ELLLO Views #1519 Bangkok Transportation - Part 2

Todd: Another famous thing about Bangkok is the motorcycle taxis, which really freak a lot of the tourists out.

Jerri: I'm sure, I'm sure.

Todd: Like, they're afraid to get on one. Can you explain the motorcycle taxis, which are incredibly common?

Jerri: Absolutely, so, it can get quite - it's quite scary but it's probably the fastest and most cost-effective way to get around Bangkok, especially during the rush hour. Motorbike - you know, there's like a lot of motorbike taxis in Bangkok and they're at different stations, so you can get them at the - at - right below the Sky Train station, mostly. And, yeah, they know the streets very well. They know the - the - the fastest routes to get to your destination. And once you get familiar with it, it's actually not too bad as long as you ask for a helmet. I always think that that's - that is - 'cause it does get quite scary on the main roads with, like, a lot of...

Todd: Yeah, women, a lot of times, sit in a very dangerous position...

Jerri: Yeah, yeah.

Todd: ...because of their skirt. They'll sit sideways...

Jerri: Yeah.

Todd: ...they don't sit with both legs on - with one leg on each side of the motorcycle, which I always find incredibly dangerous.

Jerri: Yeah.

Todd: Do you ever sit that way?

Jerri: I have to admit, yeah, most of the time I sit that way. And it's quite, like - you don't realize it yourself but when people see it they're quite fascinated by it...

Todd: Yeah.

Jerri: ...like, how we can balance ourself...

Todd: Yeah.

Jerri: ...and then the motorbike is like swerving its way around.

Todd: Right, exactly.

Jerri: Yeah. Yeah.

Todd: Another thing about the - maybe just explaining about the motorcycle taxis - is, so, Bangkok has really long streets. It's not a grid system.

Jerri: No.

Todd: It's kind of like the roots of a tree. Like, the roads will just go forever...

Jerri: Right. Yes.

Todd: ...in one direction. So, basically, people take the main lines, like the subway or overhead train, to their stop and then they take the motorcycle taxi to their home, correct?

Todd: Yes, yes, correct. That's the most common way, yeah, to do it.

Todd: Yeah. And in the mornings and in the evenings it's amazing 'cause it's, like, this fleet of motorcycle.

Jerri: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Todd: Like, the whole street is just humming with motorcycles.

Jerri: And then you realize how popular they are when you're standing at the station and there's no motorbikes left 'cause, you know, they're all being, yeah, being used.

Todd: Yeah. So, like, in your - where you live, do you see the same motorcycle taxis every day?

Jerri: Yes, yes.

Todd: Do you know them by name?

Jerri: Yes. So, like, even the one in front of where I work - they're, like, familiar face. They know where I live, and...

Todd: Yeah.

Jerri: ...they take me home every day. Yeah.

Todd: Oh my God, that's so awesome. So, what about new things like Uber and Grab?

Jerri: So, it's causing quite a bit of tension in Bangkok. As expected, you know the motorcycle taxis and the normal taxis are not so happy about the - this. But, yeah, I think with the election coming up, a lot of parties are trying to regulate it a little better because, currently, the main problem is that the Ubers and the Grab drivers are not legal to have passengers. They don't have the license. So, that's the main issue where - why the motorbike taxis are - and the - the normal taxi drivers are quite fed up about.

Todd: Wow. Well, one thing's for sure: it's very easy to get around this city.

Jerri: Yes, definitely.