King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang on Wednesday released a prototype of Thailand’s first amphibious vehicle, which it said was built to "fight flooding".
The three-wheeled "Machanu amphibious craft" is powered by an electric engine that drives the wheels and a waterjet propulsion system. It can hold two people and is capable of a maximum speed of 18kph on land with a range of 25 kilometres on a single charge, and 5-8 km on water against the current.
It can switch immediately between road and water travel, and move forwards and backwards in both roles.
In appearance, it seems to be based on a waterski.
The vehicle, developed by the university’s faculty of engineering, is named after a half-monkey, half-fish character in the ancient epic "Ramayana".
The Machanu weighs 250 kilogrammes and is equipped with life jackets, a rope and a lifebuoy tube. It costs 200,000 baht to produce.
Suchatvee Suwansawat, dean of the engineering faculty, said the Machanu is a prototype that needs further development to increase its range.
The university plans the vehicle will have eventual use in the tourism sector and for adventure activities. It also hopes to mass produce the vehicle for sale in Asia and Europe, Mr Suchatvee said.
Photos by Somchai Poomlard