The controversial advertising rickshaws, which have been parked in front of Thai massage businesses in central Prague for years, are set to disappear from the cityscape permanently. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has confirmed the city council’s decision to classify these rickshaws as illegal advertising within a protected monument area.
“We are pleased to have reached a final decision. The rickshaws in front of Thai massage establishments in the historic center of Prague are clearly illegal advertising,” explains city councillor Adam Zábranský. He recalls that a few years ago, the Ministry of Industry and Trade overturned a fine imposed by the Prague Trade Licensing Office on a Thai massage operator for illegal advertising through a rickshaw. “I was horrified at the time, but now we finally have clarity,” adds Zábranský.
The red and green rickshaws with LED strips have been stationed at various locations in the city center for several years. According to the city council, they constitute illegal advertising for Thai massage parlours and obstruct pedestrian traffic in busy areas.
The operator of the massage centers argues that the rickshaws are not used for advertising but are instead a means of transport for employees. Despite this claim, the Prague City Council, supported by citizen complaints, conducted a thorough investigation and decided to impose a fine for illegal advertising. The operator appealed against the fine, leading to further scrutiny by the Ministry.
The Ministry has now upheld the city council’s decision. The rickshaws, with their eye-catching LED strips, were clearly intended as advertising and their use on the roads was not permitted due to a lack of necessary equipment such as proper lighting and brakes. The operator of the Thai massage parlours must now pay the fine and remove the rickshaws from the cityscape.
