The End of Bolt?

[jacko 9,000]

5 hours ago, Bruce Mangosteen said:

They will be enforced vigorously due to pressure from the taxi mafia.  This is not out of the question considering that the taxi mafia are probably the one

Not seen many examples of regs being enforced vigorously here.... if anything in the last few years policing has diminished, particularly on the roads. 

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,275]

1 hour ago, jacko said:

Not seen many examples of regs being enforced vigorously here.... if anything in the last few years policing has diminished, particularly on the roads. 

Admittedly it's a mixed bag to say the least.  They're pretty good (bad?) about bar closing times outside the entertainment zones, because those are easy, stationary targets, and neighbors complain, while the smoking in bars regs are ignored because cops actually have to go inside and collect evidence, and nobody really cares about it.  The changes in cannabis regs may be an interesting case study.

However, the extent that I agree with you is indicated by my statement that the random, opportunistic enforcement is the most likely result.  This is most in keeping with how other similar regulations are enforced.  I do think that enforcement around the airports will be more strict than elsewhere, given that airport transport seems to have been a particular flash point for taxi mafia protests and disputes.

[jacko 9,000]

22 hours ago, Bruce Mangosteen said:

  I do think that enforcement around the airports will be more strict than elsewhere, given that airport transport seems to have been a particular flash point for taxi mafia protests and disputes.

I do recall over a decade ago we had a period when it was possible to get waved over by police on the airport approach road, my driver had already prepped me to say he was my brother in  law! Doesn't Phuket airport already have a Bolt dedicated area?

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,275]

13 hours ago, jacko said:

Doesn't Phuket airport already have a Bolt dedicated area?

Maybe?

https://bolt.eu/en/airports/hkt/

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,275]

Enforcement begins; authorities tip their hand to show the intended beneficiaries of killing app-based ride sharing apps:

https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/rogue-app-drivers-face-tough-pattaya-clampdown

Even the title of the article starts the big reveal, i.e. ride hailing app drivers, who were previously doing nothing wrong, are now "rogue", LOL.

"On Monday, August 18 at 4.45pm, top brass gathered at Pattaya City Police Station’s Operations Centre for an urgent summit on transport reform.

[...]

They were joined by leaders of Pattaya’s three largest transport cooperatives: Thongchai Sukkhokjai of Pattaya Cooperative Transport, Supachai Phuengprapha of Bo Thong Taxi Cooperative, and Jarun Thongsri of Pattaya Dolphin Taxi Cooperative, alongside senior traffic police officers."

This is like the FBI convening a meeting on bank safety, and inviting Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger.

The article rehashes the law that basically stigmatizes and discriminates against ride hailing app drivers, then reports that cops took to the streets:

The Pattaya News reported that the sweep revealed multiple app-based drivers operating without proper registration as “electronic hire vehicles (R.Y. 18)” or lacking the required licences. Instead of immediate penalties, officers issued warnings, provided guidance, and urged drivers to register via the Department of Land Transport’s website.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand then the icing on the proverbial cake:

Officials also promoted the future of eco-friendly travel. Electric taxis and baht buses from brands such as Toyota, DYD, MG, and AION were highlighted as safer, greener alternatives.

And, in case they hadn't thrown the corruption in your face hard enough, the article ends thus:

Police stressed that app-based drivers must comply quickly or face tougher action once the October deadline arrives. Cooperative leaders also called for unity in shaping a modern, lawful, and environmentally friendly transport system for Pattaya.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  They're not even trying to hide it.  Even for Thailand, this is fookin blatant.  "Bolt drivers are rogues, the taxi mafia is modern and lawful, and we're gonna force adoption of electric vehicles as taxis" so Somchai will soon be out of luck trying to earn a few extra baht with his 5 year old Yaris, and will need to sink a million baht into an electrical vehicle, license, insurance, etc. if he wants to keep taking fares.  Because "unity".

Sorry Somchai. 

Buh bye, Bolt.   

Edited August 20 by Bruce Mangosteen

[Shooter 895]

1 hour ago, Bruce Mangosteen said:

Enforcement begins; authorities tip their hand to show the intended beneficiaries of killing app-based ride sharing apps:

https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/rogue-app-drivers-face-tough-pattaya-clampdown

Even the title of the article starts the big reveal, i.e. ride hailing app drivers, who were previously doing nothing wrong, are now "rogue", LOL.

"On Monday, August 18 at 4.45pm, top brass gathered at Pattaya City Police Station’s Operations Centre for an urgent summit on transport reform.

[...]

They were joined by leaders of Pattaya’s three largest transport cooperatives: Thongchai Sukkhokjai of Pattaya Cooperative Transport, Supachai Phuengprapha of Bo Thong Taxi Cooperative, and Jarun Thongsri of Pattaya Dolphin Taxi Cooperative, alongside senior traffic police officers."

This is like the FBI convening a meeting on bank safety, and inviting Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger.

The article rehashes the law that basically stigmatizes and discriminates against ride hailing app drivers, then reports that cops took to the streets:

The Pattaya News reported that the sweep revealed multiple app-based drivers operating without proper registration as “electronic hire vehicles (R.Y. 18)” or lacking the required licences. Instead of immediate penalties, officers issued warnings, provided guidance, and urged drivers to register via the Department of Land Transport’s website.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand then the icing on the proverbial cake:

Officials also promoted the future of eco-friendly travel. Electric taxis and baht buses from brands such as Toyota, DYD, MG, and AION were highlighted as safer, greener alternatives.

And, in case they hadn't thrown the corruption in your face hard enough, the article ends thus:

Police stressed that app-based drivers must comply quickly or face tougher action once the October deadline arrives. Cooperative leaders also called for unity in shaping a modern, lawful, and environmentally friendly transport system for Pattaya.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  They're not even trying to hide it.  Even for Thailand, this is fookin blatant.  "Bolt drivers are rogues, the taxi mafia is modern and lawful, and we're gonna force adoption of electric vehicles as taxis" so Somchai will soon be out of luck trying to earn a few extra baht with his 5 year old Yaris, and will need to sink a million baht into an electrical vehicle, license, insurance, etc. if he wants to keep taking fares.  Because "unity".

Sorry Somchai. 

Buh bye, Bolt.   

Lets hope that like a lot of announcements this one is forgotten within a few weeks and Bolt survives.  

[Broughton 552]

A lot of Bolt drivers have took up loans to buy cars and putting them on the dole isn’t going to happen. A bit of common sense regulation isn’t wrong such as making sure they are insured.

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,275]

1 hour ago, Broughton said:

A lot of Bolt drivers have took up loans to buy cars and putting them on the dole isn’t going to happen.

Seems to me that's the way the weed shops are going, little mom and pop stands now have to have a doctor on staff.  Only the biggest ones will be able to accommodate that requirement, the rest will go tits up.  

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40051965

I'm afraid I don't share your faith in how much compassion the Thai elites have for the peasant class.

1 hour ago, Broughton said:

A bit of common sense regulation isn’t wrong such as making sure they are insured.

It's a bit more than that if you go back and read the articles I linked.

Edited August 22 by Bruce Mangosteen

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,275]

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/thailand-rolls-out-stricter-ride-hailing-rules-from-october

Of note:

"Grab Thailand country head Chantsuda Thananitayaudom said the company is encouraging drivers to comply by registering their vehicles under the Ror Yor 18 classification in line with ETDA and Department of Land Transport (DLT) regulations. Grab is offering incentives and support, but she admitted there are challenges.

'Only vehicle owners can register, which creates difficulties for those with financed or rented cars.'

[...]

...Bolt Thailand reported that it has already supported tens of thousands of drivers in securing public driving licences through dedicated service points and on-the-ground help, reported Bangkok Post."

[sailingbill 1,264]

We will see how it plays out. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand and Bolt will end. Its October 2 and yesterday I took 3 Bolts, Fortunners and other nice rides. I wont be deleting my Bolt App quite yet.

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,275]

Well, there IS a question mark at the end of my topic title...