Struggling ex-political detainee Somyot finds the hardship in ride-hailing employment grim
In a stark reminder of the challenges faced by ride-hailing drivers in Thailand, former political prisoner and labour activist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk recently took to the roads as a ride-hail driver. After a full day of work, Somyot was left with just 320 baht - a meagre sum that raised questions about the livelihoods of gig workers in the platform-driven economy.
Somyot, who has resumed his activism with the "24 June Democracy Group" since his release from prison in 2018, lamented the paltry earnings, questioning how working people can maintain any sense of dignity when left with so little while platform companies reap billion-baht profits each year.
The incident has highlighted the broader challenges facing ride-hailing drivers and gig workers, particularly the high commissions and rising operating costs they must contend with. Somyot initially claimed that 40% of his earnings were deducted by the ride-hailing platform, but after further clarification, he admitted that only 24% was actually deducted.
The standard maximum commission Grab takes is no more than 25%, a fact that has sparked debate about the transparency of platform deductions. In response, Grab asked Somyot for further clarification to clear up any misunderstanding over platform deductions.
Somyot's case has reignited debate about the exploitation of gig workers in Thailand. Asst Prof Kritsada Theerakosonphong of Thammasat University warned that current laws wrongly label riders as "semi-independent", a status that denies them full labour rights and social protections.
Proposed reforms emphasize recognizing ride-hail drivers as formal workers, extending full social security coverage, and including them in official employment frameworks. Such reforms aim to align legal status and protections with the realities of their economic dependence on ride-hailing platforms, ensuring that drivers are not left outside the social safety nets that cover regular employees.
Under current Thai laws, ride-hail drivers are classified as operators of "ride-hailing service vehicles via an electronic system". However, while Thailand has implemented vehicle registration and driver licensing reforms for ride-hailing services, formal labour classification and social security rights for ride-hail drivers remain insufficiently addressed.
In 2025, Thailand introduced mandatory public licenses for ride-hailing drivers, requiring them to obtain formal registration and licensing with fees ranging from several thousand THB for registration and 100–500 THB for licenses. Non-compliance after October 2025 can lead to fines or operational suspension, indicating increased government efforts to regulate driver eligibility and service safety.
However, these measures do not address the fundamental issue of labour rights and social protections for ride-hail drivers. As the debate continues, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that gig workers like Somyot are not left struggling to make ends meet while platforms reap billions in profits.
[1] Department of Land Transport. (n.d.). Conditions for operating ride-hailing service vehicles via an electronic system. Retrieved from https://www.dot.go.th/en/content/conditions-operating-ride-hailing-service-vehicles-via-electronic-system [2] The Nation. (2021, June 17). Thailand introduces mandatory public licenses for ride-hailing drivers. Retrieved from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40012370 [3] Bangkok Post. (2021, June 17). Thailand to introduce mandatory public licenses for ride-hailing drivers. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2030226/thailand-to-introduce-mandatory-public-licenses-for-ride-hailing-drivers [4] The Standard. (2021, June 17). Thailand to introduce mandatory public licenses for ride-hailing drivers. Retrieved from https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/3/172833/Thailand-to-introduce-mandatory-public-licenses-for-ride-hailing-drivers
- The incident raises questions about the livelihoods of gig workers in the platform-driven economy, particularly those in finance-related fields such as personal-finance management and business.
- Despite working long hours, Somyot was left with a minimal income, leading to concerns about the sustainability of lifestyle choices, including fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink expenditures.
- With such low earnings, it's hard for gig workers to maintain or upgrade their homes, making discussions about home-and-garden and property matters less relevant.
- The high commissions and operating costs faced by ride-hail drivers can also impact the purchase of gadgets like smartphones and technology devices, potentially affecting their ability to stay connected and informed.
- Books and education-and-self-development may also become unaffordable luxuries for gig workers, hampering their pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.
- The Entertainment industry, including sports and sports-betting, may seem out of reach for gig workers earning meagre wages, as they strive to meet their daily needs.
- The unfortunate reality for gig workers like Somyot is that they have little room for enjoyment or leisure in their lives, as they struggle to make ends meet while the platforms they work for generate billions in profits.
