Tractor

[DavidHouston]

What is that cool little farm tractor called? You know, the one with the big metal wheels and a sound you can never forget. Rural folks in Thailand use these machines from plowing to carrying harvested rice, to providing basic transport to twon.

We were watching the news of the PM in Buriram today and I think the reporter referred to a basic vehicle as "รถอีเต๊ก"; sounds like onomatopoeia to me. Did I hear this correctly? Thanks.

[aanon]

What is that cool little farm tractor called? You know, the one with the big metal wheels and a sound you can never forget. Rural folks in Thailand use these machines from plowing to carrying harvested rice, to providing basic transport to twon.

We were watching the news of the PM in Buriram today and I think the reporter referred to a basic vehicle as "รถอีเต๊ก"; sounds like onomatopoeia to me. Did I hear this correctly? Thanks.

In Suphanburi (and perhaps elsewhere) they call it รถอีแต๊ก. Gets plently of Google hits. There is a รถอีแต๋น in คลังคำ, described as a vehicle with no external body and with its motor up front. Is it the same thing? Don't know.

Edited July 12, 2009 by aanon

[RickBradford]

Today's Matichon also calls it a รถอีแต๋น, and judging by the photo, it can carry 16 people plus one นายก ฯ สร้างภาพ .....

[DavidHouston]

Excellent, guys; thanks so much!

[Groongthep]

I have heard the above pictured plough refered to as an eedtawk (รถอีต๊อก). I believe อีต๊อก is a colloquial slang term rather than the proper name however.

The photo on the front page of todays Bangkok Post shows PM Abhist riding in a different kind of vehicle. I'm not sure which one you where refering to David.

[RickBradford]

^

Yes, the PM was riding in something a bit sophisticated, front bumpers, custom paint job and a proper tray for the large collection of dudes he took on this trip, and no doubt strengthened suspension to cater for the bullet-proof vest the PM was wearing, assuming I've understood this Matichon headline correctly... (นายกฯ ระวังแจใส่เสื้อเกราะ)

Edited July 12, 2009 by RickBradford

[DavidHouston]

Friends,

Following your lead, I found the following via Google:

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รถอีแต๋น รถใช้งานเกษตรกรรมของไทย รถอีแต๋นเป็นรถที่ผลิตเองในประเทศไทย โดยใช้เครื่องยนต์ที่เป็นเครื่องยนต์อเนกประสงค์ ประเภทเครื่องยนต์ดีเซล 1 สูบ สามารถนำมาดัดแปลงเป็นเครื่องสูบน้ำ และเครื่องปั่นไฟ ได้ด้วย ส่วนประกอบอื่นๆของรถอีแต๋นก็นำมาจากอะไหล่รถยนต์มือสองทั่วไป และทำส่วนกะบะท้ายนิยมทำด้วยไม้เพื่อบรรทุกของ เช่น บรรทุกพืชผักในสวน

An "Ee-tan" is a type of vehicle used in Thai agriculture. The Ee-tan is manufactured in Thailand and it uses a multi-purpose, single cylinder, diesel engine. This vehicle can be adapted to serve as a water pump or as an electric generator. Other parts of the Ee-tan can be used automobile parts. The trunk or rear carrying box for this vehicle is generally made out of wood; when so outfitted, the vehicle can be used to transport fruit and vegetables from plantations [to markets].

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Wikipedia shows two related words, รถอีแต็ก and รถอีโก่ง, but does not define them. Any thoughts on what the English equivalent of these name is? Are they different from each other or are the words just regional differences? Are these vehicles used for different purposes or are they constructed differently?