Saturday 17 November 2007

The land of trials; Ten things I love about Mototaxis


1 - A mototaxi has no MOT test. It may be brand new, or it may be held together with elastics, gaffertape of string.

2 - Mototaxi drivers (like delivery boys in London) earn more by speeding wildly through traffic which can cause the odd adrenalin rush as they jump red lights, undertake buses or use pavements as an alternative.

3 - When a Moto driver needs to cross the oncoming traffic and he sees a gap (I wouldnt call it a gap!) he will usually pull in front of a bus or truck as they are travelling slower than other vehicles. My Dad always said "if you're gonna go, make sure its not in front of a bus!'

4 - When the path in the road ahead narrows because two cars are pulling closer together, a Thai moto driver does not slow down to avoid the crush, he accelerates.

5 - Moto drivers give you helmets: THAT DONT WORK. Clearly its not passenger safety being taken into account here, its police fine avoidance, plain and simple.

6 - Not all motos are the same and many simply dont fit Farang!

7 - Moto drivers will shout out and chat to passing friends, whilst doing 80 kms down Sathorn (It's a five lane freeway.)

8 - Moto drivers will happily smoke ciggies whilst ferrying their passengers one handed.

9 - My moto trips are sometimes the highlight of my day! The adrenalin, the abandon, the wind, the view.

10 - The thing I love most about moto drivers is they get you where you want, very quickly indeed! Whether they use roads, parks, pavements whatever. Given the average speed of a car in BKK is approx 5-6 Kms an hour. That's a beautiful thing!

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