Nongchok’s Zaleng Motorcycle Taxi Service Hi, I’m Matiroj Nikajarn and today I’m going to tell you about my community’s Zaleng taxi service which is something not normal to many parts of Thailand. Nongchok is a district northeast of Bankok near both Minburi and Ladkrabang (show the map). We are often use to seeing buses, vans, taxis and motorcycle taxis but there is another transportation method that I am now going to show and tell you about. It’s called ‘Zaleng’ which is a motorbike which is modified with a side car/bench. Since I’ve lived here in Nonchok, I have seen this. Therefore, I’ll take you to a person who knows the history of these unique transportation motorbikes. Mr. Yong (Interview) “ Zalengs began in 1983. There was a flood in that year. I don’t know if you were born yet. Because of the heavy flood, I couldn’t do any work, so I decided to park my Zaleng at the market. My Zaleng was transformed to sell stuff like this. (picture) After that, my friend’s dad asked me if I wanted to establish a Zaleng taxi terminal. After that I therefore started to build Zaleng frames and have continued to do so until this day. I am the originator of Zalengs and I have been creating Zalengs until now. This is the non-finished structure (picture). For many years I drove Zaleng taxis but now I only work as a Zaleng mechanic. For another areas, Zalengs are used for selling stuff but here in Nongchok, they are used as taxis. I have been being mechanic until my health has been getting worst. When I finish doing this bike, I’ll move to another one as my customers are all around. I have done this for years and haven’t had to quit this to do another job. However, today there are other garages which do like me, but I am the originator. For the method of creating a Zaleng, I buy pipe metal and then bend and weld it into the frame for the Zaleng. After that, I weld the wheel and then compound all of these together. The side seat’s connection points with the motorbike are at the top, bottom and back.” Mr.E (Interview) Zaleng taxi “I’ve driven Zalengs for 10 years, but Zalengs have been around for about 30 years. I’m 40 years old now. Jx was used in zalengs in the past as well as Honda Jx. Today we’ve changed to Honda Waves because of saving money and the low cost of spare parts. The cost of converting a bike into zaleng is 8-9 thousand baht with the bike purchased separately. We are only allowed to ride in Nongchok depending on customers where will they go. We sometimes go to Prachasamran and get caught by police. hahaha.” Zaleng taxis are only allowed to operate in Nongchok. Not only does it help people to get around but saves them money because it is cheaper than an ordinary taxi.

• published: 15 Nov 2014
• views: 92