The original Vespa scooter has always been a popular style icon, but on the busy streets of Bangkok they serve a utilitarian purpose amid the Thai capital’s traffic maze. For the delivery workers, they are ideal for transporting heavy items through the narrow streets of the densely populated city.

Eschewing the newer Japanese or even Italian models, the shaft-drive system of the older Vespa allows for greater stability and longer overall life. Regular maintenance and expensive parts can make the upkeep of over 30-year-old scooters costly. Still, in Thailand the Vespa thrives for its substance.

Florence Looi reports from Bangkok.