Short answer
Thailand's Transport Ministry announced on 24 September 2026 that stricter enforcement of app-based ride-hailing starts on 1 October. It covers the apps, their drivers and their vehicles, with penalties that may include a fine, prison or both. Each of the eight approved apps, including Grab, Bolt, inDrive, TADA and Maxim, gets a report card that starts at 100 points and loses points for unlicensed drivers, unregistered vehicles or fares outside legal rates. The reports describe no change to what riders pay or must do.
What the Transport Ministry announced
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced on 24 September 2026, at the Department of Land Transport (DLT) in Bangkok, that stricter enforcement of app-based ride-hailing begins on 1 October. The Nation reports that it covers the apps, the drivers and the vehicles, and that anyone who breaks the rules faces legal action, with penalties that may include prison, a fine or both.
Representatives of the eight approved apps attended: Grab, Bolt, inDrive, TADA, Maxim, LINE MAN, Lalamove and FINGOGO. The ministry says the aim is safe, verifiable service and the same rules for every app.
How the report card works
The Thaiger reports that each app starts with 100 points and loses points for giving jobs to drivers without a public driving licence, giving jobs to vehicles that are not correctly registered, charging fares outside legal rates, or other breaches. An app that loses more than 40% of its points gets a warning. At the red-card level its certification is suspended for three days, then seven, 15 and 30 days if problems continue, and it can be revoked if the public interest is affected.
Scores are assessed every three months and reset at the start of each quarter. Apps can appeal and win points back by fixing problems. The DLT says the scheme is meant to give oversight, not to punish.
Are more drivers licensed?
The Nation reports that since the eight apps signed a declaration of cooperation on 29 June, new public car driving licences rose from a monthly average of 2,915 to 8,839, and public motorcycle licences from 2,271 to 9,383. The DLT extended its licensing hours and arranged group appointments for app drivers before 1 October.
In a separate step, the Trade Competition Commission approved a draft on how large apps justify their service fees, with a consultation from 21 October to 20 November and a start by 18 December if approved, the Nation reports. The rules would not set fee rates, and the reports describe the platform commission deducted from restaurants, merchants and other service providers.
What it means for a rider
The reports describe obligations for apps, drivers and vehicles, and no change for riders. As a precaution, match the driver and plate in the app before you get in, and keep the trip receipt if a fare looks wrong.
To reach the meeting point of our Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok, from $25 per person, you can use the BTS, the MRT, a taxi or an app, because it is near a BTS or MRT station. Hotel pickup in central Bangkok is possible at extra cost.
Practical checklist
- Match the driver, car and plate with the app before you get in.
- Expect the same fare screen as before: the reports describe no change for riders.
- Keep the app's trip receipt if a fare looks wrong: charging outside legal rates is one of the four violation types.
- Allow extra time at busy hours if you rely on an app to reach a tour meeting point.
Questions and answers
When do the stricter ride-hailing rules start?
On 1 October 2026, according to the Transport Ministry's announcement of 24 September reported by the Nation and The Thaiger. They apply to the apps, drivers and vehicles.
Which apps are covered?
The eight approved apps: Grab, Bolt, inDrive, TADA, Maxim, LINE MAN, Lalamove and FINGOGO, all of which attended the ministry meeting on 24 September.
What happens to an app that breaks the rules?
It loses points on a 100-point report card. After a warning at a 40% loss, a red-card score brings a three-day suspension of its certification, then seven, 15 and 30 days, and possible revocation.
Do riders pay more now?
The reports describe no change in fares for riders. A separate draft on how large apps justify their service fees is in consultation until 20 November 2026.