Thailand News in Brief

from Thai PBS WorldThailand and the world, every day

Swipe upto start reading / next story

Scroll downto start reading / next story

Key points summarised by AI
Check them against the full article

Summarising the key points with AI…

Going Places: Rarely seen traditional means of transport

Today 21:01Key points summarised by AI

Traditional modes of transport, such as riding animals (water buffalo, elephants), diverse boats, and unique road vehicles (tuk-tuks, becaks, calesas), were once common across Southeast Asia but have largely been supplanted by modern systems.
Animal-back travel is now a rare sight, mostly confined to remote rural areas, while traditional boats, like long-tail boats, once crucial for daily life and trade on extensive waterways, often now serve as tourist attractions.
Iconic road vehicles like Thailand's tuk-tuk continue to operate, albeit with some urban restrictions, whereas others such as Indonesia's becak and the Philippines' calesa have largely faded from daily use, becoming heritage symbols or tourist draws.
These increasingly rare traditional transports endure as significant cultural and heritage symbols, offering a tangible connection to simpler times and the rich history of Southeast Asia.