The discontinuation of the blue motorcycle taxi vests raises the question of who will be responsible for the expenses after strong public criticism. Recently, an announcement instructed public motorcycle drivers in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, to revert to wearing the original orange vests. A price survey found that blue vests range from 500 to 560 baht each. Meanwhile, local motorcycle taxi riders expressed concerns over the cost they have already spent on purchasing blue vests, questioning who will bear that responsibility.
Announcement from the Chonburi Provincial Committee regarding the cancellation of their previous announcement on the design of vests or jackets for public motorcycle drivers in Bang Lamung District.
In the case of motorcycle taxi drivers in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, who changed their vest color from orange to blue, widespread criticism arose. Eventually, those involved instructed the motorcycle taxi drivers to revert to wearing orange vests as before. However, questions remain about who will take responsibility for the blue vests, which cost over 500 baht each and were newly embroidered for 5,000 units, after the cancellation announcement.
The Thairath Online special reporting team surveyed market prices for motorcycle taxi vests and found average prices for different styles at local vest tailoring shops as follows.
Blue vests with black trim and embroidered text cost approximately 500 to 560 baht each.
Orange vests with attached numbers cost approximately 350 to 545 baht each.
Long-sleeved collared shirts cost approximately 600 to 660 baht each.
On average, public motorcycle drivers pay about 550 baht per vest. The major problem arose in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, where over 5,000 new vests had to be ordered according to the previous regulation, amounting to a total expenditure of around 2,750,000 baht. This sparked widespread questions among daily wage earners: “Who will be responsible for this multi-million baht loss?”
The source of this issue has recently been revealed through an announcement by the Chonburi Provincial Committee canceling their previous directive on the design of vests or jackets for public motorcycle drivers in Bang Lamung District.
Looking back, an announcement dated 20 Nov 2025 mandated changes to vest color, text, reflective strips, and ID number styles. However, the actual enforcement caused significant hardship for local public motorcycle drivers, who faced redundant and unnecessary expenses purchasing new vests and equipment, despite the original standard vest color being clear and easily recognizable.
Therefore, the Chonburi Provincial Committee resolved to “cancel the said announcement” to ease the burden and reduce costs for workers, directing drivers to revert to the Department of Land Transport’s usual regulations. This announcement was signed by Governor Narit Niramaiwong on 22 Oct 2026.
Although the cancellation stops future expenses, the more than 2.75 million baht already spent on the newly ordered vests remains a bitter irony and costly lesson, leaving an unavoidable financial burden on the shoulders of the motorcycle taxi drivers.