Phuket struggling to battle taxi and nightclubs 'mafia'

[webfact]

Phuket Struggling To Battle Taxi And Nightclubs 'Mafia'

By Khaosod Online



PHUKET: -- It has been a rough year for Phuket′s reputation as a safe tourist attraction.

The popular island appears to plunge into one scandal after another, such as the unlicensed "black plate" taxis scamming tourists, shadowy moguls illegally snapping up lands from the locals, and not to mention the arrest of sex show business owners.

Earlier this week, President of Entertainment Businesses Association in Patong Beach, Mr. Weerawich Krueasombat, revealed yet another woe plaguing Phuket′s tourism business, claiming that 17 different state agencies are involved in massive extortion scheme against local businesses.

According to Mr. Weerawich, in each month owners of venues located in Patong Beach are forced to pay in total of THB 9 million bribery to these organisations - which he did not name. Some venues are coerced in paying double or even triple of the fee as some of the agencies separately sent their own agents to collect the bribery.

Reportedly, all of the 17 authorities belong to powerful backers - the "people of colours", a term indicating military or police involvement.

Mr. Weerawich continued to explain that big entertainment venues are required to pay no less that THB 100,000, medium venues 10,000, and small venues several thousand baht.

So far, some of the business people who cannot stand the bribery had turned their business into something less risky, namely restaurants, to avoid absurd amount of briberies that are filling the coffers of the "mafia".

In order to call for response from governmental authorities, Mr. Weerawich said that the venues in Patong Beach are threatening to close down their businesses altogether at once as a "silent protest".

Mr. Chat Chindaphol, Advisor to the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), similarly said there are "mafia" within the authorities, and that "they have been damaging the kingdom’s reputation in tourism all along".

Mr. Chat said he had been discussing with government representatives to combine and integrate every tourism sub-sectors together to strengthen the sector.

Moreover, “open letters were submitted to related authorities, particularly those concerning Sergeant W., who allegedly said to have mighty power and forced people for bribes. This certain Sergeant W. arranged a team of 4 – 5 members to scout each area and collect the illegal money.” Said Mr. Chat,

He continued, “The individuals involved in the mafia ring are also illegally claiming lands in Phuket, and they claim to have powerful backers.

The TCC advisor said he will petition Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to take heed of the problems in Phuket. He also aimed to propose ‘Pattaya model’, which promotes business competency and reasonable tax revenue, to the authorities for consideration.

Meanwhile, Phuket authorities are also struggling to tackle the issues of "Black-Plate" taxi cabs, who are similarly reported to enjoy supports from prominent politicians.


Department of Special Crime Investigation under the govern of Division of Special Investigation (DSI) said that there are at least 180 black-plate taxi gangs in Phuket, and each team has approximately 30 members spreading in various hotels and beaches in the island province.

20 teams of these are said to have caused particularly severe problems, and are slated to be cracked down by the Crime Suppression Division.

Mr. Maitree Intusoot, Phuket Governor, said that the provincial authority had commanded its officers to work with integrity to avoid any complaints against the province’s tourism reputation.

The governor insisted that his authority is ready to investigate any problems, and would be much delighted to receive any useful information and evidence of abuse of power by the hands of state officials.

Apart from Phuket Governor, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) also vows to battle the issues, having recently appointed a ‘Cooperation Centre To Prevent and Suppress Powerful People Threatening Phuket’s Tourism’, in which the DSI will play a leading role.

However, the aforementioned efforts have yielded dubious results, and have done very little to stem the tides of scandals experienced by locals and tourists alike.

Whether reputation of Phuket as one of the kingdom′s leading tourist attractions has been permanently damaged is yet to be seen.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE1qa3pNamcwTVE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-10-28

[LivinginKata]

I just don't know where to start ...

"However, the aforementioned efforts have yielded dubious results, and have done very little to stem the tides of scandals experienced by locals and tourists alike."

Glad we all agree that there has been no progress .

"Whether reputation of Phuket as one of the kingdom′s leading tourist attractions has been permanently damaged is yet to be seen."

Yes it has.

[JetsetBkk]

the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) also vows to battle the issues, having recently appointed a 'Cooperation Centre To Prevent and Suppress Powerful People Threatening Phuket's Tourism', in which the DSI will play a leading role.

Let's call it the "CCTPSPPTPT", 'cause that's so much easier to remember.

[JetsetBkk]

The governor insisted that his authority...

He has "authority"?

That's news to me.

[clockman]

A morally bankrupt, and lawless country!

[gemini81]

Yeah, well who let it get that way? Like moaning about Detroit.

[Alwyn]

Blimey, I thought it was only the farang buisnesses that got hit on every Monday! But locals too ay? Goes to show they're not racist, they will blackmail anybody!

[Patje]

Another paradise down the drain and all because of greed ....

[mamypoko]

the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) also vows to battle the issues, having recently appointed a 'Cooperation Centre To Prevent and Suppress Powerful People Threatening Phuket's Tourism', in which the DSI will play a leading role.

Let's call it the "CCTPSPPTPT", 'cause that's so much easier to remember.

That's the sound of crunchy food!

"like"

Edited October 28, 2013 by mamypoko

[Genericnic]

Until Thailand becomes a nation of laws rather than a nation of men (and women), these problems will persist at the current or higher levels. Of course, having laws is nothing without them being enforced and, as we know, that is one of the biggest problems in Thailand.

As for the businesses all doing a coordinated full day closure, that might start to get the government's attention, especially if they did it on one random day every month until action was taken on the problems the article mentioned. It would make worldwide news and panic the government since it would effect their sacred cash cow - tourism. As we know, in Thailand money talks and BS walks.

David

[cup-O-coffee]

It could just as easily read, "Taxi and nightclubs 'mafia' struggling to battle Phuket Government and police 'mafia'"

No one is fooling anyone, but the band (the media) insists on playing on.

[Suffinator]

Nothing new here, same rhetoric... move along.

I wonder if anyone actually cares - frankly it's their country and if they are happy to flush it down the toilet then who are we to admonish them. Let them get on with it.

[impulse]

Yeah, well who let it get that way? Like moaning about Detroit.

I've never seen a tourist brochure for Detroit, beckoning the unwary to come and visit that tropical paradise.

[hellodolly]

I just don't know where to start ...

"However, the aforementioned efforts have yielded dubious results, and have done very little to stem the tides of scandals experienced by locals and tourists alike."

Glad we all agree that there has been no progress .

"Whether reputation of Phuket as one of the kingdom′s leading tourist attractions has been permanently damaged is yet to be seen."

Yes it has.

The only exception I would take is that it has been going on for years and this year yes more and more people are crossing it of their list of places to visit. Thailand has enough other areas less dangerous.

[Wat dee]

Not that different back home! There it is called IRS and it has even bigger pockets.

[sailblue]

It is the same in Pattaya and gotten a lot worse in the last few years as the BIB etc, see the money being put into bars in Pattaya.

What do they mean the "Pattaya Model " there are something like 12 or more goups that get a pay packet every month for doing nothing.

[renaissanc]

Phuket has spun out of control. Corruption and mafias have taken over. Tourists will drift away gradually. It is inevitable. The mafias don't understand the internet.

[little mary sunshine]

Really, anymore. nothing surprises me about the LOS....However, if these

businesses weren't fronts for whore houses, (upstairs, and back rooms with

Russian whores, and gambling joints and underage hookers of all Nationalities

they wouldn't have to pay the cops and other off............

[Baloo22]

He speaks of the "Pattaya Model". This "Pattaya Model" ??

[craigt3365]

I just don't know where to start ...

"However, the aforementioned efforts have yielded dubious results, and have done very little to stem the tides of scandals experienced by locals and tourists alike."

Glad we all agree that there has been no progress .

"Whether reputation of Phuket as one of the kingdom′s leading tourist attractions has been permanently damaged is yet to be seen."

Yes it has.

This is hilarious:

He also aimed to propose ‘Pattaya model’, which promotes business competency and reasonable tax revenue, to the authorities for consideration.

Like there's no corruption here! 55555555555

[khunano]

I just don't know where to start ...

"However, the aforementioned efforts have yielded dubious results, and have done very little to stem the tides of scandals experienced by locals and tourists alike."

Glad we all agree that there has been no progress .

"Whether reputation of Phuket as one of the kingdom′s leading tourist attractions has been permanently damaged is yet to be seen."

Yes it has.

The place is rotten to its core and the only remedy still possible would be to pull the plug and let the island be swallowed up by the Andaman Sea. Sad to see the paradise it once was (many decades ago) to have been ruined by a few too many greedy people! ลาก่อน

[harleyclarkey]

It takes a brave man to stick his head up over the parapet. Now we actually get to know from the horses mouth that which the dogs in the street know. The scale of it surprises me and the number of cheating agencies. Will it copper fasten the demise of Phuket? Hardly, as the Chinese, no strangers themselves to official corruption, are the targeted tourist and they won't mind.

I was told years ago the protection money varied from 5,000 baht to 15,000 baht and it depended on what you were selling. The DVD shops paid the upper bracket.

It makes me wonder does this criminality go all the way to Bangkok as well. Why does Bangkok not take any substantive action? The recent joke of the CSI arriving onto Phuket to clean up the island is a clear example.

[circusman]

Not that different back home! There it is called IRS and it has even bigger pockets.

Rubbish post.

[FangFerang]

I won't go to Phuket. It's damage has ben permanently damaged. It was featured in the show "Big trouble in Thailand" as a 'lovely place to get ripped off'.

I have better things to do, and likethe provinces mush better than the tourist traps and big cities, which are magnets for mayem.

I did pick up a new term: 'people of colours'. At least they used the French spelling for hues, that makes everything better.

[kingstonkid]

Question: With all the stuff I read here I am concerned about a trip to Phuket. Have lived in LOS for 3 years been to Pattaya. No issues gf the ladies away. She has one mean look lOL

Question is. Is it still worthwhile if you are not a starry eyed farang to go t Phuket. I was there in the late 90's and loved it.

[Fullstop]

Phuket Struggling To Battle Taxi And Nightclubs 'Mafia'

Of course they're struggling. They struggle with everything. They're inept. This is a given. They haven't been 'colonised' ... haven't learnt the logical way to do things. This is Thailand.

[firestar]

"Whether reputation of Phuket as one of the kingdom′s leading tourist attractions has been permanently damaged is yet to be seen."

Yes it has.

No it hasn't. Expats and long term visitors that know about these stories are a negligible minority in the grand scheme of things, sure down the pub people will complain but ask average tourists at a hotel and they are completely oblivious. Jetski stories don't travel very far believe or not. If anything Phuket is a victim of it's own success, overcrowding, lower value for money, pollution, etc.

Edited October 28, 2013 by firestar

[johnlandy]

If they had a genuine will it could be fixed in hours. The trouble is that the authorities "all of them from city hall to the local police are all a gutless bunch of prycks"

This is unsurprising really when you consider that even the armed forces fit into the same category with the top brass saying they would not send peacekeepers to Afghanistan "because it was too dangerous"

but when it comes to murdering a person because he was singing too slow they have no peers "they are without equal"

When it comes to murdering unarmed people in a southern mosque or killing close to 90 people in a shipping container there are none better on the planet.

The politicians are all good at talking but when it comes to walking the talk they are conspicuous by their absence.

In plain and simple language the majority are cowards.

[asdecas]

Another paradise down the drain and all because of greed ....

Actually, the wonder is not that corruption is so rife, but that it has taken so long for it to become this bad. Forty years ago the first few beach bums started renting land and building beach huts on what are now the infamous beaches. For thirty years, while becoming increasingly pricey compared to other Thai beaches and islands, Phuket was still the jewel. Only in the last decade has greed, rampant venality and crime really begun to kill the golden goose. This is a pity for Thai tourism, since the Chinese are just beginning to arrive en masse, and a few more well-publicised crimes will see one very dead goose when the Chinese stop coming, or are told to stop coming.

[gchurch259]

Time to send in a "Texas Ranger", one will do !!