Bolt drives change: Thai ride-hailing gets major boost with initiative
Ride-hailing giant Bolt is shaking up Thailand’s mobility industry with bold initiatives aimed at empowering drivers and modernising the regulatory landscape.
Bolt, the global shared mobility platform, is doubling down on its commitment to raising industry standards in Thailand. In line with the nation’s e-hailing laws and guidelines set by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Bolt is providing hands-on support to help drivers meet stringent legal requirements.
These include obtaining public driving licences and registering vehicles as public hire cars—motorcycles under Type Ror Yor 17 and cars under Type Ror Yor 18.
Thailand’s ride-hailing sector is booming, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.38%, according to Mordor Intelligence. This growth supports thousands of drivers and their families while boosting the transportation, tourism, and retail industries.
However, complex and time-consuming procedures for licence acquisition and vehicle registration remain a challenge, particularly for drivers relying on ride-hailing as their primary income source.
To address these barriers, Bolt has launched its innovative Booster Week initiative. Running every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout January and continuing into the year, the programme offers drivers vital assistance, including document preparation, one-on-one consultations, and support at the Department of Land Transport. Bolt also helps drivers prepare for the public driving licence exam, easing the path to compliance.
Drivers are incentivised to participate, with exclusive benefits like a 3% commission discount, insurance coverage, a 1,000 baht bonus, and financial aid for registration costs for those who upload their public driving licence by January 31, reported The Nation.
“Bolt’s Booster Week has made navigating these daunting procedures far more manageable,” shared Bolt driver-partner Chatchai Nedngam.
Nathadon Suksiritarnan, Bolt Thailand’s General Manager, acknowledged that drivers are the heart of his platform.
“We are committed to supporting them while working closely with authorities to foster a fair and sustainable industry.”
In related news, tensions boiled over in Phuket as local green plate taxi drivers, reliant on app-based bookings to stay afloat, face hefty 2,000-baht fines for doing just that.
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