Tuk tuk tours in Trang

Anyone who has ever hailed a tuk tuk in Thailand will know that no matter where you ask to go, the driver will take you where he thinks you should be going instead.

In Bangkok, asking a tuk tuk driver to take you to the Grand Palace will almost inevitably result in you being taken on a tour of the Big Buddha, Reclining Buddha and several clothes shops along the way.

But now, visitors to Trang in southern Thailand are being offered a bit of certainty in the shape of three sightseeing tours on a tuk tuk hua kop – a larger version of the tuk tuks seen in the Thai capital.

Unlike the Bangkok tuk tuks, the hua kop has a modern steering wheel and seats up to five passengers – one in the front with the driver and four in the back.

Powered by a two-cylinder engine, the hua kop can reach speeds of 60 kph, which no doubt sounds low until you are sat in the back ducking in and out of traffic.

There are three set routes taking you to Trang's main sightseeing spots, such as the railway station, the city hall and clock tower, various temples and the house of former prime minister Chuan Leekpai.

The trips range from one hour, visiting five sights for 150 baht (£2) to four hours, visiting 17 sights for 500 baht (£7).

The tours are the result of a joint venture between the Trang Municipality Office, the Trang Tuk Tuk Club and Trang Tourism Association.

For more information see: www.tourismthailand.org