The Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association has proposed assisting motorcycle taxi drivers who have already spent money on new blue vests by buying these blue jackets back to reduce their financial burden, while details and criteria for this assistance are still under consideration.
On 22 Oct 2026 GMT+7, reporters provided updates on the regulation of motorcycle taxis in Pattaya City and Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The vest color was changed from orange to dark blue, sparking widespread criticism over nighttime visibility, tourist confusion, and the financial burden on drivers who had to buy the new vests at 550 baht each, leading to a reconsideration of the policy.
Recently, Narit Niramaiwong, Governor of Chonburi Province and chairman of the provincial committee, signed an announcement dated 22 Oct 2026 GMT+7 canceling the order setting the vest or jacket design for public motorcycle drivers in Bang Lamung District, originally announced on 20 Nov 2025 GMT+7. The cancellation cited concerns about duplicate costs and safety risks, noting that the original standard orange vests were already well recognized and visible, thus drivers should revert to the Department of Land Transport’s usual regulations.
However, despite the cancellation, an issue arose as some drivers had already spent money purchasing the blue vests, leading to calls for assistance or compensation for these expenses.
Recently, Krit Jiramongkol, Vice President of the Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association, revealed that after monitoring the situation and learning of the motorcycle taxi drivers' difficulties, the association has held internal discussions and talks with Bang Lamung District authorities to consider ways to support affected drivers.
Krit said the association views the motorcycle taxi regulation as aiming to enhance tourism image and passenger safety, but since new vest purchases imposed extra costs, they want to help lighten the burden, especially for those who already bought the vests.
The association's idea is to assist by buying back the vests to reduce hardship and repurpose the jackets. Previously, the association discussed projects for uniforms and shirts for various activities and believes this approach can be adapted to support the motorcycle taxi drivers.
Krit emphasized that the association’s key purpose is to help alleviate the drivers’ hardships so they do not bear the cost of the policy change alone. The method of assistance will be carefully considered to ensure it benefits those affected.
However, specific details about the buyback price, the number of vests to be bought, and operational procedures have not yet been disclosed and await further clarification from the association.
This development represents another way to help motorcycle taxi drivers in Pattaya after the cancellation of the vest color change order. What remains to be followed is how the blue vests already purchased will be managed and the measures to reduce the financial burden on affected drivers due to this policy reversal.