Jet Ski's and Taxi's

This is a bit of advice for people when they visit Phuket. I will keep it short and simple, there are many reference links on the internet to support my advise. The issues presented here are not exclusive to Phuket, and every city in the world has it's share of issues. But for the visitor, it is better to be forewarned about what is known.



There is an ongoing issue around taxi's here. From the moment you leave the baggage carousel, you will be confronted by Taxi drivers. Some are legitimate and some are not. Unlike most airports, these drivers actually get inside the terminal building and you have to walk through a phalanx of them, to get outside, where there is an even larger group waiting for you. My advise is simple. Go to the Taxi stand to the immediate left as you exit the terminal, state your destination, pay a fair flat fare and get a ticket, get in your taxi and go. Alternatively, if you hotel offers pick-up service, I think you may want to consider that as well. I personally recently went through the airport and the fare to get to my home is normally 800 Baht($25.45CDN). But I was swarmed and the best price I could get was 1,800 Baht ($57CDN) equal to a full round trip plus 200 baht.

The news of late has not been very complimentary about people being assaulted and blockading of the cruise ships. While a special group has been tasked to look at the issue, it involves about 17 agencies, which in itself will prove to be a challenge for even the best negotiator. Here is a link you may wish to look at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article10209.html . It is unfortunate that a few people can discredit a whole group of taxi and tuk tuk operators who are fair, courteous and friendly. A recent article, not readily available recounted an Australian Tour operator who apparently brings 450,00 people a year here was assaulted by a taxi driver in Karon recently. From my read, the most common problem is negotiating a fare BEFORE you get in, and then paying what you agreed to and not trying to negotiate after-wards.

And then there is the issue of jet Ski operators. Personally I never knew what compels people to go on vacation and sign a waiver and take out something they know nothing about into the ocean. A recent visitor found out that such a decision can be a costly affair: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article10208.html. For conversion rates for the story the amount paid180,000 Baht is equal to about : 5,720$CDN; 6,023$USD or 4,128 Euro's. A big issue is the rental of these machines, firstly by people who have never rented on before; and secondly, that you sign a waiver for all and any damage that has insurance, apparently that is capped at 50,000Baht and not payable if you were negligent. Then add the hospital costs. You one hour of fun could cost you way more than your entire vacation.

For more detailed overview of these issues, you may wish to go to this link:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/445421-phuket-consuls-keep-pressure-on-tuk-tuk-jet-ski-scams/