Supamas summons a leading motorcycle taxi app to address the issue of a driver assaulting a tourist tomorrow, scheduling talks with 13 platforms on 12 June to overhaul the entire system. She stresses that passenger safety must be ensured. Regarding the Volvo case, the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is preparing to file a lawsuit on behalf of consumers.
At 12:55 PM on 4 June 2026 at the Government House, Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, spoke about the progress regarding the assault on a Japanese tourist by a driver from a popular app in the Asoke area. She noted that the app is widely used due to its possibly lower prices than other platforms. The Consumer Protection Board (CPB) views that once a driver accepts a passenger request, they must deliver the passenger to their destination; failure to do so violates consumer rights. The app’s representatives met with CPB officials at Thonglor Police Station and negotiated a settlement. The platform agreed to compensate 35,000 baht but the assault case remains under criminal prosecution, with proceedings continuing today (4 June) in court.
Ms. Supamas added that the CPB plans to oversee various platforms, including online shopping, delivery services, and passenger transport apps. Tomorrow (5 June), they will call in the platform involved in this incident for a discussion, followed by a meeting with 13 platforms nationwide on 12 June for broader consultations.
Regarding the assault case, the driver involved is a 23-year-old male without a public driving license, raising questions about how he was allowed to drive. It is acknowledged that his maturity level might be insufficient.
"It may be time to review the driver screening process, including the appropriate age for public drivers responsible for passenger safety. At 20, one may hold a private driving license and drive responsibly, but a public driving license requires a higher standard to ensure the driver's capability to safeguard passengers' lives," she said.
She also emphasized evaluating company policies, including the fairness of contracts. The 13 platforms must not abandon passengers except in unavoidable circumstances. Fare fairness is also a concern; the Prime Minister has repeatedly urged consideration of citizens' livelihoods. Currently, the 13 platforms charge varying fares with significant differences, which must be reviewed at the CPB meeting on 12 June. This will require cooperation with other agencies.
On enforcement measures, Ms. Supamas stated that integration with various agencies is necessary to establish a list of violations and corresponding penalties for drivers. Platforms must also implement measures; if they cause repeated problems or neglect issues, they will face penalties under applicable laws and regulations.
Asked about setting standard fare prices amid competition, Ms. Supamas said if fares are unfair to the public, there must be ways to reduce the Gross Profit (GP) or platform fees. This may reduce operators' profits, but the government prioritizes protecting citizens from high living costs.
Additionally, in tomorrow's (5 June) CPB full meeting, several issues will be considered, especially over 500 Volvo vehicle cases. After the meeting, the CPB plans to file lawsuits for consumers without further negotiation, seeking maximum fairness. Some victims do not want their vehicles' batteries replaced but rather demand refunds.