BANGKOK, 24 May 2012 – Taxi drivers who are missing their permits are warned to acquire the documents before the end of May, or they will risk a jail term or a fine.
National Police spokesperson, Police Major General Piya Utayo said on Wednesday that, according to the Land Transport Department’s data, out of some 101,000 registered taxis in the country, around 77,000 are operated by companies or co-op’s while the other 24,000 are privately-owned.
Official data also showed that as many as 2 million taxi rides have been recorded each day across Thailand.
However, Police Major General Piya stated that a number of taxi drivers have not acquired an official permit to get behind the wheel.
He said that the weak enforcement of public transport permit rules had made it more difficult for the police to work on taxi-related crimes.
Therefore, from June 1st, any taxi drivers without a proper permit will be subject to a maximum jail term of 1 month, or a maximum fine of 1,000 baht, while those who fail to show their documents will risk facing a maximum fine of 1,000 baht as well.
Police Major General Piya added that taxi companies will also be subject to a maximum fine of 2,000 baht if they let any driver get behind the wheel without the permit.
