Motorcycles in Thailand, especially in the big cities, are literally everywhere. Many Thais and expats own them because they’re much more economical than buying a car. Those who don’t own one will often pay a motorcycle taxi driver to take them from point A to point B, as they’re a much quicker way to get around the city than most other forms of transportation within Bangkok.
The massive number of motorcycles taking over the streets in addition to the lack of enforced road rules makes both passengers and drivers at risk of sustaining motorcycle injuries. We’re not saying that you should never ride or drive a motorcycle, but you should be aware of these simple and straightforward tips when riding motorcycles in Thailand.
How to Take a Motorcycle Taxi in Thailand:
Motorcycle taxis are a form of regulated private transportation in Thailand. They are the guys wearing the orange (most common), pink, (pictured above) green or royal purple vests over their regular clothes. You can hail one of these taxis from the road the same way you would hail a regular taxi cab, or you can walk up to a driver (or group of drivers) to request a ride.
Remember that motorcycle taxis are reserved for short distances, so they are best utilized if you need a ride down a long soi or back to the main road. Because these drivers remain in just one neighbourhood, they know it like the back of their hand so if you say the name of a condo building, hotel or restaurant they will likely know where it is.
Don’t get ripped off: Ask for the price before you get on the bike. Prices are fixed, but if you don’t find out the price before the ride you could be charged at least double what it’s worth. A ride that takes about one minute should be 10 baht. Two minutes should be about 20 baht. Three minutes will cost 30 baht, and so forth.
Ask for the price by saying this: “Tao lai, ka? (for females)/ Tao lai, kahp? (for males)
How to Stay Safe on a Motorcycle Taxi
Ask for a helmet: Remember that all official motorcycle taxi drivers are supposed to have helmets for their passengers, (and many of them do) but they are rarely offered. Ask for the helmet before getting on the bike. It could save your life.
Don’t Get Burned! Always Get On/Off the Bike from the Left. Remember that the right side is the wrong side! This is where the exhaust pipe is, and often in Thailand they are exposed and uncovered, leaving you vulnerable to the extremely hot metal. A one-second brush on these pipes can give you a serious burn that will take at least a month to heal. Avoid this painful “Bangkok kiss” by always getting on and off the bike from the left side.
If You Do Get Burned: Don’t feel too bad because it happens to just about everyone. Seek out a clinic or at least a pharmacy immediately (look for the big, green plus sign +). This is inexpensive medical care that will save your burn from getting infected. The clinic might look like something out of a horror film, but don’t worry about it: they’ll still clean it up better than you would be able to yourself.
If you don’t know where a clinic is, just approach a security guard or someone who seems to know the area, point to the burn and say “moto-sigh” and chances are that they will direct you.
Ask for a Safe Ride: Motorcycle taxi drivers can be very reckless with their driving and leave little-to-no room for error. If you’re taking a motorcycle taxi down a busy road in Bangkok, expect to whip around moving buses, weave through dozens of other motorbikes, swerve around pedestrians, run red lights and even drive on the wrong side of the road. If you are feeling scared or nervous on the back of the bike, say this to your motorcycle taxi driver:
Cha chaah kaah (for females) / Cha chaah kahp (for males) –> Go slowly!
