song tau (sp) red taxi

[logon1]

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

[Rotweiler]

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.

[ramrod711]

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.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

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....

[kaptainrob]

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.

[Rotweiler]

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.

[thaibeachlovers]

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.

[daoyai]

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.

[Chicog]

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.