Taxi Trinkets

Nearly every Thai taxi-driver has something decorating the inside of his cab.  Most common is a simple garland of flowers or a buddhist image swinging from the rear vision mirror.

Some taxi drivers go further, adding pictures of famous monks and mini-models of notable Thai temples.

And then there are a few drivers- like mine yesterday- who go completely dashboard crazy. It certainly brightened up the ride.

The Motosai Man

Optimism!

That's what I like most about the motosai man. Even with the streets clogged and traffic at a standstill, Thailand's motorcycle taxi-drivers always believe they can find a way forward.

No matter to them that the road is narrow, the lights are stalled on red, a line of trucks is hogging the road, the police have set-up a checkpoint and that a little-old-lady is looking to cross the street.

By weaving in between the trucks, the motorcycles, the bicycles, the cars, the vans, the street carts and the little old ladies, the motosai man nudges ahead. By using a little bit of the footpath and a piece of the on-coming lane he pushes forward. And by nipping down side streets and through red-lights, the motosai man  inches onwards.

Much faster through the chaos of Bangkok's streets than the boring taxi cab, the motorsai man offers both an exhilarating journey, and a lesson in optimism. Just remember to keep those long foreign legs well tucked in!