Nothing has changed
I have wondered whether much has changed in Thailand with Thai soldiers in power. Now, in Phuket nothing has changed as far as the tuk-tuk is concerned.
Yesterday we went for dinner in Patong. We parked the car and had to search for a long time. There were tuk-tuks everywhere, more than fifty in a row. At the end there was a place. A tuk-tuk driver approached us and said there was no room for me. I just had to leave.
I asked him where to park and he said leave. After consulting someone who worked there, I left my car. After all, it was public parking for everyone.
We went for dinner but I didn't trust it and I went back to find another place. Or to take pictures (I do that more often if I don't trust it) when there was no other place. What do you think? I saw the same tuk-tuk driver on his knees with something in his hands near my back tire.
He saw me, was startled, I ran towards him, he ran away, jumped into his tuk-tuk and drove off at full throttle, without looking. Then he hit a motorbike. It went over the head. The two passengers, a Thai girl and a foreign boy, were severely abraded and had bumps. The Thai lady was unapproachable.
The rented motorbike was badly damaged. But they will have to pay for the damage themselves. The police were quick to act, but none of the tuk-tuk drivers had seen or knew anything about him. I told the officer what had happened and I asked him: Can I park here? He said: Yes, of course.
The tuk-tuk mafia is still in charge
Conclusion: I had hoped that the situation had changed, but nothing has changed. The tuk-tuk mafia is still in charge. What has changed: the police that I have to pay every month haven't been for three months.
Why I have to pay is a mystery to me. The Burmese people who build my house have passports and work permits. Everything is in order with their papers. But they say: If you don't pay, we will take the people to check every time. Then it's just a matter of waiting to see if they stay.
It's extortion. I have talked to other people with companies. They also have to pay, also for the same reason.
Rob
This story is one of many proofs that Thailand is not exactly paradise…
In an article in the Bangkok Post not so long ago, it was said that since that newspaper has been published - now about 68 years if I remember correctly - they have regularly published articles about the corruption and the (so-called) fight against it in this country.
No government – elected or in power as a result of a coup – has ever actually achieved anything in this area.
Not even those governments or military rulers who firmly claimed after taking office that this time it would be serious, corruption would be tackled.
In practice, time and again, it is only other pockets in which the majority of the corruption money disappears.
It is rather naive to expect that things would be different now.
A big problem for Phuket is indeed this tuk tuk mafia that has been a thorn in the side of every Tourist for years. Many are brutal, make their own laws, tolerate no competition, and demand prices that are far above the average taxi prices in the rest of Thailand.
This mafia is so powerful that they even pressured large hotels to no longer offer any free shuttle services, in order to gain even more monopoly. (I experienced it myself)
This mafia structure cannot be brought under control by a one-off military action with which they achieve nothing but an improvement, which is nothing more than a temporary propaganda action with no lasting effect. There must be controlled laws, and set prices that must be clearly visible in every tuk tuk, and failure to withhold these prices must result in penalties that, if repeated, can lead to the loss of their license. I think it is scandalous that a rice farmer in Isaan receives a wage of 200 Bath for a day's hard work, but I think it is even more scandalous that a tuk tuk driver can demand double that for a ride of about 12 minutes without the military government actually paying here in the long run. what changed.
And that's how it went with us with the motorbike money launders.
It was quiet for a while after the coup.
They were still there , but a lot less visible , on a Honda Dream or Wave .
Now they are back to riding their Honda 250 cc CBR sportbike.
Of course, both rider and receiver are wearing helmets.
Business as usual.
Jan Beute.
Fully understand your frustration. Those tuk tuk drivers on Phuket-Patong are, just like those guys with so-called private taxis, brutal and don't shy away from violence, so you've come off well in that respect. Unfortunately, that did not apply to the driver and passenger of the motorcycle that was hit. It's a shame that those other tuk tuk drivers played dumb, but yes, it's one dirty clique together. Phuket is a beautiful island but I avoid Patong. They throw their own glasses in there and I certainly don't see that changing in the near future.
Yes, the surrounding countries are doing better and better and dare to say if you are blind in Thailand that people do not want to see it. Come there every year for 2 weeks on vacation, actually the reason is because the food is so good, for the rest Thailand has disappointed me more every year. In my eyes nothing has changed and nothing will ever change. I wish everyone the best in “his” Thailand!
very recognizable…. Noah you are not alone in your thoughts 🙂