NAKHON RATCHASIMA -- About 500 motorcycle taxis in the city have joined a network formed by the military, police and provincial transport office for the prevention of crime during the New Year Festival.
An orientation course was held at an army club inside the Suranaree Camp in Muang district on Thursday morning for taxi motorcyclists participating in the campaign.
Col Vithoon Siripakmanont, deputy commander of the 21st Army Circle, said the taxi motorcyclists are being given additional training on traffic law and safety.
Their task is to serve as eyes and ears for authorities in helping prevent crime during their daily routine of taking passengers around the city.
Col Vithoon said about 50 soldiers from the 21st Army Circle will also be deployed along with police to man various checkpoints to be set up along the roads in the province during the New Year Festival to provide security and improve traffic flow.
Sira Boonthamkul, chief of the provincial transport office, said there are 331 motorcycle taxi queues in Nakhon Ratchasima, with 3,272 registered motorcycles and operators.