THE majority of the inshore and near-shore vessels under 30 metres in Thailand's fleet continue to be built using the wood-working skills honed over centuries using trees from the country's hardwood forests.

This wood supply continues to support an extensive wooden boatbuilding infrastructure in Thailand where it is only the vessels over 30 metres long that are built of steel.

As is the case in much of the world, old growth teak is virtually logged out, but a number of very fine hardwoods remain in reasonable supply. Also, the Thai government has instituted an extensive reforesting program that promises more legendary teak in future.

However, concern is being expressed by shipwrights that the tree plantation with their managed trees are producing faster-growing trees lacking the tight grain of the old growth.

A number of sawmills specialise in providing edge grain planking for marine use. Most planking is ta kian thong or golden ta kian, a wood with very similar properties to teak but having a specific gravity of .8 compared to teak's .642.

Bending and stiffness properties of the two woods are comparable, although the durability of ta kian is rated at only 7.7 years on average in tropical climes compared to teak's 16-year average life expectancy. However, many boats built of both these woods continue to provide sound service well beyond these life projections.

The air-dried ta kian has a moisture content of about 12%. The humid atmosphere combines with this to make a steam box unnecessary and 2 in. thick planks are bent after scorching them directly over a fire of coconut shells.

Typical of the classic ta kian-planked boats being constructed is the 24 metre F/V S. Sriudom being built on the shores of the Mae Klong (Mother River) by Taweechai Shipyard. Delivered in late November last year, the boat was built in just five months by master shipwright Praphan Noichalerm and his crew of ten builders.

The boat - with a sevenmetre beam - can carry up to 30 tons of fish in nine insulated holds. Her trawl gear is hauled over stainless steel sheathed bulwarks on the starboard side with the aid of a single hydraulic deck winch, while her trawl doors are stowed aft.

Very basic accommodation is provided for up to 30 crew in the boat's aft deckhouse.

The spartan nature of the accommodation is relieved by the quality joinery and fine finish to the interior woodwork.

Skipper and crew accommodation is located on the upper deck, with the main deck space reserved for the engineer's accommodation and stores.

A 600 hp six-cylinder Cummins KTA19 diesel mounted in the hull aft provides the trawler's towing power and the engine is coupled to a Twin Disc gear.

This addition to his fleet brings up to five the owner's fishing vessels powered by Cummins diesels.

Auxiliary power includes a pair of 10 kW generator sets and there is a third auxiliary to drive the vessel's hydraulics.

As in much of south-east Asia, there is a continuing affinity for wood construction powered by quality marine engines. Thai fishermen share this with fellow fishermen in the Seattlebased wooden halibut longline schooners, the sardine seiners of Peniche, Portugal, and countless other fishermen around the world who insist on a tradition of quality.

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Wood building skills survive in Thailand