Motorsai – The essence of Bangkok

The motorcycle taxi, or “motorsai” and Bangkok are just inseparable coz, with colourfully dressed drivers and whining engines are everywhere – on street corners, in sois, outside shopping centres and markets, and they are easily identified by their coloured vests.

With more than 100,000 motorcycle taxis operating in the Bangkok alone (according to a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration [BMA] officer), it is a huge workforce generating large revenues. No one really knows the exact amount, but some sources estimate it at tens of millions of baht a month.

They emerged as a solution to the ever growing traffic in the city. However,  as more and more people started using motorcycle taxis, the business was hijacked and controlled by different mafia gangs for many years. This went on uptil 2003, when BMA finally stepped in and ended the monopoly on this lucrative and money-making industry.

To become a motorcycle taxi rider is now very easy. First, the applicant must find an area where he or she wants to work and get permission from the leader of the motorcycle taxis and the consent of the other riders. Then they have to go to the local BMA district office for registration, which is a simple affair. The new motorcycle taxi rider will then receive a vest. These come in different colours, including blue, green, orange, purple and red, that identify a particular district. Each vest will have written on it the district, the rider’s number and the location where they work.

Comparing prices between car and motorcycle taxis, motor Leg 2 cycles are more expensive for short trips, but much cheaper than taxis when travelling farther.