Chinese RV arrivals in Phuket spur talks on total ban

[snoop1130]

Chinese RV arrivals in Phuket spur talks on total ban
Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- Officials in Phuket are considering a total ban on recreational vehicles (RVs) following a recent influx of Chinese RV tourists parking up at tourist areas on the island.

Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul called an urgent meeting yesterday (Feb24) to discuss the issue with officials from various departments, including Santi Pawai, Chief of Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phuket office; Jarurong Kaewkasi, Chief Policy Specialist at the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO); and Col Saman Chainarong, Deputy Superintendent of the Phuket City Police.

Chinese tourists enter the Kingdom via Route R3A, which is part of the so-called North-South Economic Corridor that links Thailand with Laos and China, V/Gov Prajiad explained.

“They come from Kunming to Chiangkhong, in Chiang Rai province. Now they are arriving in Phuket and are parking up at locations across the island,” he said.

“Officials have so far found 10 RVs parked at tourist areas such as Saphan Hin, Ya Nui Beach and Nai Yang Beach.” Vo/Gov Prajiad said, adding that the meeting was called specifically in response to complaints filed at the Governor’s Office by Rawai Municipality and Phuket City Municipality calling for direction in what to do with the new-age travelling Chinese tourists.

In addition to RVs parked illegally and their drivers refusing to move, concerns are being raised about where the tourists dump their garbage and the potential impact of an influx of self-catering tourists who travel on the cheap.

But first, V/Gov Prajiad raised the legality of RVs in Thailand.

“Certainly, these RVs are considered illegal according to the Land Transport Act of Thailand because they are modified vehicles, but tourists are allowed to enter the country with these vehicles and drive on our roads up to six months under the protection of the Customs Act, which acknowledges a vehicle as personal belonging,” he explained.

“Phuket does not have RV parks to accommodate these vehicles. We are afraid that by allowing ‘RV tourism’ on the island, we will have other issues to deal with, such as public health, cleanliness and public nuisance.”

V/Gov Prajiad noted the two possible solutions suggested at the meeting.

“We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception.

“Or we could let each district come up with their own rules and regulations, and set up designated areas and routes for these vehicles, with a registration process.

“We have yet to decide which action we will take because we need to discuss this with the Phuket Governor at our next monthly meeting with him,” V/G Prajiad told The Phuket News.

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/chinese-rv-arrivals-in-phuket-spur-talks-on-total-ban-56369.php

-- Phuket News 2016-02-25

[colinneil]

The only reason officials are concerned about these RVs is no money being handed over.

[balo]

Maybe off-topic but can I drive my car to China on route R3A `? Or is it only from China the road is open ?

[madmitch]

“We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception."

Nice! I would have thought they'd give them time to get the vehicles off the island without arrest or seizure, but this is Phuket and anything can happen at a whim.

[clockman]

What do you expect, they are Chinese! Not the saviors of tourism.

[terryp]

“We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception.

And in the rest of the world people have been travelling around in these for almost 50 years.......fum ducks the lot of em

[Cuchulainn]

.................“We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception.

“Or we could let each district come up with their own rules and regulations, and set up designated areas and routes for these vehicles, with a registration process......................

I wonder which one will be chosen!!

[LivinginKata]

I always wondered why we see few RVs in Thailand. Now it's all clear to me. Modified vehicles ??

That nukes my long time of idea of buying an RV and meandering through Thailand.

[siliconvalley]

Wow.

What a surprise. We all know Chinese don't spend money in Phuket.

And for the Phuket govt. officals considering to confiscate their vehicles is great thinking.

This is like a Limbo competition.

How low can you go?

[madmitch]

Modified vehicles are illegal? What about every songthaew on the road in Thailand, many tuktuks, pickups with Carryboys, souped up cars of all types, salaengs, no doubt many more. Will these be banned as well?

[tovi]

Totally!

[silverhawk_usa]

Maybe off-topic but can I drive my car to China on route R3A `? Or is it only from China the road is open ?

Yes, (but not really). You can drive your car on route R3A TO China. You just can't cross the border and enter China.

Edited February 25, 2016 by silverhawk_usa

[jpinx]

There's lots of "RV's" already in Thailand -- Song Taew's with hammocks

[amerasianex]

Pretty hard to rob them and throw them off the balcony isent it?.....ha ha ha ha..

[Seismic]

Modified vehicles are illegal? What about every songthaew on the road in Thailand, many tuktuks, pickups with Carryboys, souped up cars of all types, salaengs, no doubt many more. Will these be banned as well?

Yep, the old foot in mouth syndrome again, Some of these people really could use a good press officer ....or a roll of duct tape.

[DipStick]

Maybe off-topic but can I drive my car to China on route R3A `? Or is it only from China the road is open ?

Yes, (but not really). You can drive your car on route R3A TO China. You just can't cross the border and enter China.

Oh but yes I can in my Yunnan registered .hyundai ... But that's not the point, my point is, after living in China for 7 years and commuting from HK to China for more than 20 years, I have yet to see on the mainland such a RV VEHICLE.

it seems to be accepted that the Chinese hordes following the tour flag do not spend money in Thailand, yet these RV drivers are onpbviously spending money on fuel etc, however I have to wonder what insurance they carry.

[chercheur888]

"We are afraid that by allowing ‘RV tourism’ on the island, we will have other issues to deal with, such as public health, cleanliness and public nuisance.”

1. Issues to deal with ei ei ei

2. Cleanliness, I totally understand that as Phuket is an example of extreme cleanliness.

3. Public nuisance, as this never existed, don't know how they are going to deal with it as they have no experience in this calm, tranquil and peaceful place that Phuket is.

[mancub]

So they will happily advertise and sell these vehicles at the Bangkok Motor Fair, (had some nice ones there), and then promptly arrest you for having an illegal vehicle should you have the audacity to take it out of the showroom ?

[silverhawk_usa]

Thailand participated in the building of the "North-South Economic Corridor that links Thailand with Laos and China" and the Friendship Bridge. Of course they now appear shocked and unprepared for the opening of that Pandora's box. In a recent post they were complaining of the Chinese vehicles entering Thailand and suggested stopping them at the border and making them hire other transport from there. The RV travel industry is huge in many countries. Instead of looking at the opportunities and the potential for additional markets, Thailand's first reaction is “We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception." That will do a lot for the tourism. Yes, I can see many negatives to Chinese RV's on Thai roads, but I don't like 'bashing' either side. Instead actually come up with a real plan, instead of the usual knee jerk reactions, and gain some positives and possibly support or encourage a new industry. 'If you build a road, they will come'. Should have considered that first.

As an additional comment regarding both situations; IF you really don't want any of the traffic, just do as Vietnam. Do not allow vehicles across the border which are designed to drive on the opposite side of the road from your country. Easy.

[pgrahmm]

Not too far from the imagination to think about garbage collected then thrown out on the road - or the sewers being drained right onto the road when filled then emptied....Or just left wide open....

The Chinese do seem like a travelling misfit pig show....They seem open to abuse every person, place, and system they come upon with impunity....

Edited February 25, 2016 by pgrahmm

[jerojero]

RV's are illegal? And Phuket has no facilities for RV 's. Well TAT, what you waiting for! Get this straight changed.... tourism, tourism, tourism!

[chowny77]

No money spent on accommodation. Hurts the Thai peoples wallets, well done to the Chinese for showing them the birdy!

[trainman34014]

Only in Thailand would RV's be seen as a threat. They just don't fit in with the 'take them to the cleaners' attitude shown to all tourists in the Land of Scams and somehow you just don't see the Chinese owners handing Thai Police donations to the tea kitty.

[NickJ]

Simple when the RV's are parked where there not supppsed to park have one or two of those horrid boom box trucks park next to them and hit full volume.......

[Reigntax]

.................We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island without exception.

Or we could let each district come up with their own rules and regulations, and set up designated areas and routes for these vehicles, with a registration process......................

I wonder which one will be chosen!!

Sounds like they have just modified the jet ski regulation. Delete jet ski, insert RV!

[Reigntax]

Maybe off-topic but can I drive my car to China on route R3A `? Or is it only from China the road is open ?

Yes, (but not really). You can drive your car on route R3A TO China. You just can't cross the border and enter China.

Oh but yes I can in my Yunnan registered .hyundai ... But that's not the point, my point is, after living in China for 7 years and commuting from HK to China for more than 20 years, I have yet to see on the mainland such a RV VEHICLE.

it seems to be accepted that the Chinese hordes following the tour flag do not spend money in Thailand, yet these RV drivers are onpbviously spending money on fuel etc, however I have to wonder what insurance they carry.

Probably more than the hordes of unregistered, unroadworthy and unlicenced cars, trucks and bikes that freely use the roads each day.

[eisfeld]

“We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception"

You'll arrest them on the basis of what exactly? You just said they're legal for 6 months, didn't you?

Also how are they modified? There are manufacturers that build them the way you see them on the road and it's how they are registered in their home country.

If you arrest all drivers of modified vehicles then lets start with all the TukTuks, Trucks, Salengs and whatnot on the road. What a frickin farce.

They are upset that they don't get any money through hotels nor taxi transport. That's why they don't like it. And because they don't have any parking spaces anywhere.

Man this news just seems so much like satire I really couldn't believe it. This could be straight from The Onion!

[Chicog]

The article says it itself:

the potential impact of an influx of self-catering tourists who travel on the cheap.

Potential impact: No money for gambling and drinking.

[Reigntax]

We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island without exception"

You'll arrest them on the basis of what exactly? You just said they're legal for 6 months, didn't you?

Also how are they modified? There are manufacturers that build them the way you see them on the road and it's how they are registered in their home country.

If you arrest all drivers of modified vehicles then lets start with all the TukTuks, Trucks, Salengs and whatnot on the road. What a frickin farce.

They are upset that they don't get any money through hotels nor taxi transport. That's why they don't like it. And because they don't have any parking spaces anywhere.

Man this news just seems so much like satire I really couldn't believe it. This could be straight from The Onion!

The tuk tuk drivers must be complaining that the RV's are taking some of their beachfront parking spots.

[EvilDrSomkid]

RVs are sold in Thailand, even built here. Even the silly police have them!