He said the Uber app is a good transportation choice but the service needs laws to regulate it.

The premier responded to a call from registered taxi drivers to use the absolute power afforded him under Article 44 to solve the problem.

“The [Uber] ride-sharing service is a good alternative for public transportation but an applicable law is needed to be issued in order to avoid creating a new problem,” he said after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

He said while there are no directly applicable laws to regulate Uber, the country’s taxi drivers must be protected and public services must be regulated through the issuance of licences.

Prayut said any violation of the law concerning the matter must be dealt with using existing laws and regulations.

The premier said he had ordered the Ministry of Transport to solve the problem.