Pattaya Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Warn Dark Blue Jackets Reduce Night Visibility
Pattaya motorcycle taxi drivers are criticizing a government-mandated switch from orange to dark blue jackets, saying the new color is dangerously invisible at night. A field test confirmed orange jackets are far more conspicuous in low light, while the 550-baht cost and production delays add financial strain. Drivers urge authorities to prioritize road safety over tourism branding.
Pattaya motorcycle taxi drivers are protesting that the new dark blue jackets are too dark, with a nighttime comparison proving the old orange jackets are much more visible. They insist, "We drive on roads, not in the sea," urging the government to review the policy with safety as the priority. Drivers also face a 550-baht cost per jacket, and some have not yet received the new uniforms because production cannot keep up with demand.
On the night of October 20, 2026, reporters followed up on the Bang Lamung district's reorganization of motorcycle taxis in Pattaya, which changed the jackets from orange to dark blue to create a new identity fitting a seaside tourist city. However, the change has drawn backlash from some drivers over tourists not recognizing the new color and concerns about nighttime visibility.
Recent late-night field reporting found some drivers still wearing the old orange jackets. Interviews revealed that many night-shift drivers have not yet received the dark blue jackets because tailors cannot produce them fast enough, forcing them to continue using the orange ones.
Reporters also conducted a visibility test, having drivers in both colors ride through poorly lit areas. The orange jackets stood out and were easier to spot, while the dark blue jackets blended into the dark surroundings. However, this was only an observational field test, not a formal engineering or road safety standard test.
Mr. Rat, a 65-year-old veteran motorcycle taxi driver in Pattaya, said the color change is inappropriate. The switch was too sudden, and the dark blue is not conspicuous, especially at night, potentially affecting other road users' ability to see them. He argued that while the blue was chosen to match Pattaya's seaside tourism identity, safety should come first because motorcycle taxis operate on roads, not in the ocean. "We drive on the road; we need the public and other road users to see us clearly. They say it blends with the sea, but we don't drive in the sea," Mr. Rat said.
He also highlighted the financial burden: each jacket costs 550 baht, a significant expense for drivers with unstable incomes. Tailors are backed up, leaving some drivers waiting; Mr. Rat himself had to borrow a spare jacket while waiting for his order. He suggested that if the government wants to change the uniform, it should consider subsidizing the cost.
