The saga of the Sanghalei Queen . . . .
The Khao Laem lake is 50 kilmeters long and 15 wide, with
innumerable islands and inlets, and 5 major streams feeding it.
Yes, it is man-made, created by the construction of a
hydro-electric damn near Thong Pha Phum some 25 years ago
.... but it is never-the-less magnificently beautiful.
One of my first impressions of the lake was the absence of any
water-craft ... no canoes or kayaks ... no lake launches.
We are changing that. First with canoes. Kayaks are on the way.
And then there will be the Sanghalei Queen
innumerable islands and inlets, and 5 major streams feeding it.
Yes, it is man-made, created by the construction of a
hydro-electric damn near Thong Pha Phum some 25 years ago
.... but it is never-the-less magnificently beautiful.
One of my first impressions of the lake was the absence of any
water-craft ... no canoes or kayaks ... no lake launches.
We are changing that. First with canoes. Kayaks are on the way.
And then there will be the Sanghalei Queen
It took a long search ... I
scoured the waterways
around Bangkok and
Adyuthaya ... and then I
saw her ... it was love at
first site ... I knew that
this was to be the
Sanghalei Queen
scoured the waterways
around Bangkok and
Adyuthaya ... and then I
saw her ... it was love at
first site ... I knew that
this was to be the
Sanghalei Queen
She had been a rice barge on
the Phraya River .... built of
solid teak, one-and-a-half inches
thick on the hull, with wooden
pegs for fasteners .... she was
probably over a hundred years
old.
the Phraya River .... built of
solid teak, one-and-a-half inches
thick on the hull, with wooden
pegs for fasteners .... she was
probably over a hundred years
old.
I had found her at a
shipyard .... which was
equipped with a system
of railways and cable
winches .... somewhat
old-fashioned, but very
functional.
shipyard .... which was
equipped with a system
of railways and cable
winches .... somewhat
old-fashioned, but very
functional.
A big truck with a fifth
wheel and trailing
double-axle trolley
was backed up to her
wheel and trailing
double-axle trolley
was backed up to her
Finally .... on the highway,
350 kilometers to go to
Sangkhlaburi .... with a
police escort the whole
way .... and my girlfriend,
Khun Pahn to keep me
company
350 kilometers to go to
Sangkhlaburi .... with a
police escort the whole
way .... and my girlfriend,
Khun Pahn to keep me
company
Highway 323, on
the hilly stretch
near Sangkhlaburi.
the hilly stretch
near Sangkhlaburi.
We're finally at the
shop .... we made it !!
shop .... we made it !!
A couple of hydraulic
jacks, some lumber to
make supports, and
plenty of
people-power .... done
the Thai way !!
jacks, some lumber to
make supports, and
plenty of
people-power .... done
the Thai way !!
| Celebrating the Queen's unloading .... drinks all around !! |
For me and Pahn too !!
Pahn relates all about the
trip .... especially about
the police escort, who
were more worried than
our semi driver .... and
wanted more money !!
trip .... especially about
the police escort, who
were more worried than
our semi driver .... and
wanted more money !!
| But this is not the end to the saga . . . . it is only the beginning !! |
Delayed due to a temporary lack of funds . . . but the Sanghalei
Queen will soon be a gorgeous lake launch, ready to take folks
out for evening lake cruises, and more . . . maybe even regular
scheduled runs up and down the lake between Thong Pha Phum
and Sangkhlaburi
Queen will soon be a gorgeous lake launch, ready to take folks
out for evening lake cruises, and more . . . maybe even regular
scheduled runs up and down the lake between Thong Pha Phum
and Sangkhlaburi
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| Update .... October 27th, 2009 The Khao Laem lake was created without cutting down many of the trees ..... these trees still remain, now hardened by 25 years of being immersed in the lake, and pose a dark threat to boat bottoms, able to easily rip a gash in any wood hull. Sooo.... the Sanghalei Queen must be fitted with a steel plate bottom. We have re-fastened the planking, and it is time to flip her over ... it was a special day, and took all of it to complete the task !!! |
Brent loves his Queen !! And .... she's finally over !! |