What could be more fun than Hop aboard a Samlor for a unique and memorable day of adventures in and around Isan!

At Resotel Baan Sanook you can ride a Samlor Skylab yourself and go around surprising the locals (who do not expect foreigners in it) while exploring the vicinity. Currently we do not own a Samlor ourselves, but we rent it from family; purchase of a Samlor however is on our wishlist and soon we hope to have one permanent at our Resotel.

The “Samlor Skylab” or “Isan Tuktuk” was invented originally by Mr.Atipong end 1970’s and is the common name for an auto-rickshaw with engine-size ranging from 90 to 150 cc. The Samlor is very popular and often utilised vehicle in the NorthEastern part of Thailand, Isan.

The word “Samlor” in Thai language means “Three Wheel”. People called this three-wheeled motorized vehicle “Skylab” because it became popular rapidly among Isan people in 1979 when the first US space station, the Skylab, re-entered the earth and people referred the new Samlor as to this event.

Initially the Samlor Skylab was used by the agriculturists to transport their products to the market. Due to its excellent robust engine and lower fuel consumption (compare to other vehicles) the Samlor Skylab quickly was used for transporting passengers.

Currently Samlor Skylab is truly unique and it is embedded in the way of life for people in Isan.
You recognize them directly as they are all traditionally decorated in blue, red and yellow stripes with colourful landscapes painted on the sides.

Although we encourage you to use the Samlor for a ride, please realize it is at your own risk and take good note of below:

Available Samlor has 130cc and can easily reach speeds above 80 km/h.
• The Samlor is designed to transport goods and Thai people and not, the in average heavier, western people. Where a Samlor can transport easily 6 Thai persons and driver, please be advised that acceleration is slow when more than 2 western people are in.
• Driving a Samlor is not difficult but it feels significant different than other vehicles; make sure you practise a bit to make yourself familiar with it.
• We advise guests to limit speeds to max of 40 km/h and reduce to 20 km/h in villages.
• Guests are responsible to fill up fuel-tank and pay rent of 400 THB a day. In the unfortunate case you cause damage to the Samlor, guests are responsible for repair costs. The samlor is a heavy-duty vehicle and nobody worries about scratches or other minor issues but serious damage needs to be covered.
• A samlor does not require any registration; nor do drivers require a driving; by Thai Law anybody can ride a samlor without restrictions.
• Samlors do not have any insurance coverage. In case you cause damage to a third party, this will be solved by involved parties. However often it is possible to arrange (travel)insurance from your home country including coverage of third party damage; this depends on your home country and we recommend you to check in advance.
• Resotel Baan Sanook is not liable in case guests run into problems using the Samlor; ofcourse we do help out if required but can not accept any responisibility.