These vehicles make perfect sense to own as a transportation vehicle for a family. Can anybody own and drive one without special license or plates AND if so will the taxi drivers perceive this as a threaten to their business

It's jusat a minor (no\pt a long cab) pickup with an after-market baclk on it. As long as you do not paint in if official colours and acty as a licensed taxi, you can certainly own one.

It's jusat a minor (no\pt a long cab) pickup with an after-market baclk on it. As long as you do not paint in if official colours and acty as a licensed taxi, you can certainly own one.

However, you must register the canopy with the DMV and your insurance company to be legal. A sign in Thai stating that it is a private vehicle and not for hire might be a good idea as well.

If you like the style of the Chiang Mai ones then you can just get one fitted locally. It does have implications for road tax as you're now basically a minivan, although people do sometimes avoid that just by removing the benches during the trip to the transport department, making it de-facto for cargo. It's probably best not to do that and stay legal, also for insurance consequences.

I kind of like the style they use in Pattaya/Chonburi:

...alternatively....

Songteaws make perfect sense in areas not serviced by adequate bus or train services. Pattaya a prime example, Patong on the wish list.

In city traffic at ~50kmph they are reasonably safe. Otherwise a death trap and on arterial roads a menace. Buy a SUV with proper safety restraints if you value your family.

Correct. And yes, a small sign WOULD be a good idea. A lot of people may expect you were a regular taxi and be pissed if you didn't stop for them.

It's jusat a minor (no\pt a long cab) pickup with an after-market baclk on it. As long as you do not paint in if official colours and acty as a licensed taxi, you can certainly own one.

However, you must register the canopy with the DMV and your insurance company to be legal. A sign in Thai stating that it is a private vehicle and not for hire might be a good idea as well.

Songteaws make perfect sense in areas not serviced by adequate bus or train services. Pattaya a prime example, Patong on the wish list.

In city traffic at ~50kmph they are reasonably safe. Otherwise a death trap and on arterial roads a menace. Buy a SUV with proper safety restraints if you value your family.

Obviously you don't like standing on the back platform while the songtheaw drives at 100kph. I love it, and give a mental fingers to the traffic cops back in regulation land.

If you have no little blue roof lights and are not red,yellow,green, blue or white. no door logo, ...no one will expect you to stop.

You would have to drive in a manner that makes you stand out from the normal songthaews. You know, like not spewing out a cloud of toxic fumes, indicating before pulling over and avoiding trying to drive everyone else off the road.