Tuk Tuks

Tuk-Tuks are three wheeled, motorized vehicles that are useful for short distances throughout Thailand. Today, they usually have a small cabin for the driver in the front and seating for two to three passengers in the rear. Tuk Tuks in Thailand being not so hot on safety laws I have regularly seen as many as 5 people in the back.

Tuk-tuks usually have a motorcycle version of a two-stroke engine.  Instead of a steering wheel, they have a handlebar. So, in a sense they are actually like three-wheeled motorcycles that carry passengers on the rear seat. When tuk-tuks were first made, they had a single-stroke engine that made a funny sound.  The tuk-tuk is actually named after the sound of its engine.

Many Tuk-tuks are powerful, and they can go even faster than taxis (especially in crowded city streets where they can weave in and out of traffic). Many drivers decorate their tuk-tuks with religious charms and small images of Buddha.

Tuk-Tuks are used all over Thailand. They are used a lot in Thailand's big cities such as Bangkok. One reason they are so useful is because they are small and help with the traffic congestion.  Tuk-tuks, like samlors, are useful for short distances.

Here are some tips to make your trip in a tuk-tuk go smoothly.  Since Tuk-tuks do not have meters like taxi cabs, it is a good idea to tell the driver where you are going and bargain for a price before you leave.  Otherwise you will be charged too much for your trip.  Another thing to know is that you should never put your feet up on the rail behind the driver's head.  That is considered very disrespectful to the driver because in Thailand and buddhist countries the feet are the lowest part and the dirtiest part similar to the disrespect shown in muslim countries by throwing shoes.