Transport Thailand to Regulate Ride-Hailing Apps Within 90 Days for Fairer Competition

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thailandee

 

In a significant shift for ride-hailing services, Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) is acting swiftly to bring digital platforms like Grab under new regulations. Within the next 90 days, app-based taxi and motorbike operators are to register under a government system, addressing long-standing fairness concerns compared to traditional taxis.

 

This is part of a pathway towards a level playing field, ensuring app-based taxis comply with the standards set forth by the Transport Ministry.

 

DLT Director-General, Jirut Wisanjit, confirmed this development following a draft from the Electronic Transactions Commission. It sets a mandate for all ride-hailing vehicles to legally register and meet DLT service application standards. The Ministry is engaging ride-hailing companies in discussions to align on legal compliance and service enhancement, focusing on creating a fairer market space alongside traditional taxis.

 

Service operators must register vehicles under categories Ror Yor 17 and Ror Yor 18, and drivers are required to secure public driving licences. To facilitate this transition, the DLT is expediting criminal background checks at transport offices, promising a faster licensing timeline.

 

Alongside these procedural updates, the DLT is reviewing commission fees on ride-hailing apps to ensure each stakeholder, including the drivers and passengers, benefits fairly.

 

In anticipation of the new rules, the upcoming “Draft Announcement of the Electronic Transactions Commission on Digital Platform Services: Ride-Sharing Vehicles and Motorbikes” is set to roll out within 90 days.

 

It mandates all ride-shares to register officially, drivers to hold public licences, and platforms to adhere to fare standards. Additionally, platforms will need to establish systems to manage driver misconduct and report essential vehicle and fare data to the DLT.

 

As these changes unfold, the transport sector braces for a more regulated and equitable framework. This initiative marks a crucial juncture in the way digital and traditional taxi services operate side by side in Thailand, amplifying public interest and aligning operational standards across the board.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-06-16

 

 

[Jingthing]

Reading between the lines, the end game is to make apps like Bolt charge the same higher fares as "regular" taxis ending actual free market competition. Happy happy joy joy.God forbid that consumers get a break. Am I wrong?

[ronnie50]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Service operators must register vehicles under categories Ror Yor 17 and Ror Yor 18, and drivers are required to secure public driving licences. To facilitate this transition, the DLT is expediting criminal background checks at transport offices, promising a faster licensing timeline.

You'd think this was already the case but TIT. From a customer's perspective, the ride hailing apps are not as reliable in Thailand as other countries. For example, I've had several rides accepted by a driver, only to then realize he's not 10 minutes away as indicated, he's 30 minutes away. Oh, and of course once the driver (far away) has accepted, the customer can't cancel the ride. Same goes for food deliveries where 20 minutes can turn into an hour.

[blaze master]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

This is part of a pathway towards a level playing field, ensuring app-based taxis comply with the standards set forth by the Transport Ministry.

 

I would argue the apps set a higher standard than I not go somchai.

[JAG]

Will all vehicles working on the ride hailing apps being required to have missing seatbelts, a broken meter covered in an old towel mounted on top of the dashboard and be driven by a chap in a sweaty blue shirt, it's collar protected by a piece of paper held in place by two paperclips?

 

Only fair!

[JAG]

8 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

I would argue the apps set a higher standard than I not go somchai.

Yes, but the big leasing companies who provide "I not go Somchai" with their cars on a daily lease basis are "people of influence"!

[blaze master]

2 minutes ago, JAG said:

Yes, but the big leasing companies who provide "I not go Somchai" with their cars on a daily lease basis are "people of influence"!

 

Who are also probably connected to those who will set the new regulations. Sigh. 

 

[wasabi]

Uber tends to be more reliable than Grab where it's available, but I'd choose Grab over traditional taxis in Thailand even if it costs triple traditional taxi's rate. The traditional taxi drivers only have themselves to blame for losing customers by overcharging, taking long routes and getting lost because they don't know how to use GPS or have three phones open and a movie playing.

[NorthernRyland]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

It mandates all ride-shares to register officially, drivers to hold public licences, and platforms to adhere to fare standards. Additionally, platforms will need to establish systems to manage driver misconduct and report essential vehicle and fare data to the DLT.

 

 

"adhere to fare standards" could mean they need to charge more to so they don't undercut the taxi mafia scumbags. If Thailand is really really stupid they could do some serious damage.

[thesetat]

Unless Thailand works with the App itself. There will not be any regulation. Thailand can not even regulate the regular taxis that drive around. Unlicensed drivers, reckless, scammers to overcharge. 

[peter zwart]

I’m more in favor of the competition model than of a price-inflating monopoly. And that’s only because the traditional taxi services have completely misbehaved, lost a lot of customers as a result, and caused significant damage to the tourism sector.

So what it comes down to is that when you behave badly, you still end up being protected or even rewarded.

[tomazbodner]

Grab is considerably more expensive than regular taxi. From what I paid and what I see driver to receive, it seems about 30% are deducted from the driver, where the fare for the distance is often still about double of what it would have been in a regular taxi. But, that's OK for me, because at least most of the time (yes, I hate those who keep me waiting for 10 minutes while I'm in a hurry and then cancel on me or try to make me cancel it) the driver comes, knows where he or she is going, there's no fare blackmail or rejection, the map shows the route and estimated arrival clearly. That's what I am paying extra for - the predictability.

I know Bolt is cheaper but taking it a few times, the drivers were scary. Maybe just bad luck, but it did seem a step down from Grab. And LineMan... that was a regular taxi with 20 baht surcharge - no issues except that it often took much longer for any driver to arrive than from Grab. But all these were way better than arguing with regular taxi driver (although only small percentage of them are bad, unfortunately they ruin reputation for all).

I think the work needed on apps is far less than the work required to get the regular taxis to follow rules and regulations. Perhaps the DLT and government should start there first? Maybe go out with cameras, recording conversations, and start hailing cabs all over the country, and fine/confiscate cars/revoke licenses of offenders. All the laws and regulations are there. Just nobody enforcing them. And when some TikTok influencer does, it's a few days of harsh words before it all goes back to the way it was before.

Public transport is a public service. It is the job of government to oversee it and make it effective and affordable, and it is their job to pluck the weed. Many drivers are great, they are just always in the shadows of greedy lowlifes ruining reputation for everyone.

[Smokin Joe]

1 hour ago, wasabi said:

Uber tends to be more reliable than Grab where it's available, but I'd choose Grab over traditional taxis in Thailand even if it costs triple traditional taxi's rate. The traditional taxi drivers only have themselves to blame for losing customers by overcharging, taking long routes and getting lost because they don't know how to use GPS or have three phones open and a movie playing.

 

Uber does not operate in Thailand.

[kuzmabruk]

fairness concerns

 

definitely a huge issue.    Grab and Bolt can’t steal and that is not fair.  

[CLW]

It doesn't matter about the regulations. Grab and other ride hailing apps will always have a higher standard than regular taxis.

Because they refuse the bad ones or kick them out after complaints 

[JimmyJake]

This regulation certainly won't benefit any tourist.  Taxis are some of the biggest scam artists in Thailand--especially those at the airport who always play the game of hide the meter and try to rip you off.  Grab and bolt drivers are usually honest. 

[DualSportBiker]

4 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

Grab is considerably more expensive than regular taxi.

Grab Car or Just Grab might be, but Grab Taxi is the metered price with a surcharge. The drivers make more when hired under the taxi booking than they do Grab Car. In fact the amount taken from private drivers of Grab Car is pretty offensive.

 

The price shown when you book a taxi via Grab is an estimate and in my estimation, always significantly higher than the final price.

 

Thai taxi costs are cheap - they meter fare has only recently changed after years stagnant at the initial fee. Drive times have not improved, fuel has increased dramatically. When meters were first introduced, fuel was around 8-11 Baht if I remember correctly... There are plenty of dishonest and unscrupulous taxi drivers, but there are also large numbers of honest and hardworking ones. The fares are too low and that is part of, not all, the incentive to lie and cheat for those who are inclined to do so.

 

Were the fares more in line with the cost of living, the incentive to cheat would be reduced. There will always be those that prey on the newbies in tourist zones, but that needs a different mode of control.

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Within the next 90 days, app-based taxi and motorbike operators are to register under a government system, addressing long-standing fairness concerns compared to traditional taxis.

Since when have traditional taxis been fair?

[tomazbodner]

17 minutes ago, DualSportBiker said:

Grab Car or Just Grab might be, but Grab Taxi is the metered price with a surcharge. The drivers make more when hired under the taxi booking than they do Grab Car. In fact the amount taken from private drivers of Grab Car is pretty offensive.

 

The price shown when you book a taxi via Grab is an estimate and in my estimation, always significantly higher than the final price.

 

Thai taxi costs are cheap - they meter fare has only recently changed after years stagnant at the initial fee. Drive times have not improved, fuel has increased dramatically. When meters were first introduced, fuel was around 8-11 Baht if I remember correctly... There are plenty of dishonest and unscrupulous taxi drivers, but there are also large numbers of honest and hardworking ones. The fares are too low and that is part of, not all, the incentive to lie and cheat for those who are inclined to do so.

 

Were the fares more in line with the cost of living, the incentive to cheat would be reduced. There will always be those that prey on the newbies in tourist zones, but that needs a different mode of control.

Agree. I use JustGrab.

[Peter Crow]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

To facilitate this transition, the DLT is expediting criminal background checks at transport offices, promising a faster licensing timeline.

So one must have a criminal record to drive a taxi?

[connda]

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Reading between the lines, the end game is to make apps like Bolt charge the same higher fares as "regular" taxis ending actual free market competition. Happy happy joy joy.God forbid that consumers get a break. Am I wrong?

Yep.

[connda]

"A free market is a continuous process of voluntary transactions, with each participant trading value for value. Government intervention, whether through subsidies, tariffs, or regulations, distorts this process by introducing force, which negates the principle of mutual consent and benefit."
-Ayn Rand, Philosophy: Who Needs It

[Coxy]

The taxis I get through the the apps are generally in better condition and than the smelly  death traps you hail from the side of the road 

[Guderian]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

This is part of a pathway towards a level playing field, ensuring app-based taxis comply with the standards set forth by the Transport Ministry.

 

What are these standards for registered taxi drivers?

 

1. Must be a grumpy old sod.

2. Must refuse to use the meter

3. Must argue with the customer over the route even if the customer has lived there for 20 years

4. Must threaten the customer if they don't leave a good tip. 

5. Must be a cranky old git

6. Must add random amounts to the fare at their whim.

7. Must carry a loaded gun in the glove compartment. 

8. Must be a miserable old toerag. 

 

[Sydebolle]

Government has no bigger fish to fry?

Ah, me stupid, most cabbies are sheer analphabets from Isan and pristine voter material. 

Why do people chose Bolt, Uber and whatever-else-there-is? The details of the driver are known to the passenger (phone, car registration and name of driver) which ensures, that unlike the two-coloured cabbie with some licenses on his dashboard showing anybody but the driver, the passenger has a safer feeling. The Bolt driver on the other hand gets a pre-announced fare and the details of the passenger can be retrieved as well. 

Given the present ranigazoo I would assume, that the distinguished government might have other stuff on their plate and keep their noses and fingers out of this jar as well ......... 

[gary12553]

7 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

You'd think this was already the case but TIT. From a customer's perspective, the ride hailing apps are not as reliable in Thailand as other countries. For example, I've had several rides accepted by a driver, only to then realize he's not 10 minutes away as indicated, he's 30 minutes away. Oh, and of course once the driver (far away) has accepted, the customer can't cancel the ride. Same goes for food deliveries where 20 minutes can turn into an hour.

The Bolt App has cancel button. Scroll down past where you see the price at at the bottom there is a "Cancel" button. When you  hit it a menu pops up giving you choices as to why, works great, I've used it before when the driver was taking to arrive like he was lost or something.

[davb]

The rideshare apps have two big things that regular taxis don't offer:

1) I can summon them to our house. Otherwise I have to take a motorcycle to the main road and hail one there.

2) they can go places that the driver doesn't know how to get to. Regular taxis refuse to use GPS and it's really difficult to have Google maps open and try to tell the driver where to turn.

 

I think part of the problem is that a lot of taxi drivers can't see close-up. Sometimes I'll hold up on my phone where I want to go, and they'll squint but can't read it.

 

[Lahey]

What am I missing here?  I happily pay a little more for Grab or Bolt than a taxi using the meter would cost.  Trying to find a taxi that will accept a destination and agree to use the meter is a real headache want wastes a lot of time and effort, leading to frustration.

 

[ronnie50]

2 hours ago, gary12553 said:

The Bolt App has cancel button. Scroll down past where you see the price at at the bottom there is a "Cancel" button. When you  hit it a menu pops up giving you choices as to why, works great, I've used it before when the driver was taking to arrive like he was lost or something.

Thanks. Will have a look. Does Bolt do food delivery too? Or just ride hailing? My wife has a Thai app called Movemi (or moveme). Hails tuktuks etc. She likes it because it's cheaper for rides not too far away.

[Derek B]

9 hours ago, JAG said:

Will all vehicles working on the ride hailing apps being required to have missing seatbelts, a broken meter covered in an old towel mounted on top of the dashboard and be driven by a chap in a sweaty blue shirt, it's collar protected by a piece of paper held in place by two paperclips?

 

Only fair!

Don't forget the trunk full of LPG gas tank.

With meter off not to mention paying for a trip off meter quoted as including all tolls only to be taken on the regular road route directly below the Toll Road.