Wrapped in Swaddling Cloth

In Thailand, it's common to see colorful cloth wrapped around various objects, including the bows of long-tail boats, the steering wheels of cars and tuk tuks, and trees. In the case of trees, it's believed that spirits live in certain species that are old and big, and consequently monks and laypeople wrap material around them to designate their sacredness. You can always find trees with stripes of color in and around Buddhist temples, and sometimes even religious buildings themselves, as well as images of the Buddha, are draped in cloth. The fabric bundled around parts of boats, cars, and tuk tuks, however, serves another function. The cloth symbolically protects the vehicles and passengers from accidents and other dangers. The way the driver of this three-wheeler was maniacally swerving in and out of lanes today, he should have wrapped his entire vehicle in fabric.       

I Ain't Afraid of No Tuk Tuk!

If there's something weird and it don't look good. Who you gonna call? This three-wheeler? No. Ghostbusters! If they don't answer, perhaps you could give Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones, Ferrari, Che Guevara, or the Michelin Man a ring. 

Five-Star Tuk Tuk

In Bangkok, where there are many wealthy tourists and expats, and where certain Thais are obsessed with their social status, many five-star restaurants, hotels, spas, and other services prevail. Even the driver of this three-wheeler installed five taillights in the shape of stars to designate that his vehicle and services are top quality. Most people who take tuk tuks, however, could care a less about that. They just want to get from Point A to Point B safely and for the least amount of money possible.          

Ferocious Tiger

In Thailand, tigers are a symbol of strength, power, and fearlessness. In this culture, you can find Thai-style images of them in the form of tattoos and on lucky yantra cloths, like this one hanging on the ceiling of a three-wheeler. Because tigers can be ferocious and scare away smaller animals, tuk tuk drivers frequently choose this particular image as they believe it drives away other auto rickshaws vying for the same customers. Indeed the competition can be fierce in this city overrun with various forms of taxis.

Chinatown

Happy Chinese New Year 2013

If you happen to be in Bangkok this weekend, hop in a tuk tuk and tell the driver to go to Yaowarat Road to celebrate Chinese New Year. Never mind the hoards of people, the sights in Bangkok's Chinatown at this time of year are spectacular! Be sure to try some delicacies on the street, stop at a Chinese-style temple, watch dancing dragons and troupes of acrobats, and take some photos of the themed decorations in the form of this year's astrological sign, the snake.  

The Path

“You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself.”  - The Buddha

Bad Boy

There are many reputable tuk tuk drivers in Bangkok, but occasionally you come across one that you can't trust. Some offer rides for an unbelievably low price to drive you around the city, but then they stop at tailors and gem shops along the way to collect gas coupons from the proprietors. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some try to overcharge foreigners. And if you're headed to a famous Buddhist temple, some tuk tuk drivers may tell you that it's closed due to a national holiday and then try to take you to another destination desperate for your business. Sometimes it's difficult to spot an unscrupulous driver, but the owner of this three-wheeler is clearly warning potential customers that he's up to no good.

Children's Day

Today, kids all over Thailand are celebrating their youth. It's National Children's Day known in Thai as Wan Dek. It's a chance for Thai kids to do everything they love: eating ice cream, playing with balloons, going to the zoo, riding bikes, and taking tuk tuk rides with no parents on board. 

Taking Wing

 

When I spotted the image of this colorful butterfly on the back of a tuk tuk today, I assumed that the driver has an appreciation for this creature. After all, Thailand has over one thousand species and there are some incredible butterfly farms in this country where one can view them. As it turns out, however, the symbol has little to do with either of those facts. The driver considers himself to be a "butterfly" and he uses the English word to describe himself as such. He is single and free and apparently flies from one mate to another.   

Tuk Tuk Holidays

Happy Holidays from Art of the Tuk Tuk.

May all your auto rickshaw rides be merry and bright!

Father Figure

Today is the 85th birthday of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. As the King is considered to be the patriarch of the country, father's day is celebrated today and December 5th has also become a national holiday. Many Thais spend the day with their fathers and it is traditional to give a canna flower, or dok Buddha ruksa as it is called in Thai, to dads and granddads on this day to show respect. Happy Father's Day and Long Live the King!

Thai Eclecticism

This has to be the only music video in the world that includes the combination of a Rastafarian on rollerblades, random guys breakdancing and kickboxing, jazz musicians dressed in black and white, an unruly backpacker, and tuk tuks. The song, Tuk Tuk Breakdown, is pretty eclectic itself as it blends a variety of music genres together and as the lyrics focus on everything from auto rickshaw drivers taking farang, or foreigners, to famous sites around Bangkok to eating nam tok, a spicy Thai meat dish. Written by Kai-Jo Brothers six years ago, it still perfectly encapsulates the fun and quirky nature of Thailand.  

Khao San Tuk Tuk

In Bangkok, most tuk tuk drivers have a routine area for parking their vehicles while waiting for customers. The operator of this auto rickshaw is a regular on Khao San Road, the street that British author Alex Garland called "the centre of the backpacking universe" in his 1996 novel, The Beach. Khao San is where budget travelers can find everything they need before and after heading off to the various islands in Thailand (and other locations around Southeast Asia), including internet cafes, ATMs, cheap food, Singha beer, travel agents, fake IDs, and fisherman pants. Oh, and for those who leave the street, there are tuk tuks like this one available for hire.      

Night Rider

There's nothing quite like riding in a tuk tuk at night. Unlike the experience of traveling in an enclosed car, driving along in an open vehicle is not so removed from the blinking city lights, urban sounds, and action on the streets. Even after nine years of living in this city, I still get a rush every time I take a three-wheeler after dark.  

Thai Dingleballs

For Bangkok tuk tuk drivers trying to give their vehicles an 80s lowrider look, dingleballs are an essential accessory. They fit right in with the customized paint jobs made up of colorful stripes and other graphics. The only thing missing is fuzzy dice and girls in bikinis.        

Handmade Souvenir

If you're visiting Thailand and need a fun and unique souvenir or gift for someone back home, I suggest buying a hand-crafted toy tuk tuk made out of beer and soda cans. My favorite ones sport Thai brands of beer, such as Chang, Singha, or Leo, but the ones that have Thai writing that spell Coke or Pepsi are pretty cool, too. You might want to pick up a few considering the low cost of 159 baht each, or roughly five US dollars, and if you purchase more than one, do as the native Thais do and barter for a lower price.   

Thailand's Top 10

Top 10 Things That Foreign Travelers Like To Do When Visiting Thailand
1.  Visit a Buddhist temple
2.  Attend a Thai boxing match
3.  Shop at Jatujak Weekend Market (Bangkok)
4.  Eat Thai food  
5.  Ride an elephant 
6.  Have clothing custom-made at a tailor shop
7.  Get a Thai massage
8.  Take a ferry ride down the Chao Phraya River
9.  Go to the beach
10. Ride in a tuk tuk 

Tuk Tuk Action

Ong Bak, a Thai action film from 2003 starring Tony Jaa, isn't the greatest film ever, but the tuk tuk chase scene in the movie is compelling to watch. There should be more flicks from Thailand with auto rickshaws involved in various stunts, although it would be pretty hard to outdo this action-packed sequence. 

King Rama V Day

Today is Chulalongkorn Day, or Wan Piyamaharaj, a Thai national holiday observed every October 23rd that commemorates the life of King Rama V, one of the most beloved monarchs in Thai history. King Chulalongkorn (reign 1868 - 1910) is remembered for his major reforms and for helping to modernize Siam. You can find his image throughout Bangkok, including this portrait of him in his military regalia adhered to the windshield of a tuk tuk. 

Tuk Tuk Rain Gear

During the Thai rainy season, the tuk tuk business is not as lucrative as the rest of the year. Some people avoid riding in the open air vehicles in wet weather. It's a good thing that some drivers have plastic or cloth shields that roll down on the sides of their three-wheelers for those of us that like taking tuk tuks all year long.