Why go
A songthaew is useful when your destination lies along a driver’s direction of travel and you are comfortable sharing the ride. It is a different arrangement from hiring a vehicle for a private trip, so agree on the destination and whether the ride is shared before boarding.
The full story
Songthaew means “two rows,” a reference to the benches in the back of the pickup truck. In Chiang Mai, the red vehicles are commonly called rod daeng, or red trucks. They circulate on city streets rather than following the single fixed itinerary a visitor might expect of a bus. Signal one from a suitable roadside spot, tell the driver the street or area you need, and wait for confirmation that the vehicle is going that way. The driver may decline if your destination does not fit the current trip. Once aboard, use the stop signal when you approach your destination and pay after getting out. A request for a specific establishment or a direct private journey can change the arrangement into a charter. Clarify the type of trip and the fare before leaving. Other songthaew colors have been associated with routes toward towns outside Chiang Mai, but confirm a current route before relying on a truck’s color.
Useful to know
- Tell the driver your destination before boarding and confirm that the truck is headed that way.
- Agree on the fare and whether the ride is shared or private before departure.
- For a trip beyond the city, confirm the current route rather than relying on vehicle color alone.