Do not be fooled by how simple Ko Samui"s longtail boats look from a distance; decades of local ingenuity have shaped their slender frames. These vessels, known in Thailand as "ruea hang yao," emerged in the early 20th century, when fishermen repurposed vehicle engines to navigate shallow waters that larger boats couldn"t reach. Handcrafted plank by plank, each boat reflects generations of skill. Their hulls burst with bold, striking colors, while decorative cloth and flowers often crown the bows—Buddhist blessings meant to safeguard both the boat and its crew.
Harbor and longtail boats at Ko Samui, Thailand
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Last day of National Park Week
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Celebrating Flag Day
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National Pumpkin Day
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Crested caracaras
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Happy Valentines Day!
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The owl that loved football
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Why’s it called a spelling ‘bee,’ anyhow?
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Nuuk, Greenland
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Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada
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The Big Blue of the Sierra
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Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
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Broken Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
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Detroit Industry Murals by Diego Rivera
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Rooftops in the walled city of Urbino, Italy
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Next stop, Tofino
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A truly American monument
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Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
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Black History Month
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Marshland, Gloucester, MA
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The buzz about bees
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World Penguin Day
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Winter Olympics in Beijing
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Hippo family in Chobe National Park, Botswana
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National Mushroom Month
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A whale of a picture
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Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
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It’s Canada’s national day
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It s not always sunny in Abu Simbel…
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World Octopus Day
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The aftermath of a meteorite
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

