| They should try the human transporter. The Segway, as it's better known, is that two-wheeled scooter you pilot by the power of your mind - or at least that's how it feels. Merely lean a little bit forward and the battery-powered device springs into action. Lean farther forwards and you're gliding along the pavement like something out of a science-fiction flick. Twist the little handlebar right or left and you're pirouetting around small children and sleeping dogs with ease. And you can't really fall off because a series of computer-controlled gyroscopes make sure you stay perfectly upright at all times - even if you've had a few too many martinis over lunch. After much ballyhoo in the United States prior to its release - it was code-named "Ginger" shrouded in secrecy and claimed to be the best thing since penicillin - sales proved disappointing, and as such, the price continues to be out of reach for most of us. Luckily, enterprising Swiss expatriate Beat Frey has a shop on Sukhumvit Soi 4 where anyone with a couple of thousand baht can ride the wave of the future around selected areas of Bangkok. We drove through the Tobacco Monopoly grounds, Benjakitti Park and some little sois, and everything we passed was lovely, but such is the novelty of the Segway experience that the surroundings don't matter. This little geeky machine offers more fun per square foot of distance travelled than any bachelor-party pub crawl. The route we took is the easiest and cheapest, since it leaves directly from the office, but there are other tours, such as the Ancient City, Lumpini Park, Chatuchak Park and even Khao San Road. Tours range from Bt1,900 to Bt3,900 for the Ancient City. If it's still all a bit rich, tootle around for 15 minutes in a lot beside the office for a mere Bt480. Although heaps of fun, the underlying idea behind a Segway is that cars are dangerous and bad for the environment and expensive to run. And most people use their cars to only travel short distances. Dean Kamen, the Segway's American inventor, imagined a future in which we would all scuttle about on these clean, fun, friendly and convenient machines instead. Of course the kind-hearted millionaire resides in a little New Hampshire town where the streets are presumably well paved and clear of obstructions. Nevertheless his invention may still have its place here. For instance, now that vehicles have been banned from the Chatuchak Weekend Market, police have been outfitted with shiny new Segways to chase down pickpockets and bag snatchers. Go ahead and try out a Segway yourself - but keep in mind that it's impossible to look cool riding one.
Call (09) 090 8199, (02) 255 8463 or (08) 9090 8199, e-mail info@thailandsegwaytours.com or visit ThailandSegwayTours.com. Oliver Benjamin Special to The Nation |
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