April 15, 20169 yr The train/tram would be going to Phuket Town. They would not dare piss off the taxies by taking tourists where they want to go. Chalong is not where the tourists want to go - places like Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala are where many tourists want to go. But don't worry .. the vultures (taxi mafia) will be waiting at the stations to fleece the tourists wanting to go to their hotel. "Chalong is not where the tourists want to go" - exactly. So, who would use it, therefore, pay it off, and keep it running? The Phuket transport mafia controls the movement of passengers here, not the Government. This is why it will never work. You will find at the top of the coffee money fine tree the government officials, police etc, so yes it is down to the government as its all built in to the infrastructure. The local mafia are just the pawns on the chessboard that help pay rent and taxes, no point targeting them. How many tourists do not come to Phuket and / or do not return here, because of those "pawns on the chessboard?" For many tourists, those "pawns" are a major part of interaction with Thai's whilst on their holiday. Transport is an essential service that is being withheld for everyone on Phuket. The damage to the Phuket tourism industry this has caused is huge. i agree those in power here take a cut to allow it to continue operating the way it does, the same way they take their cut on beach encroachment. The drivers are just the money collectors. Change can come from the top down, or the bottom up - they all should be "targeted." The Army is currently in control of Thailand, and not even the Army will touch the transport issue on Phuket.
April 15, 20169 yr I would be great to take a leisurely tram ride to Phuket Town from Chalong, safely out of the way of the minivan and motorbike lunatics on the roads. Bring it on I say. Wouldn't it be better to direct funding towards proper public transportation for tourists? Phuket desperately needs public transport along the coast road, between the beaches. This would provide freedom of movement for tourists, spread the tourist baht more evenly around the island, and significantly reduce road fatalities and injuries, and assist to reduce crime. Phuket's got the nice beaches, and plenty of activities, sports, shopping, restaurants, bars, nightlife and accommodation, but there's no point having these if people can not travel between them without an unpleasant interaction with a transport driver, let alone, a price that they know is out of line with the rest of the country, to the point they know they are being scammed. What a good idea! Why haven't you mentioned this before? Oh sorry, you did. Over and over and over...and again and again and again...etc. etc.
April 15, 20169 yr ...........someone just go ahead and shoot me........... Sorry no gun, to many here as it is I think
Create an account or sign in to comment