The Department of Land Transport on Tuesday ordered Uber Technologies and Grab to immediately halt their motorcycle taxi-hailing services and warned all motorcycle taxi drivers that they had to register or face maximum fines under relevant laws if they continue their services.
DLT deputy director-general Nunthapong Cherdchu said the UberMoto and GrabBike services had caused inequality and injustice to the motorbike taxi drivers who already registered under the government’s reorganisation programme.
He said department officials had invited company executives for a meeting on Tuesday to inform them they were breaching the laws but only the representatives of UberMoto came.
Mr Nunthapong said Tuesday’s meeting would be the last talks with the companies and after this, decisive action would be taken to shut down their motorcycle ride-hailing applications.
He said DLT had ordered UberMoto and GrabBike motorcycle taxis to stop picking up customers during their last meeting in March because they were not registered for public transport. However, they continued the services and competed for passengers with legally registered motorbike taxis.
DLT officials, police and soldiers would launch a crackdown on the UberMoto and GrabBike service providers who still use their personal motorcycles to pick up passengers.
First-time offenders would face a fine of 2,000 baht for the offence and another 1,000 baht each for failing to wear government-provided motorcycle-taxi queue jackets and for not displaying public vehicle driving licences, totalling 4,000 baht. They will have their licences suspended for repeat offences.
There are over 186,000 motorcycles registered to provide taxi services in Thailand, almost half of which serve in Bangkok, according to government data.
GrabBike said in a statement it was working with the government to resolve the issues.
"GrabBike offers a service that reduces traffic in Bangkok, one of the world's most congested cities," Singapore-headquartered Grab said in a statement. "Staff are well-trained and insured."
Uber representatives were not immediately available for comment. Uber launched its services in Bangkok in February.
Authorities have arrested 66 motorcycle drivers working for Uber and Grab Bike, Mr Nunthapong added.