The Department of Land Transport (DLT) will allow companies offering app-based ride-hailing services to operate their services legally from November.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Friday he had signed five ministerial regulations necessary before the process of legalising ride-hailing services can begin in Thailand.
The registration of service providers began the same day and registered operators should be able to begin their services next month, he said.
At least six companies have expressed an intention to register their ride-hailing services using the new official channels, he said, adding the DLT has been instructed to include motorcycle taxis in the scheme. It is not yet clear how many drivers are likely to join the scheme.
The Transport Ministry has decided that fares for taxi services hailed through an app can start at 40 baht, he said.
About 10,000 drivers who were using personal cars to pick up passengers in app-based ride hailing services, previously considered illegal, are expected to join the legal ride-hailing project, he said.
Fares for these services have been divided into three categories based on the size of taxis used: small, medium and large, said DLT director-general Jirut Wisanjit.
The fares of small taxis services are 40 baht to 45 baht for the first two kilometres while between 6 baht and 10 baht will be charged per kilometre after that, he said.
The fares for medium-sized taxi services are also 40 baht to 45 baht for the first two kilometres while extra charges of between 7 baht and 12 baht per kilometre will apply for longer rides, he said.
Larger vehicles will cost between 100 baht and 150 baht over the first two kilometres and then 12 baht to 16 baht per kilometre thereafter, he said.