How to ride a mototaxi
A mototaxi is a guy with a motorcycle or scooter of some kind who lets you pay to ride on the back. But it's not as sketchy as it sounds! Official mototaxi stands are all around the city; you can easily recognize the drivers by their bright orange vests. Prices are generally standardized, and although there's no meter, I've never been ripped off. Expect to pay roughly 40-70 thb ($1-2 USD) to go 2-3 km. Go to the mototaxi stand and go up to the driver; it'll be obvious what you want. Or just flag someone down if you see a riderless mototaxi driver on the street. Flag a taxi by putting your hand out, palm down, pointing down a bit. When you get on, there should be foot rests, and grab the back of the bike. Don't sit too far back, as you could fall off and die.
Is it fast?
Yes! So fast. Mototaxis are my favorite way to get around because they weave in and out of traffic, going in the cracks between gridlocked cars. This is the main reason why I far prefer mototaxis to regular taxis.
Is it safe?
Eh. Not really. There are a lot of motorbike accidents in Thailand, and mototaxis are efficient because they drive dangerously. Legally, you have to wear a helmet on a mototaxi, and may be fined for not wearing one, but most drivers don't carry an extra. Try not to die. I had never ridden a motorcycle before coming here, and now I take them all the time, and I haven't died yet.
Is it awesome?
Yes! Whizzing down the streets of Bangkok on the back of a motorcycle is awesome.
Can I do it in the rain?
Technically you can, but riding a motorcycle in a downpour gets very crazy very fast, and it isn't safe. I got caught in a monsoon on a mototaxi once, and that's a story for another day. When it's raining hard, a regular taxi is your best bet.
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