Bangkok taxi drivers have warned they will block Suvarnabhumi Airport’s entrances and exits if the government fails to revoke permissions allowing the Grab ride-hailing service to operate at the airport, following a protest held on May 21, 2025, outside the national parliament.
Roughly 50 members of the Thai Public Taxi Association gathered outside Gate 5 of the parliament complex, located near the Ministry of Education on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road. The protest was led by association head Waraphol Kaemkhunthod, who called on the government to shut down the Grab lounge operating at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The taxi drivers’ core demand is the cancellation of ministerial regulations that permit ride-hailing apps to operate in designated zones at major transport hubs, including airports. They argue that such measures benefit foreign-based companies and tech investors while placing traditional taxi drivers at a disadvantage.
Waraphol stated that while app-based drivers gain passenger traffic due to their online visibility, many traditional cab drivers are left with significantly reduced earnings. He also expressed concern that incidents involving app-based drivers have at times been incorrectly attributed to registered taxi drivers, damaging their reputation.
The group submitted demands to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, urging immediate action. If the government did not respond by Wednesday evening, they warned, members would begin a blockade at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Waraphol stressed the protest was non-political and focused on protecting the livelihoods of Thai drivers. He said the issue came down to a national decision—whether to support local drivers or allow foreign-owned platforms to dominate key transportation sectors.
Grab Holdings Inc., the operator of the Grab app, is headquartered in Singapore and operates throughout Southeast Asia.
