Patong taxi, tuk-tuk drivers asked to stop cheating, beating tourists

[Peterbkk99 110]

The few times I had to deal with Phuket taxis, the first thing that struck me was their really bad attitude. The arrogance is unbelievable. They charge extortionate prices and it is as if they are doing you a favor letting you in their taxis. No wonder fewer tourists go to Phuket. I myself certainly won't go anymore. "Beating up tourists".... you cant make that up.

 

Another thing is that usually Thais wont be nice for the sake of being nice. Here being nice often means you are either trying to sell / obtain something, or that you are lower in the socioeconomic scale. Now most tourists in Phuket are nice and polite, because they genuinely are. BAM! Pea-sized brain taxi driver Somchai take this as a sign of weakness.

 

Edited June 4 by Peterbkk99

[Gecko123 6,270]

Solly, you forget say pretty please.

[Briggsy 16,899]

This has been going on for decades. And the tourist sheeple keep coming, keep getting ripped off and keep getting bashed. What does your average Phuket taxi thug learn from that? He learns there are no negative consequences. So he keeps on doing what he is doing.

 

My last trip to Phuket was in 2001. There is unlikely to be another.

[Puchaiyank 3,651]

" We may stop cheating so much...but we will not give up our right to beat the hell out of tourists!" 

[alfalfa19 3,075]

I wonder if there is anywhere else in the world where the chief of police politely asks a large gang of goons, thugs, and crooks,   if they could please stop cheating the tourists and stop beating them up?  I think not. 

[Gecko123 6,270]

Tuk-Tuk Driver Day

Sponsored by Patong Police Dept

Marriott Hotel - Patong Beach

Today's Seminars

 

Sala 1: Being a Good Host

Sala 2: Making forensics work for you

Sala 3: Creative ambiquity: The Fine Art of 'I Never Said That'

 

Edited June 4 by Gecko123

[Briggsy 16,899]

6 minutes ago, alfalfa19 said:

I wonder if there is anywhere else in the world where the chief of police politely asks a large gang of goons, thugs, and crooks,   if they could please stop cheating the tourists and stop beating them up?  I think not. 

You are correct. 

 

And if you follow your own logic, you will be able to see where the real power rests in Phuket (I'll give you a clue : it ain't with the rule of law) and that having gained that power, those who hold it are so neanderthal, intellectually challenged and lacking in capability, all they can do with it is run an overpriced taxi monopoly protected by thuggish violence.

[inThailand 2,422]

Please obey the law. 

 

Are the t t guys laughing harder than us?

 

[captnhoy 444]

I think the comments so far have covered it pretty well. 
Asking  - check
Enforcing - check

 

I would like to address the part about Thailand's IMAGE. So much here is about IMAGE and if the image is not good the money, er, people, will stop coming. How about focusing on the EXPERIENCE? If the people had a good time and were treated with respect at a fair price, then they will return, they will tell all their friends and their friends will come too. Then the sheer beauty of the Phuket area will not have to do all the work because the EXPERIENCE was all good.

[Destiny1990 3,822]

Prosecute and seriously jail and fine these aggressors.

[AhFarangJa 8,002]

Hush........I can hear something............Wait...........Definitely a rustling in the air.............what can it be..........the air is electric..........Oh, the anticipation..........yes..........i can feel it is strong now..........it is very, very close...............just over the horizon................

Hurrah !!! here it is, coming to a news outlet near you in the blink of an eye.....................

Honest Phuket Tuk Tuk Driver photo op !!!!!..........................

 

[sahibji 886]

they should not be "asked" but instructed failing which stronger penalties like caning ought to be implemented.

[TechnikaIII 784]

Rudeness begets rudeness.

There are many 'tourists' I would simply stop at the border.

 

 

 

[sahibji 886]

9 hours ago, the guest said:

I wouldn't go in a tuk-tuk (taxi) even if you paid me. Complete rip-off !

you can always settle your fare prior to commencement of the trip.lesser chance of problems that way.

[jaiyen 1,308]

I have never used the tuk tuks. I rent a car at the airport ( Nine Car Rent) for 1000 baht a day.  The best way. Don't need it at night as we stay local