From Cars to Motorbikes: The “Tuk Tuk” Phenomenon

March 21, 2009

The automobile has been one of the world’s greatest inventions, giving people an affordable and convenient method of personal travel. Although the versatility and usefulness of cars still reign in many parts of the world, in Southeast Asia motorcycles and scooters seem to be not only more common, but more cost effective and necessary for livelihood.

Making a Tuk Tuk
In Cambodia, for example, many locals will attach trolleys or carriages to their motorbikes, thereby turning them into makeshift taxicabs otherwise known as “tuk tuks.” For westerners, this is an unheard of and possibly dangerous idea. Still, in cities throughout the country, you will see hundreds of “tuk tuk” drivers parked along main roads, guesthouses, hotels, restaurants and pretty much anywhere else. These men spend their days shuffling tourists up and down the city from museum to temple and restaurant to guesthouse in attempt to earn their daily rice. In smaller cities, “tuk tuks” are the only method of transportation aside from renting your own motorbike or bicycle.

Roadway Adventure
“Tuk tuks” also share the road with other vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. It is not uncommon to see multiple passengers on the backs of motorbikes as well as, bamboo poles, gas tanks, bricks, groceries, etc. Gasoline is even sold in glass liter Coca Cola and Pepsi bottles. Riding in a “tuk tuk” in the capital city of Phnom Penh, will give you a greater appreciation for traffic back home. Oftentimes, drivers will weave their way in and out of cars, follow too closely, nearly knock over other motorcyclists and even drive head-on into opposing traffic. It truly is an adventure.

Not Just Transportation
Still, owning a motorcycle can mean a livelihood for many Cambodians. The Cambodian people use motorbikes for everything, therefore basic knowledge and maintenance of cars and motorbikes is essential. Unfortunately, Cambodia is still struggling to educate its many citizens and to recover from the genocidal impact of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). Because of the mass genocides of the Cambodian people during the late 1970s, modern Cambodia is also known as a country of orphans. Close to 35 percent of the population is under the age of 15, the majority of which are roaming the streets selling books and other items in hopes supporting their families. Unfortunately, many families discourage their children from attending schools because of the high cost of education. A year of primary school education costs each child $300 a year and $470 a year for high school.

There are several organizations that help sponsor and promote education for orphans and poor children. For more information on how to help, please visit Save poor Children in Asia Organization.

By Alyse Speyer
AskPatty Contributor

Alyse Speyer has a BA in Literature from the College of Creative Studies in the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has several published poems in the 2008 Spectrum and a short story published on UnderThisRedRock.com. She was also an editor for 2008 Into the Teeth of the Wind, a UCSB poetry publication. She speaks Spanish, French and has an understanding of Catalan. Alyse currently works as a freelance copywriter and blogger and writes for a variety of fields. She specializes in Search Engine Marketing and Optimization, web copy and editing.

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