Bangkok: A large group of taxi drivers gathered at the Government House, urging the Prime Minister to take immediate action to regulate ride-hailing platforms and address the surging fuel prices impacting their livelihoods.
According to Thai News Agency, the protest was organized by five public transport associations, including the Public Taxi Drivers' Professional Association and the Thai Riders Association. Led by Mr. Worapol Kaemkhunthod, the demonstrators assembled on Ratchadamnoen Central Road, presenting a formal letter to the Prime Minister. Their demands centered around revising legal frameworks and mitigating the financial strain on public transport operators due to escalating fuel costs.
The protesters emphasized the adverse effects of rising fuel prices on various public transport workers, such as taxi drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers, tuk-tuk drivers, and bus drivers. These rising costs have severely impacted their earnings and overall sustainability.
The group outlined six key demands in their plea to the government. These included enforcing laws against non-compliant digital platforms, penalizing unauthorized application platforms, and developing a government-backed public ride-hailing application. They also called for revisions to existing laws and ministerial regulations to lower operating costs and boost employment within the sector.
Additionally, the protestors proposed extending the service life of taxis from the current maximum of 9 years to 12 years, and up to 15 years for electric taxis. They also urged the government to establish fair fare rates across Bangkok and other provinces, reflecting the current economic climate.
In response, Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, received the complaint letter and engaged in discussions with the transport operators and related agencies, signaling the government's willingness to consider their grievances.