TURAC Recommends Smarter Regulation to Boost Safety and Compliance in Thailand’s Ride-Hailing Industry

Brickinfo News Agency – A new research paper published by the Thammasat University Research and Consultancy Institute (TURAC) urges Thai policymakers to modernise the country’s ride-hailing sector through digitalized regulations and simplified registration processes. The study highlights that while Thailand has made strides in formalising the industry, practical barriers continue to hinder drivers from achieving full legal compliance, ultimately impacting overall passenger safety and regulatory oversight.

The publication, titled Unlocking the Potential of Thailand’s Ride-Hailing Sector: Safety, Competition, and Economic Opportunity in the Digital Age, reviews the progress made since the implementation of the 2021 Ministerial Regulation on Electronic Vehicle-Hailing Services. This original framework introduced mandatory background checks, vehicle standards, and data management obligations to protect consumers. However, TURAC points out that complex administrative procedures, stringent vehicle financing conditions, and insurance requirements remain major obstacles for everyday drivers trying to enter the legal system.

The research emphasizes that transitioning toward an end-to-end digital registration process is critical for the industry. TURAC recommends the swift development of an integrated platform capable of issuing electronic public driving licences (e-Licences), which would combine identity verification and criminal background checks into a single system. This shift aims to reduce bureaucratic friction, support the national digital economy agenda, and bring a larger percentage of flexible labor into the formal, regulated network.

“Ride-hailing is no longer just an alternative tech innovation; it has evolved into a critical digital economic infrastructure supporting the livelihoods and earnings of hundreds of thousands of citizens,” said Dr. Suthikorn Kingkaew, economist and project lead from TURAC. “Thailand has made significant progress in establishing a framework that protects consumers and improves accountability in the ride-hailing sector. The next challenge is ensuring that regulatory systems remain effective, practical and accessible so that more drivers can participate legally while maintaining high standards of safety.”

Dr. Suthikorn further stated that the ongoing discussion should move past whether the sector requires supervision, noting, “The question is no longer whether ride-hailing should be regulated. The question is how to design regulations that achieve public policy objectives while remaining practical for citizens to comply with.”

To resolve the current compliance gap, the paper suggests that regulators collaborate directly with financial institutions, insurance providers, and platform operators to create flexible financial products tailored to gig-economy workers. Furthermore, the institute advocates for outcome-based regulation, advising authorities to focus strictly on measurable metrics regarding passenger safety and consumer protection, rather than enforcing rigid, outdated administrative rules that stifle technological innovation.

“Modernising regulatory processes through digital tools can help achieve an important balance between safety, compliance and economic opportunity,” Dr. Suthikorn added. “By making registration more accessible and efficient, Thailand can strengthen oversight while supporting the continued development of its digital economy.”