Guest author Roderick Eime reflects on the past, present and future of the ubiquitous tuk-tuks in Thailand.

The ubiquitous auto rickshaw, affectionately known as a tuk-tuk throughout Thailand, is an inexpensive means of transport and taxi. Its name derives from the sound of its small two-stroke engine, which is more commonly known as "putt-putt" in English.

Here in Trang, most tuk-tuks belong to their drivers, unlike in Bangkok, where the uniform color indicates that they belong to a company. Many have been in the same hands for decades.

For those in the know: The development of the DKA Midget began in 1957 at the Daihatsu factory in Japan. The idea was to create a compact, economical vehicle for short trips on the many narrow streets of Japanese cities. After an appearance on a television program, the idea took off like a rocket, and soon the little taxis could be seen on streets, in alleys, and at workplaces worldwide.

They even achieved some success in the USA as light freight and delivery vehicles and were used for transport purposes on large factory sites, such as at Boeing. The tuk-tuk taxi was marketed in the USA as the Daihatsu Trimobile AP (Allzweck) “Safari Wagon”.

Trang is one of the few places in the world where you can still easily see the early models derived from the MP5, whose history and design date back to the originals from the late 1950s.

The tuk-tuk is powered by an air-cooled 305cc two-stroke single-cylinder engine with an output of approximately 9 kW. In many parts of the world, conversion to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is possible. This was done in response to some heavy traffic areas where the small two-stroke engines, especially with poor maintenance, can produce a considerable amount of smoke.

Kuhn San has owned his tuk-tuk for over 30 years and has meticulously repainted it in its original color each time. He's less meticulous about the interior: it has a Mazda steering wheel, Honda stickers, and a Toyota emblem on the hood.

To demonstrate their immense popularity in Thai urban folklore, bridal couples at Trang's 20th anniversary underwater wedding ceremony were photographed with pristine collector's items at prominent locations in the city.

As long as there is a demand for affordable and efficient forms of urban transport, you will probably continue to see tuk-tuks on the streets of Thai cities for some time to come.