Tuk-tuks defeat governor’s fair fare plan

PHUKET: Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi announced today that his plan to curb tuk-tuk ripoffs by introducing fixed, published fares has been put on hold indefinitely. The announcement came after a tense two-hour meeting between the Governor and some 20 representatives of Phuket’s tuk-tuk drivers, who told him that they would not accept the new distance-based scale of fares that he had sought to impose. The drivers gave Gov Pongpayome a list of the rates they feel they can accept. Their proposed rates are at least 25% higher than the fares announced by the government on Monday, and for some trips are more than double. The imposition of the new fare structure has been “postponed” indefinitely until all parties agree on new rates, said the Governor, adding that he would meet with driver representatives again to try to come to an agreement. However, no date for such a meeting was given. In announcing the new fares earlier this week, the governor was responding to a rash of complaints in recent years from tourists and local residents about excessive charges.