Bangkok: Bangkok moves forward to organize motorcycle taxi stands on sidewalks, explains the origin of the 'past announcement' and is urgently looking for new locations to return sidewalks to Bangkokians. Mr. Ekwaranyu Amrapal, spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, explained the situation and management of public motorcycle taxi stands in the Bangkok area, including the reasons why they are still found on the sidewalks. He said that Bangkok currently has a total of 5,365 public motorcycle taxi stands with 79,521 drivers. The locations of the stands vary, with 1,497 stands on the sidewalks, 1,186 stands in private areas, 2,107 stands on the road surface, and 575 stands in other areas. The number of stands and drivers can change at any time depending on the situation, such as quitting driving, requesting new drivers, being prosecuted, or dying.
According to Thai News Agency, the reason why some motorcycle taxi stands are still located on the sidewalks is due to past legal requirements. Before 2013, the announcement of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Committee B.E. 2556, Section 1 (1) stated that if they are located on the sidewalks, road surfaces, and public areas, they must not affect pedestrians and traffic, and must be approved by the Metropolitan Police Bureau. After 2016, the announcement was amended to give the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Subcommittee the authority to consider determining the location of the taxi stand as appropriate under relevant legal regulations. This means that taxi stands established before 2013 can be located on the sidewalks. However, after 2016, the law no longer allows taxi stands to be set up on the sidewalks.
In terms of control measures and penalties, the BMA spokesperson emphasized that all public motorcycle taxi drivers must abide by the same law as ordinary people, such as the Cleanliness and Orderliness Maintenance Act B.E. 2535, Section 17 (2), which prohibits driving or parking on the footpath. Those who violate the law by driving on the footpath will be prosecuted and fined no more than 5,000 baht. If a driver commits the offense of driving on the footpath more than two times within the same year from the first offense, the Bangkok Subcommittee has the authority to remove that person from being a public motorcycle taxi driver, in accordance with the Announcement of the BMA Standing Committee B.E. 2563, Section 13 (6). Currently, the BMA has used an application to collect information on motorcycle taxis, drivers, and other details, including information on offenses related to driving on the footpath. This information will be sent to the district office to proceed with the stipulated disciplinary measures.
'BMA is aware of this problem and has tried to have the district offices find new locations for motorcycle taxi stands instead of public sidewalks. However, the operation has only been partially completed due to space limitations. BMA remains committed to organizing public motorcycle taxi stands to ensure orderliness and convenience for the public, along with strictly enforcing the law for the safety and quality of life of everyone in the capital. If the public sees motorcycle taxi drivers breaking the law, they can take a photo and report it to Traffy Fondue,' said the BMA spokesperson.