This essay was submitted to us by Ms. Niphaphon Sithakarn (Nina) who is a Bachelor of Public Administration student at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. The tuk-tuk is a popular form of Thailand street transport and Niphaphon has written a light and informative essay about this very unique transport.

What is a Tuk-Tuk?

Come to Thailand for a Tuk-Tuk Ride and Find Out

What are the must do things to do upon arrival in Thailand? In fact there are many and it is probably a good idea to start a list.  Near the top of that list, I recommend that you write down “Take a Ride on a Tuk-Tuk” as a must-do experience. But just what is a tuk-tuk?

The tuk-tuk is a three -wheeled small motor tricycle that is very popular for short distance street travel in Thailand.  There are about 7,000 tuk-tuks in service in Bangkok alone and there are about 30,000 around the country, mainly used in cities and tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, and Had Yai, just to name a few. The name “Tuk-Tuk” comes from the sound of the engine while operating. How simple is that?  The tuk-tuk can run on gasoline, natural gas (NGV) or electricity. The electric version of the tuk-tuk is called Arun Sawasdi tuk-tuk.

Touring around on a tuk-tuk is one of the best ways to experience Thai city life; allowing you to take in the sights, sounds, smells and sensations that make city life such an exciting experience. I suggest you take a ride on a tuk-tuk and explore the capital city of the Land of Smiles, Bangkok (Krung Thep in Thai) the City of Angels. This will surely be an unforgettable experience.

While the tuk-tuk is exported to India, Sri Lanka and Singapore, it is an icon in the promotion of tourism in Thailand. For me the tuk-tuk can be described best in 4 words: Fun, Unique, Fast, and Affordable.  I will explain:

Fun
A major goal of a vacationer is to have a good time and forge unforgettable memories. A ride on a tuk-tuk will help you achieve that goal. It’s a lot of fun, feeling the wind on your face and through your hair as you make your way through the traffic, often reaching your destination in quicker time than if you went by taxi.  Your driver becomes your tour guide, giving you information about the places you pass and visit. The combination of the tuk-tuk driver’s English skills (or lack of) plus your new-found Thai language skills will make the trip fun and interesting. Tuk-tuk drivers are experienced and only too willing to answer your many questions or tell you about people and places along the way.

Unique
The tuk-tuk offers you a truly Thai experience: your seat will be comfortable and you will be in the open air with a canopy over your head in case of rain.  You will hear the unique sound of the tuk-tuk’s engine against the backdrop of all the other sounds of the city. You will be touched by the smell of flowers sold by street side vendors and the aroma of authentic Thai food cooking in the makeshift kitchens along the roadside. Don’t be surprised to learn that eating on the street is part of the Thai people’s life style. Many locals also prefer to use the tuk-tuk for short distance transport and to carry their goods home from market.

Fast

The tuk-tuk you will get you around the city much quicker than most other forms of transport. It will take you into the small Soi (streets) which can be so narrow they are virtually inaccessible to bigger vehicles. Tuk-tuks can also easily manoeuvre streets that are packed with street vendors and hoards of customers surrounding them honing their bargaining skills. Although the tuk-tuk is one of the fastest means of getting around on the streets, do not expect quite the same result during the rush hour! While this will slow you down, my bet is that you will get to your destination much quicker than taxis, buses and cars.

Affordable
The tuk-tuk is really affordable. A ride should cost you around 50 – 300 Thai Baht (about $1.50 – $9 US). That means a few dollars will go a long way. The fare will be dependant on your destination, but you can always try to negotiate a lower fare with the friendly driver. The single seated tuk-tuk normally takes two people while double seated may take up to five people comfortably, which should meet the needs of most families and couples.

A must-see in Bangkok is the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Grand Palace. Consider getting there by the tuk-tuk in plenty of time so you will not be fighting for space with other tourists. Tourists from all over the world are attracted by the magnetic beauty of these wonderful sights. It can get very busy around midday and you need at least a couple hours or more to soak up beautiful Thai cultural heritage.

Then in the evening you might want to hire another tuk-tuk to check out Bangkok’s night life on Silom road. Here you will find many things-to-do including watching Thai kick-boxing, visiting pubs and bars, shopping, and true to Thailand there are many places to eat and vendors for every thing you can imagine. In a tuk-tuk you can ask the driver to slow down or stop if you want a better look and parking is not usually much of an issue since they are accustomed to just waiting at the curb-side.

If you plan to travel during rush hour (7am -9am & 5pm-7pm)  get yourself a good cup of coffee and appreciate the fresh morning or enjoy a Chang or Tiger Beer in the late afternoon – after all, it’s beer o’clock! And always remember to carry a bottle of fresh water as it can get quite hot in Thailand, especially in city traffic.

The tuk-tuk offers the tourist the opportunity to experience a real slice of Thailand and one that will live in the memory of all who take this experience.

To view all winning entries, please visit 2008 Thailand Travel Online.com Essay Contest