Alright, picture this: you’re on a boat at night, cruising the waves, ready to hit a cool spot on Koh Phangan. Then boom, the crew suddenly drops a surprise fee on you mid-trip. That’s exactly what went down with some unlucky tourists recently, and yeah, it’s as shady as it sounds.
What Happened?
So, it was New Year’s Day, around 2 AM. A group of 20 tourists hopped on a water taxi to head to a pub. Sounds like a regular night, right? Except there was one tiny detail missing—nobody told them the price.
Fast forward to the middle of the ocean, the crew suddenly says, “Hey, it’s 400 baht a head for this ride.” Not only that, but they straight-up refused to move another inch until everyone paid up.
With big waves around and stories of tragic boat accidents fresh in their minds, the tourists had no choice. They handed over the cash, probably fuming the whole way.
Internet Drama
As you’d expect, the story blew up online. People were not happy.
“This is how we lose tourists. Stop scamming!” one commenter vented.
But, surprisingly, some locals defended the boat crew. According to one operator, passengers have bailed on paying fares before, so this tactic is their way of making sure they don’t get stiffed.
Authorities Are on It
The whole thing caught the attention of Koh Phangan’s bigwigs. Wijak Chupharekit, the island’s Regional Port Director, said they’re digging into the incident. A meeting with about 50 boat operators was planned for January 7, 2025, to set some rules straight.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just a one-time scam—it’s part of a larger problem with tourist transport on the island.
The obvious fix? Just tell people the price upfront. Simple, right? Until that becomes the norm, travelers should double-check costs before they hop on a boat. Because getting hustled out at sea? Not exactly the vibe anyone’s looking for.