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| Thailand suspends Uber and Grab motorcycle taxi service | Thailand suspends Uber and Grab motorcycle taxi service |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Thailand has suspended motorcycle taxi-hailing services run by Uber and its regional rival Grab on claims they broke local rules and are clashing with registered transport companies. | |
| Thai authorities have also arrested 66 drivers working for both companies. | Thai authorities have also arrested 66 drivers working for both companies. |
| They said offenders face fines of up to 4,000 baht (£77; $112) and potentially having their licenses suspended. | They said offenders face fines of up to 4,000 baht (£77; $112) and potentially having their licenses suspended. |
| It is unclear how long the ban is for, but both companies said they are working to resolve the issues. | It is unclear how long the ban is for, but both companies said they are working to resolve the issues. |
| "Grab Thailand is a local company and we are committed to providing safe rides for all and improving the lives of our drivers," Grab said in a statement. | "Grab Thailand is a local company and we are committed to providing safe rides for all and improving the lives of our drivers," Grab said in a statement. |
| It added it is looking to ensure that "GrabBike service operates within the proper guidelines and work together towards a well-regulated ecosystem of complementary transport services". | It added it is looking to ensure that "GrabBike service operates within the proper guidelines and work together towards a well-regulated ecosystem of complementary transport services". |
| The crackdown comes just three months after Uber launched its two-wheeler service in the Thai capital Bangkok. | The crackdown comes just three months after Uber launched its two-wheeler service in the Thai capital Bangkok. |
| Motorcycle taxis are popular in Bangkok because they can weave through the city's notorious traffic jams to cut travel times. | Motorcycle taxis are popular in Bangkok because they can weave through the city's notorious traffic jams to cut travel times. |
| There are more than 186,000 registered motorcycle taxis in Thailand, with almost half found in the capital. | There are more than 186,000 registered motorcycle taxis in Thailand, with almost half found in the capital. |
| The service is also popular in other major Asian cities, such as Jakarta and Manila. | The service is also popular in other major Asian cities, such as Jakarta and Manila. |
| However, popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Grab have faced stiff opposition. | However, popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Grab have faced stiff opposition. |
| Earlier this year, taxi drivers in Jakarta brought parts of the capital to a standstill, with some protestors turning violent. | Earlier this year, taxi drivers in Jakarta brought parts of the capital to a standstill, with some protestors turning violent. |