Taxi finder site seeks to improve user experience

PHUKET: In the midst of the flurry of fanfare regarding the NCPO’s crackdown on Phuket’s illegal taxis and taxi mafia (story here), a small family business called Travelsnooper Co Ltd has created a website that they hope will help all.

The new website, called taxithailand.info and available in English and Thai, is aiming for a target audience that includes hotels, taxi drivers and tourists or other end users. The site is meant to provide a platform where customers can find a listing of local and legal registered taxis, tuk tuks and mini-buses and an easy way to contact them. The website has just been launched and with a little development and support, could provide some clarity in a notoriously convoluted and corrupt industry.

The site already provides useful tips for newcomers to Thailand advising them on often overlooked details such as having a physical address for their destination or map they can show the driver, booking in advance for early morning or late night journeys, and having small bills as many drivers may not have change. They also reiterate the necessity of pleading with the driver to turn on the meter if in a metered taxi or agreeing on a fare before getting in the vehicle.

Although at this early stage the site has yet to be populated by taxi profiles, pages have been established for many of Thailand’s tourist hotspots including: Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Bangkok as well as an “other provinces” page to fill in the gaps.

It is unclear at this point whether drivers will have to pay to be listed on the site, but their profile will include where they are based, a picture, what type/size vehicle, license number, seats, driver’s name, phone number and available hours.

The site assures visitors that all listed drivers are legally licensed to operate.

Although several “taxi finder” smartphone apps such as Uber, Grab Taxi and Easy Taxi are available in Bangkok, a nationwide service has yet to be launched.

Find more information about the service at taxithailand.info/index.php/en/

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— Jeremie Schatz