Thai officials threaten to block Bolt after Bangkok schoolgirl injury case
Bangkok Senior Thai officials have issued a strong warning to ride-hailing platform Bolt, threatening to block its operations in the country following a disturbing incident in which a rider allegedly drove past a young…
Thai authorities on April 29 warned they could block ride-hailing platform Bolt in Thailand after a 17-year-old passenger was injured in Bangkok, a case that has also drawn attention in Phuket as regulators tighten scrutiny of app-based transport. Officials said the schoolgirl jumped from a moving motorcycle in Nong Khaem around 1 a.m. on April 23 after the rider allegedly passed her destination, drank kratom and tried to grab her phone.
Police said the rider, reported as either 22 or 25 years old, was using his father’s Bolt account. The girl had booked the motorcycle from the Rama 2 area to her home in Bang Bon 5.
Regulators cite account sharing and compliance failures
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society Patchara Anantasilpa said the incident “should not have happened” and accused Bolt of failing to control safety risks under agreed conditions. He said the company had already been granted extensions until late March 2026 to complete proper registration.
The Electronic Transactions Development Agency has summoned Bolt to explain the case and ordered urgent changes. Those demands include stricter identity verification, prevention of account sharing, use of only properly licensed public vehicles and drivers, and suspension of riders who break rules involving drugs or alcohol while working.
Officials said non-compliance could lead to a business ban after a 90-day remediation period. They also said existing powers under the Computer Crime Act or stronger regulations could be used if standards are not met.
Certification deadline nears as complaints mount
Department of Land Transport Director-General Sorapong Paitoonphong said Bolt’s operating certificate expires at the end of May 2026. He added that renewal is in doubt if corrective action is not made.
Sorapong said more than 2,000 violations were linked to Bolt out of roughly 6,700 total ride-hailing complaints. The case has sharpened concerns over account sharing, unlicensed drivers and weak vetting despite new Ride Sharing Platform regulations that took effect on March 31, 2026.
Bolt Thailand General Manager Nathadon Suksiritarnan said the company had suspended the rider’s account and had already blocked more than 40,000 non-compliant drivers. He said Bolt operates as a marketplace using independent contractors rather than direct employees and would continue cooperating with authorities.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/04/29/thai-authorities-threaten-to-block-bolt-platform-after-riders-dangerous-joyride-with-schoolgirl-passenger/
