There is now a new Taxi service that is easy and simple to use. Please go to www.khaolaktaxi.com for easy and simple pricing and details
The dirty tale of taxi Service at Phuket international Airport
Taxi’s at Phuket airport…
What to say….this is a very tricky issue, and one that stirs up a huge amount of emotions in this area. Simply put, any taxi that offers it’s services to you at the terminal at Phuket Airport is part of a very strong, very ominous mafia. They don’t allow metered taxis in their turf (through both intimidation and actual violence) and also bully hotels into paying them commissions for delivering people without reservations. You may possibly get diverted to a golf course, or travel agent or worse. The price you pay for the ride itself is about 2-3 times what you would normally pay for a taxi outside the airport gates. While not every taxi trip is a tale of woe, there are frequent enough stories that we discourage their use.
…Addendum March 2007…
The government has required the presence of metered taxis in the parking lot of the airport. They are to display their badge number and deliver you to your specific destination. The newspapers in the area are filled with continued reports of abuse and problems involving commissions. Still be wary….
If you will allow us to recommend a few options.
First, if you do use these taxis, please don’t tell them you do not have a reservation – they will bully and abuse the desk people into paying a commission (30% of your room rate), which they do not deserve. They may also divert you to a travel agent to book a room or a tour. Again, these are EXTREMELY overpriced and are rarely what is advertised. Make it clear that you do not want a golf lesson, or a townhouse or a tour of Phuket.
If you are heading to Khao Lak, the mafia is powerless in this region. The hotels rarely pay their extortion demands (part of why our prices are more reasonable), but the drivers will overcharge for the trip (less than 80km). They will more frequently tell you that Khao Lak is closed, that there are no hotel rooms available or even tell you that the area is off limits. DO NOT believe them. We are completely open, far more beautiful than Phuket ever was and we will welcome you with open arms.
A fine option is to walk straight out of the airport parking area (about 300 meters) and hail a proper taxi – yellow or red. These will agree upon a price, still large, but less than the mafia (between 1500-2000 Baht depending on your negotiating prowess). You will also get to your destination without diversion. If you are in a large group, or have a pile of luggage, ask the driver to come pick you up inside (you must sit in the car/minibus) to avoid the mafia intimidation.
A final choice, and obviously one that you can take with a grain of salt, is allow us to arrange a taxi for you. We will either come in person or send one of our trusted drivers from Khao Lak. We will wait for you at the gate with your name on a sign, and drive you straight here. If you want to stop along the way for a meal or just to sit by the ocean for a few minutes, we are more than happy. We understand that you are on vacation and need time to adapt. If it is not one of us, then it will be one of our trusted taxi drivers (see the never be hired again.
We will also arrange transportation to and from a variety of other places. Whether you arrive by train in Surat Thani or by bus in Phuket town. We also help in arranging transport in the local areas of Khao sok, Takuapa, Thai Muang and Phangnga. Please let us know what you need, we’ll take the headaches away.
1 comments:
That is very alarming indeed. Seems like those people have already organized this operation to abuse the unsuspecting tourists. I wonder if their police are doing something about this problem.
Post a Comment