Taxi wars in Pai: Grab drivers under attack – tourists in danger!

Taxi wars in Pai: Grab drivers under attack – tourists in danger!

A worrying incident recently occurred in the scenic area of ​​Pai, Mae Hong Son, highlighting tensions between local taxi drivers and drivers of ride-hailing services such as Grab. On May 21, 2025, Theerachai Boonmapieng, a Grab driver, was attacked by a group of local taxi drivers while transporting an Israeli tourist from Chiang Mai to Pai. Loud Weekly flash, the attack happened as Theerachai was waiting outside Moonbeach Pai, where four men rushed towards his car and caused damage to it. The tourist was in a panic and asked him to escape as quickly as possible.

The aggression comes amid an ongoing conflict between local drivers and Grab drivers who feel threatened by the ride-hailing services. Theerachai had registered his planned route with the police in Pai, but was later confronted by local drivers who claimed to be in charge of the tourists. They asked him not to take any passengers. A similar incident occurred on May 19, 2025, in which another Grab driver was attacked in the region.

Regulatory Responses and Safety Concerns

Authorities have now stressed the need to ensure the safety of tourists, particularly warning against illegally converted pickup trucks being used to transport tourists. These vehicles are not only illegal but also dangerous as they have metal guards instead of safety seats and often operate without insurance for passengers. In this context, the question remains as to the legalization of ride-hailing services in Pai and why some illegal taxis are tolerated.

Following the attack on Theerachai, several suspected attackers were arrested while he received medical attention. The events highlight a harsh economic war in the background that is putting the safety of tourists at risk.

In a broader context, locals in Mae Hong Son expressed concern about the behavior of tourists, which is often perceived as inappropriate. Public marijuana smoking and disregard for traffic rules led some locals to refuse to welcome tourists. Chaivit Summachewawat, vice president of the Pai Tourism Business Association, expressed that there is even a certain reluctance towards tourists from certain countries, such as those in Thailand Tip have reported.

To deal with the problems of increasing tourist numbers, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) planned new strategies, including the creation of a task force to deal with the problems in tourism. Vice President Summachewawat also called on the government to find a balance between tourism growth and social impact.

Economic impact of tourism

Despite the challenges, millions of tourists still come to Mae Hong Son. Last year, 1.4 million travelers visited the region, generating revenue of 7.5 billion baht, with projections of 8 billion baht for this year. Over 30% of tourists were foreign, with the main markets being the UK, Israel, the Netherlands and Germany.

Local authorities are working to encourage compliance by putting up new signs in foreign languages. In addition, tour operators are advised to inform their guests about alcohol consumption and disturbing the peace in order not to further disturb the local population.

Overall, the current situation in Pai shows how important it is that both residents and tourists work together to ensure harmonious coexistence and guarantee the safety of everyone involved.