The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta) has joined nine organisations in launching electric long-tail boats powered by solar cells to serve tourists along the Damnoen Saduak canal in Ratchaburi next month.
The green initiative aims to be a role model for other floating markets, according to Dasta director, Gp Capt Athikun Kongmee.
The boats, as requested by locals, were developed by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). The authority will build a total of 25 long-tail boats costing up to 250,000 baht each over the next five years. The first five vessels will be delivered in January, according to PEA deputy governor Panumart Limsuwan.
The boats will be used for tourism on the canal and will help reduce noise pollution and carbon emissions, a local official said.