Phuket’s illegal tour van drivers granted temporary amnesty

PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transportation Office (PLTO) will issue documents to certify illegal tour van drivers who have applied to become legal so they may continue working until their applications are processed.

The news follows a group of illegal van drivers appealing to Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut yesterday for the right to keep working until their applications to become legal are approved.

“We are willing to register and become legal, but the process can take up to six months. In that time, we are not allowed to use our vehicles to work,” said Phuket van operator representative Wirat Jong.

“This is a problem for us. We need to work to earn money. If we cannot use our vans, how can we pay our bills? And the application process takes quite some time, not just a couple of days,” he explained.

The request filed at Provincial Hall yesterday was received by Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada and Col Sermphan Sirikong, chief of the Phuket City Police. Also present were PLTO chief Terayout Prasertphol and his chief technical adviser Jaturong Kaewkasi.

Mr Terayout delivered the good news for the drivers.

“We will issue documents to certify any van drivers who are waiting for their applications to become legal so they will not be arrested in the meantime,” he said.

“We will try to process their applications as quickly as possible. Any illegal van drivers who want to register, please let us know at the Phuket Transportation Office. We will continue to receive applications for registration until December,” Mr Terayout added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong