Answered3 years ago
What do people in Thailand call motorcycle sidecars, Saleng or Rot Puang Kang?
I am curious as to what people on here call the motorcycle side cars... Every time I hear a farang talk about them, they are referred to as ซาเล้ง (Saleng), but every time I ask a Thai person, they call it a รถพ่วงข้าง (Rot Puang Kang)...
Answer summary
The conversation revolves around the different names used for motorcycle sidecars in Thailand. While many foreigners refer to them as 'Saleng,' Thai locals often call them 'รถพ่วงข้าง' (Rot Puang Kang). The discussion highlights various regional dialects and generational differences in terminology, with some participants noting that older individuals may prefer 'Saleng' while the younger generation typically uses 'Rot Puang Kang.'
55 repliesnewest first
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Zed ********
Both are correct but it's often a generational/regional thing. FYI, in case you didn't realise, รถพ่วงข้าง is "รถพ่วง(vehicle trailer)", "ข้าง(side)".
Glen ********
@Zed *******
Thank you for that. You understanding of Thai is impressive
Arisara *********
Thai people call Saleng. It is not easy to ride. Most Thai people are very skillful to ride- they mostly use it on the farm or village road. Last year I got it tipped to the side because my hubby was too heavy when he sat opposite the bike.
Sam *********
OP@Arisara ********
thank you. I am still hearing 50% Saleng, 50% Rod Phuang Kang...but either way, I think its time I got one for my scooter. They do take a bit of skill to ride, thats for sure
Jo **********
in Chiang Mai dialect which I speak it’s lot kueng and scooter is lot pueng
Sam *********
OP@Jo *********
interesting...in the Lao dialects of Laos, they call a scooter a "Lot Jahk"Jo **********
@Sam ********
similar
Becky **********
Seems like different parts of the country calls it different. Also older people seem to call it saleng. The younger generation calls it rot puang kang.
Glen ********
@Becky *********
Different language influences as well… Lao, Khmer, etc.
Dave *********
@Brian *******
If you were in your own country you'd either already know or ask someone who speaks the same languageas yourself? Top marks for being pedantic though.
Brian ********
If you wanted to know what a side car was called in your own country, would you ask a foreigner? Thinking the same thing applies here.
Jo **********
good point
Sam *********
OP@Brian *******
I never "asked a foreigner"...it is always in some sort discussion ..asking the Thai person would be a follow up question to hearing a westerner use a specific term...Brian ********
@Sam ********
you just asked a whole group of foreigners.Glen ********
@Brian *******
And I asked my Thai wife 555Sam *********
OP@Brian *******
ok touché.
Matthew ********
Saleng where I am, language Kmer.
Sam *********
OP@Stevan **********
Yup. That's a nicely made one tooStevan ***********
@Sam ********
and it’s working very dayStevan ***********
I have one wife calls it saleng
Matthew ********
Nigel **************
We call them samlor. There are loads around here in Wichian Buri
James ********
It is not a Saleng …. It’s the later Rot Puang Kang ( vehicle doubled up in the middle ! )
Sam *********
OPok. So is a Saleng a rickshaw? I just wonder why so many of the westerners have gotten into their heads that it is called a "Saleng"...I mean, they must have heard that from somewhere...
James ********
@Sam ********
a Saleng is a particular three wheeled bicycle or motorcycle the preferred favourite of old school recycling types
Vinny **************
Wife calls it saling
Mårten ********
Not sure how well you read Thai, but here is a link claiming saleng is a Thai modified version of the Teochiu Chinese word saling.
I think ród phûang (khâang) is all original Thai.
************************************
*****
920?I think ród phûang (khâang) is all original Thai.
Sam *********
OP@Mårten *******
I will check it out
Luc ************
My wife calls it a saleng.
Stephen ********
@Luc ***********
and thereyou go a zillion names love itStephen ********
I like saam law, or 3 wheels
Mark ******
@Stephen *******
Samlor usually refers to the 3 wheeled tuktuksStephen ********
ya I get that, the thais here call it the 3 wheeler, so many ways to say, as long as it works all good for me, But Samlor means any 3 wheeler as well
Sam *********
OP@Stephen *******
yea, I always thought Saam Lor was just a bigger Tuk TukGlen ********
In Korat they’re called ‘motorcy puang’ or just ‘puang’. I think puang means trailer
Sam *********
OP@Glen *******
I see those commercial trucks with carrying beds with a yellow sign on the back that says รถพ่วง (Rot Puang)....but I am not sure the translation for Puang....
David ***********
Samlor
Albert ********
@David **********
I agree.
Otto *********
A Salaeng si a bicycle or small motorcycle with a storage box in the front and used by garbage collectors.
Michael ********
Its Sam Lor which basically translates as 3 wheels.
But you are right with the name for just the sidecar as the Thais call it Rot Dan Kang. I never heard it called Saleng but then i dont have much interaction with Farangs
But you are right with the name for just the sidecar as the Thais call it Rot Dan Kang. I never heard it called Saleng but then i dont have much interaction with Farangs
Sam *********
OP@Michael *******
I think a Sam Lor is more used for bigger versions of the Tuk-Tuk. I have never heard "Rot Dan Kang" but รถพ่วงข้าง, I have heard.Michael ********
@Sam ********
you also have the 3 wheel taxis they call sam lor. I got to go to market tonight i will ask someone here in ratchaburi what they call themMichael ********
@Sam ********
Are you thinking of a song theaw thats the bigger version of a tuk tuk.What part of Thailand are you in ?
Sam *********
OP@Michael *******
No, I know song thaew. I am in the northeast and everytime I have heard the term "Sam Lor" either in Isaan or in Lao, it refers to a bigger version of a Tuk Tuk. But again, this could totally be regional and different depending on where in the country you are..
Bo *******
But all its not aloud to drive and newer insure!
Not all people now that…
Not all people now that…
Marc ********
@Bo ******
I was pretty sure actually it would not be legal on road. They probably have the same rules and regulations like we in our countries.But Police will not inforce the law.
Frank **********
I call it a motorcycle with a sidecar.
David ***********
@Frank *********
youre such a wordsmith !Frank **********
@David **********
that is because I don't know what it is called.Frank **********
@David **********
thanks 😊 🙏.David ***********
@Frank *********
Samlor !
Kirstin *****************
An easy way to die is how I would refer to them.
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