Tuk tuk in the future

For over three decades, Thailand has been riding a motorized tricycle known as “tuk-tuk.” This Thai invention has become a national symbol and has made its presence felt all over the world. Visitors to Bangkok make it a point to take a ride on a tuk-tuk at least once in their lives.
With its distinctive features identified with Thailand, the Ministry of Industry set the goal of promoting the tuk-tuk as a national vehicle, based on Thai wisdom and innovation. The Automotive Institute was assigned to launch the “Tricycle Car Industry Development Project,” to produce Thai tuk-tuks on a par with world standards in terms of safety and efficiency, as a low-cost and multi-purpose vehicle. Local manufacturing of parts and components has been encouraged, with the concept of environmental conservation at the heart of the project.
In the year 2002, a prototype vehicle was introduced, as a result of the work by mechanical engineers of the Automotive Institute. After further improvements and modifications, it could reach a maximum speed of 90 kilometers an hour. The Ministry of Industry held a contest to find a name and logo for the new vehicle. The name “Chai-Yo Thai Tricycle Car” and the logo of a wheel in tri-color white, red, and blue, were adopted, signifying the Thai invention. The product was then patented. However, commercial production and distribution of the vehicle have yet to start, preferably by a private concern. Then, we can all share the national pride in automotive innovation in real terms.