Chatty Drivers

According to a recent study in the US, twenty-five percent of all automobile accidents in the States are caused by inattentive driving while talking or texting on cell phones. I wonder what percentage of car crashes in Thailand are related to this issue. Tuk tuk drivers are constantly chatting on their phones.    

Tuk Tuk Appreciation

I just returned from a trip abroad and one of the first things I did when I arrived in Bangkok was hop in a tuk tuk. I missed riding in them when I was gone and now that I'm back, I feel like taking these three-wheelers everywhere I go. They're especially perfect for short trips to the market and they're great for hauling things to and fro. They're also relatively inexpensive if you don't mind haggling and if the driver agrees to a fair charge. What's not to love about this mode of transportation?  

Have a Nice Day

My tuk tuk driver the other day was born in Kathmandu which explains why he has this particular sticker on his vehicle. This emblem is prevalent in Nepal and it has come to represent the country itself. The eyes are meant to be those of the Buddha and signifify his all-seeing and all-knowing qualities. The coiled line below the eyes is the Nepalese number one which symbolizes unity and enlightenment. When I see the round yellow shape, however, all I can think about is one of those happy faces that says "have a nice day".  

Thai Tarzan

According to my tuk tuk driver the other day, the real Tarzan lives somewhere in Thailand. I guess he resides on one of the islands or somewhere upcountry. Then again, maybe he's from the concrete jungle of Bangkok and swings from power lines in order to avoid all the heavy traffic. 

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.