The motorcycle taxi also known as ‘motorsai’ has become a national treasure in Thailand’s Bangkok. The brightly dressed drivers and whining engines have made it become a permanent fixture in the Bangkok way of life.

Despite the global financial crisis, this is one business that has not been affected and is still booming. There are more than 100,000 motorcycle taxis operating in Bangkok, which is a huge workforce generating large revenues. This total is thought to reach tens of millions of Baht per month.

Prasert Chalernsisuk said that motorcycle taxi’s were a rational solution to the countries traffic problems: “Traffic congestion at the start of the economic boom at the beginning of 1990s forced people to look for new ways to get around. The most effective solution turned out to be the motorcycle taxi.”

At the moment motorcycle taxis do not have to pay income tax, but there are plans to change this. The rules to becoming a motorcycle taxi include purchasing bike insurance; visiting the local BMA district office for registration and to wear bright colours that identify a particular district.