PHUKET - The land transport authority of Phuket plans to propose a review of taxi and tuk-tuk fares on Phuket island following a complaint of high rates.
Sommai Sudkhao, land transport chief of the southern island province, said on Monday he will propose the review to a relevant provincial committee and pending the movement, all drivers must settle their fares with clients before a trip.
High-level officials of Phuket held a news conference on Monday following a video clip on Facebook by British expat Jack Brown who complained that a local tuk-tuk taxi driver charged him as high as 200 baht for a trip of about 1km.
Mr Sommai said the 200-baht rate was a legal lump sum for the foreigner's trip, actually about 2km from Kata to Karon, and that the local regulations allow a client to bargain a fare with the driver.
The foreigner had not known that fares were negotiable, the official said.
Phuket governor Chamroen Thippayapongtada said the rates, including the 200 baht one, had been officially set and took effect in Phuket on Jan 1, 2013, to protect tourists from being taken advantage of.
He promised to introduce charts of local taxi and tuk-tuk rates in Thai, English, Chinese and Russian languages to keep tourists informed.
Southern tourist police deputy commander Milin Pianchang said the clip affected tourism in Phuket, so the press conference was held to give an explanation.
Mr Brown said his clip was intended to urge a fare review because he thought that lower fares would attract more visitors to Phuket. He apologised for any misunderstanding that his video might have caused.