Fifteen backpackers arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, excited for their journey and anxious to try their hand at driving a tuk tuk, their new home on wheels. Learning to drive the unsteady three-wheelers is daunting, but before anyone even has a chance to get in the driver's seat, disaster strikes. Eden gets handcuffed by the Thai Police on Bangkok's infamous Khao San Road. Unless the group can come up with his bail money, they will lose a team member before the trip has even started.
Bangkok's traffic is no joke. Tensions are running high and the teams explode when Team Kitty pulls off to the side of the road, thinking Graeme is unsafe and refuse to drive with him. Team Reindeer breaks down with no way to communicate, and the Misfit girls drive in the wrong direction, completely separated. It's going to take more patience if they want to finish the journey.
Despite a late night arrival, the group is up early. As everyone is preparing to get on the road, Team Bazooka decides to get last minute supplies but Liz nearly crashes the tuk tuk. Veronica, terrified of her teammate's driving, seeks refuge with another team. Little does she know, it's her new driver Chris's first time driving a manual transmission. Team Kitty, living up to their new nickname 'Drama Tuk', continues to have issues and as soon as everything seems to be going smoothly, the tuk tuks hit their first traffic jam. The testosterone driven Teams Reindeer and Frozzie pull ahead leaving everyone else to find their own way.
Team Reindeer pushed their tuk tuk to its limits the night before. They luckily find a mechanic but it soon becomes obvious the repairs will take all day, forcing them to stay in the small town of Khon Kaen for another night. By nightfall the Reindeer boys have a new clutch and everyone decides to celebrate with a night on the town. The teams make a spectacular entrance at a local beer garden, which they quickly overrun leaving the local Thais wondering what just happened. Back at the hotel, an alcohol fuelled duel over Swedish Karin risks breaking up Gui and Phil's decade old friendship.
After a full day of repairs, Team Reindeer's tuk tuk is ready to roll. However, with Stef at the helm they only manage to 'roll' about 500m before it breaks down once again. Phil blames the breakdown on Stef's poor driving. Their incessant bickering wears on Gui's patience as he attempts to fix their plagued three-wheeler by himself. The rest of the pack decides to push forward until Team Frozzie's recklessness nearly causes an accident.
Eden and Stef wake up next to Ellie and Sarah wondering if it's love or just a drunken hook up. Meanwhile, the teams shake off their hangovers excited at the prospect of their first border crossing.
The teams reluctantly leave Team Bazooka behind to attempt plan B - to cross at a different border.
Team Bazooka has a rough morning as Veronica and the mechanic get into a screaming match about the bill.
Team Bazooka has been on their own for days and the blow up between Veronica and Liz has taken its toll on the team's camaraderie. There is still a long journey ahead of them and if they want to continue. Meanwhile, miles away and carefree on the island of Don Det, the rest of the group is tubing down the Mekong River completely removed from the worries and stress of the tuk tuks. The ultimate question is what will Bazooka decide and how will it impact the remainder of the trip?
No one wants to leave idyllic Don Det, especially for the dust and noise of the open aired tuk tuks, but the journey must go on and Cambodia's Angkor Wat is a good incentive. Team Bazooka, now tuk tukless, is relying on the kindness of the other teams to 'adopt' them. Liz does herself no favours by oversleeping, forcing everyone to wait. The late start means the teams have little time to make the border before it closes. Out of nowhere the seemingly impervious Frozzies blow a tire. With the clock counting down Team Reindeer leaves them to their problems and tries to make it to the border in time.
The teams are getting used to being denied. As the producer attempts to solve the border-crossing dilemma, the group sets off to explore their temporary home. This includes swimming in one of the world's largest waterfalls, a few 'Eden haircuts' and naturally a few drinks. With the producer still not back, it's party time. Veronica's reappearance after days of separation is drawing some attention from the boys.
Despite the uncertainty, the teams finally cross into Cambodia. Everyone is excited to reach the temples of Angkor, but there are a few who are worried about driving on the dirt roads that lead to the way there. Thankfully the roads to their first stop are paved. In typical fashion the group breaks into their 'shock and awe' song and dance performance to a crowd of bewildered local bystanders. The celebration grinds to a halt when Graeme realises he's missing his wallet and passport. Will this be the end of the road for him?
The road to Angkor Wat is the most epic and dangerous drive of the journey. Between them and the temples lie a river, 250 km dirt roads and no gas stations. Somewhere in the dust cloud Team Misfit breaks down and is left behind, which may be a blessing in disguise. The rest of the group moves forward not realising that driving in complete darkness may not be the best idea on Cambodia's most deadly road.
The journey seems worth it as the teams are reunited at the epic temples of Angkor Wat, one of the most beautiful locations in South East Asia. Sarah finds out Stef isn't the gentleman she thought he was. The group is too busy celebrating at Angkor What Bar to notice the relationship drama. Hangovers, hurt feelings and more tuk tuk problems emerge as they try to depart the next day. With only two days until the Full Moon Party everyone begins questioning whether they can actually make it.
The teams' high hopes of getting on the road to cross back into Thailand are dashed as one by one the tuk tuks break down. Some teams pack their tuk tuks on the back of pick up trucks to get to the border while the more creative come up with solutions for their ailing vehicles. Tired and exhausted all of the teams finally make it to the border. Their only solace is that their Thai tuk tuk will hopefully be fixed properly once in Thailand the next day, it's at least enough hope to keep their spirits up.
The decision everyone knew was coming is finally made: it is impossible for the gang to reach the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.