In Bangkok, flowers are everywhere. Shrines are decorated with garlands of bright yellow marigolds, temples are bursting with phuang malai offerings made from jasmine and roses, businesses display fresh blooms for good luck and prosperity, and individuals hang blossoms in their homes and in their vehicles. It's no wonder then that Bangkok's huge flower market, or Pak Klong Talad, is open 24 hours every day throughout the year. And what better way to deliver the blooms from the market than in a colorful tuk tuk.
If you saw these letters on the back of a Bangkok auto rickshaw and didn't know who or what it references, you would probably think it was the moniker of the driver's girlfriend or wife. But it turns out that it's the name of one of the Thai tuk tuk manufacturers, Monika Motors Ltd. Well, at least the drivers don't get that name tattooed on their forearms.
Thais, in general, aren't into maps, and that includes local tuk tuk drivers. So, what is that map doing in the three-wheeler then? It's for foreigners. Notice that it's in English and that the various tourist landmarks are highlighted. The only time I've ever seen maps like this appear from the ceilings of tuk tuks is when drivers are showing travelers places where they want to take them. Just beware of those drivers who want to take you around the city for twenty baht. You'll end up at touristy gem and tailor shops rather than the places on the map that you intended to visit.
