Thai authorities crack down on Phuket taxi mafia

[Lite Beer]

Thai authorities crack down on Phuket taxi mafia
By English News |

PHUKET, Aug 22 – Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has announced it will act against criminal syndicates operating illegal taxi businesses in this tourist-oriented southern resort province and arrest members of the first racket within a month.

Somboon Sarasit, the police agency's Special Criminal Case commander, DSI disclosed the names of 11 mafia organisations with black-plate taxi operations in Phuket who have harassed and intimidated tourists.

He said DSI has sufficient evidence to take legal action against a group of people operating one of the syndicates.

Meeting with officials on the taxi mafia problem yesterday, Tourism and Sport Minister Somsak Purisrisak called on the authorities to crack down on the black-plated taxi rackets which are detrimental to the tourism industry.

He said the issue would be solved at the prime minister’s order.

Wuthi Liptapanlop, an advisor to the National Police Bureau, said halting criminal acts in tourism areas will be high on the police agenda in four cities – Pattaya, Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Criminal activities in Phuket including drug trafficking, infringement of intellectual property and illegal taxi business must be solved, if not completely, within 45 days, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-08-22

[theblether]

Within a month, within 45 days......come on get a grip.

Just do the job right and do it to completion, that's all they're asked to do.

If the do that, they'll be heroes.

[laurentbkk]

He said DSI has sufficient evidence to take legal action against a group of people operating one of the syndicates.

DO IT then ..... why waiting .... this taxi mafia issue is on for the last 20 years ...I think its time to ACT and quickly.

[andreandre]

He said DSI has sufficient evidence to take legal action against a group of people operating one of the syndicates.

DO IT then ..... why waiting .... this taxi mafia issue is on for the last 20 years ...I think its time to ACT and quickly.

Toothless tigers seems to come to mind ..again...

Edited August 22, 2013 by andreandre

[LivinginKata]

Goose and golden egg comes to mind. As in don't kill the goose and stop the flow of brown envelopes.

[Jimi007]

So again it's just the black plate taxis that intimidate the tourists? Really? What about the tuk tuks in Patong, Karon and Kata? Aren't they the "real" problem?

[Guest]

So again it's just the black plate taxis that intimidate the tourists? Really? What about the tuk tuks in Patong, Karon and Kata? Aren't they the "real" problem?

I hope those are included as the article mentioned the 11 mafia members.

[NamKangMan]

So again it's just the black plate taxis that intimidate the tourists? Really? What about the tuk tuks in Patong, Karon and Kata? Aren't they the "real" problem?

Agreed. Tourist will only require a trip from the airport, and to the airport, during their holiday, but several short tuk-tuk trips on most days, and after nights out. That's the real hidden cost to a holiday here.

Minimum 200 baht on Phuket for what you can get for 10 baht in Pattaya. Ridiculous.

[peterdk]

11 organisations and evidence against 1 is how I read the article..

[eddie61]

i am sure that there are some very sensitive toes attached to powerful somebodies in this entrenched mafia. Unlikely that a mere police commander can do very much, but it takes a brave man to try

[Siriam]

So again it's just the black plate taxis that intimidate the tourists? Really? What about the tuk tuks in Patong, Karon and Kata? Aren't they the "real" problem?

I hope those are included as the article mentioned the 11 mafia members.

Maybe I have a pessimistic view, but in my opinion nothing will ever change in Patong

[jmccarty]

Proof will be in the puddin!. Now 22 August. Lets see if it improves around the 1st week in October just before the high season starts?

[maddermax]

Its a joke! Telling everybody what you are going to do so that the crims can go to ground!

[JulesMad]

same same NOT different

[TackyToo]

Of course it will work. The guys have a decades long experience in doing it.

[rjcampbe]

11 organisations and evidence against 1 is how I read the article..

Gee... I wonder which one didn't pay enough tea money???

[garydubbs]

i am sure that there are some very sensitive toes attached to powerful somebodies in this entrenched mafia. Unlikely that a mere police commander can do very much, but it takes a brave man to try

DSI are much more powerful than standard BiB

[LeeThayer]

But the big question should be why is a meter taxi in Phuket more than a Bangkok taxi?

[deecee10]

No mention of the tuk tuk problems and ripoffs which tourists encounter daily whilst trying to get around. 300 baht for a 5-10 minute trip.

[dudu]

I guess the Thai way, is to warn them so that they can willingly comply without too much hassle later on, so of course the crooks are just going to up and leave and these areas will have no more problems, easy really.

[Loptr]

Hmm, no mention of tuktuk fares. Nothing to see here, move along.

[wwex]

hes waiting on the PMs order, it seems pretty carefully worded, hes making it clear that it could be done but only if the Taksin dynasty isnt where the money is ending up, so if it doesnt get done we all know why

[iSabai]

As far as I'm concerned none of this matters. Not the lists they make, the names they name, the alleged evidence they have, nor whatever legal action they may take; unless they substantially lower fares.

If fares are not appreciably lowered to acceptable (i.e. Bangkok taxi comparable) rates for everyone, this entire undertaking will be a total failure. And the transport cartels will have yet again flouted (whatever) authority, and yet again have their own way.

Fair fares for the people!

[autumnm7]

But the big question should be why is a meter taxi in Phuket more than a Bangkok taxi?

I think that out of all the "taxi's" that are operating in Phuket- something like only 128 have meters....

[mrfill]

Oh no, another crack down. If they have too many more the country will be all cracked out (within 45 days).

Can someone please set up a crack down calendar so we can see how all the cracking is progressing.

Either that or could the government have a crack down on the crack downs please.

Edited August 22, 2013 by mrfill

[ginjag]

40 days to FLEE the scene.

( were going to raid you in 40 days)

[pomchop]

Patong beach could easily have songtaeows doing a circle along the beach road and back up the second road just like they do in Pattaya. A fixed route that runs the loop over and over and get on and off wherever you please.

Cost in Pattaya is TEN BAHT for tourists for this fixed route.

IF IF IF Patong had the same type service for TWENTY BAHT it would be a massive hit and would overnight eliminate most all of the tuk tuk mafia. Of course they would likely have to have a military escort for the songtaeows to protect the drivers/passengers from the mafia.

For all those who complain about Pattaya song taeows go spend a few days in Patong trying to ride from one end of the beach to the other....200 baht IF you're lucky in a piece of crap tuk tuk with a snarly driver.

[marell]

He said DSI has sufficient evidence to take legal action against a group of people operating one of the syndicates.

DO IT then ..... why waiting .... this taxi mafia issue is on for the last 20 years ...I think its time to ACT and quickly.

He also covered his a.... mentioned that this would be done at the PM's order. Apparently crackdowns can't be done by just anyone any more. Didn't specify which PM he's referring to.

Edited August 22, 2013 by marell

[RichardtenBrinke]

Police on Samui is going to do it too?????? YYYYAAAAWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNN. Is it this time already. No back to sleep...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Criminal activities in Phuket including drug trafficking, infringement of intellectual property and illegal taxi business must be solved, if not completely, within 45 days, he said.

OK, if someone will just indicate where the brown envelopes need to be sent and how much money must be stuffed instead, I'm sure the appropriate parties will meet the request and all of the abovementioned problems will be solved.