Chapter 10. THE TUK TUK DRIVER

Front View

Tuk Tuks are motorized rickshaws and serves the people of Thailand like a taxi does. The name is adapted from the sound its engines make as it makes its rounds around Bangkok.

The "fucker"

This is the asshole who fetched us to the Fake Somboon. I hope he utilizes the commission the fake restaurant gave him to buy food for his kids, and they'll choke on it.

Passengers

Under normal circumstances, 3 passengers without luggage can fit into these Tuk Tuks comfortably.

Thin People

For thin/small framed passengers as such, it will fit 4. As far as I know there isn't any legal limit to the numbers of passengers a Tuk Tuk can carry.

Swerve In & Out

Taking the Tuk Tuk is normally an alternative to Taxis especially during the chaotic and infamous Bangkok Jam. With its smaller build, the driver is able to swerve in and out of traffic to reach the destination promptly.

Please be beware that this dangerous maneuvering action will cause accelerated beating of the heart and in some cases lead to heart attacks.

Back View

Tuk Tuks are ubiquitous in Thailand especially in Bangkok, probably due to the high influx of tourist in Bangkok. You can't spend a day in Bangkok without spotting at least 5 Tuk Tuks.

Fake Tuk Tuk Driver

The "opening price" offered by the drivers more often than not exceeds the "normal fare" by at least 30-40%. So you'll have to bargain with them.

Sometimes its possible to catch a ride at the same price as a taxi. But most times it costs more. Unless you speak really good Thai, are really good at bargaining or BOTH.

Needs coupon to exchange petrol

Occassionally it is possible to land a cheap ride without "bargaining skills" and "good Thai" like this fellow who fetched us from our Hotel to Jatuchak Market.

Midway, he stopped the engine and told us apologetically, "Can you do me a favour? I'll bring you to souvenir shop. Just see, no need buy. Then I can get petrol coupon. After that I bring you to Jatuchak Market".

"SCAM" was the 1st word that flashed through my mind. I can see tomorrow's newspaper headlines now ....

"3 Malaysian tourist was kidnapped and had their internal organs stripped and left for dead in an alley near Jatuchak Market".

In the end, we gave him the benefit of our doubts and agreed. He seemed like a nice guy and what could he do to us in broad daylight?

True to his words, we arrived at this huge leather souvenir shop, he got his coupons and we finally arrived at Jatuchak Market 20 mins later.

The drivers really need these petrol coupons to survive because petrol was about RM4/litre in May. Go figure.

On our way to "Vertigo Bar"

Smiling Driver

"How much to Banyan Tree Hotel?"
"300 Baht."
"No. Too expensive. 100 ok?"
"Ok ok."


We thought it was a good price, having slashed it in half. But the driver was grinning ear to ear from point A to B, which lead us to suspect we've been overcharged.

But even if we get overcharged once in a while, Tuk Tuk is a nice way to travel around Bangkok. Be it for the airy feeling, or for novelty, we always make it a point to frequent a Tuk Tuk whenever we're in town.

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