Urban Mobility Tech, which launched its MuvMi ride-hailing service four years ago, offers larger electric tuk-tuks that can carry up to six people, compared with three or four passengers for regular-sized ones. MuvMi has served 3.5 million riders.

Tuk-tuks, which resemble motorised rickshaws, offer better manoeuvrability than cars on congested streets and are the go-to option to avoid travelling on foot in Thailand’s year-round heat.

“They’re convenient for taking your child along because you don’t have to fold up the baby stroller,” a 33-year-old Japanese woman in Bangkok said.

The company now operates 350 tuk-tuks in 12 areas in Bangkok. Riders can hail rides at 1,000-plus pickup spots.

Normally, tuk-tuk drivers and passengers negotiate before settling on a fare. Such an arrangement can cause problems for people who cannot speak Thai.

But the MuvMi app displays fares based on distance, meaning that there is no need to haggle. Riders can pay by credit card in advance.

Urban Mobility Tech is also drawing customers because “its electric tuk-tuk bodies are clean, a selling point for certain customer segments”, said Kenichi Shimomura, who heads the Asia-Japan desk of German consultancy Roland Berger.

Singapore-based Grab, Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing app, is rolling out a similar tuk-tuk service on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects 25 million international visitors in 2023, an upgrade from 20 million, now that China has eased outbound travel restrictions.

The tourism industry anticipates a strong rebound from Covid-19 lows. MuvMi plans to enlarge its fleet to 1,000 tuk-tuks by the end of the year.

But MuvMi faces stiff competition from the many other transportation options, such as motorcycle taxis and songthaew converted trucks.

Motorcycle taxi drivers have staged protests against ride-hailing apps for taking away customers. Grab has said it will contribute to sustainable earnings for gig drivers.