Tuk Tuk Land

Ahhh, Sri Lanka. Land of golden beaches, ancient Buddhist temples, flavorful cuisine, friendly locals, and tuk tuks. Need I say more?

Sri Lankan Tuk Tuk Tune

In preparation for a trip to Sri Lanka next week, I've been doing a little research about their culture and their tuk tuks. I came across this entertaining music video from the Sri Lankan music producer, Clewz. In the video, he and his buddies, Yo Yo, Kaizer Kaiz, and Dylo, sing about tuk tuks and ride along in a carefree animated world where Bob Marley and the Beach Boys reign supreme.     

Rainy Days

Here we are in the midst of the Thai rainy season. It's the time of year when you shouldn't venture outdoors without an umbrella. Even the monk image on this incantation cloth in the tuk tuk is carrying one. But if the wet weather eventually causes major flooding in Thailand like it did last year, we're going to need more than umbrellas. It's going to require boats or maybe even lotus-shaped vessels like the one on which the blue monk is standing.      

Backseat Canine

In Bangkok, some animal lovers have no reservations about taking their pets everywhere, including inside restaurants and supermarkets. The driver of this tuk tuk even brings his doggie to work, so if you want to take a ride in his vehicle, you'd better be prepared to share the backseat with a furry creature that may periodically lick your arm, sniff your trousers, or drool on your shoes. And never mind when the driver stops his tuk tuk along the way to buy sausages for his pooch or let his pup out to take a leak.        

Tuk Tuk is O.K.

The most recognized word on the planet is O.K. and Thai tuk tuk drivers certainly use the term often. The exact origin of the expression is uncertain, but the first place it appeared in writing was in U.S. President Martin Van Buren's 1840 re-election campaign. His slogan was 'Martin Van Buren is O.K.' which creatively referenced his nickname 'Old Kinderhook'. I wonder what percent of the world's population knows the word, 'Barbie'?

Men (and Ladies) of Leisure

Thai tuk tuk drivers have a variety of ways to kill time while waiting for fares. Many read the newspaper, some work on cleaning their tuk tuk, and others like to play chess with their buddies. But perhaps the most popular pastime for the drivers is taking naps. Who can blame them? The back seats of tuk tuks are pretty comfortable. 

Past Life

Being immersed in a culture where most people believe in reincarnation, sometimes I think about what certain people were in their past lives. In regards to the driver of this tuk tuk, my guess is that he was a 13 year old girl. Just look at those sparkly stars that he stuck on his license plate. I guess it could be worse. There could be pictures of unicorns and rainbows plastered all over his tuk tuk. 

Made in Thailand

If you ask most Thai tuk tuk drivers about their favorite musical group, they'll almost always refer to Carabao, the Thai rock band known for their "songs for life", or pleng phuea chiwit, which tackle a variety of social and political issues. It's common to see stickers promoting the band on tuk tuks. Just look for a logo with a buffalo skull, a symbol of hard work, fighting, and patience. One of their most popular songs, "Made in Thailand", expresses deep pride for their homeland. If you can read Thai, feel free to sing along with the karaoke video.        

Blue Bodhi

Decorative bodhi leaves, like this one, can be found hanging in various Thai modes of transportation, including tuk tuks. They're an important Buddhist symbol as the Buddha reached enlightenment under a bodhi tree. These ornaments come in an assortment of colors, but are mostly red and blue, and they're often further embellished with gold. Oftentimes, they have representations of monks on them, and this particular one is decorated with several small auspicious images, including fish and Buddha figures. They typically have a bell and tassel dangling from them, and they're almost always laminated in plastic to add to the completely unnatural look of the leaves.  

Creative and Bright

Thais, in general, love anything colorful, so it comes as no surprise that tuk tuk drivers like to install multicolored lights inside their vehicles. The vibrant, somewhat garish tail lamps create a carnivalesque effect which adds to the whimsical look of these three-wheelers. It just goes to show that tuk tuk drivers here are creative and enjoy being surrounded by things that are colorful and fun. 

Bangkok Bang!

I think the driver of this Bangkok tuk tuk has seen too many action flicks. With bullet hole stickers plastered all over his vehicle, he's apparently trying to simulate the look of having been in a Hollywood-style gun fight. It makes me wonder what kind of reaction he's looking for on the streets. Does he want to communicate to potential customers that he's offering dangerous, action-packed rides? Or is he warning passengers that they'd better be nice or else?     

Jammin' in Cambodia

   
Tuk Tuk Sessions, according to their website, is a project "born out of a desire to play music and give the world a visual tour of life in Phnom Penh. We want to capture the bustling, vibrant streets of the Penh, accompanied by equally vibrant tunes, punctuated with the mandatory horns, moto revs, and slight chaos." To date there have been forty-one recordings that make up the project, each session involving "one song, one take, one tuk tuk". Here's "Chapter 29" featuring Dengue Fever, a Los Angeles based band formed by two brothers who fell in love with Khmer music from the '60's after a trip to Cambodia. The lead singer, Chhom Nimol, was discovered at a nightclub in Long Beach's Little Phnom Penh.

Tuk Tuk Marketing

One way to market services or products in Bangkok involves posting ads on the back of tuk tuks. I've seen everything from new condo projects to mouthwash being advertised. It's a win-win (win) situation where the drivers make some extra cash, those advertising attract more customers, and in this particular case, backpackers traveling in Bangkok have a place to stay. 

Haul It All

Load it on and pile it up. Thailand's tuk tuks are made for hauling. Whether it's wares that are being taken to the market to be sold, purchases that are being transported back home, or a mattress that's being moved across town, these load-bearing three-wheelers can carry it all. Occasionally, there's even room in the tuk tuks for passengers. 

007 Tuk Tuk

Bond. James Bond. Riding in a Tuk Tuk in Bangkok. 

Visa Credit Card Commercial. Circa 2003.  

Welcome

Welcome to Art of the Tuk Tuk, a brand new blog about the colorful auto rickshaws of Thailand and Southeast Asia brought to you by the author of Still Life in Moving Vehicles and Thai Taxi Talismans. Hop in! It's bound to be an exhilarating ride.