Beyond the Red Trucks: An Advanced Guide to Mastering Chiang Mai's Songthaews

So, you’ve mastered the 30-baht ride around the Old City. You’ve successfully flagged down a classic red truck, hopped in the back with a mix of locals and tourists, and reached your destination. You're feeling pretty savvy, right?

That’s a great start. But what if I told you that was just level one?

The red trucks (rot daeng) are the lifeblood of the city center, but they are just one part of a much larger, color-coded system that can unlock the entire Chiang Mai province for you—if you know how to use it. As a local who has been riding in these for my entire life, I want to help you graduate from a beginner to a Songthaew pro. It'll save you money, show you a more authentic side of travel, and give you the confidence to explore far beyond the city moat.

The Color Code: Understanding the Fixed Routes

This is the biggest secret that most visitors miss. While the red trucks are famous for having no fixed route (they roam the city and go where you ask), the other colors—white, yellow, green, and blue—operate more like bus lines on set routes, typically starting from a central point like the Warorot Market (Kad Luang).

Here’s the basic breakdown:

• White Songthaews: These generally head east of the city. If you're looking to visit the Sankampaeng Hot Springs or the famous Bor Sang Umbrella Village, this is your ride.

• Yellow Songthaews: These head north towards Mae Rim. This is the truck to catch if you’re planning a day trip to attractions like the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, the Mae Sa Waterfall, or the Tiger Kingdom.

• Green Songthaews: These travel northeast towards the town of Mae Jo. This route is less tourist-heavy but is useful if you’re visiting the Mae Jo University or surrounding areas.

• Blue Songthaews: These go south towards Lamphun and Sarapee district. You might take this to visit the historic temples in Lamphun province.

How to Use Them: Simply go to their main starting point (Warorot Market is the biggest hub), find the truck of the correct color, and confirm with the driver that they are going past your destination. The fares are fixed, incredibly cheap (often 20-50 THB depending on distance), and you just hop on and press the buzzer when you want to get off.

The Art of the Day Trip: How to Charter a Songthaew

Now for the real pro move: chartering a songthaew for a private trip. In Thai, we call this mao rot (เหมา). This is perfect for a group of friends or a family wanting to visit a specific place like Doi Suthep Temple without the hassle of a tour.

Negotiating your own private taxi for the day is empowering. Here’s how you do it:

1. Find a Driver: Look for a parked red truck, especially in the morning around the moat or near Tha Phae Gate. A parked driver is more likely to be available for a longer hire than one who is actively picking up passengers.

2. Be Clear and Prepared: Have your destination(s) clearly decided. It’s best to show them on a map or written down. Be specific about your plan: Is it a simple round trip (e.g., "Go to Doi Suthep, wait 90 minutes, come back") or a multi-stop half-day trip?

3. Negotiate the Price (The Most Important Step): This is key. ALWAYS agree on the full price before you get in the truck. The driver will give you a price. You can politely counter-offer. A fair price is one you are both happy with.

   • Price Guide: For a round trip to Doi Suthep with about 90 minutes of waiting time, a fair price to start negotiations would be around 500-700 THB for the whole truck. For a half-day charter (around 4 hours) to visit a few places in Mae Rim, you might expect to pay 800-1200 THB, depending on the distance.

4. Confirm and Go: Once you agree on the price and the plan, you’re all set! You have your own private driver for the day.

Pro Tips from a Local

• The front seat next to the driver is usually up for grabs if you’re the first one in. It offers the best views!

• Always try to have small bills (20s, 100s) to pay your fare.

• When you want to get off a shared truck, press the buzzer on the ceiling. The driver will pull over at the next safe spot.

• Don’t be afraid to share the ride. It’s a great way to meet other travelers and even get some tips.

Mastering the songthaew system is your key to unlocking the real Chiang Mai. It allows you to travel on your own terms, see the sights you want to see, and do it all with a bit of local flair.

And of course, after a long day of adventuring in your chartered songthaew to the mountains, your body will be ready for some serious recovery. Stop by one of our C&R Thai Massage locations when you get back to the city, and let our certified therapists soothe those well-traveled muscles. Happy travels!