Khon Kaen boosts training for taxi drivers, key players on the tourism front
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Several organisations have joined forces to train cabdrivers in Khon Kaen, believing that taxi drivers are crucial to the northeastern city's image in the eyes of tourists.
The training covers basic legal knowledge, practical techniques, foreign-language skills and being service-minded.
Taxi drivers, for instance, will be given a manual on key English words and phrases.
“We want to inculcate a service mind in the taxi drivers. We also want to equip them with techniques that can deliver customer satisfaction,” Kanok Siripanichakorn of the Khon Kaen Land Transport Office said at the launch of the “Taxi Khonkaen” project.
Transportation and Logistics Development Institute director Phuwadit Wirapanyawat led the training.
He said Khon Kaen is a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions) city that has attracted people from various countries.
“Taxi services are one of the very first contacts the visitors will have with Khon Kaen,” Phuwadit said. If taxi services were impressive, they could give a boost to Khon Kaen’s tourism.
“When tourism here is bustling, taxi drivers are bound to enjoy better income,” he added.
Khemchart Somjaiwong, vice president of the Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Khon Kaen Tourism Association, said the training project would pave way for taxi drivers to prepare themselves for the upcoming Asean Economic Community.
“If taxi drivers can communicate in foreign languages, foreigners will be impressed,” he said.
The Federation of Thai Industries’ Khon Kaen chapter has joined hands with the Khon Kaen Land Transport Office and the ID Driver Institute in conducting the training.
