Nationwide Outcry as Drivers Fight for Survival
Thailand is gripped by a wave of anger and fear. Ride-hailing drivers from platforms like Grab and Bolt are fighting for their very existence.
A new set of digital regulations, set to hit on 3 October 2025, threatens to lock thousands out of work. Now, drivers are demanding urgent reforms and modern, efficient government action.
Bureaucratic Nightmare Blocks Legal Work
The new rules, brought in by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), require every driver to register their vehicle as public transport and apply for a public driving licence.
But in reality, this is almost impossible.
Monthita Praditpol from Bangkok sums it up: “We want to work legally, but the system doesn’t support us.” In many provinces, getting a licence appointment takes months. Walk-ins? Forget it—staff shortages make them rare.
Even if drivers meet all requirements early, their original appointment isn’t cancelled. The result? Wasted time and precious resources.
Stuck in the Digital Dark Ages
The chaos runs deeper than just appointments. Background checks, once done in a day, now drag on for weeks.
Why? The digital link between the Department of Corrections and the Department of Land Transport has collapsed.
Then there’s the paperwork. Drivers must submit documents in person. No digital integration, no shared systems. Lost files, repeated work, and endless delays are now the norm.
Tourist Hotspots Hit Hardest
Korpakrit Chaipurivong in Phuket sounds the alarm: “Phuket is a tourism hub. If drivers are blocked by impractical laws, it hurts tourism, local services, and the whole economy.”
In Chiang Mai, Natdanai Mongkolphongsakorn slams the outdated vehicle rules: “The law limits bikes to 125cc, but many use bigger, safer models. We need modern rules like our neighbours.”
Drivers Demand Urgent Reform
The drivers have clear demands for the government:
- Modernise appointment systems and increase slots
- Restore digital background checks between agencies
- Digitise document processing with unified systems
- Update old vehicle laws and capacity limits
- Provide transition periods and support to protect incomes
Racing Against the Clock
The October 3 deadline looms large. Tension mounts by the day.
Thotsaphon Kamor from Chonburi highlights a critical flaw: “Many drivers don’t own their bikes, but current laws ban registration under a renter’s or relative’s name.”
This is more than just a protest. It’s a wake-up call for Thailand’s public systems to join the digital age.
As the nation embraces AI and e-commerce, its laws and infrastructure must keep pace with reality. Will the government listen before it’s too late?
