Taxi owners work hard on image

The operators of taxi-rental services insist they have done the best they can.
“I have never rented my cabs to complete strangers. If I don’t know the guys personally, I won’t let them drive my taxis. Exceptions are made only when the prospective renters are recommended by someone I know,” said Weera Duang-prathum, 67. He has four taxicabs for rent and one to drive on his own.
Samruay Phumipas, 41, said that though she sometimes rented her cabs to strangers, she strictly required proper documents. Public-vehicle driving licences, one of the required documents, are crucial in screening drivers. Former convicts who have been out of jail for at least three years are issued such licences only if they have completed their jail term more than one and a half years ago.
“I also collect copies of the drivers’ identity card and household registration,” she said. “Besides, if any driver looks suspicious, I will stop renting him my cab.”
She said she could tell the difference between honest drivers and questionable ones within days.
“Some drivers will soon get drunk and have difficulty keeping their word. I will try to force these drivers out, because I know sooner or later they will cause trouble,” Samruay said.
 Another owner of many taxicabs, Kannikar Nakadee, said she too had done her best to weed out bad people. However, she believes authorities such as police and the Land Transport Department need to play an active role in stopping taxi drivers from committing crimes.
Pattaradeesh Srikadkao, a 66-year-old driver, suggested that police should man checkpoints as deterrents. He said he had never harmed his passengers, not even thought of it, over the past several decades. “I have been working as a taxi driver since 1964,” he said.
Suwan Jantapien, a 60-year-old driver, said he too was worried about news reports of cabbies who had attacked their passengers.
“Those actions have hurt my livelihood. Prospective passengers become scared and don’t want to take a taxi ride,” he said.