Thai 'tuk-tuk' to circle the world

Thai 'tuk-tuk' to circle the world

BANGKOK (AFP): A Thai tuk-tuk, a traditional three-wheeled taxi, will make a year-long journey around the world, travel industry sources said.

"Tuk-Tuk Around the World," a year-long journey to be undertaken from Bangkok to Miami, USA, was launched on Monday, Thailand's tourism authority said in a statement.

The tuk-tuk, which will be driven by 36-year-old Belgian Axel Ewbank, will start in Thailand and then will travel through China and Russia, promoting Thailand's culture and travel industry along the way.

The three-wheeler will be transported by boat to Alaska and then will be driven from Alaska across North America to Miami, arriving in Miami on Sept. 5, 2001, the tourism authority said.

Ewbank will post updates about his tuk-tuk adventure every week on a webpage attached to the tourism authority's page.

Tuk-tuks remain among the most popular forms of public transport in Thailand, especially in areas outside Bangkok.