Digital Economy Ministry and Transport Department Set to Take Action Against Major Ride-Sharing App Following Driver Deception of Female Student; Threaten Legal Action and App Shutdown
Thai authorities are escalating enforcement against ride-sharing apps following a driver's assault on a female passenger, threatening legal action and platform shutdowns for companies failing to comply with registration and safety standards
On April 29, 2025, Pachon Anantsila, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy for Society (DE), chaired a press conference announcing control measures for ride-sharing platform providers following an incident involving malicious conduct toward a service user. He was joined by Dr. Chaichana Mitpan, Director of the Electronic Transactions Development Office (ETDA), Sarapong Paituryapong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT), Major General Chanannut Saratwalpaichaya, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), Police Colonel Kongsak Pannoi from Nong Khaem Police Station, and Nattadanai Suksitanan, General Manager of Bolt Thailand.
Permanent Secretary Pachon stated that following Digital Economy Minister Chaiyachok Chidchob's directive to expedite control measures for public transport platform providers, the incident represents conduct that should never occur had the platform complied with standards set by the DE Ministry, ETDA, and the DLT. All ride-sharing service providers must register vehicles under the public transport vehicle system (Form 17/Form 18) and drivers must hold public transport driving licenses. The previous registration deadline of March 31, 2025 has now passed, and full legal enforcement will begin moving forward.
The DE Permanent Secretary stated that the ministry regrets the incident and will take full enforcement action against platforms that fail to comply with regulations and negligently allow misconduct to occur. Enhanced legal enforcement mechanisms may be implemented, particularly for platforms lacking proper risk management and user safety systems as defined by the DE and Transport ministries.
Enforcement may include both civil and criminal proceedings to suspend or revoke platform operations, and may invoke the Computer Crime Act Section 20 to block non-compliant platforms. Chaichana Mitpan, ETDA Director, stated that the ride-sharing incident highlights the necessity to "elevate the intensity of supervision and legal enforcement" to build user confidence. ETDA has been conducting parallel operations with serious legal enforcement and continuous consultations with the DLT and related agencies.
Platform providers have been instructed to ensure operations comply with the "Electronic Transactions Commission Announcement Concerning Other Operations for Public Transport Ride-Sharing Platform Business" effective March 31, 2025. Chaichana noted that monitoring revealed some platforms have "insufficiently rigorous" verification procedures, particularly regarding driver identity verification. ETDA has therefore issued orders for stricter compliance.
