Transport Ministry eases rider registration; Bolt seeks license renewal

MGR Online•Economy•13d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Ministry of Transport is easing registration for ride-hailing drivers and vehicles and considering a renewal for Bolt's operating license.

•The Ministry of Transport plans to relax registration requirements for ride-hailing drivers and vehicles operating through apps.
•Bolt's business operating license is set to expire on May 31, 2026, and is currently under consideration for renewal.
•New regulations will permit public liability insurance instead of comprehensive insurance to reduce costs for drivers.
•A one-month grace period will be given to Bolt to make improvements before a decision on their license renewal is made.

Overview

•Bolt's business operating license is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2026.
•The Ministry of Transport aims to bring drivers into the system, with benefits for the public.
•The Ministry of Transport will issue ministerial regulations to ease registration for app-based drivers.
•The Ministry of Transport is relaxing regulations to make it easier and cheaper for app-based drivers to register and operate.
•Bolt's application for business operating license renewal is currently under consideration.
•Bolt will be granted an approximately one-month period to make necessary improvements.
•The Department of Land Transport (DLT) will require Bolt to meet specific conditions for license renewal, including driver qualifications and internal complaint resolution systems.
•If Bolt fails to comply within the specified time, the DLT may temporarily suspend their business operating license.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on MGR Online (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: MGR Online (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

Siri_phong Angkasakulkiat

"The objective is to bring drivers into the system, with benefits accruing to the public."

มีวัตถุประสงค์ที่จะนำผู้ขับเข้าสู่ระบบ โดยให้ประโยชน์จะตกกับประชาชน

Siri_phong Angkasakulkiat

"The Ministry of Transport will issue ministerial regulations to announce relaxed guidelines, making it easier for app-based drivers to participate with reduced costs while still being inspectable and meeting standards."

กระทรวงคมนาคม จะออกกฎกระทรวง ฯ เพื่อประกาศการผ่อนปรนให้คนขับรถผ่านแอปฯ เข้าร่วมได้ง่ายขึ้น และมีต้นทุนที่ลดลงแต่ยังสามารถตรวจสอบและให้บริการได้ตามมาตรฐาน

Key Entities

Organization

Ministry of Transport(คมนาคม)ℹ️

The Thai government ministry responsible for transportation, announcing new regulations for ride-hailing services.

Bolt(โบลท์)ℹ️

A ride-hailing application whose business operating license renewal is under review by the Ministry of Transport.

Department of Land Transport (DLT)(กรมการขนส่งทางบก (ขบ.))ℹ️

The Thai government agency tasked with implementing and enforcing the new regulations for ride-hailing services and processing license renewals.

Person

Siri_phong Angkasakulkiat(นายสิริพงศ์ อังคสกุลเกียรติ)

Deputy Minister of Transport, announcing the government's intentions to relax regulations and consider Bolt's license renewal.

Law

Business Operating License(ใบรับรองการประกอบธุรกิจ)

The official permit required for ride-hailing applications like Bolt to operate legally in Thailand.

Comprehensive Insurance (Class 1)(ประกัชั้น 1)

The type of insurance that was previously mandatory for ride-hailing vehicles, now being replaced by public liability insurance to reduce costs.

Public Liability Insurance(ประกันภัยสาธารณะ)

The new type of insurance that will be mandated for ride-hailing vehicles as a cost-saving measure, while still ensuring passenger protection.

RY.18(รย.18)

The specific registration category for ride-hailing vehicles that must be met by all registered vehicles.

Timeline

May 31, 2026(31 พ.ค. 2026)

The expiration date of Bolt's current business operating license, at which point renewal is considered.