PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya motorcycle taxi drivers are questioning the switch from orange to dark blue vests, arguing that the new color is harder to see at night and could compromise road safety.
During a nighttime survey on October 20, reporters compared drivers wearing orange and dark blue vests riding through a poorly lit area. The orange vests appeared more conspicuous, while the dark blue ones blended more easily into the surroundings. The comparison was an informal field observation, not a standardized road-safety test. Some motorcycle taxi queues, particularly those operating at night, are still using their old orange vests because tailors have been unable to produce enough of the new blue uniforms to meet demand.
Ratt, 65, a veteran motorcycle taxi driver in Pattaya, said the change had been announced at short notice and questioned the decision to prioritize the city’s seaside identity over visibility on the roads.
“We ride on roads, not in the sea,” he said, arguing that motorcycle taxi drivers need uniforms that motorists and other road users can easily recognize in both daylight and darkness.
Ratt also raised concerns about the cost of the change, saying each new vest costs 550 baht. With some drivers still waiting for their orders, he has had to borrow a spare vest while waiting for his own. He suggested that authorities consider providing each registered driver with one vest free of charge, with drivers paying for additional uniforms themselves.
Ratt stressed that his objection was not political and that he had no preference for any particular color. Instead, he called for a brighter, more visible design, suggesting yellow or green, together with reflective strips to improve visibility and safety for drivers, passengers and other road users.
He said business had also been slow. He typically waits for passengers from around 10am until 7.30pm or 8pm, yet on some days receives only two fares. Ratt appealed to city leaders and relevant agencies to reconsider the vest color, saying safety should take priority over branding and appearance.
The change forms part of an effort to organize public motorcycle taxi services across Banglamung district. The program covers 564 registered taxi stands and 5,281 registered drivers, with the stated aim of improving service standards and building tourist confidence. The concerns raised by drivers highlight calls for authorities to consider nighttime visibility, the transition period and the financial burden on drivers as the new uniforms are introduced.
A further interview with another Pattaya motorcycle taxi driver highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the change. The driver said he had begun wearing his old orange vest again, stressing that his decision was not an act of defiance against the authorities. He said orange was brighter and easier to see, while the dark blue vest felt gloomy and had become caught up in political controversy. Asked why drivers had not objected when the new color was discussed at official meetings, he replied that they had little freedom to speak against a policy and felt expected to acknowledge and approve the decision.
