7 Symbols on Thai Vehicles: What They Mean?

When one comes to Thailand, he quickly notices a system of symbols on Thai trucks, pickups and motorcycles. Usualy it’s stickers, because a sticker is a modern, cheap and quick way to put some information on a vehicle. It’s an Asian way also, because of well developed production. Sometimes, it’s authentic old style paintings and hammering, seometime – aerography. So, I’ll try to explain the meaning of several pictures and symbols.

1. Frank Serpico, an Al Pacino’s character from the same named movie

Firstly, we noticed Serpico on Thai trucks’ mud fenders. The picture was partially covered by mud or dust, so we thought it was Jesus Christ. But later we saw glasses in his hair and was confused – Jesus with glasses? Lately, we learned it’s Serpico – the character who fought with corrupted traffic police. Because of his actions, Thai truck drivers respect him and use his images as amulets to prevent illegal requisitions from traffic policemans. You can easily find his image on stickers and stick it to your scooter or pickup.

2. A rescue guy who carries a lifeless girl body

The picture is drawn in funny comic style, so I thought it’s just some Thai comics characters. Unexpectedly, they are not – JoeB in his “Letters from Thailand” explained meaning of these stickers. It is the logo of one of Thai volunteer road rescue Foundations!!! So, guys with stickers on their vehicles want to get a bit of respect for their volunteering.

3. Thai King and King’s symbols

Thais greatly respect everything related to Thai King, his family and his symbols. They believe King cares about Thai nation and protects them. So, that is why King’s pictures and symbols are best amulets! Long Live the King!

4. Strange white hieroglyphic drawings

Also, Thais belive in Buddhism and respect monks. It’s strange, but instead of asking monks to give advice on how to follow the way of Buddha, lay people bring generous donations to temples and ask monks to put some defending drawings on their shops, houses and, of course, pickups and motorbikes.

5. Bullet hole

I wrote about it before – it’s just a funny patch covering ugly scratches and holes from accidents past.

6. Naked Woman

Nobody knows what this sticker means. It is drawn in same style as “a rescue guy with a body”. We can guess only, maybe, it’s a next scene of a story of relations of a rescue guy and a saved woman?

7. Shield and sword

Originally, it’s a Thai Police symbol. Once some guy on motorbike came to me, and when I waited for green light, he saluted me and with sign language asked me several things about my driving. The guy was dressed in civilian clothes, he didn’t showed any documents, what he had was only this sticker. I’m not sure was he a real policeman or not, you can easily buy this sticker at a local market.

Some photos are from Greg to differ, Letters from Thailand, Thailand Life blogs, Motorcycle tours thailand and Thaivisa.com forum.

Check out other interesting posts

• How to repair a scratched motorbike body (an Asian cheap way)
  
• Bankok Taxis’ Ecosystem: Forests of Amulets and Fields of Silly Toys
  
• 40 Various Tuk-Tuks from All Thailand: the Unofficial Emblem of Country
  
• Tough Thai Dude
  
• Stupid tunings #1: cut number plates to make their shapes attractive
  

4 Responses to “7 Symbols on Thai Vehicles: What They Mean?”

1. Tim says:

   July 7, 2009 at 8:04 am

   6. Naked Woman

   well… is she taking her underwear off or putting them back on? i like to think it’s a symbol telling women “you don’t have to take your clothes off to have a good time”

   so, is the glass half full or half empty. only you can decide……

   Reply
   • samlowry says:

     July 7, 2009 at 9:48 am

     Hey, Tim!

     Is it important is she dressing or undressing? BTW – I wrote several PMs on Thaivisa, but you didn’t answered.

     Reply
2. Tim says:

   July 11, 2009 at 12:40 pm

   i answered both your PMs and, you told me to email you, which i also did i’ll resend. Love this site, well done.

   Reply
3. whoopla says:

   August 10, 2009 at 3:38 am

   Actually the volunteer carrying the woman is a uniformed rapist who has fed his victim rohpinol. And no, she doesnt remove her undies voluntarily or conciously.

   Reply