Passengers can also praise taxi drivers using the same app.
So far the service is available only in Bangkok, but it will be extended to Phuket “soon”, Jaturong Kaewkasi, Chief Adviser to the Phuket office of the DLT told The Phuket News today (May 19).
The app, called “DLT Check In”, can be downloaded for iPhones here or for Android phones here.
Already 20,000 people have downloaded the app and registered to answer a questionnaire and make comments – which can be lodged in either Thai or English – and upload photos.
Of the 20,000 people registered, 2,653 have made suggestions as to how taxi service could be improved, 543 said they enjoyed their ride and 986 times complained about taxis refusing to take them, charging excessive fares, driving too fast or having smelly cars.
Jirut Wisanjit, deputy director of the DLT said, “We have also received comments about one taxi driver twice refusing to pick up passengers. He has been sent to join classes on proper behaviour.
He explained that passengers can enter the registration number of the taxi, which will appear in the system’s central database with all comments about the driver. Corrective action can then be taken if necessary.
In Phuket, Mr Jaturong said, “We are discussing and preparing to use this application here. But if we do it immediately, the information will be mixed up with the Bangkok data base. We need to set up our own database first. But it is coming soon.”