Ride-hailing taxi apps to be made legal in Thailand

[webfact]

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

The Department of Land Transport has given the green light to legalise ride-hailing apps such as GrabCar and Bolt in Thailand.

 

Up until now, services such as GrabCar, despite being prominent and operating freely, have technically been illegal, with the drivers not formally recognised by law. 

 

However, a new draft ministerial regulation, which is set to be formally approved within the next month, states that personal vehicles equipped with no more than seven seats can now be used for ride hailing services.

 

Once formally approved, companies which provide ride-hailing services will be able to apply for licenses to operate legally, Ryt 9 reported. 

 

For drivers, this means that they can use their private vehicle as a taxi. 

 

However, in order to be granted a license they will need a driving license and must pass a criminal background check. They will also only be able to operate for ride hailing services that are registered with the Department of Transport.

 

Any private car can be used, providing it has no more than seven seats and is not more than 9 years old. Vehicles are also required to have a communication and GPS system fitted. 

 

Vehicles are divided into three categories: Small, such as Honda City or Nissan March, Medium: such as Honda Civic or Toyota Altis and Large: Toyota Fortuner or Honda Accord.

 

Fares for small and medium vehicles are capped at 50 baht for the first two kilometres and no more than 12 baht per kilometre thereafter.

 

For large vehicles, fares are capped at 200 baht for the  first two kilometres and no more than 50 baht per kilometer for thereafter.

 

Charges for stationary vehicles range from 3 baht to 10 baht per minute for small and large vehicles respectively.

 

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[fangless]

Even more scope for brown envelopes!

[jonclark]

I foresee taxi drivers protesting outside the transport ministry by the weeks end,. This will result in them submitting a letter outlining their loss of income by making Grab legal and a direct competitor. The transport minister will then form a committee to look into their grievences. The outcome of which will be a raise in the 37 baht flag fare fee to 40 baht. Followed by much muttering from taxi drivers, who will accept this token rise. 

[VocalNeal]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

will be able to apply for licenses to operate legally

 

and pay taxes! 

 

One of the good things about Bangkok is that one can readily find a taxi no matter where you are and no matter what time. Except of course for lower Sukhumvit after BTS stops running.

Be a shame if this is adversely effected. 

[bluesofa]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Charges for stationary vehicles range from 3 baht to 10 baht per minute for small and large vehicles respectively.

Does this mean the vehicles will need a taxi-type meter fitting? Or is there an App that will allow for traffic jams, as per the cost above?

I've never used one of these services so I don't know.

[jacko45k]

No special insurance required?

I don't expect regular Thai Compulsory insurance (CTPL) would cover passengers and even 1st class may not be legitimate if the vehicle is being used as a taxi.

Oh well, never mind...

[Pattaya Spotter]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Fares for small and medium vehicles are capped at 50 baht for the first two kilometres and no more than 12 baht per kilometre thereafter.

 

For large vehicles, fares are capped at 200 baht for the  first two kilometres and no more than 50 baht per kilometer for thereafter.

I assume this applies to Bangkok and surrounding areas and not in the provinces, where "Meter Taxis" never use their meters.

[jacko45k]

9 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

I assume this applies to Bangkok and surrounding areas and not in the provinces, where "Meter Taxis" never use their meters.

Although a meter taxi operating under the 'Bolt' app, operates with a pre-set price. 

[NCC1701A]

use Grab all the time. everything i do here is frickin' illegal. 

[wombat]

9 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

No special insurance required?

I don't expect regular Thai Compulsory insurance (CTPL) would cover passengers and even 1st class may not be legitimate if the vehicle is being used as a taxi.

Oh well, never mind...

that'l come in the fine print no one reads.

 

[Justgrazing]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Toyota Fortuner or Honda Accord.

 

I'd stay out of Fortuners .. they've got a good strike rate against power poles .. unfortunately .. 

Still if any HiSo's fancy doing a bit of cabbing it may be an opportunity to experience a Merc' barrel rolling down the freeway .. 

[bluesofa]

5 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

use Grab all the time. everything i do here is frickin' illegal. 

When do we get the details about your harem?

[Justgrazing]

1 minute ago, bluesofa said:

When do we get the details about your harem?

 

He doesn't want to sharem ..

[chalawaan]

29 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Does this mean the vehicles will need a taxi-type meter fitting? Or is there an App that will allow for traffic jams, as per the cost above?

I've never used one of these services so I don't know.

No, everything runs in the Grab app, you order the ride online, they give you a fare estimate before you accept, sometimes there are discounts, or the fare is actually lower on arrival, and then you can even pay and tip the driver thru the app. It also has a translate feature (automatic) and you can send a tracking message to friends expecting you, plus a panic button, and many other great features, long live the internets!

EDit: Fares do fluctuate according to demand, but never feel like a rip-off, the complaints system is independent and robust. The only glitch is sometimes the system gets your location wrong, so pay attention to the map when youre ordering the ride, and make sure it has your pick-up right.

[WineOh]

What about Uber? 

[Speedhump]

37 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

I assume this applies to Bangkok and surrounding areas and not in the provinces, where "Meter Taxis" never use their meters.

There's no such thing as a metered taxi in Hua Hin. But four-wheeled tuk tuks and Grab work perfectly fine, plus private cars advertising on Line, etc. 

[Speedhump]

5 minutes ago, WineOh said:

What about Uber? 

I guess they can hi

 

25 minutes ago, chalawaan said:

No, everything runs in the Grab app, you order the ride online, they give you a fare estimate before you accept, sometimes there are discounts, or the fare is actually lower on arrival, and then you can even pay and tip the driver thru the app. It also has a translate feature (automatic) and you can send a tracking message to friends expecting you, plus a panic button, and many other great features, long live the internets!

EDit: Fares do fluctuate according to demand, but never feel like a rip-off, the complaints system is independent and robust. The only glitch is sometimes the system gets your location wrong, so pay attention to the map when youre ordering the ride, and make sure it has your pick-up right.

Grab definitely more expensive now than 28 months ago. My previously 160 Baht 8km journey now is never less than 180, can be 200. Still cheaper than a tuk-tuk. And a lot more comfortable. 

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

inDriver works OK down here in Phuket with minimum fare 150thb even if less than 1Km....

Anyone using it successfully in Bangkok ?

 

Ps Grab for a  5minute journey used to be 400thb in Phuket, hence used it about twice so far !

[Tracyb]

The evolution of public transportation is relegating meter taxis to the endangered species list and rightfully so.  Meter Mai?

[Classic Ray]

Would be interested to see how it works in Phuket and Koh Samui where taxi meters are rarely used. I went to Samui first many years ago where the taxi driver denied it had a meter in spite of the sign on the roof. I pressed the cover over the radio slot, which opened to reveal a sparkling meter displaying a fare a third of what he was trying to charge me. We came to a satisfactory arrangement for both of us!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, fangless said:

Even more scope for brown envelopes!

Even more scope for street brawls to commence.

[Pattaya Spotter]

14 minutes ago, Speedhump said:

There's no such thing as a metered taxi in Hua Hin. But four-wheeled tuk tuks and Grab work perfectly fine, plus private cars advertising on Line, etc. 

Yeah, there are Grab cars in Pattaya too...that don't use the posted app fares.

[Joinaman]

????????????    

ha ha ha 

However, in order to be granted a license they will need a driving license !

[Snig27]

33 minutes ago, WineOh said:

What about Uber? 

 

It was sold to Grab in South East Asia some years back. Uber have shares in Grab still I think. It took Grab years to match the Uber standard and they are almost there now. Customer service is still <deleted>ty though. 

[Speedhump]

29 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Yeah, there are Grab cars in Pattaya too...that don't use the posted app fares.

That's a shame but I don't understand it. The app gives you the expected fare, the app controls the fare. You can see it in your phone. Thinking about it, maybe you're paying cash and giving what the driver demands without checking the final fare! Even then my app shows the final fare after the journey's complete. I registered a debit card on the app and only part with 20 or 40 baht tip each time when getting out at the destination. Interesting. 

[Speedhump]

44 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

Would be interested to see how it works in Phuket and Koh Samui where taxi meters are rarely used. I went to Samui first many years ago where the taxi driver denied it had a meter in spite of the sign on the roof. I pressed the cover over the radio slot, which opened to reveal a sparkling meter displaying a fare a third of what he was trying to charge me. We came to a satisfactory arrangement for both of us!

You mean you still overpaid a bit? Or he drove away with all teeth intact? ????

[Pattaya Spotter]

19 minutes ago, Speedhump said:

That's a shame but I don't understand it. The app gives you the expected fare, the app controls the fare. You can see it in your phone. Thinking about it, maybe you're paying cash and giving what the driver demands without checking the final fare! Even then my app shows the final fare after the journey's complete. I registered a debit card on the app and only part with 20 or 40 baht tip each time when getting out at the destination. Interesting. 

Yes I pay cash. The times I've used the app or approached "Grab" branded parked cars, the drivers all want to negotiate a fare. I guess if one registers a form of electronic payment, if they accept the ride they would take the app based fare.

[Speedhump]

15 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Yes I pay cash. The times I've used the app or approached "Grab" branded parked cars, the drivers all want to negotiate a fare. I guess if one registers a form of electronic payment, if they accept the ride they would take the app based fare.

Must be ingrained in the local drivers maybe! Never had that once in BKK or HH. I have taken rides 2 or 3 times on COD basis when my card got deregistered somehow but still never had this. Good luck! 

[TimBKK]

37 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Yes I pay cash. The times I've used the app or approached "Grab" branded parked cars, the drivers all want to negotiate a fare. I guess if one registers a form of electronic payment, if they accept the ride they would take the app based fare.

Use Bolt in Pattaya, cheaper and better in my experiences.  Never have I paid more than the pre-established fare unless 1) I decide to give extra for a tip or 2) the established route is impassable (for example, road construction) and the driver has to take a longer route, but even then Bolt recalculates the fare and that is what I pay.

[The retired guy]

19 minutes ago, Speedhump said:

Must be ingrained in the local drivers maybe! Never had that once in BKK or HH. I have taken rides 2 or 3 times on COD basis when my card got deregistered somehow but still never had this. Good luck! 

We are using “Bolt”, half the price compared to Grab