How to Conquer a Tuk Tuk in Bangkok ( special post #1)

 Special Post #1

Guide to taking a Tuk Tuk in Bangkok:

Taking a Tuk Tuk in Bangkok is a very iconic and dangerous experience, but don’t worry it’s a staple for transportation and if you follow this guide, you should survive your Tuk Tuk trip with only a few injuries and only half scammed.

Tip #1: Don’t choose the Tuk Tuks just waiting around speaking broken English to you. They will scam you hard and charge you way too much. They can get away with it too because they are in highly populated areas with lots of stupid tourists. Your best bet is to flag down an empty Tuk Tuk on the road or find a nice quiet respectful driver.

Tip#2: Speak Thai  and don’t be afraid to yell, and even walk away. Its all part of the fun. When you find a Tuk Tuk you want to take, ask him if he can take you to where you want to go. Then BEFORE you get in ask him how much? Try to get under 100 baht, the cheaper the better. The price he gives you is already inflated and you can usually get them to go down 10 -30 baht ( about a dollar).  Your conversation will sound something like this.

You: Sawadee ka, bai Khao San dai mai ka? ( hello, can you go to khao san road?)

Tuk Tuk Driver: ( incomprehensive mumbles and grunts, then nods)

You: Tow rai ka? ( How much?)

Tuk Tuk Driver: 200 baht

You: ( laughs) mai chai, mai chai! Hok sip baht? ( that’s not right, 60 baht)

 Tuk Tuk Driver: Mai, Mai  nueng roi ha sip ( No, No 150baht)

You:  ( yelling and waving hands dramatically) Mai CHAI, Ban Maha sarakham ka, lou jak annie hok sip ka, dai mai ka? ( That’s not right, I live in Maha sarakham I know this on is 60 baht, can you do sixty baht?)

Tuk Tuk Driver: mai dai ( No, I cannot.)

 You : Starts walking away

Tuk Tuk Driver: OK Ok pad sip baht ( Ok  80 baht)

You: OK ka,BAH! ( ok, lets go.)


Tip#3 Even though the tuk tuk only seats two make it worth your money and shove up to ten people in the four by four  seat. Some common ways to do this is sitting on peoples laps and just laying on top of one and other.

Tip #4 Do not be frightened if any of the following occurs. Its perfectly normal.

- The driver goes through a red light or stop sign.
- The driver drives in the wrong lane.
- The driver keeps going up on the back two wheels, every time he accelerates.
- The driver doesn’t look at the road or is multitasking, by drinking a  Big Gulp from 7/11, talking to yourself and staring at you threw his rear view mirror.

This may seem very crazy and dangerous in Canada, but its perfectly normal.

Tip #5 Don’t bother Tipping and pay in exact change. I mean you had to fight with them to get them to actually take you where you wanted to go, then almost killed you on the way there. Just pay the tuk tuk driver and run.

Follow these five tips and should be able to successfully survive and conquer a Tuk Tuk ride in Bangkok.

Xoxo Chantel <3

 ps there are more pictures on my tumblr :)
http://132daysofadventure.tumblr.com/