If anyone has been to Bangkok city then you will relate and understand what Tuk-Tuks are all about in Bangkok city, here in this city you will find packs of Tuk-Tuks lined up at every tourist destination, outside shopping malls, outside market areas all there at your service they are a buzz to ride in and most tourist that come to Bangkok city will all want that first experience riding in a Bangkok Tuk-Tuk you can't say you have done everything in Bangkok city, if you haven't ridden in a Bangkok Tuk-Tuk.
Tuk-Tuks in Thailand are know as a Sam Lor meaning 3 wheeler they have been around for years in Bangkok city they actually originated from the Rickshaw were as someone came up with the idea instead of using the leg powered Rickshaw which was a great workout they decided to motorize the Rickshaw with a 2-stroke engine thus becoming known as the Tuk-Tuk of today.
Years ago this little humble Tuk-Tuk was everyone's favorite way of getting around Bangkok city, it use to wiggle around the traffic getting you to your destination much faster then a car but now that Bangkok city has modernized having the BTS Skytrains, MRT underground trains and all them colorful taxis the Tuk-Tuk is still around but fewer of them and today this little humble Thailand Tuk-Tuk is still holds a national emblem of Thailand.
The Tuk-Tuk is still one of the most recognizable transportation amongst the tourists and visitors they all like to ride them but a word of warning before jumping into any Tuk-Tuk as they have no taximeter like them colorful taxis, always negotiate you fare first with the driver you will always be quoted a inflated price but what ever price he gives you, haggle with him and try and get it down by half or a third which is the real fare and if he won't negotiate with you then just say thank you and walk away, there are many other Tuk-Tuks around.
Another thing, although us tourist see it as a fun thing riding in a Tuk-Tuk in Bangkok city be careful with them Tuk-Tuk drivers hanging around the touristy areas they are the biggest scammers of them all giving the other Tuk-Tuk drivers a bad name, do not except there free privileges of them taking you on a tour to shopping areas or other places they will hold you for hours taking you to boring shops because they get a commissions but the worst part at the end of your 2 or 3 hour boring tour they will demand a outrages fare from you were you will have no choice but to pay them.
I don't mind taking the Tuk-Tuks for the shorter trips I found the honest Tuk-Tuk driver would be cheaper or the same price as them colorful taxis and they would get you there faster as they always knew the short cuts through the back alleyways where as the taxis couldn't get through avoiding all the chaotic Bangkok traffic.
Another thing with Tuk-Tuks although they are fun to ride in with that cool breeze hitting you in the face never take them in peak hours that is mornings or evenings you will be stuck in traffic for hours sweating without the comfort of a air-conditioner breathing in all that carbon monoxide of other engines around you.
There are a even more styles of Tuk-Tuk designs around Thailand which I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them yet like in the south you will find Tuk-Tuk's that look like a frog's head and these Tuk-Tuk's are all painted green just like a frog and getting further up to the Laos border north-east they have the modified motorbike Tuk-Tuk with wooden bench style seating area fixed in the back side by side. Well whatever style Tuk-Tuk you decide to ride in when in Thailand remember the basic rules and warnings I mentioned and you will have a fun time.
Tuk-Tuks in Thailand are know as a Sam Lor meaning 3 wheeler they have been around for years in Bangkok city they actually originated from the Rickshaw were as someone came up with the idea instead of using the leg powered Rickshaw which was a great workout they decided to motorize the Rickshaw with a 2-stroke engine thus becoming known as the Tuk-Tuk of today.
Years ago this little humble Tuk-Tuk was everyone's favorite way of getting around Bangkok city, it use to wiggle around the traffic getting you to your destination much faster then a car but now that Bangkok city has modernized having the BTS Skytrains, MRT underground trains and all them colorful taxis the Tuk-Tuk is still around but fewer of them and today this little humble Thailand Tuk-Tuk is still holds a national emblem of Thailand.
The Tuk-Tuk is still one of the most recognizable transportation amongst the tourists and visitors they all like to ride them but a word of warning before jumping into any Tuk-Tuk as they have no taximeter like them colorful taxis, always negotiate you fare first with the driver you will always be quoted a inflated price but what ever price he gives you, haggle with him and try and get it down by half or a third which is the real fare and if he won't negotiate with you then just say thank you and walk away, there are many other Tuk-Tuks around.
Another thing, although us tourist see it as a fun thing riding in a Tuk-Tuk in Bangkok city be careful with them Tuk-Tuk drivers hanging around the touristy areas they are the biggest scammers of them all giving the other Tuk-Tuk drivers a bad name, do not except there free privileges of them taking you on a tour to shopping areas or other places they will hold you for hours taking you to boring shops because they get a commissions but the worst part at the end of your 2 or 3 hour boring tour they will demand a outrages fare from you were you will have no choice but to pay them.
I don't mind taking the Tuk-Tuks for the shorter trips I found the honest Tuk-Tuk driver would be cheaper or the same price as them colorful taxis and they would get you there faster as they always knew the short cuts through the back alleyways where as the taxis couldn't get through avoiding all the chaotic Bangkok traffic.
Another thing with Tuk-Tuks although they are fun to ride in with that cool breeze hitting you in the face never take them in peak hours that is mornings or evenings you will be stuck in traffic for hours sweating without the comfort of a air-conditioner breathing in all that carbon monoxide of other engines around you.
There are a even more styles of Tuk-Tuk designs around Thailand which I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them yet like in the south you will find Tuk-Tuk's that look like a frog's head and these Tuk-Tuk's are all painted green just like a frog and getting further up to the Laos border north-east they have the modified motorbike Tuk-Tuk with wooden bench style seating area fixed in the back side by side. Well whatever style Tuk-Tuk you decide to ride in when in Thailand remember the basic rules and warnings I mentioned and you will have a fun time.