Phuket mob attacks Russian business

News > Local News

Anti-Russian mob in Phuket

Published: 29 Jan 2013 at 07.13
Online news: Local News

An angry protest by taxi operators has forced the closure of a Russian-owned tourist business.

The protest against Alex Tour ended after a mob destroyed the signs of the business, and authorities closed it.

Taxi drivers alleged that Alex Tour is owned by Russians, and was supplying transportation to tourists from the Bang Tao area of Phuket - both illegal under Thai law if true.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

Tanami
Post : 40
Send message

Discussion 28 : 05 Feb 2013 at 22.0228
Post this to my Facebook
Six months ago I visit Phuket. I arrived at the 'new' bus terminal outside Phuket City and was confronted by aggressive Taxi drivers. It seemed the only option to get into town or Patong was a by Taxi. I walked and after 200 meters I got picked up a by a Purple Bus. It is run by the city. The collector told me she is scared of the Mafia and does not collect customers at the terminal, even so the bus stops there. Sadly, things are not better in Koh Samui.
Like dislike 3 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bonzo
Post : 952
Send message

Discussion 27 : 04 Feb 2013 at 21.5427
Post this to my Facebook
Dear Phuket Blowhards: Perhaps one day you’ll have the good fortune encounter the real Russian Mafia. Best pray now that you don’t.
Like dislike 19 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
pquinlan
Post : 1,059
Send message

Discussion 26 : 04 Feb 2013 at 12.1326
Post this to my Facebook
A mafia turf war?
Like dislike 19 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
jacksprat
Post : 2,552
Send message

Discussion 25 : 29 Jan 2013 at 19.4925
Post this to my Facebook
@discussion - It was buses the US Navy had chartered to take the matelots into town. The tuk-tuk and taxi mafia nearly started a riot over it. It could easily have ended in the US Navy dropping Phuket as a liberty port.
Like dislike 32 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
dude
Post : 55
Send message

Discussion 24 : 29 Jan 2013 at 19.0424
Post this to my Facebook
d14:
Here some recapitulation on taxi-starting price:
Taxi fare in Pattaya: 10 THB/person
Taxi fare in Bangkok (A/C taxi): 35 THB/taxi
Taxi fare in Phuket (non A/C noisy sub-woofered and dangerous tuk-tuk vehicle): 200 THB/tuk tuk
End of discussion.
Like dislike 49 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
patchar
Post : 416
Send message

Discussion 23 : 29 Jan 2013 at 18.0523
Post this to my Facebook
next move will be anti-caucasians. They lost their mind.. they forgat the reality that it is the foreign tourists that is making Thai economy alive..
Like dislike 40 people liked / 9 people disliked this comment
CMfarang
Post : 731
Send message

Discussion 22 : 29 Jan 2013 at 11.3022
Post this to my Facebook
'The protest against Alex Tour ended after a mob destroyed the signs of the business, and authorities closed it.'

Authorities do not arrest the mob.
Like dislike 50 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
kasper
Post : 624
Send message

Discussion 21 : 29 Jan 2013 at 11.0221
Post this to my Facebook
@hillfarang, d16.

Ask yourself this. How often have you read an article about a russian or other foreign owned tour company that cheated or beat up it's customers in Phuket?

Then ask yourself this? How often have you read an article about a thai taxi or tuktuk driver in Phuket that cheated or beat up his customer?

Now tell me again, why we should have any sympathy whatsoever with the thai taxi/tuktuks in Phuket (remember, most of them are not actually from Phuket, but opportunists from other provinces)?
Like dislike 67 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
kasper
Post : 624
Send message

Discussion 20 : 29 Jan 2013 at 10.5620
Post this to my Facebook
@hillfarang, d16.

It sounds to me like you have never even been to Phuket? We are talking about a taxi/tuktuk mafia that is literally extorting and beating up people, as well as ruining other thai peoples livelihoods. And it is not just a few bad apples, is it virtually all of them. And you are asking for sympathy???
Like dislike 54 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
davidh
Post : 204
Send message

Discussion 19 : 29 Jan 2013 at 10.5219
Post this to my Facebook
If Alex Tour was licensed to provide the services by the Thai Authorities then there is no scope for argument and the Police in Phuket should arrest those those local People for intimidation and criminal damage.

If you seek to marginalise Russian business then surely Thailand will be paid back with a swift and painful diplomatic response and an advisory "Russian Tourists should not visit Thailand"

Then listen for the Howls of despondancy as 40% of Thailand's Tourists melt away.
Like dislike 41 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment

1 2 3 Next Last

Phuket mob attacks Russian business | Bangkok Post: news

Anti-Russian mob in Phuket

Most Viewed

Monks accused of materialistic lifestyle

Forum

Your comments

Sign in once and access every part of the website at your convenience!