7 Things you should know when going for a Taxi in Phuket

Form BTS and MRT, the easiest and most convenient way to get around Phuket is by taxi. Most taxis are new, spacious and, in addition to the standard green-yellow and red-blue, they are also made of funky colours like bright orange, red and even pink. Getting a taxi is not really a hassle, especially around hotels, shopping malls and other tourist attractions.

However, you're set for a really long wait when it rains, and during rush hours. The fare starts at 35 baht, and stays there for the first two kilometres. Thereafter, the fare gradually works its way up with 2 baht at a time (roughly per kilometre). A surcharge applies in traffic jams (1.25 baht per metre when moving under 6 km per hour). Typical taxi fares for going several kilometres are around 50 baht. Communication could be a trouble with many Phuket's taxi drivers as they often speak little English. Improvise, and be imaginative.

Overall, there's never a lack of taxis in a town that never sleeps, excepts when it starts raining of course. They're cheap and available virtually 24 hours a day. Meter taxis now predominate, but sometimes you could have to politely (but firmly) question them to switch the meter on to truly save negotiating later. Since taxis are cheap and the drivers work all hours in traffic that's legendary, a tiny tip is frequently appreciated.

Taxi Colour Codes?
Phuket taxis are famous to be very colourful, especially the pink ones: This means nothing to us, those are simply different companies and fares and features would be the same.

How to Spot Available Taxis
Available taxis are the people with the glowing red vacant sign.

Fair Fares
No need to negotiate the fare as all taxis in Phuket are actually metered (well, sort of anyway). A driver refusing to use a meter is a sign of a suspicious agenda. If he insists on providing you a fixed fare, rather than using the meter, it's best to get another cab. Taxis standing by facing hotels are generally suspicious.

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Don't be surprised if the driver refuses to get you where you wish to go. While there's not much you are able to really do about any of it you can report to Land Transport Department Hotline on 1584 and report the taxi if you're fast enough to take a picture of the vehicle plate (plates are both inside and away from cab). Alternatively you can download this app DLT Taxi to report the taxi. Better try your luck with another taxi.

Flagging a Taxi
It's ok to get a taxi at a coach stop when there's no bus approaching, otherwise you are able to expect you'll be honked at.

Clueless Taxis
Don't expect Phuket taxi drivers to understand the city's every nook and cranny, as a driver qualification exam isn't required. It's always recommended to transport a place, or the name and the location of where you're going to written in Thai. (Pick up a hotel card when leaving your hotel if you are in a small street of Phuket)

Watch when stepping out!
Look behind you and make sure there's no motorcycle coming when you open a car door. It is rather common for passengers to open the entranceway without looking, and have a motorcycle slam into it. This may cause serious injury to the motorcycle driver, the taxi passenger, as well as considerable injury to the taxi itself.