Uber driver urges govt to legalise car app taxi services
Thai authorities should allow phone app taxi services such as Uber and Grab to operate legally like they do in other countries because the people doing the job were decent, hard-working people and not criminals, a Bangkok-based Uber car driver on Tuesday.
Bangkok-based company employee Khomsan Saeheng, 34, said had been providing Uber and Grab car services as a way of earning extra income after work and during weekends or holidays for six months now.
“I like the fact that it is an independent sideline that yields up to Bt6,000 a week, which is almost as much as what I earn from my full-time job. I can do it anytime, just being online via my smartphone app. Some people, if more diligent, can even earn much more,” he said.
Following a crackdown and a series of stings to arrest and fine Uber and Grab car drivers, Khomsan said he would not take a risk in the meantime as it wouldn’t be worth it to get arrested. “I will wait until this period passes, then I will decide if I want to do it or just quit this sideline,” he added.
Khomsan urged Thai authorities to allow this type of business to operate legall, as in other countries because the people who did this job were decent and not criminals.
He said the passengers can remain safe because the Uber and Grab drivers’ information has been logged by the companies, which also run criminal background checks.
