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Drivers of tuk-tuks, taxis and limousines in Phuket, Thailand, are to be given crash-courses in English.

It is part of a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) scheme to improve the levels of hospitality offered by Thai workers in the tourism industry, reports the Phuket Gazette.

As well as learning the language, drivers will also be trained in English hospitality and those which have attended a course will be given a certificate which they can display in their vehicle.

'We have received many letters from tourists who visited Phuket complaining about how bad the taxi service is, and how they are being overcharged, so we would like to conduct this course to improve the quality of drivers in Phuket,' said Suwalai Pinpradab, director of TAT's Region Four office.

English teachers will be drafted in to carryout the lessons, but Mr Pinpradab warns drivers that other bad practices will not be tolerated.

'Drivers who pass the course and receive a certificate but are reported by tourists for overcharging or being rude will have their certificate taken away,' he said.

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