Can any old hands remember when the motorbike taxi service began in Thailand? I started coming in the late 80s and I can't recall seeing any motorbike services at that time, but my memory is hazy due to too many Sings, Klosters, Changs, Leos, Sings in that chronological order..

And why and when did they change the name of the service to motorsai win? As a friend remarked, it used to be called motorsai rab jang.

I know it already: I will dwell over this essential question all night. Maybe not, because: When giving a ride to a Farang it's a Win-Win Situation (can overcharge.) While giving a ride to a fellow Thai, it's just a regular-fare. No Win-Win.

Cheers.

All I can find:

mor-dtêr-sai ráp jâang (motorsai rab jang, motoesai rap chang) is still kind of an "official" name for motorbike taxi.

https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87

I was blissful in my ignorance until I read this...now you'll have me up all night pondering on this too !...thanks a lot

The same time motorcycles got smaller, more affordable, and since lane splitting is legal in Thailand - the ability to avoid traffic entirely and were able to achieve at least 80 km/h top speed.

They were definitely already there in the late 80s.

'Win' actually refers to the place they wait and leave from. It can also be used for van services and actually means a place where the transport services are offered on a queue system. First rider/driver in is the first one out. So actually came from the English 'win'. In full it can be 'win motorsai rap jang', but usually shortened to 'win motorsai'. That's the place.

The service or rider is 'motorsai win'. You'll also hear female university students who rush in late with their hair all over the place say that they were late and had to come with 'P'win'.