PHUKET, THAILAND – Taxi and green-plate rental car operators in Phuket announced a one-day strike on 6 April to protest high fuel prices, fare undercutting by app-based services and what they say is weak action against illegal vehicles.
One-day work stoppage announced for 6 April
On 3 April, Watee Wasanarungruang, chair of the Phuket Yellow-Red Taxi Club (Ror Yor 6) for taximeter vehicles, said the group planned to halt services for one full day on 6 April.
According to him, the association brought together more than 4,000 members, including taxi, van and green-plate operators, who said they could no longer continue operating economically under current conditions.
Main pressures: fuel prices and app fare dumping
The association cited sharply increased fuel costs and falling income due to aggressive price undercutting by competing app platforms as the central burdens on drivers.
Drivers reported that earnings often no longer covered running costs, while at the same time there were fewer tour bookings and overall fewer passengers.
Tourism decline since the start of the war
According to Watee, the start of the war led to a marked slump in tourism, which he put at around 70%.
Fewer visitors meant fewer rides, and the combination of falling demand and rising operating costs further worsened the situation for many drivers.
Petition to governor and mass gathering planned
The group planned a large gathering to deliver a letter to the Phuket governor and formally present its demands.
The chair said that between 2,000 and 3,000 people had already signed to call for more decisive action against illegal vehicles that were putting additional pressure on the market.
Call for strict control of illegal vehicles
Watee urged the relevant units of the Land Transport Department to pursue vehicles without proper permits strictly under existing law, including fines and measures relating to licences.
He warned against loosening rules in favour of financially powerful actors while legal, tax-paying drivers bore the consequences and saw their livelihoods threatened.
More than 6,000 app-based vehicles in Phuket
The association said there were now more than 6,000 app vehicles in Phuket, including motorcycles and cars.
Some drivers were willing to move into legal structures, but according to the association this required strict checks and consistent enforcement of regulations in cooperation with the police.
Criticism of police focus and demand for “100%” enforcement
Watee appealed to the Phuket provincial police chief to order full-scale action against illegal vehicles, rather than focusing primarily on other groups.
He also called on the governor to put the issue on the provincial agenda in order to secure the survival of legal rental car and taxi businesses and operators who paid their taxes correctly.
Green plates: diesel use, high costs and falling fares
A green-plate rental car operator said many vehicles in Phuket ran on diesel, with some using petrol or retrofitted gas systems, which in some cases significantly increased costs.
At the same time, customer numbers had fallen while operating expenses had risen sharply, especially on longer routes with demanding topography.
Patong–city route shows falling prices despite high strain
As an example, the route between Patong and Phuket City was cited: in the past, fares of more than 400 baht had at times been common, while offers now were sometimes just over 200 baht.
Some apps were even offering around 200 baht, according to the statement, which operators criticised as not covering costs and viewed as an indication of fares below the legally prescribed level.
Taxi strike – justified protest or problem for all?
Rising fuel prices, shrinking income and tough competition were pushing drivers to their limits, raising the prospect of a standstill.
The situation prompted the question of whether the strike was a necessary step to be heard, or whether it would mainly hurt passengers in Phuket.
“Is the strike a necessary step to be heard – or does it ultimately hit passengers the hardest? What do you think: understandable protest or the wrong signal?”
said Matichon, the source of the report.