Thai Prime Minister Orders Return to Orange Vests for Motorcycle Taxis

Following public criticism and concerns regarding safety standards, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered that motorcycle taxi drivers return to their traditional orange vests. The directive comes after a recent attempt to transition the vests to a reflective blue color, which faced significant backlash for being non-compliant with international safety standards and potentially hazardous for riders.

According to Yodchai Puengporn, a Member of Parliament for the People's Party representing Chonburi, the Prime Minister stated he was unaware of the change until it was brought to his attention. Upon reviewing the situation, Anutin reportedly agreed that the blue vests were unsafe and immediately instructed that the original orange color be reinstated.

This development is particularly relevant for residents and travelers who rely on motorcycle taxis as a primary mode of transport, as the orange vests serve as a key identifier for licensed operators. While the decision to revert to the original color has been made, questions remain regarding the financial impact on drivers who were required to purchase the blue vests at a cost of 550 baht each. The government is expected to address how to mitigate these expenses for the affected operators. Further updates are anticipated as authorities finalize the implementation of this reversal.