Pictures of Bangkok,
Thailand.
The City of
Contrast.
Where ancient meets
modern and East meets
West.
Come and see the
lifestyle,
culture,
places, changes,
etc.
Motorcycle
taxis Whatever
is possible to fight
against Bangkok
traffic
Bangkok's notorious
traffic jam is known as
Asia's largest parking
lot. This never-ending
problem contributes to
the existence of the
motorcycle taxis, the
most efficient way to
commute in Bangkok.
Motorcycle
taxis
are
usually
spotted
in
sois
(lanes).
Their
job
is
to
ride
passengers
living
in
the
soi
to
the
main
street
and
vice
versa.
The
fare
is
negotiable
and
cheaper
than
a
taxi.
Motorcycle
taxis
are
much
faster
than
cars
since
they
can
zigzag
in
narrow
spaces
between
cars.
Some
can
take
orders
to
go
beyond
their
soi
service
or
even
hired
as
a
messenger.
Motorcycle taxi riders
can be men or women. (Phaholyothin Soi 8 is
believed to have the largest
number of women
motorcycle taxi riders.)
They can be
part-timers while taking
a full time job as
corporate employees,
merchants, civil
servants, housewives,
just anything.
I
once
saw
a
well known politician
using
a
motorcycle
taxi
during
rush
hours.Well,
this
is
Bangkok,
the
city
of
contrast
with
all
walks
of
life.
And heavy traffic jam!
Bits
& Pieces
1. Motorcycle taxi fare
differs depending on
where you board.
Some areas may charge
you fixed rate no matter
where you're picked up
whereas some may
charge you by
distance. Some
Sois (lanes) in Bangkok
charge you 3 to 5 Baht
for less than 500 meters
to 1 km.,
respectively. (US$1=Approx. 40 Baht)
2. Motorcycles taxis
usually take special
order for a distance
within 5-6 km. where
prices can be 40-60 Baht
depending on the
traffic.
Click
pictures to enlarge
Motorcycle
taxis are
easily
noticed by
their
colorful
orange
vest.
They can
also be in
other colors
eg green,
pink, etc.
Their
service is
very
open-air,
suitable for
Bangkok
weather. (Except
in the rainy
season.)
Though they
may look
dangerous
and some
riders could
be frantic,
I rarely
hear news of
severe
injuries
from
motorcycle
taxi
service.
1
2
1. Hiding in the
shade after a
hot open-air
ride.
2. Waiting for
the passengers in
the self-made
stand.
1 2
3
1-2.
They
can be stationed
in department
stores (left) and
most commonly in
sois (right).
3. Their vest is
their life. It acts like their
profession license
and can be traded
expensively.
