How to Safely Ride a Motorcycle Taxi in Thailand

Riding by Motorcycle Taxi is a Very Popular Way of Getting Around in Most Thai Cities and Towns

In most Thai cities and towns many of the locals travel by motorcycle taxi. All over Thailand at the end of small streets and on the corners of intersections you will see groups of Thai men (and a few women) congregated. They will be wearing a plastic vest (usually orange or blue) with a number on it. Their motorcycles will be close by. These are the Thai motorcycle taxi drivers and they can take you to most places, and much quicker than most other forms of transportation due to their ability to weave in and out of traffic. If you are in a car or taxi in Bangkok, you can literally wait at a red light for twenty minutes. Meanwhile, the motorcycle taxis have long since gone as they wove in and out of cars to get to the front of the line. When the light changed to green, they were the first people away. In Bangkok, many people use the Thai motorcycle taxis because of the speed but to do it right (and safely!) you have to know a few rules.

1.Sit Astride the Motorbike. In Thailand, you will see many Thai women riding motorcycle taxis and many of them will be sitting side saddle. While this is a cute and elegant way to travel on a motorbike, especially when you're in a skirt, it is also one of the most dangerous. If the motorcycle has to maneuver suddenly you are likely to fall off the side of the bike and into the street. Every year, thousands of Thai women are hurt or killed by falling off motorbikes. I do occasionally ride side saddle if I'm wearing a skirt and going a short distance. Normally though, I make sure I'm wearing pants and travel sitting astride the motorbike. I suggest you do also. It's much safer.

2. Wear a Helmet if Possible. On most of my travels around Bangkok on motorbikes, I don't wear a helmet. Most of the motorcycle taxi drivers don't have spare helmets but, if they do and offer it to you, take it and wear it. Many people are injured or killed in Thailand every year because they are not wearing helmets. I make sure I only travel on motorbikes without helmets if I'm only going a few hundred yards up the road. Otherwise, if I'm going to be traveling a long way, I'll usually take a taxi or the underground.