Tuk-Tuks, Songthaew & Motosai - Transportation On The Edge
Thailand's Trio of Transportation Chaos: Tuk-Tuks, Songthaews & Motorcycle Taxis If Thailand’s roads are a symphony, then tuk-tuks, songthaews, and motorcycle taxis are the wild, offbeat percussion section banging away with joyful disregard for the sheet music. They're loud, unpredictable, occasionally terrifying, but completely essential to the Thai transport experience. Let’s start with the tuk-tuk , Thailand’s iconic three-wheeled chariot of noise. They look like go-karts that went to a rave and never came back. No doors, no seatbelts, and the engine sounds like it’s powered by bees on espresso. They are technically a mode of transportation, but spiritually, they’re roller coasters with a roof. You spot one. You wave. The driver grins like he’s about to sell you a timeshare and says, “Where you go?” You answer. He pauses, strokes his chin like a philosopher, and says, “200 baht.” For a 5-minute ride. Negotiation begins. You pretend to walk away. He pretends not to care. ...