{"id":222663,"date":"2024-08-29T10:16:48","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T02:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/?post_type=editorial&#038;p=222663"},"modified":"2025-11-26T18:36:55","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T10:36:55","slug":"a-lifeline-for-thailands-rod-daeng-and-tuk-tuk-drivers","status":"publish","type":"editorial","link":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/inside-grab\/stories\/a-lifeline-for-thailands-rod-daeng-and-tuk-tuk-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"A lifeline for Thailand\u2019s Rod-Daeng and Tuk-Tuk Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"222663\" class=\"elementor elementor-222663\" data-elementor-post-type=\"editorial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a6324e9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a6324e9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8e26b2f\" data-id=\"8e26b2f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ca6c28d gr21-boxed-content editorial-gr21-boxed-content elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ca6c28d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cc21978\" data-id=\"cc21978\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02b9337 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02b9337\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019ve ever visited Chiang Mai or Hat Yai in Thailand, chances are you\u2019ve taken a ride on a &#8216;Rod-Daeng&#8217; or a &#8216;Tuk-Tuk &#8216; \u2014local public transport that has become iconic in these provinces.\u00a0<\/p><p>Grab recognised the importance of integrating local modes of transportation into its ride-hailing platform to meet the needs of diverse communities across Southeast Asia. It enables drivers to stay relevant as the habits of locals and tourists evolve thanks to digital transformation.<\/p><p><strong>How to book a Rod-Daeng or a Tuk-Tuk via Grab<\/strong><\/p><p>In some cities, users can easily book a Rod-Daeng or a Tuk-Tuk through Grab, just as they would a regular GrabCar.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37b6e5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"37b6e5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100751\/Grab-Rod-Daeng-Chiang-Mai-2.jpg-700x467.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-222672\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100751\/Grab-Rod-Daeng-Chiang-Mai-2.jpg-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100751\/Grab-Rod-Daeng-Chiang-Mai-2.jpg-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100751\/Grab-Rod-Daeng-Chiang-Mai-2.jpg-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100751\/Grab-Rod-Daeng-Chiang-Mai-2.jpg-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100751\/Grab-Rod-Daeng-Chiang-Mai-2.jpg-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100751\/Grab-Rod-Daeng-Chiang-Mai-2.jpg.jpg 1418w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Phairat Chailamphon, a Rod-Daeng driver in Chiang Mai, Thailand <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-635e98d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"635e98d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"margin-top: 20px; font-size: 18px;\">While the fares for these vehicles might be slightly higher due to their larger seating capacity (the Rod-Daeng can seat 8 to 10 passengers), this move has proven to be a popular choice.<\/p><h5 style=\"font-size: 18px;\">How does Grab support Tuk-Tuk and Rod-Daeng driver-partners<\/h5><p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">It offers a unique cultural experience that aligns with the growing trend of travelers seeking authenticity and convenience.<\/p><p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Through the Grab app, tourists can enjoy the charm of these traditional vehicles with the added benefits of price transparency, route control, and cashless payments, ensuring a hassle-free journey.<\/p><p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Drivers like Phairat Chailamphon, who has been driving a Rod-Daeng for over 20 years and joined Grab five years ago, have seen significant benefits. \u201cSince joining Grab, I\u2019ve been able to make more money and offer longer trips to places like Mae Sot, Pai, and Chiang Rai. It\u2019s convenient for both passengers and drivers, and the standardized fares build confidence among tourists,&#8221; Phairat shared.<\/p><p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Similarly, Thanat Kittiphurikhun, a Tuk-Tuk driver in Hat Yai, has experienced positive changes since he joined Grab six months ago. &#8220;With Grab, I don\u2019t have to wait for the high season or stay near crowded spots. Tourists can book a ride anytime and enjoy the city without worrying about fares. Grab has given me more options and a steady stream of income,&#8221; he explained.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6d715a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b6d715a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100528\/Grab-Tuk-Tuk-Hat-Yai.png-700x525.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-222668\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100528\/Grab-Tuk-Tuk-Hat-Yai.png-700x525.png 700w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100528\/Grab-Tuk-Tuk-Hat-Yai.png-250x187.png 250w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100528\/Grab-Tuk-Tuk-Hat-Yai.png-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100528\/Grab-Tuk-Tuk-Hat-Yai.png-16x12.png 16w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100528\/Grab-Tuk-Tuk-Hat-Yai.png-120x90.png 120w, https:\/\/assets.grab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/29100528\/Grab-Tuk-Tuk-Hat-Yai.png.png 1334w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Thanat Kittiphurikhun, Tuk-Tuk driver in Hat Yai, Thailand<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efdd77b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"efdd77b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Grab\u2019s integration of local modes of transportation has not only enhanced the travel experience by offering authentic, local rides but also supported the livelihoods of drivers, helping them adapt to the digital age.<\/p><p>By blending tradition with technology, Grab continues to show its commitment to supporting local communities and enriching the travel experience across Southeast Asia.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e0eda41 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e0eda41\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f86b26\" data-id=\"3f86b26\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"parent":180237,"menu_order":0,"template":"grab21-default","acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial\/222663"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/editorial"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial\/222663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":254606,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial\/222663\/revisions\/254606"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial\/180237"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=222663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}