Phuket Taxi Drivers Urged To Be Fair, Safe, And Polite Ahead Of November 1 Reopening

Authorities are encouraging Phuket taxi drivers and other transport operators to be more competent as Thailand prepares to reopen in three days. Ahead of the country’s reopening to foreign tourists on November 1, a meeting yesterday at Phuket city hall discussed measures to keep taxi drivers to specific criteria in order to make Thailand more hospitable.

The Deputy Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police at Toll Plaza, the Phuket Provincial Attorney, and The Permanent Secretary of Phuket all backed the plan to set guidelines that taxi drivers must follow. The plan included clear charges that were reasonable and just, calculated in accordance with provincial regulations, and applied similarly to all travelers.

The plan also emphasizes safety, with officials pushing cab drivers, bus drivers, and other public transport operators to adhere to road safety laws and regulations and operate safely. Also, it urged cab drivers to handle themselves properly, dress neatly and presentably, and ensure that all cabs in the province are correctly identified.

To ensure public safety across Phuket, officials require all cab drivers to hold a valid license appropriate for the kind of vehicle they run and to present proof of complete vaccination against Covid-19. Drivers were also urged to sign up for ride-hailing applications for customers’ convenience.

Lastly, Phuket officials’ plan required all public transit drivers including taxis’ to be kind and courteous at all times. They are informed that they represent Phuket and have the power to build or destroy the province’s reputation as a welcoming tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. Simply put, they are urged to give the finest service and support necessary in order to work as a public relations liaison for arriving travelers and visitors.

In July, Phuket taxi drivers were chastised for their infamously high charges, particularly for people accessing the island as part of the “Sandbox” test reopening program. The Phuket Tourist Police responded to the criticism by announcing the maximum taxi rates from the Phuket International Airport to popular spots around Phuket. (See the fare matrix below.)

Source: Phuket News

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