Chiff and Fipple Forums

I've been interested in this type of Thai workaday vessel for ages. But I can't find what it's called (much less any other info such as construction, etc.) no matter how much I search; I find everything but. Best I can tell from my searches, it doesn't qualify as a sampan, and if I search "sampan" this particular design doesn't show up; despite a superficial resemblance it looks like something else entirely. Anyone have the goods on this?

TIA.

Thai fighter?

All it gets called is "boat" in English-language articles. It's a commonplace vessel in its environment, nothing rare and obscure. I can find info on any other watercraft but this one. Sometimes the 'net is a huge disappointment.

What the photo doesn't show is that both ends are identically constructed. Presumably there is no designated bow or stern per se.

I don't know the proper name for that particular design. But around here those local flat bottomed boats are called Jon boats or a punt boat.

My quick search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=wooden+ ... 33&bih=583

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(boat)

It does look a bit like a punt, but I don't think it is. If it was, he'd be stood up, punting. With a pole.

Not the Thai name you presumably seek, but try https://www.google.com/search?q=thai+market+boat?

Yeah, I'll have to punt on this one...

But "Reụ̄x tlād" is, I think... Thai for market boat.
เรือ ตลาด

benhall.1 wrote:It does look a bit like a punt, but I don't think it is. If it was, he'd be stood up, punting. With a pole.

That's sort of close to what I was wondering: if the planky bits sticking out were used for [dis]embarking or what else.

Peter Duggan wrote:Not the Thai name you presumably seek...

That is correct, sir. It would totally narrow my search. Or, judging by my successes so far, not.

Peter Duggan wrote:...but try https://www.google.com/search?q=thai+market+boat?

It's as good a direction as any I've tried. Maybe I'll find it there.

... In other news, I found out that my cat likes spanakopita. I never would have guessed.

Coffee wrote:เรือ ตลาด

Well, at least Google understands it...
https://www.google.com/search?q=%E0%B9% ... 4&tbm=isch

Thing is, for a search in English you'd need the Romanised approximation, because just as in English, Thai orthography frequently doesn't match its pronunciation. Case in point: Sriracha. You don't pronounce the first R. Or the name Shinawatra: you don't pronounce the "ra". And it gets worse.

Maybe I'll just have to go to a Thai restaurant. It seems to be my last resource. But how embarrassing to go there (and eat, of course) and then whip out a pic, asking what it was called. Among customers I would be nominated Tool of the Year.

Nanohedron wrote:Maybe I'll just have to go to a Thai restaurant. It seems to be my last resource. But how embarrassing to go there (and eat, of course) and then whip out a pic, asking what it was called. Among customers I would be nominated Tool of the Year.

Bet they look at you gone off and tell you it's a boat.

Yep. Or I'd get a frosty, "Dude. I'm from Illinois."

So you go to Joy's Pattaya Thai Restaurant*, ask a person that looks to be Thai and hopefully knows the region and they say XXXXXXX. And then you get to try to spell it correctly. Hope there is a translation for it, etc.

*On's kitchen is probably closer to you (order the king's favorite dish there, not what you'd expect)

Post your question to the Wooden Boat Forum (forum.woodenboat.com). You'll have to sign up (free), but there are builders from around the world (including SE Asia), that can tell you the name, history, and point you toward plans. There's even a Bilge forum (off topic and such) that makes the C&F PROCT forum look like an English society tea party.

dave boling