Drivers convened at Saphan Hin’s central stage parking lot last Tuesday (Nov 5) to call for a revision of laws that would allow them to continue accepting jobs electronically, a practice that had become common during the COVID-19 tourism crackdown, national state news agency NNT reported yesterday (Nov 10) through the state-run NBT Connext platform.
Of note, the national news agency NNT reported in full a very brief post online by NBT Phuket, also posted online yesterday, while the NBT Phuket report did not directly share many of the details of its own story.
‘Green plate’ taxis, typically used for tourist and business transport services, turned to app-based job acceptance as a way to sustain income after pandemic restrictions hurt tourism, said the NNT report.
However, recent police actions have targeted drivers who continued using apps, sparking frustration and calls for change among the drivers, the report added.
Prasert Khemmanuwong, representing Phuket’s ‘green plate’ taxi drivers, said that app-based job acceptance had become a key source of income.
He described the fines as “distressing”, noting that drivers have relied on app=based fares since COVID-19 severely affected regular business.
“We are calling for legal amendments that will let us work through apps as before, or at least a temporary halt on fines while we await these changes,” Mr Prasert said. “This is about enabling green plate drivers to earn a living without fear of penalties.”
Responding to the drivers’ demands, Atcha Buachan, Chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), explained that current regulations do not permit green plate cars to accept jobs through apps.
Instead, green plate taxis must be specifically registered for tourism or business transport, which prohibits app-based services.
He advised that drivers interested in app-based work should register their vehicles as ‘Type 18’, a designation allowing electronic hire services legally.
As discussions continue, green plate drivers are calling on provincial authorities to consider their livelihoods and provide a feasible pathway for continuing app-based services within the law, concluded the report.
According to the latest notice issued by the PLTO, on Oct 24, ride-hailing apps Hello Phuket, Grab, AirAsia Super App, Robinhood, Bonku, Asia Cab, Bolt and inDriver are legal to use in Thailand.
Maxim remains listed as ‘uncertified’ by the Department of Land Transport for legal use in the country.
** Maxim has since confirmed, with documentary evidence, that they are operating fully legally in Thailand, See story: Maxim ride-sharing fully legal
Meanwhile, the PLTO has yet to recognise the mass gathering of ‘green plate’ taxi drivers at Saphan Hin last week to voice their objections to being B2,000 each time they are caught taking a fare through an app.