Visa Run Carpool/Ride Share

[NamKangMan]

That's a good initiative.

@NKM: If everybody would act like you, being afraid of challenging the status quo, there would not be progress of any kind. You might think your statements are wisdom and wish to say later on "I told you so".

Previously you have asked if there has been any good progress in this island. This is one of those. Support it instead of trying to push it down.

Most regular members on this forum know all too well how critical I am of the lack of transport here. I am all for ANYTHING that gets people from point A, to point B, on Phuket, in a safe manner an at an affordable price, as exists in other parts of Thailand.

I am not being critical of this inititive. I support it 110%. I will probably give it a go myself in the future, and hopefully meet some great guys alsong the way.

I'm not a "I told you so" type of guy. I simply would not like any expats arrested, fined and deported over this - that's all.

As for my previous posts requesting members to "name one thing that has been implemented on Phuket for the benefit of tourists and/or expats in recent times" - I was referring to the Thai Government and associated agencies, not private companies and/or businesses and/or individuals.

This idea has my full support and I hope to see it take off and become popular. As stevenl has mentioned, at the moment, it's new, and relatively unknow, so, it's not drawing any attention. Regardless of how popular it becomes, I hope it continues to not draw any attention, but we all know too well how they protect the transport industry here from any outside competition.

Good luck to all the drivers and passengers and I hope to see this go from strength to strength.

[NamKangMan]

@ stevenl

Yes, it is already happening, usually by word of mouth, although I have seen the odd post on TV asking if anyone is doing a visa run and would like someone to contribute to their costs.

This is taking it a step further. We are talking about organising, in full public view, transportation, at a reduced cost, for visa runners out of Phuket.

If it were to become very popular, and I see no reason why it wouldn't, all I'm saying is it may raise some unwanted attention from visa run businesses, who may then complain to police.

I don't own a car here, so I have never been pulled over under the suspicion of running a black taxi service. I would be interested in the questions they ask. Obviously, if this car pool idea gets up and running, the drivers might like to know the questions they will be asked, if pulled over, as well. So please post them.

I mentioned car pooling for the airport as well. LIK suggested that's going a bit too far. I thought this idea may be stepping a bit too close to the boundary as well. I really don't see why a visa run car pool is acceptable, but an airport car pool is unacceptable. Unless, we are talking about the influential people behind the airport taxis. That said, don't you think there are influential people behind the lucrative visa run industry on Phuket as well????

As for "scare mongering" If you see no problem in "car pooling" on Phuket - why don't we start one up for the coast road, between the beaches. See how long that would last. Why is this so different from the airport and beaches, and that's a genuine question I am asking.

As a side issue, if it were allowed to operate, how long would you give it before someone decides to start making a few baht out of it, by basically becoming a a visa run business, under the disguise of "car pooling."

This article shows how the Thai's on Phuket deal with ANYTHING that takes away business from them, especially in regards to transport.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Taxi-driver-mob-tears-down-Russian-tour-agency-sign-forces-closure-20069.html

So now the quantifiers come out 'if it were to be come popular' 'people will make a business out of it' and attempts to get your right 'start one between the beach towns'.

We're not talking about both things here, just a normal sharing of information 'I'm going to Penang next week, anybody wants to join? Will cost you 1,500 Baht gas'.

<snip>

If this goes viral, over the island, and is well patronized, don't you think some Thai's, somewhere in the transport cartel food chain, are going to be losing money?

<snip>

And if that happens it could become a problem. Until that time it is no problem at all.

And since you're really doing whatever you can to take a simple and basic, very easy to organise idea, completely over the top I'm not reacting to you anymore here.

Out of interest, I would appreciate it if you could post the usual questions that are asked when you are pulled over and suspected of transporting "friends."

You did state you knew the questions, and the right answers.

Edited December 20, 2013 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

So now the quantifiers come out 'if it were to be come popular' 'people will make a business out of it' and attempts to get your right 'start one between the beach towns'.

We're not talking about both things here, just a normal sharing of information 'I'm going to Penang next week, anybody wants to join? Will cost you 1,500 Baht gas'.

<snip>

If this goes viral, over the island, and is well patronized, don't you think some Thai's, somewhere in the transport cartel food chain, are going to be losing money?

<snip>

And if that happens it could become a problem. Until that time it is no problem at all.

And since you're really doing whatever you can to take a simple and basic, very easy to organise idea, completely over the top I'm not reacting to you anymore here.

Out of interest, I would appreciate it if you could post the usual questions that are asked when you are pulled over and suspected of transporting "friends."

You did state you knew the questions, and the right answers.

I was stopped on my way from the airport at a routine checkpoint (just after the heroine roundabout) with 3 guests in the car. I was asked where we came from and where we were going, I stated I picked up friends at the airport and was taking them to their hotel now. End of story.

Of course my car is neutral, so no logo of DC, hotel or something like that, and I make sure there is a guest sitting next to me, so not only people in the back seat. Maybe it also helped, but I'm not sure of that, that it is a pickup up truck, so not the most logical choice to run an illegal taxi service.

[NamKangMan]

@ stevenl

Thanks.

Were the passegers questioned at all?

[stevenl]

@ stevenl

Thanks.

Were the passegers questioned at all?

No, if they were I would have mentioned and I would not have written 'end of story'.

[NomadJoe]

360 members already and several trips in the planning!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1402002616711342/

[NamKangMan]

360 members already and several trips in the planning!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1402002616711342/

Good to hear. I wish this initiative all success.

[NomadJoe]

Great idea, but if it becomes too popular, I think it will draw the attention of the authorities.

<snip>

Facebook would be best, as it's free, easy to set up, and harder for the authorities to shut down.

As far as "while on holiday" - well, a quick flick through their passport and you will see back to back tourist visas and/or visa exemption stamps. Hardly a holiday - they are living here.

The questions would be, What is the drivers name? Where is he from? Where does he live on Phuket etc etc.

When met with the wrong answer, or no answer at all - I guess the driver is in some trouble.

<snip>

Officials from both the Highway Police and Immigration Police have confirmed there is no problem with foreigners ride sharing on visa runs.

[Guest]

Officials from both the Highway Police and Immigration Police have confirmed there is no problem with foreigners ride sharing on visa runs.

Well done Joe getting the confirmation from the officials.

Next time when you take a photo of an newspaper, keep the camera/phone a bit further away so that it can autofocus a bit better. Then do a crop of the image

[NamKangMan]

Full credit to you Joe.

So, based on Inspector Manporn's comment, expats and tourists should be able to give each other a "ride share" to the Phuket Airport and the beaches - as long as it's not for profit. (although - if the owner is driving that way anyway, isn't he profiting by having his fuel subsidised by passengers and isn't he "volunteering" his labour to drive the vehicle - anyway, let's not get into that)

Inspector Maaporn has spoken. Another member has called for an airport "ride share" Facebook page, and I say why not a beach hopping "ride share" Facebook page?

[NomadJoe]

^ Now that you mention it, Manaporn Lickitmanon doesn't sound like a real name to me. Hmmmm.

[NamKangMan]

^ Now that you mention it, Manaporn Lickitmanon doesn't sound like a real name to me. Hmmmm.

And I don't really think a 'Highway Police Inspector" is the best person to be answering a question in regards to what is considered "work" or "working" in Thailand, with, or without a work permit, and whether that possible "work" is an occupation reserved for Thai's.

That said, the Facebook page is up and running and I say with all sincerity, full credit to you.

Why not start one for the Airport and the coast road? After all, who really knows how much you pay for a litre of fuel, therefore how much each pasenger's "portion" of the fuel will be, right?

[stevenl]

Why not start one for the Airport and the coast road? After all, who really knows how much you pay for a litre of fuel, therefore how much each pasenger's "portion" of the fuel will be, right?

Go ahead. This is your chance to do something in stead of only writing about it.

Edited January 28, 2014 by stevenl

[NomadJoe]

^ Now that you mention it, Manaporn Lickitmanon doesn't sound like a real name to me. Hmmmm.

And I don't really think a 'Highway Police Inspector" is the best person to be answering a question in regards to what is considered "work" or "working" in Thailand, with, or without a work permit, and whether that possible "work" is an occupation reserved for Thai's.

That said, the Facebook page is up and running and I say with all sincerity, full credit to you.

Why not start one for the Airport and the coast road? After all, who really knows how much you pay for a litre of fuel, therefore how much each pasenger's "portion" of the fuel will be, right?

Perhaps you missed, or chose to ignore, the second comment from the immigration police.

There are two issues that needed resolved. First was the legality of using a personal vehicle for business. This has nothing to do with foreigners. The HP inspector is very qualified to speak to that, and even cited the law. The second is whether you are working illegally as a foreigner, which the Phuket immigration superintendent (that means "big boss" to you and me) addressed clearly.

[NomadJoe]

Officials from both the Highway Police and Immigration Police have confirmed there is no problem with foreigners ride sharing on visa runs.

Well done Joe getting the confirmation from the officials.

Next time when you take a photo of an newspaper, keep the camera/phone a bit further away so that it can autofocus a bit better. Then do a crop of the image

I took several from various distances. The one you see is the best. It is already cropped.

[NomadJoe]

Why not start one for the Airport and the coast road? After all, who really knows how much you pay for a litre of fuel, therefore how much each pasenger's "portion" of the fuel will be, right?

Go ahead. This is your chance to do something in stead of only writing about it.

Logistically that is not possible, but I think everyone know that. And even if legal, that is asking for trouble, which differs it from the ride-share FB page.

What could potentially work, as I mentioned in FireMedics thread, is a FB group where people post where they want to go and when. Taxi drivers can join the thread and bid for customers. Or the group can make it's own pricelist. 400B to the airport is fair. Obviously this isn't going to work if you are staying at one of the many resorts which has taxi mafia blocking the driveways checking each car that enters. I have already had one Thai taxi driver try to join the visa run ride share page.

[Shot]

A web/app based ride-share system, with dropdown menus providing times, place, flexibility, etc. A driver with any planned route could input their travel details. A rider could do a simple search which would pull up the closest matches to their desired travel plan. The rider contacts the driver and negotiates exact times, pickup, drop off, etc. Only the driver and rider would have detail on the agreement. This is loosely based on Lift, or SideCar now being used in the US of A.

Just a thought.

　

[NamKangMan]

^ Now that you mention it, Manaporn Lickitmanon doesn't sound like a real name to me. Hmmmm.

And I don't really think a 'Highway Police Inspector" is the best person to be answering a question in regards to what is considered "work" or "working" in Thailand, with, or without a work permit, and whether that possible "work" is an occupation reserved for Thai's.

That said, the Facebook page is up and running and I say with all sincerity, full credit to you.

Why not start one for the Airport and the coast road? After all, who really knows how much you pay for a litre of fuel, therefore how much each pasenger's "portion" of the fuel will be, right?

Perhaps you missed, or chose to ignore, the second comment from the immigration police.

There are two issues that needed resolved. First was the legality of using a personal vehicle for business. This has nothing to do with foreigners. The HP inspector is very qualified to speak to that, and even cited the law. The second is whether you are working illegally as a foreigner, which the Phuket immigration superintendent (that means "big boss" to you and me) addressed clearly.

To be honest, I didn't read it. I thought you blurred it on purpose because it was an answer to another question.

I have since read it, and of course, if you were to profit from "ride share" you would be breaking the law.

It's interesting because, if you have to drive somewhere anyway, do you not profit from having your fuel subsidised? Effectively, you have more money, because others are assisting in paying for fuel.

Also, you need a work permit for volunteer work in Thailand. Are you not volunteering your labour (driving) by transporting people?

I am sure you are aware what I was alluding to in regards to the "cost of a litre of fuel." In other words, it will be hard for authorities to prove you have profited from ride share if you include wear and tear on your vehcile, and overstate your vehicle's fuel usage on a long journey.

That said, if Inspector Manaporn and Superintendent Sunchai, I think it is, has signed off on it, great. Doesn't that give the go ahead for

"ride share" or "car pooling" across the whole of Phuket?

I'm sure, eventually, some members of the Facebook page will use their own vehicle to cover the cost of their own visa run, and then possibly start making a little extra money as well.

Anyway, I am not criticizing you, or the inititive.

Anything that provides a land transport option on Phuket, and is safer, is good and has my full support.

Facebook was instrumental in toppling regimes in The Middle East. Could it also be used to break the mafia stranglehold on land transport on Phuket?

We could also add in a 90 day reporting ride share to the Immigration Office as well.

[NamKangMan]

Why not start one for the Airport and the coast road? After all, who really knows how much you pay for a litre of fuel, therefore how much each pasenger's "portion" of the fuel will be, right?

Go ahead. This is your chance to do something in stead of only writing about it.

Logistically that is not possible, but I think everyone know that. And even if legal, that is asking for trouble, which differs it from the ride-share FB page.

What could potentially work, as I mentioned in FireMedics thread, is a FB group where people post where they want to go and when. Taxi drivers can join the thread and bid for customers. Or the group can make it's own pricelist. 400B to the airport is fair. Obviously this isn't going to work if you are staying at one of the many resorts which has taxi mafia blocking the driveways checking each car that enters. I have already had one Thai taxi driver try to join the visa run ride share page.

"And even if legal, that is asking for trouble, which differs it from the ride-share FB page." - we have been told it's legal, and how would it differ from your ride-share Facebook page?

It could also assist in creating "a designated drivers club." For example, a group of four guys living in Rawai may wish to have a night out in Patong, say once a month. They can use the social network to decide who drinks, and who stays sober to drive home, and then take it in turns of being the sober driver.

We are not talking about foreigners with vehicles acting as taxis - just foreigners with vehicles providing safe transport for a night out, similarly to your idea of a safer visa run.

[NomadJoe]

Why not start one for the Airport and the coast road? After all, who really knows how much you pay for a litre of fuel, therefore how much each pasenger's "portion" of the fuel will be, right?

Go ahead. This is your chance to do something in stead of only writing about it.

Logistically that is not possible, but I think everyone know that. And even if legal, that is asking for trouble, which differs it from the ride-share FB page.

What could potentially work, as I mentioned in FireMedics thread, is a FB group where people post where they want to go and when. Taxi drivers can join the thread and bid for customers. Or the group can make it's own pricelist. 400B to the airport is fair. Obviously this isn't going to work if you are staying at one of the many resorts which has taxi mafia blocking the driveways checking each car that enters. I have already had one Thai taxi driver try to join the visa run ride share page.

"And even if legal, that is asking for trouble, which differs it from the ride-share FB page." - we have been told it's legal, and how would it differ from your ride-share Facebook page?

I meant you would be asking for trouble from the tuk tuk and taxi cartels who use violence and threats of violence to maintain their monopoly. The visa-run companies do not.