Post 362: Amphibious Automotive Invention ...

Bangkok Floods 2011 ....

Floods can be depressing. So ignoring for a moment the death and devastation that the Bangkok floods have caused ........ here's a little proof that necessity truly is the mother of invention ....

As the waters flooded into the northern districts of Bangkok: Pathum Thani, Rangsit, Don Meuang, Lak Si, Changwattana etc., the people made rudimentary modifications to their vehicles. Plumbing pipe to create new air intakes and hose pipes for exhaust outlets. Provided that you can maintain a spark, keep water out of the fuel system, allow air to enter and exhaust gases to escape, then an engine should still work .... that's the theory. Well, at first I scoffed, ..... but now the jokes on me ... because it works.

For the first few days of the flood, local residents and taxi-Bikes continued to operate as normal ... but 'Normal' in an Asian way .... an inventive 'Make Do' kind of attitude that still exists in a society that hasn't forgotten how to use a tool kit at home. But then the waters rose and once a vehicle achieves neutral to positive 'Bouyancy' ..... the home-fix modifications became useless. At this point in time, 'We' would probably give up and admit defeat ... but 'We' are not Thai. If a Thai doesn't work then a Thai doesn't get paid .... and if a Thai doesn't get paid then a Thai doesn't eat. Hunger is a great motivator .... that thankfully 'We' have never experienced ....

So .... when the only vehicle you have is a Car or Scooter ... and the vehicle that you need is a Boat ... it's time to improvise. The Isuzu DMax is the normal mode of transport for most rural Thais' ... but will eight oil drums provide enough buoyancy to turn this metal beast into a boat? .... Who knows? ... It's probably a bad idea who's time has come ..... but 6/10 for effort and ingenuity.

Slightly lighter than an Isuzu DMax, the Scooter is possibly an easy conversion. Here, six oil drums should allow the scooter to float and mini paddles attached to the wheel spokes will provide drive. Steering might be an issue though. All in all ..... it's a well deserved 8/10

Taking the mechanical high ground .. this effort really hits the mark. If you want to raise the air intake and exhaust outlet above the level of the flood water ...... building an extra storey into your scooter is something that I would never have thought about ... but then I am 'We' and 'We' are not Thai. I have no idea how the new elevation will affect the already ponderous handling ..... but 9/10 for effort on this one.

I'm not usually a fan of choppers .... but then before today I'd never seen a version quite like this one. It might be an aging 2-stoke but the lady in the centre seems to be having the ride of her life. I'm not sure if that's because of the positioning of the exhaust pipe or the rear passenger??? .... This creation takes the full 10/10 ..... because it actually works ..... I love Thailand .. mai pen rai kap