PHUKET, THAILAND – Police on the resort island detained 237 drivers of illegal taxis in a large-scale operation aimed at curbing overcharging and restoring tourist confidence.
Island-wide checkpoints expose transport abuses
The tourist police and Phuket provincial police mounted a major deployment on 26 December, setting up checks at nine strategic locations. Controls were carried out at the airport, on the beaches of Patong, Karon and Kamala, as well as in urban districts where visitors relied heavily on transport.
“We needed to restore tourists’ confidence in our transport services.”
said a police spokesperson, adding that the operation followed a direct order from Tourist Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am.
Focus on “Black-Plate” cars and extreme prices
The operation targeted the notorious “Black-Plate” vehicles, private cars with black licence plates operating as taxis without licences or insurance. Drivers ignored official tariffs and often demanded excessive prices from unsuspecting holidaymakers, with rides that should have cost 300 baht soaring to 1,500 baht.
Of the 237 detained drivers, 86 were charged directly with operating an unauthorised transport service, while 151 faced proceedings for other offences.
Authorities respond to mounting tourist complaints
Complaints from visitors about overpriced taxis and aggressive drivers had built up for months, prompting what officials described as a long-overdue response. Phuket police commander Major General Sinlert Sukhum personally coordinated the measures, aiming at deterrence and consistent prosecution. The damage to Thailand’s image as a safe and fair holiday destination was seen as too great, especially during the peak travel season.
Tourists welcome move but remain cautious
For many tourists on the island, the crackdown came as welcome news after reports of a climate of fear and exploitation in local transport.
“It was a step in the right direction. You finally felt taken seriously,”
said one holidaymaker, while police pledged to maintain pressure.
Similar inspections were expected to continue beyond the holiday period to achieve a lasting impact.
Unclear whether crackdown will bring lasting change
Officials acknowledged uncertainty over whether the action marked a one-off campaign or the start of a broader clean-up, noting that such structures tended to be resilient. Police stressed that it formed part of a long-term strategy to enforce safety standards and guarantee fair prices. Whether criminal networks behind the illegal taxi trade would ultimately be dismantled remained open, but for tourists the operation was at least an important signal.