Bangkok, Thailand – 20 June 2025 – Thailand took a major step toward shaping the future of urban mobility as it hosted the region’s first-ever ride-hailing summit, co-organised by Oppland Group. The highlight of the event was a high-level panel discussion titled “Unlocking Thailand’s Ride-Hailing Potential: Policy Collaboration and Pathways Forward,” bringing together prominent voices from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to address the evolving dynamics of the ride-hailing landscape. Held on the summit’s opening day, the panel featured:
Dr. Narun Popattanachai, Director of the Regulatory Impact Assessment and Evaluation of Law, Office of the Council of State (OCS)
Dr. Saliltorn Thongmeensuk, Senior Research Fellow, Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)
Authapon Klaypayuk, Driver Community Representative
Supatta Neamvanichakul, Public Policy Lead, Bolt
Discussions focused on the regulatory, economic, and social dimensions of ride-hailing in Thailand. From enhancing policy coordination to ensuring driver well-being and sustaining service quality, the panel set the stage for an inclusive mobility agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the private sector, Supatta Neamvanichakul underscored the sector’s impressive growth and socioeconomic contribution:
“As one of the leading mobility platforms in Thailand, Bolt is committed to working hand-in-hand with stakeholders to build an accessible, inclusive, and future-ready ride-hailing ecosystem.”
She shared that Thailand’s ride-hailing sector has expanded rapidly since 2013, with 11 certified platforms operating in over 60 cities and enabling over 500,000 drivers to earn income annually. The economic ripple effects are significant: ride-hailing platforms contribute 33 million baht in annual tax revenues and generate over 55 billion baht in automotive-related value. Tourism is also a major beneficiary — 25% of ride-hailing users in 2024 were international tourists, making over 20 million trips and generating 17.8 billion baht in revenue for local businesses.
Supatta highlighted that drivers partnering with Bolt earn more than 2.5 times the national minimum wage, with 59% reporting reduced financial stress.
Representing Thailand’s ride-hailing driver community, Authapon Klaypayuk emphasised the everyday realities faced by workers:
“We are not just workers; we are small but essential gears in Thailand’s economic machine. We want to comply with the law. We want dignity, stability, and pride in our work.”
He acknowledged the sector’s value while pointing to barriers in formalising operations, such as the complex vehicle registration process, prohibitive insurance premiums, and financing-related documentation costs. Authapon urged policymakers to ground regulations in lived experience and avoid rushed enforcement.
Dr. Narun Popattanachai of the Office of the Council of State (OCS) noted that ride-hailing is a driver of growth and stressed the government’s commitment to inclusive regulatory processes:
“Ride-hailing is an engine for growth. We must ensure our laws promote innovation, protect consumers, and sustain services in the long term. The government places great importance in conducting regulatory impact assessments that involve regulators, industry players, business operators, users, and the general public.”
He also noted the importance of clearly distinguishing between ride-hailing and ride-sharing in legislation to prevent regulatory mismatches.
Dr. Saliltorn Thongmeensuk from TDRI shared findings from a 2024 TDRI study showing that 40% of people in Bangkok and its surrounding metropolitan area now use ride-hailing, with platform revenue projected to grow from 17 billion to 33 billion baht by 2028. She emphasised the need for a regulatory environment that supports innovation through mechanisms like policy sandboxes and data-sharing. Dr. Saliltorn also suggested exploring ways to streamline regulatory functions, with agencies like ETDA potentially playing a coordinating role to facilitate business compliance.
As Thailand works toward formalising its ride-hailing ecosystem, Bolt and other stakeholders propose a phased implementation approach that includes:
Expanding public license issuance in high-demand areas
Promoting flexible, part-time-friendly insurance products
Simplifying vehicle registration and documentation requirements
Without a well-planned transition, panellists warned that formalisation may push out a large number of drivers, reduce service coverage, and undermine tourist confidence—outcomes that contradict national goals of digital transformation and economic recovery.
The summit panel marked a critical step in aligning national transport goals with platform innovation, worker well-being, and urban mobility needs. The insights shared are expected to shape policy directions that foster a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable ride-hailing ecosystem in Thailand.
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