The bureau, the Airports of Thailand, the 21st King’s Guard and the Royal Thai Police are collaborating on the scheme. They said they hope to rid the taxi-drivers of their reputation for overcharging, refusing to turn on meters and service without-a-smile.
A senior inspector with the police, Nares Nuntachote, said the campaign had been designed to ensure tourists received a standard service and did not feel they had been scammed. All cabbies servicing the airport will be required to attend a short educational course.
The sessions will focus on what is legal and what is not when transporting passengers. They will also concentrate on what penalties will apply to those who break the rules. Drivers who attend the sessions and pass the quiz at the end will get Friendly Taxi stickers to affix to their windscreens.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is about 25kms to the east of Bangkok. As well as taxis, the Airport Rail Link and buses are the other choices for travel between the two. There are buses from the airport’s Transport Station to locations such as Pattaya, but 12GO ASIA’s bespoke limousine and mini-bus services are often the easier option.
Campaign at Suvarnabhumi Airport to make taxis tourist friendly
News in Asia
The national tourism bureau has initiated a campaign to make taxi-drivers servicing Suvarnabhumi Airport friendlier and more amenable. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s aptly entitled Friendly Taxi initiative kicked off yesterday at Bangkok’s main airport.