Truck Loads Of Fun: Why Are Pickup Trucks So Popular In Thailand?

40% of vehicle sales in Thailand are pickup trucks. That speaks volumes and we are here to investigate why trucks are so well regarded in the Land of Smiles. Imagine 2 Toyota Hiluxes passing by for every Fortuner that you identify. And Fortuners are already a dime a dozen. That’s pretty much the scenery you get while driving even through the narrow sois of Bangkok, let alone the vast terrains of Khao Yai. Unlike in Singapore where a different class of license (Class 4) is required to pilot larger, heftier vehicles, there is no such differentiation in Thailand.

Surrounded by gravel, and trucks that feel right at home...

It is common to identify ladies driving an Isuzu D-Max, or a stall vendor trotting along in a Ford Ranger. It's quite tempting to delve into the subject of trucks having spent some time reading about Dakar and Gazoo Racing’s mad Hilux T1+ that recently graced (or grazed if we may) the lawn of Goodwood at the Festival of Speed. I mean, a Ford Ranger Raptor with its oversized fenders does look more than eager to attack the terrains of Northern Thailand.

Google Maps indicating only 5 minutes to our destination. Wade a minute...

Perhaps one of the most important factors will also be the price point - most trucks can be had at a relatively accessible price of half a million Baht. A stripped-out Toyota Yaris costs 10% more, but you get less metal, a way less potent engine and less practicality for sure. If you are aiming for more goodies, you’re looking to land on top-spec Altis territory, which is clearly a big sum to offload for a truck.. But these trucks often deliver big performance from turbocharged diesel motors churning 500Nm - a massive figure even in this electric age.

Aren't trucks supposed to be functional? Who are we kidding...

Ah, we are also not avoiding the fact that the rainy season is serious stuff in Thailand. Floods are extremely common - in some sois with poor drainage, it takes only 5 minutes of constant downpour to form at least half a wheel / shin-deep height of flood. I find myself checking out heights and angles of exhaust pipes more often than before, and having been in near-miss encounters, trucks are certainly the tool of choice to get you out of sticky situations.

Perfect 2-vehicle garage? Quite possibly so...

Should I consider a truck in the future? This thought would not even linger in my wildest dreams a couple of years ago, but I surely have a newfound respect for them now. Their functionality and ruggedness are built for all types of terrains, rain or shine. A base-spec single-cabin Hilux with 420Nm of diesel thrust paired with a 6-speed manual can be had for Toyota Yaris money - surely that’s a tempting step towards truck ownership? The murky skies out of my window right now could very well be a clear indicator…