Long-tail boats draw tourists to southern Thailand | CNN

Local workhorse —

Riding the waves at a top speed of around 15 knots, long-tail boats can carry up to 20 passengers. Not a luxurious mode of transport, they're still seaworthy and give a surprisingly smooth ride, even in rough weather.

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Agricultural design —

While long-tail boats of all descriptions ply the waters of the Andaman Sea today, they share one common characteristic -- a propeller fixed to the end of a long pole, driven by a huge, noisy engine (typically transplanted from some kind of agricultural or four wheel drive vehicle). This "tail," lifted and lowered by a strong-armed boatman, propels and steers the craft.

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Down at the yard —

Krong Rua village lies at the heart of Krabi's long-tail boat building industry. Here, about 30 kilometers southeast of Krabi Town, small teams labor in palm-fringed, goat-filled yards and impromptu workshops. Away from the Andaman's tourist-filled beaches and bustling harbors, their handiwork is seen by few but used by thousands each day.

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Master craftsman —

Bundit Kunpoh has a reputation for producing some of the finest long-tails in the Krabi region. "I started learning to make boats from my father when I was 10 years old," he says. "I took a bachelor's degree in community development in Phuket but decided I wanted to use the skills he gave me to keep the traditional boat-building industry alive. Seeing my finished work on the water makes me proud. Proud to be my father's son and proud to be Thai."

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Time-honored design —

Across Southeast Asia, traditional boat building can be traced back to the days when Arabian and Indian merchants would ply the region's coastal waters. The building process usually begins with the keel, followed by the bow, the stern and then the outer planks. This framework is held together by string and wire, before the "ribs" of the boat are added last. Everything is then fixed together with nails, nuts, bolts and epoxy glue.

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Wooden wonder —

A boat such as this will typically take up to two months to build if worked on by three or four people. When it comes to long-tail construction the hardwoods of choice are merawan and meranti.

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'We don't make mistakes' —

Today all long-tails are still constructed from wood, by hand. Skills are learned largely on the job. "Nobody here uses plans," explains 55-year-old Bang Bao, owner of the largest yard in Krong Rua. "Everything is done by eye. My father taught me everything I know. Plans are not really much use when most people can't read. We don't make many mistakes, but if we do, they're always fixable."

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Finishing touches —

The last step in long-tail construction is caulking, which makes the seams watertight. "This is usually done by soaking cotton string in the resin of the breadfruit tree and then driving it into the seams," explains Chulabhong Srisawasdi. "The boat is then varnished or painted and it's ready to take to the water."

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Family business —

Bundit Kunpoh currently gives lessons in woodcraft to his younger sister and three cousins, all of whom are training to be builders themselves. Apprenticeships typically last three to four years.

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Double act —

In and around Krabi, tourism and fishing are two industries that often intersect. "Using their long-tails fishermen will often carry tourists out on fishing trips, or between the mainland and various islands if they aren't catching much," explains Chulabhong Srisawasdi. "And when they do have a good catch the fish often ends up on the table of the tourist. As a tool the long-tail supports many local livelihoods."

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Spiritual satisfaction —

Most of the long-tails in Krabi have prows adorned with colored sashes and lotus flowers. While the particular combination of colors on each boat are the choice of the owner, the decoration is intended to pay respect to Mae Ya Nang, a female spirit said to live in the body of the boat. "Thai fishermen call Mae Ya Nang the 'Grandmother of Boats'," explains Chulabhong Srisawasdi.

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Boating bliss —

The Andaman Sea off Krabi is a huge aquatic playground. While numerous companies offer tours to famous sunbathing and snorkeling hangouts, those who charter their own long-tail get to choose when and where to drop anchor, guaranteeing seclusion and an undisturbed marine environment.

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Cultured craft: Krabi's long-tail boat builders

CNN —

Today there’s hardly a postcard of southern Thailand’s Andaman coast that doesn’t feature a long-tail boat – or “rua hang yao” in Thai.

They’re seen either moored on some idyllic beach of powdery sand, or powering through the turquoise sea with a foaming arc of water thrown up behind.

Somewhat grandiosely known as “the gondolas of the south” by many Thais, these classic vessels come in various shapes and sizes, but are united by one common feature.

They all have a propeller attached to the end of a long pole.

Koh Phayam – like Thailand in the 1970s

Caves and passageways

Today long-tail boats can be found on numerous Thai waterways, from the floating markets and canals of Bangkok to the estuaries and deltas of the Gulf of Thailand.

Yet the majority work in and around the resorts of Krabi and Phuket on the Andaman coast, where they play a major role in ferrying tourists and supplies, as well as carrying local fishermen to their daily fishing grounds.

With their narrow profile and negligible draft, long-tail boats are ideal for navigating the shallow bays, creeks, caves and passageways of Krabi’s picturesque marine environment.

Chances are, anyone visiting the Andaman coast will ride one of these distinctive craft.

Phuket: Insider Travel Guide

Daniel Allen is a journalist and photographer based in London and St. Petersburg