Tuk-tuk (or songthaew, rickshaw, motorcycle taxi)- one of the types of public transport in Thailand, reminiscent of Russian minibuses. Externally, it looks like a small truck or pickup truck with benches along the body. Initially, tuk-tuk is a three-wheeled covered scooter, but in tourist places You almost never see them, except in Bangkok. The transport is very maneuverable and nimble, you can find it on every corner. In resort areas it serves as the main means of transportation.
What is a tuk-tuk and how to use it?
The easiest way to catch a songthaew is to vote by the roadside. And drivers constantly honk, attracting attention, so it will be difficult to miss. As soon as the truck stops, silently sit down and drive along the route. Most of the locals get around on their own scooters, so the tuk-tuk is considered tourist transport.
There are no stops for him, they must be demanded! Under the roof (directly above your head) there are bells. To call means to demand a stop. By the way, you can ride not only sitting on a bench in the back, but also on the rear steps, and even in the cabin, if it’s free (drivers often take relatives with them).
Tuk-Tuk safety
Despite the fact that the body is open and there are no seat belts, tuk-tuk has not been seen in serious accidents. This is largely due to the low speed of movement and constant “beeping”.
An ordinary taxi is much more dangerous and unpredictable, but here you should only be afraid of precipitation. By following basic rules, the risk will be completely reduced to a minimum.
Fare
Cost may vary depending on location. Of course, there are no counters. In Pattaya and Phuket it is always 10 baht, regardless of the duration and distance of travel. And on Samui, for example, from 20 to 60.
Please note that at night and in the evening, a tuk-tuk works like a taxi, so check the price in advance and bargain. In this case, the average price will be 200-300 baht. Payment occurs upon arrival.
Tuk tuk routes in Pattaya
Almost all routes run along the beach road (the road along the beach) and parallel roads (second roads, etc.), leading in a circle to Walkin Street. Do not forget that there are no specific taxi routes in Pattaya, and the driver can choose where to go. If you name a specific place, be prepared for the driver to drop everyone off and take you at the taxi fare.
Now you can always find out the time in Pattaya. And you won’t have any problems with changing the clocks.
If you go to this address, you will find out what Thai foot massage is.
It is very likely that in the evening, in remote areas (Jomtien, for example), the driver may not go without additional payment. To avoid unpleasant situations, the price should be discussed immediately. Don't agree to visit stores recommended by drivers. There they will try to sell you some unnecessary product at the “lowest” price.
Taxi Bangkok-Pattaya
In this case, a taxi is the most expensive way to get to Pattaya from Bangkok. The cheapest and simplest will cost you about 1000 baht, a business class car - 2500-3000. On the other hand, it will be an order of magnitude faster (about 90 minutes). On your first trip, it is better to refrain from such independent travel.
In general, a tuk-tuk is a convenient, inexpensive and fast transport. In the evening it is very pleasant to ride with the breeze after the thirty-degree heat.
- in the evening the tuk-tuk turns into a taxi;
- keep your eyes on the road as the driver determines the route;
- hold on to the handrails while riding;
- do not forget about the call and no stops;
- for private transportation, agree on the price in advance;
- Do not quarrel with the driver under any circumstances, try to resolve the situation peacefully.
Some photos of nimble transport
Our tourists catch a tuk-tuk in Pattaya:
And here is the view from the cockpit:
The word “knock-knock” is translated from Thai as “cheap”, although in reality it cannot be called inexpensive. Prices start from 100 baht for a few kilometers. In fact, this is a taxi, where the fare is negotiable.
Tuk-tuks may look different in different cities: sometimes it is a three-wheeler (as in Bangkok), sometimes it is a small pickup truck (as in Pattaya or Koh Chang). Accordingly, two people or a dozen can ride in it at the same time. Below we will describe and show photos of tuk-tuks in Thailand at each of the resorts. Such detailed guide You won’t find photos of this type of transport anywhere else on the Internet.
This transport is convenient to use to get from the airport or bus station to the hotel and when you have a lot of luggage. In other cases, it will be cheaper (2-2.5 times) to travel by motorbike taxi, especially when you are alone. But for a large group it’s better to ride a tuk-tuk, since the price of travel is announced by the driver for everything vehicle, and not from each person. That is, if there are five of you and the fare is 150 baht, then each person will get 30 baht. However, this option will not work in Bangkok, since only two people (plus one or two children) can fit in a tuk-tuk there. But in Pattaya you can travel with ten people - there will be enough space.
Songthaew in Thailand
Sometimes the word “knock-knock” is called “songthaew”, which is completely wrong. Songthaew in Thailand is a public one that runs along a strictly defined route and the fare is fixed. Another thing is that if the songthaew is empty (travels without passengers), then it can be hired as a tuk-tuk. Drivers who have a fixed government salary are always happy to earn a little more and take you wherever you want. Naturally, the price will already be negotiable. At night, all songthaews operate as taxis.
Songthaew is not available everywhere in Thailand. They are absent in Bangkok, since there are a lot of government ones there. There are none in Phuket, Lanta, Phi Phi, Koh Tao, Chiang Rai, Mahogson.
Tuk-tuks in the cities of Thailand
In Bangkok
Tuk-tuk in Bangkok is a symbol of the capital of Thailand. They have changed little over time last half century and some people want to ride them simply because they have heard about it. This is a three-wheeled vehicle converted from a motorcycle. The driver sits in the front and there is seating for two passengers in the back. They are good to ride once or twice as an exotic ride, but they are not suitable for regular trips.
Firstly, it’s not very pleasant to ride along the dusty streets in an open “carriage”, and secondly, travel in tuk-tuks in Bangkok is the most expensive in the city: 1-2 km - 20 baht, across the whole city - 200 and more. It will be cheaper and more comfortable to travel in air-conditioned ones (according to the meter). And if you don’t want to stand in traffic jams, then use the metro.
In Pattaya
This is a small truck or otherwise it can be called a converted pickup truck. From the front it looks like an ordinary car, and at the back there are two parallel benches under the roof. There is no glass. Travel starts from 120 baht for 3-4 km (for example, from to). At night, prices can double.
There are also a lot of songthaews that look the same as tuk-tuks. Travel to them costs 10 baht and they run along certain routes. You can enter at any part of the route; there are no specific stops. To do this, you just need to wave your hand and it will stop. You can also get out anywhere, just press the bell in the salon. To pay the fare at the end of the trip, prepare the amount without change.
In Phuket
Tuk-tuk in Phuket is something! They are compact and have a very unusual shape (see photo). It can fit 4-6 people, no more. Some are equipped with stereo systems that play music during the ride. You can find them on any beach, near shopping centers, large and. Travel is very expensive: to the neighboring beach it costs about 300 baht.
There is no Songthaew in Phuket; their function is performed by buses, which can be ridden for 10-50 baht (depending on the final destination).
On Koh Samui
On Lanta
Tuk-tuks on Lanta look very original - they are a motorcycle with a sidecar (see photo). Can fit two people. Prices are average: from the northern beaches to the central ones you can bargain for 200 baht (distance about 15 km). There are no buses or songthaews on Lanta yet. Apart from a tuk-tuk, you can only travel by motorbike.
To Krabi
Tuk-tuks in Krabi are the same as in Phuket. They are located in crowded areas and near the coast. Sometimes you can find single specimens, the same as on Lanta.
Songthaews operate between the bus station, Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Similar to Pattaya (pickup trucks with benches). The fare from the bus station is 60 baht.
Tuk-tuks on Koh Larn, as in nearby. There are several near the piers.
In Ayutthaya
Tuk-tuk in Ayutthaya (the old capital of Thailand) looks very unusual (see photo). It is a three-wheeled pickup truck with two parallel benches at the rear. Can fit 6 people. It is best to rent them for the whole day to see the main ones. Drivers know the area well and can suggest a route themselves.
On Koh Phangan
Tuk-tuk on Koh Phangan is the same as on Koh Samui. The main stop is at the pier in Thongsal; there are several cars at the pier. You can hardly find them in the west and north of the island. Those that stand on the pier have a fixed price; the trip starts from 100 baht and depends on the distance.
Knock knock on Koh Tao island can be absolutely anything. Locals who have cars offer their services as taxi drivers. So you can ride in an ordinary passenger car of various shapes and sizes. But there are several pieces, the same as on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. There are no Songthaews on the island.
There are two types of tuk-tuk in Chiang Mai. The first is the same as in Bangkok, a three-wheeled rarity. The second is a closed pickup truck with windows (so when it's raining, you don't get wet). This option is more typical for Songthaew, although the price is negotiable rather than fixed (remember that a tuk-tuk differs from a Songthaew not in appearance, but in the negotiable fare).
Songthaews in Chiang Mai usually run from the bus station to the Old Town and the zoo. The price starts from 20 baht for 1-2 km. If it comes from the bus station and crosses the Old Town (or stops next to it), the driver will charge you 40 baht.
Tuk Tuk is the name for public transport in Pattaya. A tuk tuk is a pickup truck with a covered body in which passengers sit. Getting around Pattaya by tuk tuk is safe and cheap. Tuk tuks operate on all main streets of Pattaya 24 hours a day.
Tuk Tuk in Pattaya on Jomtien
What is a tuk tuk in Pattaya? This is a full-fledged public transport on which you can easily get for nominal money to almost anywhere in the city on one route or with a transfer. They go to all major shops and bus stations.
Features of tuk tuks in Pattaya
- Travel in a tuk tuk costs 10 baht (20 rubles / 0.3 $).
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day. During the day they walk at short intervals of 1-5 minutes, less often in the evening.
- Don't look at the numbers, the routes depend on the street.
- You can hail a tuk tuk with a wave of your hand, like a taxi. Stop anywhere.
- There is no glass in the cabin. In case of rain, lower the film. You can ride on the rear platform while standing on the street.
- Do not sit half sideways (a sign of a tourist). Sit up straight, don't put bags on the seat, and always move up so other people can sit too. Place a small child on your lap if there are a lot of people.
- To exit, press the bell button on the ceiling.
- Give the fare money to the driver when exiting through the front window. It’s better to pay in small change, since the change can sometimes be “accidentally” missed.
- If the driver suddenly turns off the route on a whim, you will have to get out and catch another one. It's useless to argue, don't waste your nerves. For example, often tuk tuks do not go to the end of Jomtien or do not go from the center to Wongamat, but turn towards the beach. There is no logic, just take it for granted.
- Can work like a taxi. Average prices range from 150 to 300 baht per car or 50 baht per person.
Photo of the interior of a typical Pattaya tuk tuk
Tuk tuk routes in Pattaya
Tuk-tuks operate on all main streets of the city. In the center, at the beginning of almost every major street, there is always a tuk-tuk waiting for people. If you get in it, you can drive along this street to the end.
In Jomtien, songthaews walk along the entire length of the beach street. In central Pattaya along the beach street and along the second and third from the sea, as well as along three vertical streets to Sukhumvit. In the area of Nak Lua and Wongamat Beach there is only one route along the main street. There are no routes in the area of Pratumnak and Cozy Beach.
1. Route "Jomtien - Pattaya Center"
You can take this tuk tuk from Jomtien:
- To Tesco Lotus and to the Teprazit market (with a transfer to Teprazit Road)
- To central Pattaya: on Walking Street, in the Tukkom store, in the Central festival shopping center, Big C and Terminal 21
- To the pier to the ferry to Koh Larn island (you need to walk through Walking Street)
- To Wongamat beach (most often with a transfer)
The route runs along the entire beach street in the area. It starts in different ways, sometimes from the police station at the intersection with Chayapryek Street, and sometimes a little further, to the south, in the Na Jomtien area. Tuk-tuks traveling back from the center do not always carry further than Çayapryek Street. In this case, if you need to go further, just get out and wait for the next one.
Route map "Jomtien - Central Pattaya"
The final point in the center of the PTT is most often at the roundabout with dolphins. Occasionally he may travel further to the Naklua region.
Crossroads with dolphins on the map
The stop to go back to Jomtien is at the intersection of Second Street and South Street. This is the southern part of central Pattaya, near Walking Street. There are always a lot of tuk-tuks parked there, just take the last one where other people are sitting.
Tuk-tuk stop towards Jomtien
2. Route along Teprazit Road
This route is used by everyone who lives in Jomtien and Pratumnak. Where you can get there:
- At the big Tesco Lotus
- To the sports shopping center Outlet Mall
- To the Teprazit night market
- To the fruit market near the Colosseum
- Go to Sukhumvit Highway to transfer to a white tuk-tuk towards Ambassador
Starts at the beginning of Thep Prasit road, near the Foodmart. It goes to Sukhumvit, where it turns around near the Outlet. Sometimes on weekends it may open a little earlier, near the night market. Stop in the opposite direction near the taxi drivers in front of the Outlet.
Tuk tuk route along Teprazit street
3. Route “Central Pattaya - Wongamat - Naklua”
The route connects the northern areas of Pattaya with the center and south. On this bus you can travel:
- From the center to Naklua area
- On northern beaches: , Crescent Beach, Wong Prachan
- To the Temple of Truth and the Palace of the Chicken King
- From Wongamata you can get to the Terminal 21 shopping center, Central Festival and large Tesco and Big C supermarkets without transfers
- From Wongamata you can get to Walking Street without a transfer.
The route starts from the dolphin crossing opposite Terminal 21 and runs along Pattaya Naklua Street approximately to the fish market. Does not go to Wongamat beach, to the sea from main street walk about 20 minutes. The way back from Wongamata to the center is also along Naklua Street, passing through the new shopping mall, turns around and then moves along Beach Road, past Central Festival to Walking Street.
Tuk tuk traffic diagram "Central Pattaya - Wongamat"
4. Tuk-Tuk routes in central Pattaya
There are several routes in the center of PTT. Along the beach street, Beach Road, traffic is one-way and minibuses go only in one direction from north to south, that is, in the direction of Volkin Street. They start from the intersection with the dolphins. The terminus is near the tuk-tuk stop on Jomtien.
People drive along the second street from the sea in the opposite direction, from south to north.
Tuk-Tuk traffic diagram in the center of Pattaya along Beach Road
Also in the center of PTT there are 3 streets from the beach towards the Sukhumvit highway - North, Central and South. There are also 10-baht songthaews that operate on them.
Between the second and third streets, there is a pink lantern street, Soi Bakao. The songthaew route also runs along it. You can drive from the Tukkom and Friendship store to central street(and then walk to central Big Sea) or further to the beach in the area.
Where can I order a transfer from the airport?
We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.
5. White tuk-tuk on the Sukhumvit highway
Minibuses also run along Sukhumvit Highway. Where you can go by white tuk tuk:
- To the miniature park
- To the Underwater World Pattaya Aquarium
- To the Floating Market
- To the hotel and the beach and the Mimosa shopping center
- To the Cartoon Network Water Park
- Before turning to Nong Nooch
- Before turning to Sai Kaew Military Beach
Traveling short distances within central Pattaya costs 10 baht, and if you go a little further, to Ambassador, for example, then 20 baht per person. But most often now drivers require tourists to pay 20 baht per person. There's no point in arguing, just pay and forget. Not only white, but also blue songthaews walk along the Sukhumvit highway. Blue ones only go to the floating market (they don’t go to the Ambassador). The whites pass Ambassador and drive further towards the town of Satahip. It is unknown where their final destination is.
Map of white tuk tuk traffic in Sukhumvit
The marks on the map at the beginning and end of the route are relative; I don’t know exactly where it starts and where it ends. But at these points it definitely passes.
Map of Pattaya with tuk tuk routes
This card can be taken for free near many shops in Pattaya. I picked up this copy at the Food Mart, and I also saw such cards near 7-Eleven. In addition to the abundance of advertising, there is helpful information about the city, all sorts of telephone numbers emergency services and tuk tuk traffic diagram.
Tuk tuk traffic diagram in Pattaya
How to get where by tuk-tuk
I will use the route numbers in the order described in the article above to make things clearer.
Tuk-tuk as a taxi observation deck in Pattaya
In other regions of Thailand, this type of public transport is called songthaew or baht bus. And the very word “tuk tuk” in Asian countries always means a motorcycle on three wheels that works like a taxi.
They are said to be called "knock-knock" because of the sound of the engine. For the sound of a two-stroke engine, knock-knock-knock-knock...
They are also called a motor rickshaw or a three-wheeled car, or a samosa, or a tempo, or a motorcycle taxi, or... And in different countries they can be called by different names, but almost everywhere you can hear the simple name “knock-knock”.
From time immemorial, pedicabs - a bicycle with a sidecar for passengers - have been popular in Asia. Not the fastest taxi, but cheap. Progress added a motor to the bicycle and the tuk-tuk appeared - faster than a bicycle and, again, cheap way get from one point to another.
Classic tuk-tuks are mass-produced in automobile factories. Specially trained people improve engines, reduce fuel consumption and improve safety. But there are also homemade tuk-tuks, converted cars, and construction kits made from trailers and mopeds.
What do tuk-tuk passengers need to remember? This is a cheap vehicle. When producing tuk-tuks, they save on everything, including comfort, safety and suspension. Long trips on such transport can be very tiring (especially for the fifth point).
From my trips to Asian countries, I have collected a whole collection of all kinds of tuk-tuks.
This Thai old man looks like one of the first tuk-tuks. Apparently this is a Daihatsu Midget (produced since 1957):
Sri Lankan tuk-tuks are polished and decorated by their owners, as if for an exhibition or for a “my favorite tuk-tuk” competition. They use chrome pipes, homemade doors, various body kits, and decorated wheels.
In India you can see the dirtiest and most dilapidated ruins. And it’s incredible how they continue to drive.
Tuk-tuks are used harshly in India. How many dozens of passengers do you think can fit in one small tuk-tuk?
The maximum speed for a tuk-tuk is 50 km per hour. But usually they do not “drive” faster than 30 km per hour, which is why they cause traffic jams:
Although, I think that the main reason is not their speed at all, but their drivers’ disregard for the rules traffic. Although, who in Asia takes rules seriously?
Let's move on to non-standard tuk-tuks. If you look from one side - a motorcycle, on the other - ... it seems like a knock-knock.
Some of these tuk-tuks look very “impressive” and slightly shabby:
In Cambodia, they approached the issue more simply: moped + trailer = tuk-tuk. A trailer mount is welded to the moped, which can be quickly attached or unhooked if desired. Cheap and practical.
And in the absence of clients, you can relax in the trailer:
In some regions, converted cars are also called tuk-tuks:
And sometimes tuk-tuks are turned into a disco on wheels with lights and music, lots of speakers and subwoofers. What won't you do for your clients - tourists?
Tuk-tuks were and will be not only tourist transport, but also everyday public transport Asia.
Thailand attracts millions of tourists with its golden sand beaches and tropical palm trees. It will be difficult to move around the country's resort areas on foot in the heat, and the distance between the beaches is quite large. Public transport seems to be not an option, so people have to either rent it or use the services taxi in Thailand. To understand the features of using each of all types of Thai taxis, you need to consider its types and costs.
Knock Knock
Tuk-tuk taxi in Thailand is one of the most popular means of transportation in resort areas. In terms of the services offered, they are somewhat similar to our minibuses, but they look like a mini-van with a canopy (roof).
Local drivers are constantly trying to upgrade their vehicle with a body kit, neon lighting, and putting chrome rims on the wheels. Usually, a tuk-tuk always plays cheerful and loud music, often with such bass that you definitely won’t be bored on the road.
But all these delights do not mean that all tourists like tuk-tuks. And there are three reasons for this:
- Bad condition- among all the beautiful cars in Thailand, there are real rusty and dirty buckets that you just don’t want to sit in.
- Riding in the rain- no one will like this situation, in which a tuk-tuk, driving through puddles in the rain, will leave its passengers covered in mud, so it’s better not to ride in white.
- Safety- alas, a tuk-tuk is not a safe taxi at all; in case of a serious situation, there will be many casualties.
Moto-sai
Motorcycle taxi (moto-sai) is considered the most common and mobile means of transportation in all of Thailand. In order to become a passenger in such a taxi, you need to negotiate with the driver. Depending on the distance and route, the cost may vary. Often, bikers, as if forgetting about the passenger, begin to drive recklessly and thereby endanger him. So you have to constantly remind him of you. Isn’t it better to hire a company than to use their services?
Taxi Taxi meter
Taxi meter in Thailand is a familiar passenger taxi. Most often, this type of transport is used to travel to the airport or hotel and back. Officially they have meters, but few people turn them on in Thailand, and the cost depends on the resort and the route of the trip. The only downside to this Thai taxi- traffic jams, if tuk-tuk and bikes can easily get around them, then the Taxi meter cannot do it.
Transfers
Another difference is the ability to order a minibus, provided that you are traveling in a large group and do not fit into a regular passenger car. How much does a taxi cost in Thailand?
Approximate cost for tuk-tuks:- Phuket. Karon - Patong - 350 baht, Kata - Patong - 500 baht.
- Pattaya. For about the same distance the price is 2-3 times lower.
- Phuket. Karon – Patong – 250 (300) baht.
- Pattaya. Likewise.
- Phuket. Airport – Patong 800 (900) baht, Karon – Kathu – 900 (1000) baht.
- Pattaya. Likewise.
Due to its island location on
