000 baht. There was a story about a family of 6 people, taking a metered taxi to downtown Oslo in the worst possible time (red-letter-day and nighttime), which set them back about 30,000 Baht.. Talk about expensive..

Well I have been around the world twice so quite a few countries.

As already said it's all relative to the wages paid here.There are an estimated million people living here now so it's not all about cashed up tourists throwing money about.What about the poor locals who can not afford a bike .What do they do? Save a months wages to go into Phuket town by taxi.

A totally disgusting show of greed in my eyes.

[moskito]

Phuket doesnt need more Taxis or new prices for the old ones... WE NEED A PROPER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ... Busses wich drive every 5-10 minutes the beach roads from Rawai to Kata-Karon-Patong-Kamals etc .... Taxes for new private cars, specially the luxury ones should be much much more expensive .- The ppl who can afford do drive a PORSCHE Cayenne or Mercedes or BMW or Fortuners should be taxed 1000 Percent higher... Phuket is rediculous when it comes to traffic, its like Bkk already...and everybody is racing...WHY?? we are a HOLIDAY destination thought...

[Soi Sauce]

Pattaya Swampi- 800.

Please explain why this legitimised theft in phuket is even given net-space

Ah, I forget who controls this country, what ethics he has, and how he used to give stadium speeches and free taxis to thugs.

[BOBBYTIN]

If 800baht is such a problem, then you can't afford to go to phukete. To leave the airport grounds in Perth,Australia,after midnight costs over 1000baht. Thailand is still dirt cheap,unless you are a cheap Charlie. Stop and smell the roses.

Depends on your point of view, ie are you a once year tourist or travelling here on a regular basis and know the true cost of living here in Phuket. Annoys me to hear people saying the cost of a taxi in London, Perth, wherever is much more. Yes it is cos the cost of living there is much more. Look at the prices in other parts of Thailand, that's the true comparison.

wow is diesel 30b a liter in oz too,and is the driver not road legal too,and is he insured.