The motorcycle devils of Bangkok
Some people like to take a tuk-tuk ride during their stay in Bangkok. Taxis are plentiful and often even much cheaper, but the three-wheeled almost open means of transport still gives a certain kick and you must have experienced it once. A visit to Bangkok is not complete without a ride in a tuk-tuk.
A completely different phenomenon is the motorcycle taxi. Sitting on the back of a 'moped', the drivers drive you to your destination at lightning speed. Moped is actually not a correct name because you can definitely not call 125 cc a moped.
Addictive
I myself am a bit addicted to this phenomenon and every now and then I want to experience this sensation when I stay in Bangkok. Never been a real motor demon, because my Vespa of old was a civilized scooter that barely reached a maximum speed of ninety kilometers.
Short ride
One of my favorites is the small Khing Klao restaurant located on Sukhumvit Soi 22. After the meal I sometimes want to jump on the back of the motorcycle taxi with destination Soi Cowboy. Navigating between the many cars and alternately driving on the sidewalk you show all other traffic the heels. Such a ride is all thrills and releases the adrenaline that makes your heart beat faster and blood pressure rise. In addition, it strokes your ego enormously and you immediately feel young, handsome and really tough again. In Soi Cowboy, all the ladies look at you admiringly and the “welcome” is loud. Just try such an exciting motorcycle taxi ride. Within a few minutes you are decades younger, or at least that's how it feels. Fantastic anyway.
The motormen
You can't just start practicing this profession if you have a motorbike. All these men with their orange vests are registered. In Bangkok, there are no fewer than 97.620.
It should be noted that here and there a single woman also practices this craft. The motorcycle taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers at any random point like the regular taxi. They are set up at the official registered locations, of which there are no less than six thousand and three hundred and thirty pieces in Bangkok. (6.330)
The men get on well with each other at these stations and are assigned a ride in turn. Under the full-face helmet, they often wear a kind of cap that must protect the face against the bright sun. Unlike the tuk-tuk, you don't have to negotiate so hard about the price, because the men charge a reasonable price for their rides.
Just do it
Even if only once in your life, you just have to experience this sensation. With the hair straight, you then step back into everyday life as reborn and many years younger.
Maybe a little stiff from the unusual seat, but that disappears with the first smile that a young lady gives you.
Motorsai is ideal if you need to be somewhere quickly. And often you can also arrange all kinds of other things with the motorsai, for example sending out for food. You call the befriended motorsai driver, pass on what you want and within not too long they will deliver it to your door.
1 of the first times I got acquainted with the motorcycle taxi was in Pattaya. The 4 of us were out and after quite a few drinks we decided to go to Walking Street. On to the motorcycle taxi and we mention that we were mainly in a hurry. That was not said to deaf ears. Apparently, the gentlemen were also fighting among themselves. Because once they left the taxi place, the 4 of them lined up for a rolling start and it became a real race towards Walking Street, full throttle. Of course we thought it was beautiful and participated nicely, a bit of provocation if you are ahead. 'My' motorsai had won by the way, so I only gave him 100 baht extra as a prize 🙂
To be honest, fear reigns with me or call it 'it's all in my mind' because I won't step behind to be able to maneuver through the busy traffic in that way, neither with a 'motorcycle devil' nor with someone who then also.
Even get the creeps when I see all those mopeds viewed from above from a skywalk or BTS platform at a busy intersection, don't have to remember to sit on one of those mopeds.
Seen the aftermath of an accident several times, including a violently bleeding baby corpse that was transported on a moped - forgive the non-diplomatic words - of which literally and figuratively little was left. A horrible spectacle that made me spontaneously end up in tears.
Must mention that in the Netherlands I never rode a moped, it can't even be stronger and I don't want to learn it for the simple reason that I don't dare.
Besides that, it also scares me to lean against that musty dirty orange vest in which those motorcycle devils reside, take a nap in between and what not.
Five years now in Bangkok and seen many human lives scraped off the asphalt, (fortunately no babies yet) so a reason to NEVER sit on the back of such a colored vest.
If you're on vacation, then why all the rush to get somewhere? Don't forget to enjoy!!!
During my stay in BKK (the last 5 years 3 months a year) I regularly used the motorsais. Nothing but praise for these guys!! They are very experienced drivers!
Of course, accidents happen everywhere in traffic. I would like to see statistics regarding the number of passenger kilometers traveled and the number of accidents. I am a very experienced motorcyclist myself and have been driving mopeds, scooters, light and heavy motorcycles since I was 14 years old. motorcycles in and around Amsterdam (Coentunnel during rush hour) I think the respondents' feelings of fear are more between the ears. Sitting on the back of the buddy seat you have no influence on the driving behavior and the reactions of the driver of a motorcycle taxi. I own a Yamaha Nuovo 135 in BKK and just follow the guys in their footsteps, although a bit slower, I have to watch out much more for the cowboys with their TUK TUKS, Taxi drivers and Thai drivers without any driving experience than for the motocycle taxis. In short, fast, cheap (20/40 bht) and a great alternative transport for the short distance. Still scared?? Just walk I would say!!
I always promise double the price if they drive slow enough for my liking. Well, that means they ask me a dozen times if it's going slow enough. By the way, I still avoid those motorcycle taxis as much as possible.
You don't have to pay twice for it… My girlfriend is not a speed demon either, so she always asks if it can be done slowly. If you ask them, they just keep it neat.
I also agree with Steven's story. They really are guys who know what they are doing. I feel better with them on the back than when I ride motorsai myself in Thailand. That just has to do with getting used to the local traffic. For a Thai who doesn't know any better because they grew up with the traffic here.
Accidents happen everywhere, you can't rule that out. Have already ordered a car yourself because you are less vulnerable if you are in a car yourself instead of on a motor scooter. That has not so much to do with the fact that I am afraid of accidents, but more that in terms of career and future I cannot afford to suffer permanent damage in the event of an accident if it does go wrong.