Officials investigate tourists ordered out of van at Phuket pier

*PHUKET: Officials are investigating a recent incident in the ongoing Phuket taxi ’turf wars’ where foreign tourists were ordered to exit a van they had booked through a mobile app at Rassada Pier on June 3. Initially, the taxi queue asked the tourists to disembark from the minivan with their luggage, but when they learned that Bolt is a legal application, they allowed them to proceed," Mr Adcha of the PLTO confirmed to The Phuket News. On Sunday (June 4), officials from the PLTO, the Phuket Police, the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command of the military (ISOC), and other agencies visited the pier and conducted a meeting with the drivers. Additionally, Mr. Somchart reported that Phuket City Police recommended investigating the parameters of the concession between the taxi drivers and the ferry/pier operator. Regarding his own contributions at the meeting, Mr Somchart emphasized that the concession between the taxi cartel and the ferry/pier operators does not grant them the right to prevent other drivers from picking up passengers.*

Published: 2026-03-14 15:24 UTC Event date: developing

Officials have launched an investigation after foreign tourists were ordered to leave a van they had booked via a mobile app at Rassada Pier in Phuket on June 3, highlighting ongoing tensions between local taxi operators and app-based services on the island.

The incident occurred when the tourists, who had arranged transportation through the Bolt application, were asked by the local taxi queue to exit their minivan along with their luggage shortly after arriving at the pier. According to Adcha Buachan of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), the tourists were initially prevented from continuing their journey but were later permitted to proceed once it was confirmed that Bolt is a legal ride-hailing platform in Phuket.

In response to the incident, a delegation of officials from the PLTO, Phuket Police, the local branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), and other government agencies visited Rassada Pier on June 4. The officials met with drivers at the pier to address the confrontation and review existing regulations governing taxi operations in the area.

During the meeting, Phuket City Police recommended a thorough review of the concession agreement between local taxi groups and the ferry or pier operator. Somchart Rakchart, a representative at the meeting, clarified that while there is a concession in place, it does not give exclusive rights to the taxi cartel to prevent other legally operating drivers from picking up passengers at the pier.

This incident has raised concerns among both residents and tourists in Phuket, as reliable and accessible transportation is a key issue for the island’s tourism sector. Disputes between traditional taxi operators and app-based ride services have surfaced repeatedly in Phuket, sometimes leading to confusion and inconvenience for visitors. Local authorities have made efforts to regulate both sectors, but competition and disagreements over passenger pickups remain ongoing challenges.

Officials have stated that they will continue to monitor the situation at Rassada Pier and other transport hubs in Phuket to ensure that all operators comply with local laws and that tourists can use legal transportation options without interference. Further discussions between transport authorities, taxi groups, and app-based service providers are expected as Phuket seeks to maintain a positive experience for both residents and international visitors.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/officials-investigate-tourists-ordered-out-of-van-at-phuket-pier-88411.php