Phuket Airport boss denies ignoring bus service

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Airport boss denies ignoring bus service
Tanyaluk Sakoot

The airport bus does not have a lot of room for luggage – one reason it is not popular with tourists, says Airport Director Pratuang Sornkham.

PHUKET: Phuket International Airport Director Pratuang Sornkham has denied a complaint by the owner of the Airport Bus Express service that he has done nothing to help the bus service attract passengers.

Prakob Panyawai grumbled to The Phuket News last week that he had requested the airport to erect signs in the arrivals terminal directing people to the buses, and had also asked for a counter in the terminal, but had heard nothing for three months.

Asked about this, Mr Pratuang said, “We have already put up 10 signs in four languages.”

But he said that the bus company, which runs between the airport and Baanzaan Market in Patong, could not have a counter in the building. “It is impossible to set up a counter like the taxis have. This could cause conflict.”

However, he said that once the new system for taxis, with a single counter, is established, as early as December, it might be possible to reconsider having a counter for the bus service.

Mr Prakob was surprised to hear from The Phuket News that signs had already been erected. “I’ll go and take a look,” he said.

He called back later to say that he was disappointed. The signs are small, he said, and nowhere is there a bus schedule.

But Mr Pratuang is not convinced that the bus service will be popular among tourists, however big the signs are. “The public bus is not the answer for international tourist who have a lot of luggage. That’s why there are not many passengers.” The bus does not have much space for luggage, and is aimed primarily at people who are travelling light.

“In addition, the bus cannot deliver passengers to the door of their hotel. When they get to Patong and get off the bus, they then have to find another form of transport to take them to the hotel.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-airport-boss-denies-ignoring-bus-service-42345.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

-- Phuket News 2013-10-14

[clockman]

The mafia strikes again! Greed, the driving religion of Thailand!

[GeorgeO]

It is of course just the mafia ensuring that the bus is not a success. There is more than enough room for luggage on these buses, which I used to use myself in Bangkok before moving close to the airport.

If the Phuket buses operate in the same way as those in Bangkok, the driver usually asks his passengers which hotel they are staying at, and then drops them off at the closest drop-off point.

As Pratuang rightly points out, the passengers will then have a problem going the final 1 KM to their hotel, essentially because, with his limousine mafia and the taxi mafia running the place, the bus passengers will then be charged THB 500 to go that last 1KM...!

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

If the Phuket buses operate in the same way as those in Bangkok, the driver usually asks his passengers which hotel they are staying at, and then drops them off at the closest drop-off point.

Not here in Phuket. The bus has only one stop in Patong, at JJ Plaza. No other stops in Patong allowed.

[steelepulse]

Not surprised at all. There would be chaos from the taxi thugs at the airport if the airport boss tried to give the bus a fair shot including a counter inside the airport. It doesn't make it right, but until a real cleanup at the airport happens, taxi drivers hold the cards, unfortunately.

[laurentbkk]

Again phuket airport makes the headlines ..... is it so hard to fight against those mafias taxi and others ? I guess no one wants to do anything in this total mess.

[thaidel48]

Amazing thailand strikes again !

When will the powers that be show a little back bone when dealing with the problem of tuk-tuk and taxi cooperatives ( mafia controlled gangs ) I live in Khon kaen which apparentally is Thailands 4th largest city. There is no public transport here. Could you imagine say Manchester UK or Dallas with no bus service? Chaos n carnage lol.

[JulesMad]

Amazing Phuket thailand strikes again !

[alfalfa19]

Clearly this buffoon is in the employ of the scumsucking transport collective.

[Paangjang]

The mafia strikes again! Greed, the driving religion of Thailand!

Check out my signature below. A quote of Jim from Penang years ago. I think its very true.

[Rinrada]

So any day now to prove that the Governments war on Corruption is in full force we will expect to see not only the Airports Director but also the local Governor,C Of P,Taxi Drivers Shop Steward and maybe even the PM all riding the BUS and showing support for a new era in Airport interlink eco friendly mode of transport in this world famous Island location.

Make Thailand proud again.......YES

Incid 20 years since I have been down there so any idea how the fares from the aerodrome to Patong compare ...Mini Cab v Charabang..?

r

[jaiyen]

When we go to Phuket I always hire a car from Nine Car Rent for only 900 Baht a day. No need to rely on taxis or tuk tuks and we can visit friends or go to places during the day and at night leave it at the hotel and walk to the bars. 900 Baht wont get you very far at Mafia prices !! And it definitely wont get you back in the early morning !!

[chinostar]

With all these positive stories about Phuket, why not just skip this place. All problems will be solved if there will be no more tourism, no greed, no fights, no crime.Good luck finding a safe place in Thailand though...