Phuket officials order airport taxi touts to: ‘Stop harassing tourists’

PHUKET: Taxi touts at Phuket International Airport have been told to stop following and harassing tourists arriving at the airport, and to stay at their own counters.

The news came at a meeting at the airport administrative office yesterday morning, called by Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham.

Present to oversee the proceedings was Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, who called for taxi touts to stop following tourists through the terminal.

“We don’t want them [tourists] feeling uncomfortable and annoyed,” he said.

“Taxi operators already have their own counters both inside and outside the terminal, as per the agreement with the airport, so they do not need to walk around and pick on passengers who have just walked out of the arrivals hall,” added V/Gov Chamroen.

Airport Director Prathuang pointed out, “We keep asking them not to do this, but some taxi representatives just keep on doing it. We will have to enforce the regulations in order to make them comply.”

V/Gov suggested that offenders first be issued a warning letter, before sterner action is taken against them for their tactics.

According to airport information, there are currently four taxi counters scattered throughout the terminal and another five counters located next to the exit doors.

— Atchaa Khamlo