Tuk Tuk
Sunday, May 6th, 2007
Tuk Tuk is the term for small three wheeled taxis common in Thailand and other parts of Asia. Loud, uncomfortable for tall people, but not lacking in charm, a visit to Thailand without trying these things out isn’t full deal.
The tuk-tuk has a sheet metal body with a hard plastic, sheet metal, or canvas roof and drop-down sides. Translucent plastic removable sides are often used during the rainy season.
The tuk tuk seats the driver in the front with seating for three average size people comfort(ish)ly in the rear.
Tuk-tuks are run on water cooled two-stroke engines of varying degrees of smokiness. They have handlebar controls instead of a steering wheel, similar to a snowmobile.
In recent years tuk tuks have been turning increasingly into billboards as owners begin to make additional money by selling ad space.