Stringent new test to improve the etiquette of taxi drivers

After all, taxi drivers at airports can leave a strong first impression on tourists. 

Passengers at these airports are known to face many problems, ranging from drivers refusing to turn on their meter, to overcharging, cheating and refusing to take local passengers in preference for foreigners. 

Initially, AOT officials tried to solve the problem by getting passengers pay an additional Bt50 over and above the meter fare.

Yet these issues did not go away. Every time a problem related to taxis at airports occurs, the AOT and Land Transport Department usually deal with it on a case-by-case basis. There was no systematic long-term solution until the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University’s Human Capital Development Centre decided to team up and draft standards for the profession – people who drive public or community transport vehicles. 

Now, taxi drivers can apply to undergo a special test and earn a professional licence. 

Dr Darunee Kaewmuang, chief of the Competency Assurance Centre for Occupational Standards for Community Transport, said the aim of the project is to produce good taxi drivers. 

Last year, 106 of 122 applicants passed the test and received a professional certificate, while this year 404 taxi drivers applied and 375 got certificates. 

As many as 1,000 drivers are expected to pass the test next year, and 3,000 the following year. 

Applications for the professional licence are free, but drivers have to undergo intensive tests both in theory and practice. They must have a knowledge of geography, locations, roads, car engines, as well as how to provide good service to passengers, from when they get into the car until they reach their destination. 

Some taxi drivers who have earned this certificate will be entitled to free language courses in Japanese, Chinese or English. 

Of the 100,000 taxis registered with the Department of Land Transport, some 80,000 are actually in business, with 3,000 of them based at Don Mueang Airport and 7,000 at Suvarnabhumi Airport. 

Pet Chancharoen, the director of Don Mueang Airport, said the company that operates taxis at the airport had sent some 400 taxi drivers for training and they had now returned.

“We have received good feedback from passengers. It would be good for the country’s image if we insist that all taxi drivers working at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports pass this test and get a certificate,” Pet said, adding that he was pushing for this plan to happen. 

Somkid na Lampang, a taxi driver who got the certificate, agreed, saying all taxi drivers should improve their service. 

“For instance, greeting Thai passengers with a ‘Sawasdee’ and foreigners with a ‘hello’ is good etiquette and we should observe this. We have been looked at in a bad light for a long time. It will take a while before our image is restored,” he said. 

As of June 1, the Land Transport Department has made it compulsory for new taxi drivers to pass this test in order to secure a driving licence for public transport.