0214, 3397 THAILAND - Tuk-tuk (putt-putt, brum-brum and so on)

0214 Different tuk-tuk models

Posted on 21.05.2012, 26.01.2020
I know this type of means of transport from two sources: of Indian movies and from communist Romania during 1960-1970 (when they were used by the confectioneries and by the company - yes, it was only one - which deliver food at home). I note with surprise that this three-wheeled cabin cycle, in fact a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw, was or is used on almost every continents, except Australia. Those who invented it were Italians, namely company Piaggio, which made in 1948 Piaggio Ape (Italian for bee), based on the Vespa (Italian for wasp) scooter. Clever play on words, that perfectly reflects the change of purpose, going on the same line.

3397 Tuk-tuks at Wat Pho, Bangkok

In Thailand (because about it is about in the sentence) this auto rickshaw, called tuk-tuk, is a widely used form of urban transport, particularly where traffic congestion is a major problem. About 20,000 tuk-tuks are registered as taxis in Thailand. Bangkok alone is reported to have 9,000 tuk-tuks. The name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of a small engine, often two-cycle (an equivalent English term would be "putt-putt"). Drivers may also use their tuk-tuks to transport fresh produce or other goods around the city in absence of passengers.

About the stamps
On the postcard 0214

The stamp, depicting Rama IX (Bhumibol Adulyadej, king of Thailand between 1946 and 2016), is part of a definitive set issued on October 10, 2010, and consisting of 10 stamps with the same image, but with different colors and different values:
• blue (1 THB)

• red (2 THB) - It's on the postcard 2806

• green (3 THB)

• brown (5 THB)

• violet (6 THB) - It's on the postcard 2806

• pink (7 THB) - It's on the postcard 2806

• yellow (9 THB)

• black/orange (10 THB) - It's on the postcard 0241

• blue/green (12 THB) - It's on the postcard 2831

• green/yellow (15 THB) - It's on the postcard 0214

On the postcard 3397 

The first stamp is part of a large definitive series depicting Rama X (Maha Vajiralongkorn, king of Thailand since 2016).
2018.07.28 yellow (9 THB) - It's on the postcard 3397
2018.07.28 ochre (15 THB) - It's on the postcard 3409
2018.07.28 purple (50 THB) - It's on the postcard 3421

The last stamp is part of the series The 72nd Anniversary of the Birth of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, issued on May 5, 1999.
 
Sender 0214: Natchaon Chucherdsak (direct swap)
Sent from Bangkok (Thailand), on 03.02.2012
Photo: Jatuporn Rutnin
Sender 3397: Pumipat
Sent from Bangkok (Thailand), on 13.11.2019
Photo: Thongchai Laokittichok