Thai taxi drivers have been ordered to ensure their passengers wear seat belts.

Laws forcing the notoriously ill-mannered motorists to ensure the safety of people they collect will come into force from November.

The Royal Gazette has issued an announcement stating that taxi drivers must ensure passengers buckle up their seatbelts starting in November.

The Royal Gazette published an announcement from the Royal Thai Police on August 8, signed by National Police Chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas.

The announcement stipulated that public transport drivers must warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts. It can be conveyed verbally, through visible signs inside the vehicle, by playing an audio recording, or by other suitable methods.

Additionally, drivers are required to ensure that passengers occupy designated seats and that the vehicle does not exceed the legally permitted number of passengers, including supplementary seating that is not authorised.

Passengers are also banned from standing, except in vehicles with designated standing areas.

Furthermore, passengers must refrain from protruding any part of their body from the vehicle.

This regulation will become effective from November 6.