Houtong Patrol Boats: An Intelligent Innovation By Marine Police

'Houtong' patrol boat: an intelligent innovation by marine police

Traditional ‘Houtong’ boats, widely used by villagers in the south of Thailand, have been cleverly adapted as patrol boats by marine police in Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province--given their modest size, minimal maintenance costs and low fuel consumption.

The local long-tail boats, widely known as 'Houtong' and commonly used on the southern coast, are small in size with a shallow draft. The boats have been adapted so well that they do not create high waves to bother fishermen in the sea and they can swiftly approach illegal fishing boats near the coastline.

Pol Maj Manop Meesang, who spearheaded the invention, said insufficient government budget and personnel compelled marine police in Bang Saphan to adjust their patrol equipment. 'Houtong' long-tail boats were eventually adapted into patrol boats with financial donations from local officials and residents.

Compared to other patrol boats, Houtong boats are more efficient as their fuel consumption is ten times less, thus helping the marine police reduce overhead.

A typical patrol boat consumes 80 litres of gasoline for 12 miles or one hour, while a Houtong boat can run for 960 miles or 80 hours with the same amount of gasoline.

“A Houtong boat consumes less fuel when used as patrol boat, and we use a Honda motor, with spare parts available in the market. The maintenance cost is also low," Maj Manop said.

"The disadvantages of a normal patrol boat is that it is a deep-draft vessel, needs more personnel to control it and cannot inspect small vessels like squid-trapping boats, while a Houtong boat can infiltrate local boats everywhere.”

He explained that this kind of patrol craft covers 120 km daily, covering Thai territorial waters of four districts of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The mission helps create relief and security sentiments among local villagers.

“We feel better because the marine police cooperate well with us when we are in trouble. They are very friendly and we can just tell them the problems we encounter,” said a local fisherman.

The Houtong patrol boat is the pride of Bang Saphan Marine Police Station and its success story become a valued model that the Royal Thai Police is willing to introduce in other parts of the country.

-- TNA 2009-09-30