Following the murder of a driver on Samui island, a tourism influencer condemns the mafia-style practices of local taxis and motorcycle taxis and calls for urgent national reform, as reported in this article from « Manager ».
While local mafia figures blame journalists, on 28 May the widely followed Facebook page « Backpaeger แบกเป้เกอร์ », run by Sun Komkrit, published a lengthy post expressing his exasperation at the excesses of tourist transport vehicles on the island of Koh Samui, in Surat Thani province. The author calls for the matter to be treated as a « national priority ».
« How many more deaths must occur before the authorities take real action? » he asks, before denouncing the reprisals suffered by those who dare to speak out: « When I tell the truth, agencies punish me. » He describes the recent events as « utterly barbaric » and believes they are damaging the destination’s image among both foreigners and Thais alike.
The tragedy unfolded after a well-known taxi driver, recognised for his voluntary work, was attacked and shot dead by a group of local drivers. The likely motive: rivalry over fares and refusal to comply with the rates imposed by the « local mafias ».
See also : The same Thai man had recently complained of being confronted with abusive motorcycle-taxi fares
Internet users quickly shared numerous accounts of exorbitant fares, threats and intimidation directed at travellers who prefer booking apps. Most are calling for firm intervention by the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Land Transport and local police.
For many observers, this murder is not merely a settling of scores: it reveals the extent of the shadowy system that is corroding the transport sector in tourist areas and threatening the international reputation of Koh Samui, hitherto presented as a « paradise of the South Sea ».