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[00:00.39] Todd: Another famous thing about Bangkok is the motorcycle taxis, which really freak a lot of the tourists out.

[00:07.39] Jerri: I'm sure, I'm sure.

[00:08.14] Todd: Like, they're afraid to get on one.

[00:09.38] Can you explain the motorcycle taxis, which are incredibly common?

[00:12.13] Jerri: Absolutely, so, it can get quite - it's quite scary but it's probably the fastest and most cost-effective way to get around Bangkok, especially during the rush hour.

[00:22.39] Motorbike - you know, there's like a lot of motorbike taxis in Bangkok and they're at different stations, so you can get them at the - at - right below the skytrain station, mostly.

[00:33.88] And, yeah, they know the streets very well. They know the - the - the fastest routes to get to your destination.

[00:43.38] And once you get familiar with it, it's actually not too bad as long as you ask for a helmet. I always think that that's - that is - 'cause it does get quite scary on the main roads with, like, a lot of...

[00:54.13] Todd: Yeah, women, a lot of times, sit in a very dangerous position...

[00:56.63] Jerri: Yeah, yeah.

[00:57.38] Todd: ...because of their skirt. They'll sit sideways...

[00:58.88] Jerri: Yeah.

[00:59.88] Todd: ...they don't sit with both legs on - with one leg on each side of the motorcycle, which I always find incredibly dangerous.

[01:04.88] Jerri: Yeah.

[01:05.63] Todd: Do you ever sit that way?

[01:06.38] Jerri: I have to admit, yeah, most of the time I sit that way. And it's quite, like - you don't realize it yourself but when people see it they're quite fascinated by it...

[01:14.38] Todd: Yeah.

[01:14.88] Jerri: ...like, how we can balance ourself...

[01:16.13] Todd: Yeah.

[01:16.63] Jerri: ...and then the motorbike is like swerving its way around.

[01:19.63] Todd: Right, exactly.

[01:20.63] Jerri: Yeah. Yeah.

[01:21.13] Todd: Another thing about the - maybe just explaining about the motorcycle taxis - is, so, Bangkok has really long streets. It's not a grid system.

[01:29.13] Jerri: No.

[01:29.88] Todd: It's kind of like the roots of a tree. Like, the roads will just go forever...

[01:33.38] Jerri: Right. Yes.

[01:34.63] Todd: ...in one direction. So, basically, people take the main lines, like the subway or overhead train, to their stop and then they take the motorcycle taxi to their home, correct?

[01:45.88] Todd: Yes, yes, correct. That's the most common way, yeah, to do it.

[01:49.13] Todd: Yeah. And in the mornings and in the evenings it's amazing 'cause it's, like, this fleet of motorcycle.

[01:53.88] Jerri: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[01:54.63] Todd: Like, the whole street is just humming with motorcycles.

[01:56.88] Jerri: And then you realize how popular they are when you're standing at the station and there's no motorbikes left 'cause, you know, they're all being, yeah, being used.

[02:05.63] Todd: Yeah. So, like, in your - where you live, do you see the same motorcycle taxis every day?

[02:09.63] Jerri: Yes, yes.

[02:10.63] Todd: Do you know them by name?

[02:11.63] Jerri: Yes. So, like, even the one in front of where I work - they're, like, familiar face. They know where I live, and...

[02:17.88] Todd: Yeah.

[02:18.63] Jerri: ...they take me home every day. Yeah.

[02:19.88] Todd: Oh my God, that's so awesome. So, what about new things like Uber and Grab?

[02:24.13] Jerri: So, it's causing quite a bit of tension in Bangkok. As expected, you know the motorcycle taxis and the normal taxis are not so happy about the - this.

[02:37.38] But, yeah, I think with the election coming up, a lot of parties are trying to regulate it a little better because, currently, the main problem is that the Ubers and the Grab drivers are not legal to have passengers.

[02:53.88] They don't have the license. So, that's the main issue where - why the motorbike taxis are - and the - the normal taxi drivers are quite fed up about.

[03:02.88] Todd: Wow. Well, one thing's for sure: it's very easy to get around this city.

[03:07.39] Jerri: Yes, definitely.