Another 10 taxi drivers have been arrested, accused of operating illegally at Phuket International Airport. The Phuket News reports that the arrests have been confirmed by the Phuket Land Transport Office.
The drivers were arrested as officers carried out checks ordered by PLTO boss, Adcha Buachan. It’s understood the checks on drivers at the airport took place between 4 – 6pm on Sunday, April 16.
A cabal of taxi businesses, in conjunction with the Phuket International Airport, run a lucrative fixed-price taxi and van service from the airport and are constantly fighting with outside taxi drivers, limousine services and app-based ride sharing services.
The report goes on to say that officers from the PLTO were accompanied by “airport officials”. According to the Phuket News, these officials were in fact employees of Airports of Thailand, which runs Phuket Airport. Also accompanying the PLTO were officers from Sakhu Police and the Phuket Tourist Police.
Five drivers were found to be operating metered taxis without turning the meter on. Another 5 were arrested for using their private vehicles instead of officially registered taxi vehicles. What is not known is whether or not the drivers were being hired through the Bolt or InDriver apps, which are technically illegal in Phuket, despite being used openly in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, the PLTO says it’s considering whether or not to suspend the driving licences of the 10 individuals arrested.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
