Flipping Bangkok Vol. 2 playfully captures one of Bangkok’s most iconic modes of transport, Tuk Tuk—the auto rickshaw is locally nicknamed ‘rod sam lor’, or the ‘three wheeled vehicle’. Its prototype, the Midget DKA model of Daihatsu, was derived from a Japanese three-wheeled truck in 1957. It was practically a small-sized truck with a single headlight and a handle like a motorcycle. These three-wheeled trucks were imported to Thailand in 1960, and were used as cargo trucks before modifying them with seats for commuting.
Only a few decades later, the production of these vehicles were discontinued in Japan, and subsequently the spare parts were in short supply. The local owners of these trucks were forced to produce replacement parts themselves, and reassembled the whole truck with an entirely new design by local craftsmen—anything from the shape and structure to patterns and palettes. The branded nameplate on the back was also removed and replaced with a proud lettering work that says ‘THAILAND’.
60 years on, Tuk Tuk still rules the city like king of the concrete jungle. It is not only one of the most memorable transport experiences for the foreign visitors, but also the locals somewhat find it convenient for...
Flipping Bangkok Vol. 2 playfully captures one of Bangkok’s most iconic modes of transport, Tuk Tuk—the auto rickshaw is locally nicknamed ‘rod sam lor’, or the ‘three wheeled vehicle’. Its prototype, the Midget DKA model of Daihatsu, was derived from a Japanese three-wheeled truck in 1957. It was practically a small-sized truck with a single headlight and a handle like a motorcycle. These three-wheeled trucks were imported to Thailand in 1960, and were used as cargo trucks before modifying them with seats for commuting.
Only a few decades later, the production of these vehicles were discontinued in Japan, and subsequently the spare parts were in short supply. The local owners of these trucks were forced to produce replacement parts themselves, and reassembled the whole truck with an entirely new design by local craftsmen—anything from the shape and structure to patterns and palettes. The branded nameplate on the back was also removed and replaced with a proud lettering work that says ‘THAILAND’.
60 years on, Tuk Tuk still rules the city like king of the concrete jungle. It is not only one of the most memorable transport experiences for the foreign visitors, but also the locals somewhat find it convenient for any short distance trip. Tuk Tuk is the perfect fit for a city like Bangkok. It is small, compact and able to swift through small streets and laneways. The origin of the name Tuk Tuk is believed to come from the very disturbing sound of its own exhaust pipe, that endlessly goes “Tuk Tuk Tuk Tuk Tuk Tuk…”.
Published in 2022
Self-Published
Bangkok, Thailand
