Free rides are being offered on a new electric-powered passenger ferry which began operating along a 5-kilometre stretch of Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal in Bangkok on Friday.
Krungthep Thanakom, the business arm of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), officially introduced the country’s first electric passenger boat with the start of the service.
The service is free of charge and operates on a 5km route, back and forth between Hua Lamphong and Thewes piers. The boat has room for 40 passengers.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha led senior officials in taking the first trip, departing from Hua Lamphong.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang earlier said the BMA had prepared two boats - the electric boat and another with a diesel engine - for the prime minister and his large delegation.
The boat would be trialed over a one-year period, and its performance compared with the BMA's conventionally powered passenger boats, looking at their impact on the environment, such as pollution, speed and overall service, Pol Gen Aswin said.
A member of the boat staff at Krungthep Thanakom said eight passenger ferries were offering free rides along the route - one electric and seven conventionally powered. The service operates from 6am-6pm on weekdays, and 8am-6pm on weekends, at 15-minute intervals.
The electric boat and seven other conventionally powered boats now offer free rides along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
video by @Krungthep Thanakom Facebook.