Bangkok Taxi | Taxi Apps

[Sundance2020]

Taxi Apps Legalised | Fares from 40 THB

Taxi hailing apps, with fares starting at 40 THB have now been officially approved for use in Thailand, having received the sign off by Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob. The new ruling allows companies to apply for permissions to operate using mobile apps, subject to a 30-day trial period.

The Minister expects 10,000 taxis of up to 7 passenger capacity to be signed up for the programme and available in Bangkok. Taxis will be categorised into 3 different vehicle types from small taxi cars to large taxi vans with travel rates priced accordingly.

For the cheapest taxi option, rates will start at 40 to 45 THB for the first 2 kilometres and then will charge between 6 and 10 THB for each additional kilometre. Midrange taxis will start at 45 to 50 THB with 7 to 12 baht per kilometres after the first 2 kilometres. The largest taxi size will have pickup fees that include the first 2 kilometres priced at 100 to 150 THB, with additional kilometres costing 12 to 16 THB each.

To avoid price gouging, hailing charges to order or flag down the taxi has been limited to 20 THB maximum. Waiting or idling in traffic will be charged at a rate of 2 THB per minute as well.

The plan says that when a user orders a ride through a taxi hailing app, first priority will be given to public taxis followed by second priority to environmentally-friendly vehicles. Motorbike taxis are hoped to be added to the programme in the near future.

In order for companies to join, they must have registered capital of more than 5 million baht, a qualified business within Thailand, operate 24 hours a day, and must have never had GPS permissions revoked by providers. Companies that have expressed interest already and qualify for these restrictions include GrabTaxi, Robinhood (Purpil Venture Co), Delivery Hero/Food Panda, Velox Digital (Gojek) and Lineman.

[Sundance2020]

2022 New Taxi Fares in Bangkok



The Ministry of Transport yesterday approved a motion to increase taxi fares in Bangkok after recent protests by the capital’s cab drivers. The new fares are expected to come into operation in the next two weeks.
The Transport Ministry announced a month ago that taxi fares in Thailand would be increased after eight years of stagnation. The department of transport made the price increase conditional – taxi drivers must improve their service and avoid refusing to serve passengers.

More than 200 taxi drivers gathered in front of the Transport Ministry office yesterday morning to demand an answer on the fare increases as there had been no development for a month. Last month taxi associations asked the government to increase the standard fare rates. Drivers asked for the basic fee to start at 45 THB for 1,600 to 1,800cc taxis and 50 THB for 2,000cc taxis and above.

At the moment, basic fares for every taxi in Thailand start at 35 THB. A journey between 2 to 10 kilometres costs 5.5 THB per kilometre, and a journey between 11 to 20 kilometres onwards costs 6.5 THB kilometre)
The advisor to the Minister of Transport, Wirut Pimpanit, met with four taxi associations yesterday afternoon. Wirut told the associations that the government could not increase the fares they proposed but would compromise. The meeting concluded in an agreement on the new rising price stated below:

1,600 to 1,800 cc taxi cars: The basic fee starts at 35 THB | 2,000 cc taxi cars: The basic fare starts at 40 THB

• A journey from 2 to 10 kilometres costs 6.5 THB/kilometre
• A journey from 11 to 20 kilometres costs 7 THB/kilometre
• A journey from 21 to 40 kilometres costs 8 THB/kilometre
• A journey from 41 to 60 kilometres costs 8.5 THBt/kilometre
• A journey from 61 to 80 kilometres costs 9 THB/kilometre
• A journey from 81 kilometres onwards costs 10.5 THB/kilometre

In traffic jams or in case taxi cars travel less than six kilometres per hour, the cost will be 3 THB minute, up 1 THB.

The new fares will come into effect November 25.2022

Wirut reported that the new fares will apply to about 80,000 taxis in Bangkok only.

For taxis in other provinces, the ministry said it would consider fare prices according to the cost of living and the consumer price index (CPI) in each area, especially in touristy areas like Koh Samui in Surat Thani and Phuket.

Wirut warned taxi drivers to maintain high service standards and stop refusing passengers. If any negligent drivers are discovered abusing their position, they would face severe penalties under the law. Their driving score will be cut, and their license might be suspended or revoked.

[Boomboom]

DLT recommends 6 ride-hailing apps to order a Motorbike Taxi in Thailand

One of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Thailand is by motorbike taxi, and Grab isn’t the only option. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) recommends ordering a motorbike taxi (“Win”) safely and legally using six mobile applications. The DLT has certified six applications providing motorbike taxi services so far, reports BangkokBizNews…

1. Hello Phuket Service
2. Bonku
3. Asia Cab
4. Robinhood
5. Grab
6. AirAsia Superapp

The list suggests that the popular ride-hailing app Bolt, often providing cheaper rides than Grab, is not certified by the DLT as a safe and legal option. Sometimes, motorbike taxi drivers ordered through an app might be wearing an orange jacket if they also work as public motorbike taxi drivers. However, not all will be wearing one. Anyone worried that a Win driver parked on the street is not legitimate might feel reassured by using a ride-hailing application knowing that the taxi driver has had their license, ID, and other documents verified. Not all Win drivers carry spare helmets so it is recommended to take your helmet with you on your motorbike taxi ride to protect your skull in the case of an accident.

Low-cost Malaysian airline AirAsia debuted its “super app” in May last year, providing a variety of services including ride-hailing, flight reservations, and food ordering. The app hoped to compete with the likes of Grab, which, however, still dominate the industry one year on.

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App-based ride services preferred for safety and fair pricing

Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul announced this week that the Transport Ministry is now encouraging individuals to register their personal vehicles for ride-hailing services, adding that additional assistance on the process will be provided by the Department of Land Transport (DLT). The government is promoting the use of registered ride-hailing services in an effort to enhance commuter safety and maintain reasonable fares. Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul announced this week that the Transport Ministry is now encouraging individuals to register their personal vehicles for ride-hailing services, adding that additional assistance on the process will be provided by the Department of Land Transport (DLT).

Traisulee emphasized the importance of using ride-hailing applications that have obtained registration from the DLT, noting that this ensures passengers’ safety throughout their journey while also guaranteeing reasonable service charges. Currently, there are seven ride-hailing apps that have received the DLT’s approval, including Hello Phuket Service, Bonku, Asia Cab, Robinhood, Grab, Air Asia SuperApp, and Bolt.

To identify legally-operating ride-hailing vehicles, passengers are advised to look for taxis with yellow license plates or purple stickers on private cars. These indicators signify that the drivers possess valid driving licenses, have undergone criminal background checks, and have registered their vehicles for providing rides. Meanwhile, Motorcycles involved in ride-hailing services are required to display a yellow license plate, and the riders wear the jacket of the respective ride-hailing company.

[Lucifer]

Buckle up! New law makes taxis ensure passenger wear safety belt

Buckle up! An announcement requiring taxi drivers to warn their passengers to wear their safety belts has been issued and will become effective in November. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette, yesterday, August 7. The warning was declared by the National Police Office, which aims to establish a safety practice for taxi drivers in notifying and ensuring that passengers obey safety laws and wear their seat belts. The National Police Chief, Damrongsak Kittiprapas, signed the ruling. The crucial gist of the announcement highlights the appropriateness of establishing a standard for both public motorists and vehicles for hire used to transport passengers. This involves alerting passengers or offering notifications in these vehicles to comply with safety belt laws and safe standing or sitting protocols for certain types of vehicles.

This new implementation focuses on taxis and public transportation over private vehicles. A law update last year meant that, from September 5, the driver and all passengers – including those in the back seat – are required by law to wear a safety belt, according to the Road Traffic Act (No.13) 2022. Previous laws only required the driver and front row passengers to strap in.

This practice aims to promote safety during driving and riding, under the power provided in Section 123/3 of the Land Transport Act B.E. 1979, as amended by the Land Traffic Act (No. 13), BE 2022. Consequently, the National Police Chief issued the relevant announcement calling for passengers in vehicles to comply with the Safety Belt Act BE 2023. The declaration will come into effect 90 days after the publication date in the Royal Gazette – November 6. It stipulates that drivers of public vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act or vehicles used for passenger transportation for hire under the Land Transport Act must give a warning or arrange for a warning to ensure that passengers in such vehicles comply as follows:

3.1. In any case of vehicles required to install safety belts on all seats as declared by the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, a warning must be given or arranged for to ensure that all passengers in the vehicle must tie the safety belt on the seat at all times during the ride and comply as follows:

1. Must sit on the specified seats for that type of vehicle.
2. Do not sit over the number of seats.
3. Do not sit on additional equipment beyond the specified seats.
4. Do not stand on any part of the vehicle unless the vehicle is provided with a place for standing passengers.
5. Do not reach any part of the body outside the vehicle while riding.

3.2. In cases of vehicles required to install safety belts only on the front row seats as declared by the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, a warning must be given or arranged for so that passengers sitting in the front row seats must tie the safety belt onto their seat at all times during the ride. Moreover, a warning must be given or arranged for a warning to ensure that all passengers comply.