Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) is set to implement new regulations for ride-hailing services, requiring platforms like Grab to register under official government systems within the next 90 days. The move aims to address long-standing concerns about fairness between app-based operators and traditional taxi services.
According to the DLT, the policy will mandate digital ride-hailing providers to register vehicles and drivers under categories Ror Yor 17 and Ror Yor 18. Drivers must also obtain public driving licences. The regulation is part of the Ministry of Transport’s broader effort to bring app-based services into line with existing legal and safety standards applied to conventional taxi operators.
The draft directive, titled the “Draft Announcement of the Electronic Transactions Commission on Digital Platform Services: Ride-Sharing Vehicles and Motorbikes,” outlines requirements for registration, licensing, and fare compliance. It also obliges platforms to implement systems for addressing driver misconduct and reporting vehicle and pricing data to the DLT.
To support this transition, the DLT has announced an acceleration of criminal background checks and licensing procedures, to reduce delays and ensure drivers meet public safety standards.
In parallel, the department is reviewing commission structures applied by ride-hailing platforms to ensure a fairer distribution of costs and benefits for drivers and passengers alike. These reforms are expected to reshape the landscape of urban transportation in Thailand by standardising operations across digital and traditional service providers.
Officials, including DLT Director-General Jirut Wisanjit, have engaged with industry stakeholders to discuss compliance measures and implementation timelines. The initiative follows a draft issued by the Electronic Transactions Commission and signals a step towards greater regulatory oversight of the ride-hailing sector.
