C'mon Steven you are dreaming. Standardised fares ... get real. they just demand the highest fare they think they can extract. And that's the honest harsh truth ...

Yes Alex, it is exactly as I wrote. Which is also the same as you wrote.

There are standardised fares but that does not mean they'll stick to these fares. If they are asking more they won't show these fares. If they're asking the standardised fares they'll show these fares.

So yes, there are standardised fares but they will ask for more if they think they can get away with it.

Patong-Kata e.g. the standard fare is 400 baht.

Thanks Steven and Alex sounds like I have been tricked with the Tut Tut's for all the years I have been visiting the place. One trip I will never forget was going into Phuket town and we just wanted to go the the shops not any markets. The driver was pretty cross with us and let us out and we did pay him. Only to find we didn't know where we were or anyone that could help us out. We had to end up with a another Tut Tut to get us to Phuket. It's all a bit scary. Anyway once again thanks for all your help, will get a taxi provided by the hotel, no hassles and airconditioned as well. And I agree that the people know I have difficulty walking so take advantage of the fact I have to pay to go anywhere.

Yes joan_r I really understand your plight. About the best advice is to seek out a decent taxi driver and keep his card (and that's not so easy although there are some recommendations here on this forum) or hire a car. Its' my impression that many many tourists are getting this message as I see many many more tourists renting a car.

Sorry to keep bothering you all with my stories, but my daughter contacted one of the Taxi drivers recommended on this forum to pick them up and take them around in Phuket. She was happy with the arrangements but some time later she got an email from America with some story that he was over there and short of money could she assist and send some money. We were all really shocked and thought I don't think we will use the services again. I am reluctant to use these services myself, the taxi at the Hotel I think might be better, no contact details, no phone no's and no emails addresses supplied.

Joan, Daj the driver had his email account hacked a couple of years ago and everyone on his contact list received emails asking for money etc etc. A lot of people with Yahoo accounts had this happen to them at the time. I know of 3.

So do not let that put you off hiring a private driver, if everyone thought like that they would soon be out of business.

Big C have a huge board with all the taxi/tuk tuk prices back to various areas, I took this photo in August last year, from Big C to Patong is 350baht. So I would imagine that from Tesco is the same or very close to these prices.
Cathy
Sorry for some reason I cannot upload the photo showing all the prices.

Thanks Cathy you have been my helper many a time in Phuket. Yes we wondered what it all meant with Daj. We did think perhaps a disgruntled employee might be the cause but we were a bit scared to make any further email contact. I didn't mention it at the time on the forum in case I effected other peoples plans but it has been good to here from you as to the reason.

Joan, as soon as Daj realized he changed his email address, so all is good now. We have a friend who is a Catholic nun and I received an email from her saying she had been robbed and was stranded in the UK or something like that & to send money, I rang her straight awayas knew it was a bit suss lol, her email had also been hacked.
Cathy