Phuket: Uber taxi service ‘is illegal’ – Thai Transport Dept

[Lupatria]

You want ripoff Go to Vegas grab a cab there 35.00 USD for a 2 minute ride more if you take freeway.

Hmmmmmm. Last May, I did airport to Bellagio (about 2.5 miles) for 18 USD. Four of us, plus luggage.

Who would ask the driver to go on a freeway for a two minute ride?

[bkkjames]

Hard to imagine that Uber could be overcharging in Phuket where a cheap fare is 500+ baht. Little to do with Uber being illegal and a lot more to do with the "wrong" people making the money

Again the question, which so far nobody has answered, is this illegal verdict a Phuket verdict or a nation wide verdict?

covered pretty extensively in the newspaper we are not allowed to quote here.

Why not just answer the question, would have been less typing for you and for me.

Lol

[mortenaa]

I've used Uber on several occasions in Bangkok. It's a bit more expensive compared to normal metered taxis, but service is great! It's to be considered as a limo-service, and doubt they can make it illegal. Cars are new and clean. Drivers are quiet, polite and well dressed. No "I don't go there", or complaints about traffic. Highly recommended!

But it's illegal, so no insurance cover, so not highly recommended.

It's absolutely legal. This is limousine drivers, with green plates. Hence legal. They just utilize Uber to get customers.

[stevenl]

I've used Uber on several occasions in Bangkok. It's a bit more expensive compared to normal metered taxis, but service is great! It's to be considered as a limo-service, and doubt they can make it illegal. Cars are new and clean. Drivers are quiet, polite and well dressed. No "I don't go there", or complaints about traffic. Highly recommended!

But it's illegal, so no insurance cover, so not highly recommended.

It's absolutely legal. This is limousine drivers, with green plates. Hence legal. They just utilize Uber to get customers.

What is this article about? Ah, the DLT just pronounced it illegal.

[maidee]

ahhhhhhhhhhh thailand and fair competition

that is not going to go well ...

all those poor tuk tuk drivers used to get 50.000 baht per month or more ....

[NamKangMan]

I've used Uber on several occasions in Bangkok. It's a bit more expensive compared to normal metered taxis, but service is great! It's to be considered as a limo-service, and doubt they can make it illegal. Cars are new and clean. Drivers are quiet, polite and well dressed. No "I don't go there", or complaints about traffic. Highly recommended!

But it's illegal, so no insurance cover, so not highly recommended.

It's absolutely legal. This is limousine drivers, with green plates. Hence legal. They just utilize Uber to get customers.

What is this article about? Ah, the DLT just pronounced it illegal.

Currently, on Phuket, I think Uber is legal, because they are only using registered taxis and licenced taxi drivers, although, as pointed out by another member, "the association" may not be happy with them.

These drivers are charging higher prices, higher than the already too high price, if you hire them through Uber, so, it's probably doomed to fail.

Another member posted a link that Uber is now recruiting "civilian" drivers here, but the website was in Thai. I'm under the belief that these drivers will be operating illegally on Phuket and across the country.

[stevenl]

Currently, on Phuket, I think Uber is legal, because they are only using registered taxis and licenced taxi drivers, although, as pointed out by another member, "the association" may not be happy with them.

These drivers are charging higher prices, higher than the already too high price, if you hire them through Uber, so, it's probably doomed to fail.

Another member posted a link that Uber is now recruiting "civilian" drivers here, but the website was in Thai. I'm under the belief that these drivers will be operating illegally on Phuket and across the country.

You can think whatever you like, DLT obviously does not agree with you.

[NamKangMan]

Currently, on Phuket, I think Uber is legal, because they are only using registered taxis and licenced taxi drivers, although, as pointed out by another member, "the association" may not be happy with them.

These drivers are charging higher prices, higher than the already too high price, if you hire them through Uber, so, it's probably doomed to fail.

Another member posted a link that Uber is now recruiting "civilian" drivers here, but the website was in Thai. I'm under the belief that these drivers will be operating illegally on Phuket and across the country.

You can think whatever you like, DLT obviously does not agree with you.

The quotes I am relying on in my post are these:

"The DLT alleges that Uber is using not only “cars that are not correct for public service” but also cars that “are not registered” as taxis – in other words, “black plate” taxis." - this is currently not true of Phuket. Uber are only using registed taxis.

“Do not use the Uber Service because it is not safe and Uber is not part of the public transportation system.” - on Phuket, the vehicles, and drivers, ARE part of the public transport system here, although I use the term "public transport system" losely.

“Uber services passengers with green- and black-plate cars. In addition, the prices it charges are not according to the law.” - this is currently correct, but with a price adjustment, this illegality would disappear.

“[some] of the drivers do not have public driver licenses.” - they do, on Phuket.

So, the things that the DLT state makes Uber illegal, are currently not an issue of legality, on Phuket, except for pricing, which may be adjusted in the future, in order to negate this illegality.

If the DLT are stating the Uber App is itself illegal, well, I suppose they could Government Firewall the App, in a similar way they block pornography websites. I'm not sure how an App can be illegal, within itself, but TIT.

Is this where you are getting confused, stevenl, that the Uber App is itself, illegal, because the DLT stated "Uber" is illegal?

The way it reads to me is Uber is illegal ONLY due to the vehicles and drivers used, and the pricing. Uber on Phuket does not have a legal issue with the vehicles and drivers, only the pricing. If they bring that inline, I can't see how Uber can be deemed illegal, under Thai Law.

Instead of ringing the driver personally, or waving the driver down, you use the App to book the driver.

It would simply become another way of booking.

[stevenl]

Currently, on Phuket, I think Uber is legal, because they are only using registered taxis and licenced taxi drivers, although, as pointed out by another member, "the association" may not be happy with them.

These drivers are charging higher prices, higher than the already too high price, if you hire them through Uber, so, it's probably doomed to fail.

Another member posted a link that Uber is now recruiting "civilian" drivers here, but the website was in Thai. I'm under the belief that these drivers will be operating illegally on Phuket and across the country.

You can think whatever you like, DLT obviously does not agree with you.

The quotes I am relying on in my post are these:

"The DLT alleges that Uber is using not only “cars that are not correct for public service” but also cars that “are not registered” as taxis – in other words, “black plate” taxis." - this is currently not true of Phuket. Uber are only using registed taxis.

“Do not use the Uber Service because it is not safe and Uber is not part of the public transportation system.” - on Phuket, the vehicles, and drivers, ARE part of the public transport system here, although I use the term "public transport system" losely.

“Uber services passengers with green- and black-plate cars. In addition, the prices it charges are not according to the law.” - this is currently correct, but with a price adjustment, this illegality would disappear.

“[some] of the drivers do not have public driver licenses.” - they do, on Phuket.

So, the things that the DLT state makes Uber illegal, are currently not an issue of legality, on Phuket, except for pricing, which may be adjusted in the future, in order to negate this illegality.

If the DLT are stating the Uber App is itself illegal, well, I suppose they could Government Firewall the App, in a similar way they block pornography websites. I'm not sure how an App can be illegal, within itself, but TIT.

Is this where you are getting confused, stevenl, that the Uber App is itself, illegal, because the DLT stated "Uber" is illegal?

The way it reads to me is Uber is illegal ONLY due to the vehicles and drivers used, and the pricing. Uber on Phuket does not have a legal issue with the vehicles and drivers, only the pricing. If they bring that inline, I can't see how Uber can be deemed illegal, under Thai Law.

Instead of ringing the driver personally, or waving the driver down, you use the App to book the driver.

It would simply become another way of booking.

Again, you can think what you like, I can think what I like (I have nowhere mentioned they are illegal BTW as you claim), but the DLT has declared Uber illegal.

Which part of that don't you get?

[starkey_rich]

Once the Greedmongers find a way to get their cut all will be fine.

[NamKangMan]

Currently, on Phuket, I think Uber is legal, because they are only using registered taxis and licenced taxi drivers, although, as pointed out by another member, "the association" may not be happy with them.

These drivers are charging higher prices, higher than the already too high price, if you hire them through Uber, so, it's probably doomed to fail.

Another member posted a link that Uber is now recruiting "civilian" drivers here, but the website was in Thai. I'm under the belief that these drivers will be operating illegally on Phuket and across the country.

You can think whatever you like, DLT obviously does not agree with you.

The quotes I am relying on in my post are these:

"The DLT alleges that Uber is using not only “cars that are not correct for public service” but also cars that “are not registered” as taxis – in other words, “black plate” taxis." - this is currently not true of Phuket. Uber are only using registed taxis.

“Do not use the Uber Service because it is not safe and Uber is not part of the public transportation system.” - on Phuket, the vehicles, and drivers, ARE part of the public transport system here, although I use the term "public transport system" losely.

“Uber services passengers with green- and black-plate cars. In addition, the prices it charges are not according to the law.” - this is currently correct, but with a price adjustment, this illegality would disappear.

“[some] of the drivers do not have public driver licenses.” - they do, on Phuket.

So, the things that the DLT state makes Uber illegal, are currently not an issue of legality, on Phuket, except for pricing, which may be adjusted in the future, in order to negate this illegality.

If the DLT are stating the Uber App is itself illegal, well, I suppose they could Government Firewall the App, in a similar way they block pornography websites. I'm not sure how an App can be illegal, within itself, but TIT.

Is this where you are getting confused, stevenl, that the Uber App is itself, illegal, because the DLT stated "Uber" is illegal?

The way it reads to me is Uber is illegal ONLY due to the vehicles and drivers used, and the pricing. Uber on Phuket does not have a legal issue with the vehicles and drivers, only the pricing. If they bring that inline, I can't see how Uber can be deemed illegal, under Thai Law.

Instead of ringing the driver personally, or waving the driver down, you use the App to book the driver.

It would simply become another way of booking.

Again, you can think what you like, I can think what I like (I have nowhere mentioned they are illegal BTW as you claim), but the DLT has declared Uber illegal.

Which part of that don't you get?

Ok.

I "don't get" what YOU THINK the DLT says is illegal about Uber, in relation to Phuket.

Perhaps YOU can enlighten me. Is it the vehicles, the licence of the divers, the pricing (yes- I agree, this is currently illegal) or the Uber App itself?

The DLT can say, "Uber is illegal" but when they state all the illegalities, Uber on Phuket, only has to address the pricing - the rest is legal.

[me313]

Uber Taxi should be illegal simply for the name of the company and what it implies.

[monkeycountry]

So Ubers cars are not safe and prices charged are not according to the law. How is that different from all the "legal" taxis?

Edited December 1, 2014 by monkeycountry

[kartman]

Are the drivers handing out their personal cards to likely resident repeat fares ? incase Uber stops would be interesting to know.