Speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Prayut said he had instructed the Transport Minister to look into the possibility of registering Uber vehicles as registered taxis.

He said that if Uber taxis want to run a public transportation service they need to make it clear by having a sign showing they are public transportation.

Concerning complaints and criticism over taxi drivers’ turning down passengers, the premier urged registered taxi drivers not to refuse service to any passenger, but expressed his support for taxi drivers to improve their services.

He asked the media not to stereotype taxi drivers as they do not all misbehave.

Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit said Prayut ordered the Transport Ministry to talk to Uber about problems related to taxis but he did not give any details or suggest any direction.

However, Pichit said the ministry and Uber is currently conducting a feasibility study to legalise the service in Thailand. The study would be completed in six months, he said.