Future Looks Sunny For Bangkok's Tuk-Tuks

[webfact]

Future looks sunny for Bangkok's tuk-tuks - Feature

by Kelly Macnamara

BANGKOK (AFP) - Prapai Hemsuwan gunned the engine of his emerald green three-wheeler, sending it into a fit of rasping coughs and causing clouds of black smoke to belch into the air.

"Life would be meaningless without the tuk-tuk," he said.

His beloved cart is one of nearly 8,000 auto rickshaws in Bangkok and their spluttering paroxysms -- the "tuk-tuk" name came from the sound made by an early model -- have become a key feature of city life.

But the brightly coloured buggies, most of which run on gasoline or natural gas, are facing increasing competition from more modern and greener modes of transport, raising questions over their future.

A sort of motorbike crossed with a tricycle and a tin can, the open-sided buggy exposes its passengers to blasts of exhaust fumes during a white-knuckle ride down sweltering, traffic-choked streets.

Set against air-conditioned and often cheaper taxis, as well as Bangkok's elevated sky train, the humble tuk-tuk looks like something of a relic.

But the creation of a new solar-powered model could see the three-wheelers accelerate into the 21st century.

The prototype cart is the brainchild of Air Marshal Morakot Charnsomruad, who hopes that his buggy could herald a cleaner, greener era on Bangkok's congestion-choked streets.

"It will help clean up our country -- everyone will want to drive it," he told AFP.

Morakot, a former armament and science chief for the Thai Air Force, is already selling electric versions across the world through his Clean Fuel Energy Enterprise.

The new tuk-tuk has a battery, but uses the sun's rays to supplement the power supply.

It is silent, emission-free and can run for 80 kilometres (50 miles) on a three hour battery charge costing 10 baht, compared with up to 60 kilometres for conventional models before they need refuelling.

Thrill-seekers will also be pleased to note that the solar version can reach speeds of about 60 kilometres per hour, even outstripping its gasoline-powered rival in a test sprint.

And, in a nod to the fact that many of those willing to expose themselves to the heady aroma of Bangkok's roads are Western tourists, the new cart has been designed with more leg room and a higher ceiling.

But while Thailand's climate means there is enough sunlight to keep the tuk-tuks on the road year-round, they have yet to make their commercial debut on Bangkok's streets.

City authorities stopped issuing new tuk-tuk licences in 2008, meaning manufacturers have focused on spare parts and exports.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Department of Pollution Control is set to produce new draft standards on three-wheeler emissions in three or four years' time, which will dictate what type of vehicles are acceptable on the road.

Although the authorities want electric models to replace traditional carts -- they can already be seen out and about -- the solar-powered version has not yet received the green light for commercial use.

And the authorities want to balance concerns over the contents of tuk-tuks' tanks -- some even run on cooking oil -- with sensitivity about drivers' needs.

"They have low incomes and if we are too strict on them they will have hard lives," an official said.

The solar machines would have a price tag of about 320,000 baht -- almost 10,000 dollars -- against 180,000 baht for a regular tuk-tuk, but Morakot hopes that eventually government subsidies would make them more affordable.

Greenpeace environmental campaigner Tara Buakamsri said while normal tuk-tuks contribute to pollution, electric and solar vehicles could play their part in "revolutionising Bangkok's way of life".

"Tuk-tuks can lead the way for a better and healthier transport system in Bangkok and the rest of the country," he said.

The tuk-tuk has been a feature of Bangkok's streets for decades.

The first arrivals were imported from Japan in the late 1950s, but Thailand soon began to produce its own cheaper version that quickly replaced pedal-driven three-wheeled bikes known as "samlors".

Despite an attempted ban in the 1960s, they have grown to become something of an unofficial symbol for Thailand.

Fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra even presented a tuk-tuk to Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe while in office.

The solar tuk-tuk has already attracted its own political patronage, with current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva taking a recent sun-powered spin.

At the tuk-tuk rank near Bangkok's flower market, drivers were enthusiastic about the prototype.

Prapai, who has been driving a tuk-tuk for 20 years, was impressed with the look of the solar model and said he would be keen to use one -- as long as it could cope with the heavy loads he carries every day.

The 46-year-old delivers large bundles of vegetables, earning up to 1,500 baht a day after 100 baht spent on fuel.

Fellow driver Korakot Jansupi, 44, believes the tuk-tuk will adapt to remain a feature of Bangkok in the years to come.

"It's a unique symbol of Thailand," he said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-06-29

[bkkjames]

Old news but ok.

Anyways, if they don't install speakers with the recorded tuk tuk sound, the real experience is lost.

Might as well start rolling out battery powered golf carts.

Now if only we can get solar powered buses.

[wasabi]

Even if old this is great news. Thailand really needs to reign in the auto exhaust pollution chocking their streets.

[bkkjames]

Even if old this is great news. Thailand really needs to reign in the auto exhaust pollution chocking their streets.

Exactly, glad to read yesterday (although not reported on TV from what I can find) that a whole whack of new BTS trains have arrived in the country and will be tested and roll-out for use in the coming months.

 

[kuffki]

Tuk Tuks are fine its the drivers that are the problem

[junglist]

"It's a unique symbol of Thailand," he said.

Not very unique, they can be found all across the world from Asia to Africa even in Europe.

[Ricardo]

Tuk Tuks are fine its the drivers that are the problem

The som-tam lady says it's the RTAF fighter-pilot candidates, who are rejected for being too wild & seat-of-the-pants, that go on to drive the tuk-tuks instead !

Edited June 29, 2010 by Ricardo

[topsecret]

The solar panels are a good idea but Tuk Tuks are essentially useless things.

I'm trying hard to see any other pros so here are the cons.

1. They dont get you there any quicker than a car/taxi

2. They are more expensive

3. When its hot you sweat

4. When it rains you get wet

5. You breath in Bangkok's traffic pollution

6. Tourists end up in Gem stores and often get ripped off

7. They are noisy

8. The roof is too low so its not so easy to see out without bending your head down.

9. They're not that comfy

10. Many drivers (but not all) are nasty buggers.

Some one needs to redesign the thing. Make it thinner, sealed with windows with air con.

Edited June 29, 2010 by topsecret

[jackdawson]

get these ugly , dangerous, noisy , polluting , rip off things off the street , particularly mine , now !

i think we need to call in al gore on this one

Edited June 29, 2010 by jackdawson

[bramds]

They are very useful where I live in BKK.

It's a bunch of small sois and two cars passing eachother always get stuck.

At least here the tuk-tuks get you somewhere faster than a car.

Also, once you go outside the touristic areas, the drivers aren't that bad.

They just want to take you from point A to B like a taxi driver.

Nobody is being ripped off here.

[Pib]

Even if old this is great news. Thailand really needs to reign in the auto exhaust pollution chocking their streets.

Auto exhaust pollution is being addressed. The steadily increasing number of vehicles on the roads is bringing traffic on many streets to a near standstill, and slower moving (or barely moving) vehicles burn less fuel thereby generating less pollution. See the government has an effective (or is it defective) plan in place to address exhaust pollution.

[Pushit]

Okay but enforce a metered fare structure

[kuifje]

They should adjust the title;

Future looks FUNNY for Bangkok's Tuk-Tuks

[surangw]

"Thrill-seekers will also be pleased to note that the solar version can reach speeds of about 60 kilometres per hour, even outstripping its gasoline-powered rival in a test sprint."

sees to me a to use solar power, the panels would have to be about 6 times the area of a tuk tuk. ( maybe they park it in the sun for a week to charge the battery with a small panel to operate it for about 2 hours)

Edited June 29, 2010 by surangw

[mahtin]

For a short journey give me a tuktuk over a metered taxi every time.

They are locals, they know the way and will take the shortest route.

If you know the price they will accept that.

Of course I am not from Phuket.

[geriatrickid]

The biggest contribution to a "solution" is to keep encouraging mass transit, and to introduce and enforce reserved bus lanes. Until a real alternative fuel is discovered, more vehicles must run on natural gas.The solar power solution is misleading as it is not a solution, although it helps. The electricity to charge those batteries comes from natural gas. It may come as a shock to some people but it is indeed natural gas that fuels alot of generating stations in Thailand. So at the end of the exercise, one either uses natural gas to run the tuk tuk or to make the electricity. According to the 2008 BP Statistical Energy Survey, Thailand produced an average of 309.1 thousand barrels of crude oil per day in 2007 and consumed an average of 910.73 thousand barrels of oil a day. That's one heck of a difference and explains why Thailand is the 2nd largest importer of petroleum in SE Asia. This really puts the entire national and economic security at risk, more so than having Mr. Thaksin walking about. According to the 2008 BP Statistical Energy Survey, Thailand had 2007 proved natural gas reserves of 0.33 trillion cubic metres. In 2007, Thailand had natural gas production of 25.91 billion cubic metres and consumption of 35.35 billion cubic metres. Although it is not enough to keep up with domestic demand, it is a heck of a lot better than the oil supply situation

Edited June 30, 2010 by geriatrickid

[cobra]

If you really want to go green, you need to go ol'skool,

physically pulled rickshaws,

all you'd need to complete the experience is an old English legionaries pith helmet,

[ChangMaiSausage]

I enjoy riding in the tuk tuk's in Chaing mai not so much in Bangkok to expensive and easier to catch a taxi.

[Garry]

Old news but ok.

Anyways, if they don't install speakers with the recorded tuk tuk sound, the real experience is lost.

Might as well start rolling out battery powered golf carts.

Now if only we can get solar powered buses.

Why they don't try fuel cell buses, is what beats me? They're proven and been running for years in various country fleets around the world

http://www.fuel-cell...pub&tid=1&pid=2

Edited June 30, 2010 by Garry

[Zolt]

Why they don't try fuel cell buses, is what beats me? They're proven and been running for years in various country fleets around the world

http://www.fuel-cell...pub&tid=1&pid=2

Garry. I too like the Reykjavik model, but Thailand is several decades away from having that kind of infrastructure. First you need clean power - in countries in which power is mostly hydroelectric or nuclear that makes sense, but in Thailand most of the power generation is from fuel anyway. Then you need the fueling stations, and finally the buses are way more expensive than the old diesel models that are prevalent in the country.

Back to the OT - this is old news and I very much doubt it will take. If tuk-tuk drivers actually cared about the safety and cleanliness of the environment, well, they wouldn't be tuk-tuk drivers in the first place.

[mahtin]

If you really want to go green, you need to go ol'skool,

physically pulled rickshaws,

all you'd need to complete the experience is an old English legionaries pith helmet,

We have them in Nonthaburi, but I tend to overtip them as I feel guilty about my weight.

Edited June 30, 2010 by mahtin

[rubl]

Even if old this is great news. Thailand really needs to reign in the auto exhaust pollution chocking their streets.

Exactly, glad to read yesterday (although not reported on TV from what I can find) that a whole whack of new BTS trains have arrived in the country and will be tested and roll-out for use in the coming months.

On BTS' website you can read all. BTS SkyTrain takes delivery of 12 new 4-car trains at Laem Chabang Port (http://www.bts.co.th/en/news/news_detail.asp?id=177)

[h90]

At: "BANGKOK (AFP) - Prapai Hemsuwan gunned the engine of his emerald green three-wheeler, sending it into a fit of rasping coughs and causing clouds of black smoke to belch into the air."

My bs-o-meter went in the red area and I stopped reading.

they run on gas+lubricant, so they can't smoke black, only blue, maybe white.