Chiang Mai Airport grants Grab exclusive ride-hailing rights

Chiang Mai Airport defended its decision to grant Grab exclusive rights to operate ride-hailing services at its passenger terminal.

Only vehicles using the Grab app are permitted to pick up passengers at the airport, according to Chiang Mai Airport General Manager Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn.

Ronnakorn explained that two categories of vehicles provide services at the airport. The first category includes non-regular transport providers approved by the airport, such as Grab, taxis operated by two companies, and airport vans. The second category encompasses public transport, which includes the regular city bus service and songthaews, which are only allowed to drop off passengers.

He emphasised that operators in both categories are authorised by the airport to ensure the quality and safety of services for passengers.

Ronnakorn’s comments followed a complaint from a driver using another ride-hailing app, Bolt, who posted a video expressing frustration over being banned from entering the airport to pick up passengers.

In the video, an official can be heard explaining to a Bolt driver the reasons for using only Grab.

“Your app is not illegal, but it is not the one allowed by AoT [Airports of Thailand Plc] to provide services at the airport.”

The timing of the video upload to social media remains unclear, reported Bangkok Post.

Chiang Mai Airport is managed by Airports of Thailand.

In related news, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with Intesa Sanpaolo, a leading international financial institution in Milan to discuss funding for Thailand’s Land Bridge project. The bank is aware of the Thai government’s plans to expand Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai airports and showed keen interest, hinting at future detailed discussions.

In other news, to enhance passenger convenience and elevate service standards, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) unveiled the latest addition to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Grab taxi services. Positioned at Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal, the newly inaugurated Grab service centre stands ready to cater to passengers around the clock, announced AoT Director Kirati Kitmanawat.