THE Cabinet today (Nov. 10) approved the extension of the service life of passenger vehicles with maximum seven-person seating capacity from nine to 12 years for an indeterminate period cancelling the earlier three-year timeframe, Thai Rath newspaper reported.
Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said this action has been taken to help reduce the financial burden for taxi drivers amid the current Covid-19 pandemic
However cabs older than nine years would have to be checked four times a year to prevent pollution problems and ensure roadworthiness.
Currently there are about 80,000 taxi drivers in the system.
The Council of State will revise the draft ministerial regulation in accordance with the Cabinet resolution. The original resolution, issued on September 15, 2020, had extended the service life of passenger vehicles with maximum seven-person seating capacity from nine to 12 years for a period of three years.
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Top: Top: Some taxis parked in a row. Photo: Damien Ayers (CC BY 2.0)
