The literal meaning of ‘songthaew’ is “two rows” and this accurately describes these taxis/buses that ply the streets of many of Thailand’s cities.. The name of the taxi/bus is derived from the two bench seats installed along either side of the covered tray of the ute/pickup.

Passengers sit opposite each other. The sides of the vehicle are mostly open (but have roll down curtains for when it rains) and passengers get onboard through the back. Generally 10 to 12 people will fit in a Songthaew at the same time. The roof height of the Songthaew precludes standing.

Essentially they are a shared taxi.

[IMAGE]

Chiang Mai

In Chiang Mai the songthaews are painted various colours that designate the route they cover.

Khon Khan

Songthaews operate on about 10 different routes throughout the city. They are ‘hailed’ by raising the arm. The passenger pays when alighting.

Essentially they are a ‘shared taxi’.

Pattaya

Blue.

Phuket

The cheap shared transport option is a blue songthaew. Red tuk-tuks are private taxis that cost significantly more (and more again after dark). These smaller red conveyances do not look like traditional tuk tuks – they are more like  a mini Songthaew.

Smaller, they serve as a taxi rather than a bus. They are not the same ute/pickup of other cities. Generally red. The fee doubles after dark.

Grab

The advent of Grab and similar services around 2020 financially advesely impacted Songthaews