01 Nov Thai Street Food & Thai Tuk Tuk on Swanston Street | Tuk Tuk in Melbourne

Don’t be surprised when you walk past Ghin Khao Thai restaurant at 242 Swanston St, Melbourne to see a Thai Tuk Tuk ( รถตุ๊กตุ๊ก ) at the front door.  The Tuk Tuk brought from Thailand is now being used as the front reception counter & giving restaurant customers so much enjoyment.  What a surprise for tourists, students & city office workers when they are confronted by this Tuk Tuk as they walk in the front door!

Ghin Khao wanted to add a touch of everyday Thai life to the bustling Thai restaurant, to compliment the Thai food being served daily.  This Tuk Tuk was the perfect solution because it’s such a great reminder of the typical view of a Thai Soi (street).  Just as in Thailand, now Melbourne CBD has a Tuk Tuk together with freshly prepared Thai food.

Tuk Tuks are part of the unique fabric of Thailand, in the same way that trams are characteristically Melbourne.  Tuk Tuks are colourful, metallic, open air & due to their motor, particularly noisy.  The most common colour combination is blue & gold, which conveniently matches the colours of Ghin Khao’s logo.  That’s why the Tuk Tuk looks right at home in Swanston Street.   In Thailand, Tuk Tuks preceded other modern day transport in Bangkok such as the BTS skytrain, MRT and all of those colourful taxis.  They were originally adapted from the old-fashioned rickshaws used in earlier days by simply fitting a small engine; whereas the present day Tuk Tuk has evolved with a unique & distinctive design.

Tuk Tuks, so called because of the noise they make are an exhilarating mode of transport.  Their fares are negotiable but typically higher than a conventional taxi.  Tuk Tuks are great for short distance trips, due to their ability to “weave” amongst traffic.  To some, the open-air ride is a little too thrilling, while others consider this the “fun” of the ride!  It is recommended you take a ride at least once if you visit Thailand.

Ghin Khao’s Tuk Tuk was sourced from Bangkok because this was the best way to add an easily recognizable piece of Thailand to the shop in Melbourne.  Tuk Tuks are a favorite with visitors to Thailand from around the world, thats why you’ll find many images of Ghin Khao’s Tuk Tuk on social media.  The Tuk Tuk was shipped to Melbourne completely intact because there is no local manufacturing expertise in Melbourne, nor is there a local supply of authentic spare parts.  The manufacturer of the Tuk Tuk, from Bangkae in Bangkok, is well-known and exports Tuk Tuks to more than 30 countries around the world including Europe, Africa & Australia.  In Thailand, there are only five or six Tuk Tuk factories.

The side section of the Tuk Tuk was converted into a reception counter so that it could be an operating part of the Thai restaurant.  This was essential because the shop on Swanston Street is so narrow.  The front of the Tuk Tuk facing onto Swanston Street is in its original form.  Paying your bill at the end of the meal feels just like your standing beside the Tuk Tuk in Thailand paying the driver at your destination after an exciting ride.  The photo here shows a rear wheel at the counter side and the decorative stainless-steel hand rails found on all Tuk Tuks in Thailand.

Tuk Tuks are everywhere throughout Thailand, as are street food vendors serving up vibrantly delicious Thai food.  Typically, when you are enjoying street food in Bangkok in the make-shift dining area’s set up on Bangkok streets at dusk, it’s not uncommon that a Tuk Tuk may drive amongst the dining tables within reach of your meal!

Ghin Khao’s Tuk Tuk reminds Melbourne diners who have been to Thailand of their great experiences including the world famous Thai food they enjoyed, it also gives those who are yet to visit Thailand a glimpse of the excitement yet to be had.  All right in the heart of Melbourne CBD.

Ghin Khao Thai Food

242 Swanston Street

Melbourne, VIC 3000

Tel 03 9663 3345

Open daily 10.30 am to 10 pm, Friday until 11 pm