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Taxi Mafia
Written by John   
Wednesday, 02 July 2008

This happened while in Phuket I came a cross many scams but the one that really got to me stayed in a nice hotel in Phuket called Merlin Beach resort, which is about 5 minute tuk tuk ride from patong beach.( I wanted to stay with the missus a little bit outa the main party strip. ) anyways out the front of the Hotel is a taxi/ Tuk Tuk stand, You can only use the taxi's out the front of the hotel nothing wrong with that but the guys here will only take you to the beach for 200 baht which I mentioned before is not even a 5 minute ride. (while in Bangkok I was able to get a taxi ride for over a hour and a half for 150 baht) I was staying for over 2 weeks in this hotel I approached the Taxi stand and asked if I use the service everyday will they do me a better deal and I will use the same driver daily and nightly, They refused and went off in Thai looked like the guy wanted to kill me. so that didn't work I met a taxi driver in patong who was very friendly and I asked him to take my missus and myself on a tour, he explained to me that eh couldn't not pick us up from the hotel as the Mafia (Thai Triads) run the taxi stand out the front and he would not dare come there, I didn't think much of it and thought these guys just want to scam us. I asked another 8 drivers and all told me a similar story. 1 night I witnesses another taxi driver come to the hotel to pick up some guests when the group of drivers stood in front of his taxi dragged him from the car and beat the sh!t out of this guy, I asked some one what was happening and they explained to me that they are not allowed to come to this area to pick up guests as the guys out the front run this area. also heard them mumble some thing about Thai mafia.....also when I asked them why is the price so different to Bangkok they said Bangkok is different not same as Phuket gasoline more expensive bla bla bla.

Comments (6)Add Comment
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written by Sam, Mon 07 Jul 2008 06:20:58 MDT
Hi i would like to add to this scam.
Merlin beach resort Phuket island.
The taxi's out the front are only there to cheat you from money.
There is no way of getting another taxi from patong to come pick you up .
I was Thrown out of the Taxi Violently by one of the taxi drivers for trying to bargin with him on valentines day asking if he could drive me to the flower shop 10 mins away pick up some flowers and come back to the hotel all refused to take me there and back for 800 baht.(also you are not able to get there any other way you are a little bit out of town by about 5 mins)
when in town patong beach can not return back to the hotel for less than 300 to 400 baht, We found this very annoying and costly as we stayed for over 5 weeks.
Taxi drivers always trying to intimidate by yelling and making violent hand signs as if they wanted to hit me. also pulling off the shirts when i came out of the hotel in the morning of of an evening revealing whole body coverd in tattoo's.
Also the hotel is not helpfull at all. and will ignore you at every cost.
I had Orderd take Away food to the Hotel on a couple of nights .Pizza's and other fast foods. on the 3rd occasion i tried to order food each company told me they no longer deliver to this hotel??? i tried other companies but was given the same response.either was i was screwed i could go out the front and pay 600 baht to go to patong beach and back to get food or i would have order from the no so nice room servie. this was a way of the hotel forcing you in to eating there.When i went to some of these places and said i got food deliverd to me the day before they said that they no longer deliver there bla bla bla... i found of by of the the nicer staff that the hotel complained and banned anyone bring out side food in by delivery.Also using facilities in the hotel costed alot.


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written by bard, Mon 07 Jul 2008 13:54:20 MDT
Im so happy I never stay in Phuket on my holidays.
Here in Pattaya the baht bus from the hotels only cost 10 Baht , (you can hire private for 100 Baht)
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written by danny, Tue 08 Jul 2008 07:44:30 MDT
If anyone if in Phuket and is willing to go to the merlin Beach resort take a snap of the taxi/ Tuk Tuk stand out the front these guys are some thing i tell ya.
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written by Dodgydave, Sat 12 Jul 2008 21:20:31 MDT
Yep we found Tuks tuks are all price fixed between Patong and kata/Karon beach to around 400-500 Bt one way.
Absolute scam.
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written by kirst, Thu 24 Jul 2008 12:59:43 MDT
thanks heaps i was going to stay at merlin cos it looks so nice but now i will look elsewhere=)
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written by Ash, Fri 25 Jul 2008 11:57:28 MDT
I avoid Phuket like the plague when I travel to Thailand each year. Its expensive and you are certain to be harassed and ripped off. General rule, try to stay away from the tourist places if you really want to enjoy Thailand.

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