On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:59:45 -0700 (PDT), imagineero
wrote:

Hi Bruce, or anyone else who might have some comments?
I'm going to thailand in 3 or 4 weeks and was interested in buying a
(probably second hand) long tail boat. Has anyone had experience with
this? I've heard all different types of stories about how there is no
title on boats in thailand, that its likely to be a legal problem,
that you cant register it in thailand even if you do buy it (at least,
not in your own name) etc etc....

I'd be interested in hearing opinions from anyone who has had
experience with this.... From what I've read, these boats can be had
for under $1,000 second hand with motors. Is a license of some kind
required? are the boats generally registered? are they pretty
seaworthy?

I had considered either buying one and motoring up the river or around
the island for a month or two, probably modifying it a little to have
a canopy and bed with mosquito netting in one area. Another idea
(though probably unlikely) was to buy 2, and build a bridgedeck
joining them for a cheap cat. Have seen a couple for sale owned by
foreigners at ridiculous prices, also read the story about the
foreigner who got punched out just for owning a long tail boat.
apparently local operators thought he was stealing their business?

Any and all advice much appreciated!

Best Regards,
Shaun


A lot of questions.

O.K., first of all there isn't such a thing as a "long tail boat".
There are various boats that have been fitted with a "long tail motor"
but the boats themselves vary considerably. A boat built to fish off
shore in S.W. Thailand is a different boat then a boat that is built
to carry passengers on the Chao Paya River.

Next point, long tail motors range from a single cylinder, 4 stroke,
3.5 H.P. air cooled engine to (a friend swears this is true) a small
block chevy V-8. A very common engine would be a single cylinder,
water cooled, diesel engine with a hand crank start.

Your ideas sound like a say 18 ft. wood fishing boat with a top.
Fairly common.

There isn't a "title" on boats in Thailand as such. There is a
registration, with the Harbor Master's Office, for boats above a
certain size but as far as I know not for smaller boats. At least I
don't think there is.

There is no legal reason that you can't own a boat in Thailand (I own
one). There might be a problem if it was necessary to register one as
it is doubtful that you will have some of the necessary paperwork
unless you are a resident here.

I rather doubt that you would get "punched out" for simply having a
boat. If you were to motor into a tourist spot and proceed to act as
though you were planning on carrying tourists I'm fairly sure one of
the other boat operators would say something but I doubt the first act
would be to hit you.

Just sitting here your figure of US$ 1,000 sounds cheap. That would be
about 34,000 baht which doesn't sound like a lot of money for a boat
and motor.

I'm sure that you can buy a used boat and motor but think about it for
a moment. Boats of this sort are work boats and are owned by someone
who uses them to make a living. Why would he want to sell it? It is
old and full of worm holes? The frigging motor won't start half the
time? This foolish foreigner came along and will give me enough to buy
a new boat and motor and a new gold chain for my sweety?

I'm in Bangkok at the moment and I really have no idea what a boat
would cost, or a motor. If you get to the point where you are serious
about the scheme let me know and I can get some sort of quotation for
you. I'll either be back in Phuket by that time or I can call someone.

One final thing. If you go putt-putting around the islands you
probably will be in areas where nobody speaks English. Generally you
will find the people friendly and willing to be helpful.... if you can
just talk to them.


Cheers,

Bruce in Bangkok
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)