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What do people in Thailand call motorcycle sidecars, Saleng or Rot Puang Kang?

Thai languagemotorcycle terminologyexpat experiencevisa rulestransportation in Thailandcultural differences
Jan 4, 2024
a year ago
Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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)...
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TLDR : 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.'
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)".
a year ago
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Glen ********
@Zed *******
 Thank you for that. You understanding of Thai is impressive
a year ago
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Glen ********
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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.
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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
a year ago
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Sam *********
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Guido **********
a year ago
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Jo **********
in Chiang Mai dialect which I speak it’s lot kueng and scooter is lot pueng
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 interesting...in the Lao dialects of Laos, they call a scooter a "Lot Jahk"
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Sam ********
 similar
a year ago
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Jo **********
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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.
a year ago
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Glen ********
@Becky *********
 Different language influences as well… Lao, Khmer, etc.
a year ago
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Glen ********
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Dave *********
@Brian *******
 If you were in your own country you'd either already know or ask someone who speaks the same language

as yourself? Top marks for being pedantic though.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Jo **********
good point
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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...
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Sam ********
 you just asked a whole group of foreigners.
a year ago
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Glen ********
@Brian *******
 And I asked my Thai wife 555
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian *******
ok touché.
a year ago
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Sam *********
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Matthew ********
Saleng where I am, language Kmer.
a year ago
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Stevan ***********
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stevan **********
 Yup. That's a nicely made one too
a year ago
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Stevan ***********
@Sam ********
 and it’s working very day
a year ago
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Stevan ***********
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Stevan ***********
I have one wife calls it saleng
a year ago
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Matthew ********
@Stevan **********
 what does your other wife call it?.....

Sorry, couldn't resist!😂🤣😂
a year ago
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Matthew ********
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Nigel **************
We call them samlor. There are loads around here in Wichian Buri
a year ago
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James ********
It is not a Saleng …. It’s the later Rot Puang Kang ( vehicle doubled up in the middle ! )
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ok. 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...
a year ago
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James ********
@Sam ********
 a Saleng is a particular three wheeled bicycle or motorcycle the preferred favourite of old school recycling types
a year ago
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James ********
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Vinny **************
Wife calls it saling
a year ago
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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.
************************************
*****
920?

I think ród phûang (khâang) is all original Thai.
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mårten *******
 I will check it out
a year ago
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Sam *********
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Luc ************
My wife calls it a saleng.
a year ago
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Stephen ********
@Luc ***********
 and thereyou go a zillion names love it
a year ago
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Stephen ********
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Stephen ********
I like saam law, or 3 wheels
a year ago
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Mark ******
@Stephen *******
 Samlor usually refers to the 3 wheeled tuktuks
a year ago
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Stephen ********
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
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *******
 yea, I always thought Saam Lor was just a bigger Tuk Tuk
a year ago
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Sam *********
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Glen ********
In Korat they’re called ‘motorcy puang’ or just ‘puang’. I think puang means trailer
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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....
a year ago
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Sam *********
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David ***********
Samlor
a year ago
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Albert ********
@David **********
 I agree.
a year ago
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Albert ********
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Otto *********
A Salaeng si a bicycle or small motorcycle with a storage box in the front and used by garbage collectors.
a year ago
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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
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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.
a year ago
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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 them
a year ago
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Michael ********
@Sam ********
a year ago
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Michael ********
@Sam ********
 Are you thinking of a song theaw thats the bigger version of a tuk tuk.

What part of Thailand are you in ?
a year ago
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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..
a year ago
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Sam *********
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Bo *******
But all its not aloud to drive and newer insure!

Not all people now that…
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Marc ********
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Frank **********
I call it a motorcycle with a sidecar.
a year ago
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David ***********
@Frank *********
 youre such a wordsmith !
a year ago
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Frank **********
@David **********
 that is because I don't know what it is called.
a year ago
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David ***********
@Frank *********
 Samlor !
a year ago
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Frank **********
@David **********
 thanks 😊 🙏.
a year ago
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Frank **********
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Kirstin *****************
An easy way to die is how I would refer to them.
a year ago
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Kirstin *****************
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