Exploring Bangkok by Water with Mr. Tai and His Electric Boats
One of our newest community partners is changing life in Bangkok one electric boat ride at a time.
In the heart of Bangkok, a city bustling with street markets, temples, and canals, an innovative local named Mr. Tai is leading a quiet revolution in sustainable tourism.
Seeing Bangkok from the water is an absolute must. The canals are an attractive, vibrant way to explore this bustling city. After three decades of sailing the open seas, Mr. Tai discovered the noiseless allure of exploring Bangkok's canals by electric-powered boat. The experience left such an impression that, within days, he purchased two boats and set to work converting them into electric vessels. Since their first launch three years ago, they have run entirely on solar power, requiring no fossil fuels. The boats, too, are quite unique. They are vintage wooden water taxis, throwbacks to an earlier era preserved with love and care—long, low to the water, and with a covered passenger area. These boats have long been an integral part of life on the river.
What I enjoy most with the electric boats is the quiet, it’s like the tranquility of sailing. Being out on the water with no engine noise allows me to appreciate the surroundings deeply, and I want others to experience it, too.
Mr. Tai's boats are met with curiosity and admiration from other boat operators who still use traditional engines or even the repurposed car engines that are mounted on long-tail boats, noting "they are impressed with just how quiet the boats are, how I am saving money each day by not having to buy fuel." The typical engines are powered by either gasoline or diesel. Besides being loud, these engines can release powerful emissions and exhaust fumes that contribute to air and water pollution.
My ultimate goals are to promote sustainable boat trips with zero pollution in the river and in the very air we breathe by turning to clean renewable solar power and preserve the Thai vintage wooden boat in Bangkok, which has been part of the city since the beginning.
Take the Tour
Mr. Tai's tours include the Wat Kalayanamit, a prominent temple along the Chao Phraya River. From here, the route enters the serene Bangkok Yai Canal, where travelers can glimpse Wat Paknam Pasrichareon's towering Buddha statue as the boat glides. Then, it turns left into Kong Dan, ultimately stopping at Wat Ratchaorosaram, a unique temple showcasing architectural styles from the reign of King Rama III, blending traditional Thai and Chinese influences. Finally, every tour stops for an optional meal at Ban Poomjai Garden Cafe & Restaurant, a beautiful cafe with excellent authentic Thai cuisine, located right next to the century-old Lychee Garden. With this diverse route, Mr. Tai's tour isn't just about sightseeing; it's about immersing oneself in Bangkok's culture and history and feeling the unique energy of these most vibrant cities.
The best of all worlds
Eat Michelin-quality street food, see 8,000 lb elephants up close, and cruise through island-speckled waters in the new It destination.
