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Greenlight given for Robinhood and Grab to operate app-based taxi and bike taxi services

15 Sept 05:52 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Land Transport Department (LTD) has officially approved Robinhood and Grab to operate app-based taxi and motorcycle taxi services.
The approved operators must submit bank guarantees within 30 days and operational plans within 15 days, adhering to strict department conditions and ensuring passenger and biker damage coverage.
Key requirements include re-registering private vehicles as public transport, drivers obtaining public transport licenses, and undergoing criminal record checks.
Services will be exclusively app-based with fixed parking locations and rates that must not exceed department-set limits, expanding ride-hailing options in Thailand.
This approval, following earlier grants to other platforms, comes despite strong opposition from conventional taxi drivers, while passengers generally prefer the reliability and fixed fares of app-based services.

Today 18:24 Key points summarised by AI

A third-party application for "NENE" and "NENE ROYAL" trademarks was officially withdrawn, resolving a high-profile dispute over the Thai pop artist's name.
Black Lotus Global LLC, managing Nene Royal's rights, has legitimate trademark applications for various categories under fast-track processing, with final approval anticipated by February 2027.
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) monitors international trademark filings to protect Thai creators and advises early registration to prevent unauthorized third-party claims, noting a "NENE" trademark already registered in South Korea.