Phuket Taxis need sorting out
Monday, 15th March 2010
Mant visitors to Phuket Hotels know that taxi and tuk tuk services in Phuket sometimes leave a lot to be desired.
An un-named International Cruise company wants to switch docking points on Phuket because ''the taxi situation in the Phuket Port is terrible.''
The cruise line also reported rip-offs and abusive behavior and said the attitude of the taxi drivers was ''totally unacceptable and extremely bad for tourism.''
The cruise company, which prefers to remain anonymous for now, is taking its complaint direct to Phuket's Governor, Wichai Praisa-ngob.
Such a criticism from an important source of income today and in the future for Phuket is likely to trigger rapid action, much as if an instruction had come directly from a senior level of government in Bangkok.
The concern of the cruise company first came to light in an email exchange with a well-regarded west coast restaurant.
''We would have liked to send you more people, but unfortunately the taxi situation in the Phuket Port is terrible,'' the email from the cruise line said.
Thailand's new slogan, ''Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value,'' is aimed at attracting more tourists.
Yet Phuket's reputation as a holiday destination is being damaged by frequent complaints about excessive fares demanded by taxis and tuk-tuks, thuggery, and the lack of an efficient, cheap public transport system around the island.
Added criticism from a luxury line management is certain to accelerate Governor Wichhai's plan to impose meters in taxis and tuk-tuks as fast as possible.
Reversing the damage done by tuk-tuks and taxis will also be high on the agenda for the governor's second meeting in April with the honorary consuls from 15 key nations that provide Phuket with most of its tourists.
The greed of Phuket taxi drivers, and tuk tuk drivers is well known.
Here are two pointers for visitors:
1) Do not arrive in Phuket Airport intending to pick up a taxi. Instead, pre-book one of our reliable and guaranteed Phuket Airport transfers. These can be booked through us before you leave the UK.
2) Consider Hiring a car. We can provide best prices, and, just as important,
Phuket Car Hire. You will have a fully insured vehicle in top condition. Thailand drives on the left, just like the UK, so you will have no problems.
Of course, not all Phuket Taxis drivers are rip-off merchants, and the Phuket Governor is doing his best to sort out the problem.
