Thread: Motorcycle Taxis and their drivers

I'm sure that some of these motorbike taxi drivers are intent on 'impressing the farang' in some cases, and though it is quite an honour, I just wish they'd be sensible when going about it.

Examples:

Immedietly hitting 60-70kph upon departure in hostile traffic conditions

Going the wrong way down a busy road, avoiding other vehicles and / or bikes at the last minute

Trying to overtake a coach or truck round the outside on a blind corner

Being drunk and trying to hit 100 down a bumpy soi and laughing about it.....sorry, but I place more than an ounce of value on my life thanks

Crawling down to a snails pace to negotiate speed humps, thus causing the engine to splutter and die in most cases

Almost losing the skin on either arm as we go around a speed hump

Riding over a soi dog's tail, thats not funny

There are many different species of drivers and motorbike gangs, too....

The dark skinned red-eyed guy with a bottle of m-150 glued to his hand..found on most street corners

The young overkeen guy with an unsuitable bike, usually only doing the job part time so he can buy another tiny blue flourescent light for his spokes

The veteran with an unlit half smoked roll-up in his mouth who goes too slow

The obviously drunk overkeen 'up-for-it' bloke who would take you to Chiang Mai if you asked nicely

The occasional female drivers in the Lat Phrao area, a welcome change

The yellow-jacketed guys opposite Major Ratchayothin...whats that all about?

The bunch of wheeler dealers on the corner of Thong Lor Soi 9

The awkward motorbike taxi system by Thong Lor BTS, why not on the corner? Why does Bangkoks most congested piece of pavement need to be negotiated before hoping that the gang of motorbike taxis noticed you frantically waving accross the road?

Obviously written by someone who has taken more than his share of motorbike taxis.

Here's a couple:

The gang in Soi 24 that charges a higher rate due to their location opposite Emporium.

Most impressive though are the guys who can barely manage a bike on their own, picking up passengers twice their weight.

Buy your own bike, at least then you're in control.

I love it when you ask to be taken somewhere and there then begins these loud overblown conversations to ascertain which rider will actually ferry you to your destination. I begin to wonder if I have something they might catch.

Then there are the ones with the slippery shiny angled seats where you can feel yourself inching further and further towards the riders 'secret back door' but can do nothing about it. By the time you get to your destination you're in the kind of position that would have Mary Whitehouse throwing a bucket of water over you.

i have a really nice bunch at my place, suk 54, not the top. all middle aged geezers who take it easy and get me to the sky train with minimum fuss and in one piece. they very polietly asked for a fare increase when the petrol pices went up, and a few of them helped me move house.

i do feel bloody lucky, especially after meeting all the idiots mentioned above at one time or another.

i asked one to take me to suan phlu once, he did, but had no idea, i had to give him directions home

Added after 9 minutes:

DA
we are talking about the same ones

Running over a soi dogs tail IS funny DJ pat.

I have always enjoyed going for a burn with a motorbike taxi. Actually i have included it on the 'tourist list' of things to do with family and friends when they visit.

The blokes near me are fantastic. I have only used them on three occasions so maybe I have been lucky. Always riden well and always refused the tip I offered. On the last occasion I gave the bloke 100 baht (it was a 30 minute ride in light traffic) as i thought it would come to around 80 baht. He gave me 50 baht back! I said keep it, he refused, we eventually settled on a 20 baht tip.

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

Then there are the ones with the slippery shiny angled seats where you can feel yourself inching further and further towards the riders 'secret back door' but can do nothing about it. By the time you get to your destination you're in the kind of position that would have Mary Whitehouse throwing a bucket of water over you.

Thankfully rear handle grips are now mandatory.

I've only used the ones between Chinatown and Lumphini park. Crazy, but I drive that way sober, back home.

keep in with them - you get mafia protection, police protection, women and anything else you may desire


do not underestimate the power of the motosai guy

Also, the fat bastard driver that leaves only an inch of space on the back of the bike.

Originally Posted by grasshopper

keep in with them - you get mafia protection, police protection, women and anything else you may desire


do not underestimate the power of the motosai guy

Thats right, stay on their right side and you can find them quite useful!