As I was driving down Rawai Beach I see that a taxi rank is set up directly in front of the new family mart. I commented to Mrs SP about this and she then explained how these guys can set up just about wherever they want. In the case of Rawai, the ranks pay 10K/mo to the Tessaban and in return get to set up their taxi huts, put up some signage, and dominate the parking spots. The Tessaban bosses must be doing quite well I'd dare say. I never knew before how these guys get the license to do whatever they want, but now I know.

Do you think the 10k goes into the Tessiban till ? No licence is issued, money goes into some one's pocket, and the taxi guys have no problems.

Straight into pockets and a license to be a menace.

The noodle carts and Gai tord stands are the worst. They just park out the front and set up plastic stools complete with stinking rotten smells out the front of all 7-11s

Yeah...Now that the Novotel is completed at the North end of Kamala beach, there is now a NEW taxi rank set up across the road on the down hill bend in what has to be one of the most dangerous positions possible.

Morons...hopefully they will be culled by a speeding cement truck that fails to make the downhill bend...

I know in Bangkok, the scam taxies pay the police to protect their scam turf in front of hotels. Every one of them a scammer.

It's getting so bad, I cannot get a legit taxi ride when I stay on Suk Soi 20.

The occasional honest taxi passing by is not even allowed to stop to pick me up.

A friend of mine was picked up on Soi Nana one day by a passing taxi and the punks that control the soi, forced him out and they threaten the (honest) driver.