OPINION Metered Tuk-Tuk's?

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Posted: 12 Dec 2009 | 1:34 am

With all the hoopla over the recent blockade of the Centara resort by the tuk-tuk brigade it appears that transport is again back in the news. Rightly so as for tourist's one of the biggest complaints continues to be the seemingly unregulated transport industry on the island.

During the past year we have seen marked improvements in beach cleaning, jet ski operations and the upcoming plastic bag recycling campaign. Perhaps its time that the taxi vs. tuk-tuk situation come to the limelight in order to makes the visit's of our most important industry - tourism, better and more progressive.

Metering of tuk -tuk's looks at face value to be the easiest option as they can be regulated by the Government and are easy for visitors to understand. Perhaps industry organizations such as SKAL, Thai Hotel Association and even private individuals start canvassing the appropriate Government offices to share their concern and provide a helpful way forward to what can potentially harm the reputation of Phuket. Isn't a basic international standard of charging for transportation something our visitor's deserve?

DO YOU LIKE THIS?

I AGREE WITH YOU 100 PER CENT,THIS A VERY DELICATE SUBJECT THE GOVERNORS OF PHUKET HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME, RECONMENDATIONS LIKE YOURS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE.

THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN WORK IS FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN BANGKOK. AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE THE PRESENT GOVERNOR HAS DONE A GREAT JOB CLEANING UP THE TOURIST PROBLEMS IN PHUKET, JET SKIS ETC, BUT THE DIRECTIVES FOR A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE COME DIRECTLY FROM THE PRIME MINISTER WHO IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, THIS TO ME IS THE ONLY WAY IT CAN WORK AND IF ANY ONE CAN DO IT, THIS GOVERNOR CAN, I HOPE SO FOR THE SAKE OF PHUKET TOURISM, THIS HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS AND NOTHING HAS EVER CHANGED, MAY BE NOW IS THE TIME.

JOHN DEVENPORT, 17 Dec 2009 | 4:10 pm

Not using Tuk Tuks is the best policy.Hire a car from a reputable source it works out way cheaper. We recommend this to all friends and visitors. Lets face it who wants there experience of this wonderful island and country to be ruined by getting ripped off. Most resorts worldwide have similar scams Knowledge is power. Educating tourists about rip offs wont drive them away but will help them avoid scams like this.
Bill Barnett responds:
Yes totally agree.

Wil, 15 Dec 2009 | 10:27 am

Excellent idea!

Robert Arellano, 13 Dec 2009 | 7:08 am

i can tell you this is a great idea, every time i take my family to Phuket we use tuk tuks and EVERYTIME there is a problem with what was quoted to what is asked at the emd of the trip.. what a great idea this is and i hope it gets off the ground..

Harry Crack, 12 Dec 2009 | 3:56 am