Tow Truck (Wrecker)
Thai: รถลาก / รถยก
A tow truck is a specialised vehicle that moves disabled, crashed or impounded cars. In Thailand the three common types are wheel-lift, flatbed (Slide Car) and integrated heavy wrecker.
In detail
Tow trucks in Thailand fall into three categories: 1) Wheel-lift — fast and cheap, only suitable for standard RWD sedans over short distances; 2) Flatbed / Slide Car — the safest and most common, mandatory for EVs, AWD, luxury and low cars; 3) Heavy-duty integrated wrecker — for buses, trucks, construction equipment. English-speaking dispatchers are available 24/7 in major tourist cities.
Related terms
Ready to call? English dispatch 24/7.
More glossary terms
A Slide Car is a hydraulic flatbed tow truck that loads your entire vehicle onto the platform — no wheels touching the ground. It is the safest option for EVs, AWD, luxury and low-clearance cars in Thailand.
EVs in Thailand (Tesla, BYD, MG, Ora, Neta) must be moved by flatbed (Slide Car) only. Wheel-lift towing damages the electric drive unit and voids the manufacturer warranty.
Roadside assistance is an on-site fix that gets you moving without a tow: jump-start, tyre change, lockout, fuel delivery or minor mechanical help. Typical Bangkok ETA is 20–40 minutes.
Flatbed (Slide Car) loads all four wheels onto the platform — safest for EVs, AWD, luxury and low cars. Wheel-lift hoists only two wheels — cheaper, but risks drivetrain damage on AWD and EVs.
A jump-start uses a booster pack or a healthy car to crank a dead battery. Typical fix time in Thailand is 10 minutes; if the alternator is dead the car will die again within minutes.
For a punctured tyre, roadside operators in Thailand can mount your spare, inflate a slow leak, or transport the car to a tyre shop if the rim is bent or the tyre is shredded.
ภาษาไทย: ดูคำศัพท์เป็นภาษาไทย