The fact that they will postpone the launch in order to "confer" with these thugs says it all. They shouldn't confer, but rather read them the Riot Act. Armed security on board and escort vehicles will be necessary, but Thailand has a good deal of expertise in this regard.

It's time to drive these cockroaches back down the drain they crawled out of.

They are the absolute bane of the entire tourism industry. In what other tourist destination in the world is a hotel room cheaper than a 30-minute taxi ride?

Kata-Karon is the worst. Let's not forget that it wasn't long ago these vermin blocked the beach road right in front of the new Karon Police Station to protest (legal) competition. End result? The police did absolutely nothing and provincial hall caved in to their demands.

I often hear that politicians and police run the scamming taxi service.

True?

This is no surprise. What does surprise me is that buses have been bought/acquired already.

Think a little more deeply.

Why does the Thai government allow the mafia to control Phuket!

Include the police and you are talking about a single group perhaps!

so in other words they are gonna "compensate the tuk tuk and taxi drivers for their losses ?

its time that the taxis and tuk tuks came target for practice like that , hell threatening in public with attacks should be reason for the gov to arrest every single one of those pathetic child minded criminals

TAT ADVERTISEMENT

Come to Phuket. We have armed guards on the busses to counter any attacks from the taxi mafia so you get from the airport to the beach safely.

Enjoy your stay in the land of smiles.

For me, the only thing surprising about this is that it got as far as it did. I would've guessed that the tuk-tuk/taxi guys would have crushed it long before this point.

No, because someone made a lot of money selling the buses to the city. We know and they know, the bus service will not happen.

Embassies should take note of the situation and put out warnings to their citizens about the escalating dangers of taking a holiday in Thailand.

The thugs have taken over.

Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma are poised to take the tourist windfall away from Thailand.

Good.

Maybe they can convert the busses into hot dog stands, or is there a hot dog mafia in Phuket?

If not, there soon would be!

A very good demonstration of why, despite years of good economic growth, Thailand is still very far from joining the first world; the rule of law is given only cursory acknowledgement here.

I always enjoyed a good far-west action

Tombstone with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer was up to now my preference.

But I have to wait and see if this one gets even better...

Margaret Thatcher said ''don't negotiate with terrorists'', of course Asia doesn't have leaders of the same calibre!

"Instead, the committee supported the suggestion by its chairman, Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, that local tuk-tuk and taxi
drivers be consulted first before approving any official steps toward launching the new service.
“I am worried that there will be attacks [on the bus drivers],” V/Gov Chamroen explained to the meeting.
“I am especially worried about the tuk-tuk and taxi drivers in Kata-Karon,” he added."

Welcome to Zululand

Once you start to back down to the likes of the mob, you might as well resign your position, and get a man in to do the job. Or let some Tuk Tuk driver govern the country. Come to think of it, that might be a good idea.

Bring in Army to control the Mafia? Hell the Mafia is the Army or someone at the top pulls the strings!

WOW.

Here is an interesting site detailing the numerous incidents of TukTuk assaults / gang beatings, intimidation, blockades, thuggery, robbery, fraud and general crime by the islands transport company.

http://phukettuktuks.com/

I will personally mail this link to the US Embassy Citizens Services and ask they put Phuket on the NO GO list.

Why does the Thai government allow the mafia to control Phuket!

To answer your question: the Thai government IS the mafia.. along with the provincial governor of Phuket !!

So we now know who really runs Phuket, Tuk tuk and taxi drivers!

I just can't see the politicians ( and their sons that run the "tuk tuk associations") wanting to give up their 6 million a month in "association fees" to provide better service to the public and local working Thais. That takes food off their table!

So we now know who really runs Phuket, Tuk tuk and taxi drivers!

That's like saying that a private in the army runs the battalion. Control is based a lot further up the food chain. The fact that nothing is done to control the biggest source of complaints from tourists is an indication just how far up the food chain that control is based.

When will these idiotic morons realise that although they might be creaming the tourist baht in at the moment in Phuket - with the advent of internet and smart phones - the stories like this are worldwide in minutes.

It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow - but sure as sure can be - they are shooting themselves in the foot, biting the hand that feeds and one day - there won't be any 'gullible tourists' for their taxis, tuk tuk's and even airport buses.

Treat people fairly and with respect and they will return again and again

Continue with the beatings, murders and protests like this - then see how long it takes to wipe the smug smile off their faces.

I believe that a relative of the Phuket Governor has something to do with the (dark side of) taxis and tuk tuks - isn't it bloody amazing that the governor 'representative' delayed the start of the bus service and suggested a 'consultation' with the taxi drivers first.?

Phuket - you are becoming the laughing stock, squabling like kids over lollipops - the day is coming when you won't have any more lollipops - and its all your fault !

The RTP/Mafia control what goes on some puyai RTP will loes money if thay have a bus service.

Why does the Thai government allow the mafia to control Phuket!

Because they are paid off very well. It isn't the Govt, its the people running it.

Are those buses in the picture the repainted buses that were used in Pattaya but disapeared as fast as they were introduced.

Pattaya has a regular bus service to the airport and back -either from Pattaya Nua station or from Jomtien. I would use it even more if there would be decent parking at the station....

I agree, waste off effort. Can you imagine those busses stopping every 20 meteres down Patong beach ? Or anywhere in Phuket for that matter. They are too big. The only way to solve the traffic issue is the Pattaya style songthaews ! (But it won't happen)..

seems that you haven't been to Pattaya recently......

If mob rule and protests are the only thing that gets local officials to act, then ordinary Thais need to grow a pair and hold a pro-bus protest.

If kissing the posteriors of the tuk tuk taxi mafia (must be one family behind all this) is not going to change, why not keep the peace and elevate some of the most influential drivers to man the buses?

The only solution is to be realistic.

Phuket should be made a self governing special administrative region, and the power should be formally transferred to the tuktuk- and taxi drivers.

End of story.

In the somewhat longer run, renaming the island into Koh Tuk Tuk would also be appropriate.

No problem from my end. The effin taxi mafia in both Phuket and Pattaya will NEVER see any of my tourist Dollars (Baht).

I think you'll find that comparing Phuket and Pattaya is like "chalk and cheese".

The "hop on-hop off" Baht bus system in Pattaya allows one to travel almost the entire circuit for 10 Baht per person. Go from Jomtien to Naklua (think Kata to Kamala) for 20 Baht per person. Even chartering a Baht bus and going to the main bus terminal at 6AM only cost 150 Baht for 2 people.

I think if you compare this to Phuket, you may find rather a difference!

No problem from my end. The effin taxi mafia in both Phuket and Pattaya will NEVER see any of my tourist Dollars (Baht).

I think you'll find that comparing Phuket and Pattaya is like "chalk and cheese".

The "hop on-hop off" Baht bus system in Pattaya allows one to travel almost the entire circuit for 10 Baht per person. Go from Jomtien to Naklua (think Kata to Kamala) for 20 Baht per person. Even chartering a Baht bus and going to the main bus terminal at 6AM only cost 150 Baht for 2 people.

I think if you compare this to Phuket, you may find rather a difference!

And the reason why people like Pattaya - is because they don't cheat people. Nowhere is perfect, but having lived in both Pattaya and Phuket for a number of years - I can't think of one example where i was cheated or made to pay extortionate prices in Pattaya. I never saw or heard of songthaew drivers in Pattaya threaten to disrupt the regular bus services, and when air-conditioned taxis were introduced, they slotted into the big wheel of things and everyone gets along - each serving a purpose. People might complain about many things in Pattaya - but nobody can complain about the Transport options. Are you listening Phuket ??

This has happened many times around the World. The taxi's always lose.