Minister Summons Popular App Over Driver Assault, Plans System Overhaul

MGR Online•Politics•10d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Minister Supamas Isaraphakdi is taking decisive action against ride-sharing platforms following an incident where a driver assaulted a tourist, vowing to overhaul the entire system and pursue legal action in certain cases.

•Minister Supamas Isaraphakdi summoned representatives from a popular ride-sharing application following an assault on a Japanese tourist in Asoke.
•A meeting is scheduled for June 5th with the app involved, followed by a broader discussion with 13 platforms on June 12th to improve the entire system.
•The government will not mediate the "Volvo case" and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) will file a lawsuit on behalf of consumers.

Overview

•On June 4, N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi addressed the progress of the case involving a driver from a popular application assaulting a Japanese tourist in the Asoke area.
•N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi stated that the platform's alleged lower prices contribute to its popularity, but consumer rights must be protected.
•The incident where a driver assaulted a Japanese tourist is considered a violation of consumer rights, as passengers must be safely transported to their destination.
•The popular application's representatives met with OCPB representatives at Thong Lor Police Station and offered 35,000 baht in compensation, but criminal charges for assault are proceeding.
•On June 5, N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi will summon the problematic platform for a discussion, and on June 12, 13 platforms nationwide will be invited to a meeting.
•The driver responsible for assaulting the Japanese tourist was 23 years old and did not possess a public transport driver's license, raising questions about the screening process.
•N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi emphasized the need to review driver screening, age appropriateness for public transport, and the concept of civil driver's licenses versus public transport licenses.
•A larger OCPB meeting is scheduled for June 5 to consider multiple issues, including over 500 "Volvo cases" for which lawsuits will be filed without mediation, seeking maximum compensation for consumers.

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Key Quotes

N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi

""If one is to die, one must die alone.""

“ถ้าจะตายต้องไปตายคนเดียว”

N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi

""Must have a public driver's license, emphasizing passenger safety.""

“ต้องมีใบขับขี่สาธารณะ ย้ำผู้โดยสารต้องปลอดภัย”

N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi

""If one is to die, one must die alone. As for the Volvo case, it will not be mediated.""

“ถ้าจะตายต้องไปตายคนเดียว ส่วนเคสวอลโว่ ไม่ไกล่เกลี่ยแล้ว”

Key Entities

Person

Supamas(ศุภมาส)

Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office responsible for consumer protection and ride-sharing platform regulation.

N.S. Supamas Isaraphakdi(น.ส.ศุภมาส อิศรภักดี)

Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office who is leading the initiative to regulate ride-sharing platforms.

Organization

Popular App(แอปฯดัง)

A ride-sharing application that is the subject of a complaint regarding a driver assaulting a tourist and a planned system overhaul.

Office of the Consumer Protection Board(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค)

The government body responsible for protecting consumer rights and pursuing legal action on behalf of consumers.

Place

Thonglor Police Station(สน.ทองหล่อ)

The police station where the popular app's representatives met with OCPB representatives.