Karon police ‘taxi’ the bull by the horns: No more illegal rides

Karon police have hit back at online accusations claiming they’ve been lax in tackling illegal taxi operations. In a bold announcement, they revealed that a whopping 208 illegal taxis have been stopped and seized since the start of July.

In a statement released earlier yesterday, October 31, Karon Police reassured the public that their officers have been conducting checkpoints at least twice a day to rigorously enforce the Land Traffic Act and the Motor Vehicle Act, specifically targeting unregistered vehicles and traffic offenders.

Recent reports from the station highlighted the staggering number of arrests for operating vehicles not registered for public transport:

• July 2024: 15 cases
• August 2024: 85 cases
• September 2024: 55 cases
• October 1-25, 2024: 53 cases

Karon police also announced a collaborative effort with local public transport operators to bolster their crackdown. They’ve set up a LINE group called Public Vehicle Hire in Tambon Karon, allowing community members to report issues and provide evidence of illegal ‘black-plate’ taxis, reported Phuket News.

Thanks to tips received via the LINE group, officers have been able to track down offending vehicle owners and initiate legal proceedings. The notifications sent to vehicle owners based on group reports include:

• August 2024: 14 cases
• September 2024: 16 cases
• October 1-25, 2024: 7 cases

In their statement, Karon Police underscored their commitment to strict law enforcement and ensuring the safety of the area. With this robust response, they aim to reassure residents and tourists that they are serious about keeping Karon’s roads safe and free from illegal taxis.

In related news, over 100 public transport operators, including metered taxi drivers, green plate taxis, and passenger van drivers, assembled at Phuket Provincial Hall on October 24 to formally complain. They are demanding that the Phuket provincial government take more robust action against illegal private car services operating through taxi apps on the island.