Uber cars banned by AoT

BANGKOK Uber taxis are banned from Airports of Thailand’s six airports according to AoT officials who claim the service is not registered legally in the country.

National News Bureau of Thailand reported that AoT would enforce the regulation that states non-public registered vehicles will be not be allowed to pick up passengers from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The same rule applies at all of six AoT managed airports in the country.

AoT’s Suvarnabhumi Airport general director, Sirote Duangratana, was quoted by  NNT saying Uber cars did not conform with AoT’s code on security, which prohibits unregistered commercial vehicles from entering airport controlled zones.

According to the report, AoT would consider allowing Uber cabs to operate if proper registrations was secured with the Department of Land Transport and drivers completed the AoT’s application process to offer a taxi service at airports.

Uber cars have been allocated designated parking spots at some MRT stations areas, but the legal status of the online car-ride booking service remains blurred.

In mid-March Airbnb will announce its official launch in Thailand. Its entrance into the Thai holiday market is likely to cause considerable consternation with the Thai Hotels Association and other official hospitality groups that are lobbying the authorities to tighten regulations on serviced-apartments and condominiums that offer daily rentals.

The issues involve registration of online booking services in Thailand and whether they pay tax and are registered with the Ministry of Interior.

Read more...