If you visit Thailand, you should definitely take the time to experience its culture. Part of that experience is riding the way Thais ride and nothing exemplifies this better than going to places in a tuk-tuk. This is a three-wheeler motor vehicle that is used as a share taxi. It has enough space for a driver and a couple of passengers. Traditional tuk-tuks are delightfully noisy although new ones now are quieter and emit low levels of smoke. But Thailand is not the only country that fields tuk-tuks. Indeed, many countries in Asia also have their own versions of this little vehicle.
Take, for instance, the Cambodian tuk-tuk. The front end is a standard motorcycle. A special contraption on the rear fork holds the passenger area, which is a small open-air trailer. This arrangement can carry six people and their luggage with ease. Indian tuk-tuks, on the other hand, look the same as Thai versions. The difference is the way the price is settled. While Thai drivers settle for a fixed fare in advance, Indian drivers use metres like those in standard taxicabs to determine the fare. Indian tuk-tuks are found almost anywhere from the country's densely populated cities to remote mountain villages.
The Philippines also has its own version of the tuk-tuk. Called tricycles, they are designed with the passenger cab positioned at the side of the motorcycle. This arrangement allows tricycles to stuff in four to five passengers and an additional two people on the pillion. Each region in the country has its own style and design. Other countries that employ tuk-tuks are Pakistan, Laos, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. The magic of the tuk-tuk has even reached nations outside Asia such as the Netherlands, Cuba, Peru, and Guatemala.
