Thai protests: in Bangkok, motorcycle taxi drivers serve as quiet allies

The riders have kept their fares low or free as they wait on the sidelines of the rallies, cheering on youth activists and observing for signs of trouble

Thailand has a history of street politics turning violent, and motor taxi drivers have been aligned in previous protest cycles

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Taxi riders hold up the three-finger salute in Bangkok. Photo: AFP

Agence France-Pressein BangkokandBloomberg

Published: 8:00pm, 28 Oct 2020Updated: 9:28pm, 25 Nov 2020

Orange-vested drivers of motorbike taxis have become allies to Thailand’s pro-democracy protesters gathering across traffic-snarled Bangkok, offering lifts and keeping an eye out for trouble.

When authorities shut down train lines this month in an effort to curb daily rallies, drivers of the capital’s motor taxis came to the rescue, ferrying stranded protesters to demonstration sites.

But they have long waited on the sidelines of the youth-led movement, cheering student leaders on as they demanded the resignation of Premier Prayuth Chan-ocha and issued unprecedented calls for reform to the kingdom’s monarchy.

I want every single one of them to be safe

Supatr Manapornsiri, driver

“I root for these kids,” said driver Supatr Manapornsiri, 41, adding that he keeps his prices low because he supports their goals.

“My income has increased a bit,” he said, indicating it jumps from 1,000 baht (US$32) a day to 1,300-1,400 baht during protests.

Another driver Pakin Kamhamauk, 44, sometimes even grants free rides. “If they happen to have no money then that’s fine,” he said.

Motorcycle taxi riders ferrying protesters after a rally in Bangkok. Photo: AFP