Phuket taxis and beach businesses ‘must be brought into line’

[Lite Beer]

Phuket taxis and beach businesses ‘must be brought into line’
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: Warning that Phuket “is now the place tourists are unlikely to visit for the second time,” Vice-Governor Jamroen Thipayapongthada said on Wednesday that “tuk-tuks, taxis, motorcycles and businesses along the beach must be brought into line”.

He was speaking at a meeting in Provincial Hall after a recent visit by a Senate committee – whose members examined beaches along the west coast of the island and concluded that they were unattractive and disorganised – and visits by 20 diplomats (the 17 EU ambassadors, their counterparts from the US and China, and the deputy chief of mission from the Australian embassy) who all once again urged authorities to increase security for visitors.

“Tuk-tuks and taxis cannot act like mafia,” V/Gov Jamroen said. “They can’t just set up a rank in front of a hotel. They must not be allowed to threaten or smash up limousine counters. For this I have to ask for the help of the police.”

He suggested cooperation as the solution: “Tuk-tuks and taxis might make an agreement with the hotel, or the hotel might issue a taxi group with shirts to indicate to tourists that if they go with this group, they’ll be safe. There has to be in a middle way.”

At yesterday’s meeting it was stressed that organisation must be undertaken by the elected local body, overseen by the district chief and backed up by relevant provincial government bodies.

“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy.

“We have to start now,” V/Gov Jamroen said. “Otherwise, when it comes to high season, it will be difficult to solve the problem.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-taxis-and-beach-businesses-%E0%B9%82%E2%82%AC%C2%98must-be-brought-into-line%E0%B9%82%E2%82%AC%C2%99-40334.php

-- Phuket News 2013-06-21

[hansgruber]

Yawn. Actions speak louder than words.

Just do it.

[LivinginKata]

Double Yawn ... just lip service.

[eezergood]

I shall translate -

I am not taking responsibility, I will pass the buck! I shall also hint a co-op style scheme whereby ridiculous pricing will set in stone by the Son of the Mayor of Patong, to ensure free markets will never blight the Phuket sky! We shall ignore the protests of tourists, foerign ambassadors & residents alike and will ensure we placate the mafia masses to ensure a long and glorious dynasty.

[steelepulse]

>>At yesterday’s meeting it was stressed that organisation must be undertaken by the elected local body, overseen by the district chief and backed up by relevant provincial government bodies.

Aren't these the same guys getting monthly envelopes from said law breakers? Conflict of interest...................?

[stevenl]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

[KarenBravo]

"He suggested cooperation as the solution: “Tuk-tuks and taxis might make an agreement with the hotel, or the hotel might issue a taxi group with shirts to indicate to tourists that if they go with this group, they’ll be safe. There has to be in a middle way.”

In other words, roll-over to the existing conditions by putting lipstick on a pig.

[LivinginKata]

Double Yawn ... just lip service.

I just wonder if the penny is finally beginning to drop, as in the 'income' to those in administrative power is beginning to falter. i.e. the goose is no longer laying so many of those golden eggs. Must happen some day - I know most of the shop keepers are really feeling the pinch, and small businesses too. For sure the taxi drivers are struggling to find fares (boo hoo - too bad). This means that the usual 'protection money' cannot be paid. Just a thought ...

[Payboy]

Don't think the vice governor is going to last long in his job if he follows through on this.

[Wavefloater]

I shall translate -

I am not taking responsibility, I will pass the buck! I shall also hint a co-op style scheme whereby ridiculous pricing will set in stone by the Son of the Mayor of Patong, to ensure free markets will never blight the Phuket sky! We shall ignore the protests of tourists, foerign ambassadors & residents alike and will ensure we placate the mafia masses to ensure a long and glorious dynasty.

Good job of summing this up.

Once again, it's a lot of useless lip service and the main message seems to be that the provincial government administrators want the businesses to find a way to sort this out themselves. It's ridiculous!! A greedy Mafia monster exists and it's not going to run a sword through its own heart, regardless of what happens. Everything will continue as is until some day the people just stop coming. I can see the scenario as it plays out -- tourism drops in half, so prices double to make up for that. It drops further and prices increase again. (We must remember that somehow the basic rule of supply and demand does not exist in Thailand, even though it is the most fundamental business principle in the rest of the world.) Even after things have gotten so bad that nobody can make a living anymore because potential tourists have now caught on to the fact that prices are so high that fair value for one's money is impossible, nothing changes.

[NamKangMan]

I shall translate -

I am not taking responsibility, I will pass the buck! I shall also hint a co-op style scheme whereby ridiculous pricing will set in stone by the Son of the Mayor of Patong, to ensure free markets will never blight the Phuket sky! We shall ignore the protests of tourists, foerign ambassadors & residents alike and will ensure we placate the mafia masses to ensure a long and glorious dynasty.

"we shall ignore the protests of tourists" - one thing they can't ignore, and are probably starting to take notice of, is the shinking baht in the Phuket economy.

It's obviously starting to hit them in the wallet and monthly envelopes.

"The Golden Goose" prediction is starting to come true.

Edited June 21, 2013 by NamKangMan

[NamKangMan]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

Only Bangkok can clean this island up now.

[hansgruber]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

 

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

 

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

Only Bangkok can clean this island up now.

The army would be better.

[NamKangMan]

Double Yawn ... just lip service.

I just wonder if the penny is finally beginning to drop, as in the 'income' to those in administrative power is beginning to falter. i.e. the goose is no longer laying so many of those golden eggs. Must happen some day - I know most of the shop keepers are really feeling the pinch, and small businesses too. For sure the taxi drivers are struggling to find fares (boo hoo - too bad). This means that the usual 'protection money' cannot be paid. Just a thought ...

I agree LIK.

For every bar, restaurant, guest house etc that closes, that's less rent earnt, less Thai's employed and less tea money, within the Phuket economy.

They know a large issue causing the loss of tourists to the island is the ridiculous transport costs, and the many scams that tourists fall victim to.

The "influential people" must be starting to lose money. As Phuket continued down the path it has been, that day was always going to come. Well, I think it's here now.

There will be no more "high season" on Phuket.

[NamKangMan]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

Only Bangkok can clean this island up now.

The army would be better.

Of course. That's what I meant. Bangkok would have to order the army onto the island, and then I can see a whole "red shirt - yellow shirt" issue.

It's a mess.

[Payboy]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

Only Bangkok can clean this island up now.

The army would be better.

Khmer or Burmese, if you want the job done properly.

[pistachios]

Another official saying to the press "we must do that" "something should be done about this". It's happening every other day now. For years it was only about once a month.

I have a suggestion about those governors, MP, and whatnot : Instead of proudly saying to the press what should be done, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

[KarenBravo]

The only way things are going to change is when ordinary Thais come out onto the streets to protest against the transport mafia and inaction by the authorities.

As long as ordinary Thais sit back and do nothing, their loss of income is deserved.

[harrry]

Do not think we need the army. The US Navy on a port visit could do a good quick job on the taxis if they had their hands untied.

Edited June 21, 2013 by harrry

[stevenl]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

Only Bangkok can clean this island up now.

So you're agreeing with me for once

[starkey_rich]

I shall translate -

I am not taking responsibility, I will pass the buck! I shall also hint a co-op style scheme whereby ridiculous pricing will set in stone by the Son of the Mayor of Patong, to ensure free markets will never blight the Phuket sky! We shall ignore the protests of tourists, foerign ambassadors & residents alike and will ensure we placate the mafia masses to ensure a long and glorious dynasty.

Good job of summing this up.

Once again, it's a lot of useless lip service and the main message seems to be that the provincial government administrators want the businesses to find a way to sort this out themselves. It's ridiculous!! A greedy Mafia monster exists and it's not going to run a sword through its own heart, regardless of what happens. Everything will continue as is until some day the people just stop coming. I can see the scenario as it plays out -- tourism drops in half, so prices double to make up for that. It drops further and prices increase again. (We must remember that somehow the basic rule of supply and demand does not exist in Thailand, even though it is the most fundamental business principle in the rest of the world.) Even after things have gotten so bad that nobody can make a living anymore because potential tourists have now caught on to the fact that prices are so high that fair value for one's money is impossible, nothing changes.

And you know who will get the blame for people not coming.

Farang who put bad things on "youtube" about Phuket.Like the young Russian guy.It's his fault.

Stupid Farang they don't know how Thailand work

[starkey_rich]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

Only Bangkok can clean this island up now.

The army would be better.

Khmer or Burmese, if you want the job done properly.

Send in the Gurkha's

[NamKangMan]

Well, at least somebody is saying something. I don't recall any official on Phuket speaking out as clearly as this on the subject.

IMO though he is wrong: "“This is a responsibility of local officials. We have to go on site. Each type of business must set up a group, appoint a group leader, set rules and lay down methods to prevent the beach from becoming untidy."

This is exactly why there are problems. Phuket government officials should be responsible, not local officials. And if that does not work, which it clearly has not over the years, the central government should take its responsibility.

Only Bangkok can clean this island up now.

So you're agreeing with me for once

I've agreed with you many times.

Seriously, only Bangkok can fix up the many, many issues plaguing Phuket now.

A minority of people here have gained too much power, to the detriment of the tourism industry here, and they need to be ousted and the place cleaned up.

I have seen what happens when the Bangkok Police "raid" Bangla Road. It's a joke.

They would need a Thai Army operation, as it really has got that bad, but, as mentioned, you are then looking at a "red shirt - yellow shirt" issue, which would be messy.

Edited June 21, 2013 by NamKangMan

[NomadJoe]

“This is a responsibility of local officials."

If that is the attitude then forget about anything ever changing.

[eezergood]

Sad but tooooooo true

[stevenl]

The only way things are going to change is when ordinary Thais come out onto the streets to protest against the transport mafia and inaction by the authorities.

As long as ordinary Thais sit back and do nothing, their loss of income is deserved.

That is not going to happen.

New houses, shophouses and hotels are being built all over the island. Existing shops not doing good are being sold, sometimes for reasonable money, quite often for crazy money.

This means that the Phuket population is still making money, why would they care about something like poor public transport, let alone a small part of that, the tuktuks. Not their problem, does not effect them, money keeps coming. And if it does effect them they move back home again.

And I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future.

[NamKangMan]

The only way things are going to change is when ordinary Thais come out onto the streets to protest against the transport mafia and inaction by the authorities.

As long as ordinary Thais sit back and do nothing, their loss of income is deserved.

That is not going to happen.

New houses, shophouses and hotels are being built all over the island. Existing shops not doing good are being sold, sometimes for reasonable money, quite often for crazy money.

This means that the Phuket population is still making money, why would they care about something like poor public transport, let alone a small part of that, the tuktuks. Not their problem, does not effect them, money keeps coming. And if it does effect them they move back home again.

And I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future.

I think the money is not coming in, the way it used to. So, with European tourists now detouring Phuket, and Thai's moving back home, or other tourist desinations for work, you can see how this will accelerate in the near future, as the local Phuket economy, basically, slides into recession.

A few years ago, many were ridiculed for saying, "they are killing the golden goose." Well, look at Phuket now. You have the Chinese and Russians holding up the tourist numbers, but not holding up the local economy. Shops, bars, guest houses and restaurant closures, everywhere.

Even expats like Big Bill, who has been here 22 years, are leaving.

The time has arrived for those in charge of Phuket, either legitimately, or otherwise, to ensure Phuket offers a better product and/or service, at a comparable price to the rest of Thailand, thus, giving tourists a pleasurable holiday, or Phuket will perish.

Many "spending" tourists have voted with their baht, and are no longer coming to Phuket, and it is now very noticeable.

[KarenBravo]

For once, I agree with you NKM.

When ordinary Thais with businesses realise that the reason the lucrative tourists aren't coming anymore is due to "vested interests", there is a small chance that they may protest. If they don't, then they deserve what they get.

This has started to happen already with hotels protesting about intimidation of their guests and drivers by the taxi mafia.

The assistant Phuket governor's answer? Get the hotels to give these thugs T-shirts identifying these drivers as approved by the hotel.

Nothing will happen in the future until it is far, far too late.

Edited June 21, 2013 by KarenBravo

[stevenl]

The only way things are going to change is when ordinary Thais come out onto the streets to protest against the transport mafia and inaction by the authorities.

As long as ordinary Thais sit back and do nothing, their loss of income is deserved.

That is not going to happen.

New houses, shophouses and hotels are being built all over the island. Existing shops not doing good are being sold, sometimes for reasonable money, quite often for crazy money.

This means that the Phuket population is still making money, why would they care about something like poor public transport, let alone a small part of that, the tuktuks. Not their problem, does not effect them, money keeps coming. And if it does effect them they move back home again.

And I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future.

I think the money is not coming in, the way it used to. So, with European tourists now detouring Phuket, and Thai's moving back home, or other tourist desinations for work, you can see how this will accelerate in the near future, as the local Phuket economy, basically, slides into recession.

A few years ago, many were ridiculed for saying, "they are killing the golden goose." Well, look at Phuket now. You have the Chinese and Russians holding up the tourist numbers, but not holding up the local economy. Shops, bars, guest houses and restaurant closures, everywhere.

Even expats like Big Bill, who has been here 22 years, are leaving.

The time has arrived for those in charge of Phuket, either legitimately, or otherwise, to ensure Phuket offers a better product and/or service, at a comparable price to the rest of Thailand, thus, giving tourists a pleasurable holiday, or Phuket will perish.

Many "spending" tourists have voted with their baht, and are no longer coming to Phuket, and it is now very noticeable.

I sincerely hope you're right.

[NamKangMan]

For once, I agree with you NKM.

When ordinary Thais with businesses realise that the reason the lucrative tourists aren't coming anymore is due to "vested interests", there is a small chance that they may protest. If they don't, then they deserve what they get.

This has started to happen already with hotels protesting about intimidation of their guests and drivers by the taxi mafia.

The assistant Phuket governor's answer? Get the hotels to give these thugs T-shirts identifying these drivers as approved by the hotel.

Nothing will happen in the future until it is far, far too late.

I agree KB.

Phuket will have to hit rock bottom, baically, the gutter, which will trigger a local economic recession, before change will be demanded.

The thing is, all the tourists Phuket has lost, will be very hard to lure back, especially once they have seen the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

I have stated before, Phuket is similar to the Nokia phone company. How do you have such a large market share, and lose it? It will be a case study for Thai university students one day.

Phuket will be another Costa del Sol, unless change is implemented, immediately.

I have asked this several times before, and have STILL yet to receive any answer, from anyone. "Name one good thing that has been implemented on Phuket, for the benefit of tourists, in recent years?"

It's the same BS here, year in, year out, and we are now starting to see the negative economic impact due to the way "influential people" have managed Phuket and the tourism industry here.