Tuk-tuk adventure puts tourists in the driver’s seat

By The Nation

 

A Northern tour operator says it is the first in Thailand to offer self-drive tuk-tuk tours Diethelm Travel Group, an inbound tour operator servicing Asia, has unveiled tours offering a classic Thai experience with a unique twist.
 

Instead of being driven around, guests do their own driving behind the wheel of their own rented tuk-tuk, while discovering the rural outskirts of Chiang Mai in programmes that run over one, five or 11 days.

 

The Northern Thailand Self-Drive Tuk Tuk Adventure is said to takes travellers “on an adventure of a lifetime driving the iconic three-wheeled rickshaws through the heart of northern Thailand’s jungle-covered hills and glistening rice fields”.

 

The tours include stops in rural villages, a visit to an ethical elephant home, a traditional Thai lunch, and bamboo river rafting.

 

Each tuk-tuk holds up to three people who can take turns driving, as long as they are 18 or older and hold a valid manual driving licence from their home country.

 

Once everyone has undergone a safety briefing and tuk-tuk driving lesson, they depart in a convoy, following a guide along rustic roads, through farming villages and past traditional temples.

 

The longer experiences take travellers up to the top of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, with overnights in homestays and a day spent trekking.

 

“We're continually seeking out new and immersive experiences that showcase more authentic insights for curious travellers,” said Oscar Lopera, Diethelm’s group product and contracting director.

 

“With this in mind, we’re proud to be the only tour operator offering this product. Not only are these self-drive tuk-tuk adventures completely unique, it’s also simply just fun. Who ever thought they could visit Thailand and actually drive one of the country’s famous tuk-tuks?"

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/business/30321206

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-7-19

Good idea!  Let newbies drive an under powered and unsafe vehicle while sightseeing. 

Certainly sounds like an accident waiting to happen, wonder what the insurance cover is? Or maybe thats a silly question.... 

Yes, great idea. Let tourists who likely drive on the opposite side of the road drive a poorly

maintained vehicle on unfamiliar roads doing typical tourist rubbernecking with the general

public who are horrible drivers as well. I don't see a positive experience for many of these tourists. 

Yup, this should help cement being the hub of road carnage.

Tuktuk can easily flip over..... 

14 hours ago, zyphodb said:

Certainly sounds like an accident waiting to happen, wonder what the insurance cover is? Or maybe thats a silly question.... 

I agree, tuktuk can easily tip over and given that tuktuks are not safe to begin with in terms of crash resistance.

Sounds like a lot of fun to do! And I'm NOT being facetious.