City governor hopeful Pavena Hongsakula is wooing support from taxi drivers, asking them to help make the city safe 24 hours a day.

Ms Pavena wants taxi drivers to act as informers and rapid mobile rescue units in cases of crime or accident.

``It is my policy to make Bangkok safe round-the-clock, but how to put it in practice?'' she said. ``Taxi drivers and motorcylists are the answer. They are best suited for the job because they are on the streets 24 hours a day.''

``There are 100,000 taxis running around Bangkok. If all of them help watch the city for us, I'm sure Bangkok will be safe around the clock.''

Taxi drivers and motorcyclists who join the network will be offered medical welfare, accident insurance and an education fund for their children.

Lawyers will also be available to give them advice when needed.

She said about 20 taxi drivers had already joined up. These drivers formed a procession to accompany Ms Pavena to Klong Toey where she began electioneering after registering as a candidate on Monday.

All have her stickers on their windshield and side windows, with campaign material ready to hand out to passengers and other drivers who sign up.

Each is also given a cassette of Ms Pavena's country-style campaign music.

The music was clearly audible when the cabs accompanied her around the city on Monday.

``But we won't play the music every time a passenger gets in,'' said taxi-driver Korakot Maneeman. ``What if my passenger is a supporter of Pol Capt Chalerm or some other candidate?''

Mr Korakot said the 20 taxi drivers knew each other as volunteers for the Ruam Duay Chuay Kan community radio programme and the Por Tek Tueng Foundation.

``Friends convinced us to help Ms Pavena, and on looking at her policy of caring for us, we said yes,'' said Mr Korakot.

Everyone in his group is an unpaid volunteer.

``We have done this kind of job for Ruam Duay Chuay Kan and for Por Tek Tueng, but nobody sees us. Joining Ms Pavena means people will recognise us better. Besides, she's the only one who proposes a clear policy for taxi drivers,'' said Mr Korakot.

The 20 members have split into four groups of five drivers each, who will take turns helping Ms Pavena when she campaigns around the city.

``This way we can help her, and still have time to earn a living,'' he said.