Unlicensed taxi drivers to be arrested but Uber not banned

AMID the ongoing debate on the pros and cons of Uber and similar taxi-hailing services, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpitayapaisit said the government would not shut down Uber and other applications in Thailand but unlicensed taxis and drivers would be arrested.

The minister also said the government did not plan to exercise its sweeping powers under Article 44 of the interim charter to deal with Uber and similar services. However, he urged the new entrants to the transport market to follow Thai law on taxi licensing.

Other countries have faced problems similar to Thailand as Uber and other companies provide services because the income of traditional, licensed taxis was hurt by unlicensed taxi operators, Arkhom said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30308391


Heavy crackdown looms on Uber, ride-sharing apps

THE LAND Transport Department is planning to propose the use of Article 44 of the interim charter to ban drivers using Uber and other ride-sharing apps. Deputy director-general Nanthapong Cherdchu yesterday said a sting operation on Monday in Bangkok had led to 18 Uber drivers being arrested. Each was fined Bt2,000.

He said the agency must make people understand that the use of Uber was illegal and if accidents occurred, passengers would receive less protection under the law.

Nanthapong also called for an improvement of taxi services to make them more attractive to users.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30308250


Give Uber, Grab a fare go

Over the past week, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) has toughened its stance against major cab-hailing services, Uber and Grab Taxi, undertaking a series of "sting operations" to crack down on their drivers in the northern city of Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

As a result, authorities have nabbed drivers of the "unauthorised" services and slapped them with a fine of 2,000 baht each.

Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith insisted mobile application use for hailing taxis is not the problem. The illegality is about the use of the wrong type of vehicle -- personal cars which are unauthorised to be used as taxis. The cab-hailing operators need to comply with laws in Thailand to ensure sufficient protection for passengers, especially in case of accidents, he said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...grab-a-fare-go