Bangkok: Ride-hailing apps are demanding registration. The Thai Hire Purchase Association, represented by Mr. Wisarut Puthom and Mr. Jiraphat Sopalai, together with a group of ride-hailing drivers, submitted a letter to Mr. Sarun Thongthammachat, Chairman of the Thai Hire Purchase Association. They have requested leniency and proposed ways for the association to assist them in adjusting conditions and relaxing operational restrictions that hinder the registration of vehicles as Type R.Y.18.

According to Thai News Agency, the group of drivers highlighted several obstacles, including complex registration procedures, vehicle-related conditions, and insurance requirements that lead to significant hidden costs, especially those imposed by leasing companies and financial institutions. The drivers are requesting assistance in three main areas: maintaining the current interest rate when changing to type R.Y.18, allowing flexibility in insurance options, and permitting the use of photocopies of vehicle registration certificates for registration purposes.

Mr. Wisarut Puthom expressed the drivers' struggles, stating, "In this economic climate, where everyone is facing war, along with rising living costs and fuel prices, we still want to have an honest job to support our families by providing passenger transport services via applications and to be able to pay our vehicle installments on time."

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) data reveals that currently, there are 36,896 registered app-based ride-hailing vehicles in the Driver Verify system of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA). However, less than half have registered legally. A registration deadline of March 31, 2026, has been set, with strict legal action for violations after this date, including fines and possible imprisonment.

The DLT has established a "ONE STOP SERVICE Center for Registration of Ride-Hailing Vehicles via Applications" to facilitate the registration process. Despite this, many drivers continue to raise concerns about the registration process's challenges, such as fees, vehicle type changes, and limited available staff. In Bangkok, only 500 vehicles can be registered per week, causing significant delays. Consequently, the drivers' group is calling for a review and extension of the registration deadline.