The meeting, chaired by Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai at the Damrongtham Centre (Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office) at Phuket Provincial Hall, was rated important enough to involve Phuket’s Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), with Deputy Director Rear Admiral Prapan Srisuwipha present to oversee talks.
Also present were Phuket Provincial Ombudsman Monchai Sae Lao, along with Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) Chief PLTO Chief Adcha Buachan and Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) and other Ministry of Interior law-enforcement officials.
Van operators told officials that the fees levied at the port were unreasonably high and, in some cases, van drivers were charged the same entrance fees as buses.
They argued the practice was unfair, given that vans operate as smaller-scale tourist services, and said the charges were directly affecting their ability to make a living.
As far as an official report of the meeting was concerned, “the Phuket Deep Sea Port and local communities should collaborate to determine appropriate, transparent and standardised fares to ensure fairness for all operators. This includes maintaining a peaceful tourism atmosphere and good relations within the community.”
However, the report did not specify the amounts van drivers are currently required to pay, nor did it acknowledge that a representative from Phuket Deep Sea Port Co Ltd was present at the meeting. Unlike the other attendees, who were identified by placecards at the table, the port company representative remained anonymous.
According to corporate registry data, Phuket Deep Sea Port Co Ltd was established in 2016 with an initial investment of B389 million. The corporate information website also notes that the company’s share prices have skyrocketed since Sept 1.
Phuket Marine Office, despite being tasked with operating a ‘Port Control’ facility and enforcing ‘Port Control’ measures, was not even present at the meeting.
An official at the Phuket Marine Office confirmed to The Phuket News, “This has nothing to do with us. That port is now run by the Treasury Department.”