QUOTE(greekcypriot @ Jan 18 2012, 10:33 AM)

Another name for a tuk-tuk is rickshaw, and if you are traveling to any Asian country you will come across them. Now how safe they are it really depends on your luck sometimes and the driver’s technique. The tuk-tuk replaced the human-powered cycle rickshaws….what a burden job that was!!
So read some very helpful tips from the article I came across today and if you remember of any interesting experience you had with a tuk-tuk you can write about it and share it here with us.
Read the tips:In Bangkok tuk-tuks are often involved scams. Just Google up tuk-tuk scams and you will get several links. For tourists a meter taxi is usually cheaper. Because with a tuk-tuk you bargain the cost and in a meter taxi you pay what the meter says. (Meter starts at 35 baht.) If you bargain the fare in a meter taxi (like when you use a tuk-tuk) you pay more than what the meter fare would be. In Bangkok if you need a taxi wave a moving taxi over and then tell the driver to use the meter, most will, then get in. Have small bills and coins for paying drivers. Sometimes a tuk-tuk driver will follow and pester you if you seem to look a little more gullible!
Tuk-tuks can be a little tempting. For some guys they will approach and "recommend" various bars, massage places, etc. Even whipping out a brochure of pretty girls they can take you to. For some women tourists they will have "special discounts" for tailors, gems or jewelry. They will take you shopping and protect you, hold your bags, all for a price of course! But they will never tell you that they get a commission for bringing you to one of these places to spend money.
Ride a tuk-tuk for the heck of it. Late at night when they are flying down the road dodging in and out of traffic they can be a little fun unless they hit something or get stuck behind a smelly diesel truck. If you are tall you will be ducking down all the time to see under the canopy that is over the seats. Tuk-tuks are sort of representative of Bangkok and something to try for a first time tourist but if you must get somewhere cheap (maybe safer) use the Skytrain, the subway, city buses or a meter taxi.
Have fun.