PHUKET, THAILAND – Traditional taxi drivers on the resort island threatened a general strike on 15 January, demanding a crackdown on what they described as illegal ride-hailing competitors.
Taxi group issues strike threat online
A group of taxi drivers used the Facebook page “Phuket Andaman News” to announce plans for a general strike and to air their anger over app-based services. They called on the media to amplify their demands for tougher enforcement against drivers working via platforms such as Grab and Bolt.
The protesters said many app-based drivers operated illegally because they had not re-registered their vehicles as public transport. According to the group, those vehicles lacked yellow licence plates and a special permit for carrying passengers, obligations that traditional operators said they had fulfilled at significant cost.
Long-running conflict turns physical
The dispute between “old” taxis and “new” app-based drivers had simmered for years, with repeated verbal confrontations and occasional physical assaults. Earlier in the week, a motorcycle taxi driver working via an app was attacked in Patong by traditional drivers, and the victim then sought justice online.
Taxi representatives accused app-based colleagues of poaching passengers at hotspots such as the airport and popular beaches and of blocking access routes there. They argued that such practices further undermined their already fragile earnings.
Online debate over safety and pricing
In social networks, a heated debate unfolded, with many users expressing sympathy for the striking taxi drivers. One commenter wrote:
“The law has to apply to everyone, this is a question of safety.”
said an unidentified social media user.
However, a substantial group of commenters backed the app services, praising transparent fares and in-app payments. A frequently cited view was:
“The regular taxis often refuse to use the meter and demand fantasy prices. With the app I know beforehand what I will pay.”
said another online commenter.
Some users even suggested that a large-scale stoppage by traditional cabs could boost demand for ride-hailing apps. They argued that tourists would turn more strongly to digital services if conventional options became scarce during a strike.
Potential disruption for tourists
If the threatened strike on 15 January went ahead, the busy island could face major traffic disruption. Thousands of holidaymakers might be left stranded at the airport or stuck at their hotels with limited transport options.
Local authorities had not yet issued an official response to the strike threat. Nonetheless, pressure on the provincial governor and the transport authorities was reported to be growing by the hour as the date approached.
Taxi drivers call for fair competition
The drivers said they were not demanding a ban on ride-hailing apps but wanted their regular licensing and stricter checks on all operators. Their stated goal was fair competition under the same legal framework for every type of service.
Behind the conflict lay a broader shift in visitor expectations, with many guests, especially international tourists, valuing the convenience and predictability of digital platforms. Traditional taxis, by contrast, described themselves as fighting for their economic survival and stressed that their call for equal rules was understandable.
Government under pressure to regulate
According to the report, the government faced a dilemma over how to protect the established taxi sector without appearing hostile to innovation. A possible solution mentioned was swift and strict inspection of all drivers, whether they worked with apps or traditional stands.
As the countdown to 15 January continued, unresolved questions remained over enforcement, fairness and the future shape of transport on Phuket. Observers noted that the outcome could influence how authorities balance order and technological change in the island’s crucial tourism industry.