Senate Sport Committee members,
led by Sen. Niramol Siriwat, prepare to board a solar powered boat with
potential for use in flood crises.
Patcharapol Panrak
Senate Sport Committee members set sail on a solar-powered
boat near Sattahip as they considered a budget request to build a fleet of the
unique vessels to aid in flood-disaster situations.
Sen. Niramol Siriwat, chairwoman of the panel, led the Senate
contingent to Dongtan Bay where the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand hosted
the solar-powered boat trial Jan. 25.
Association Executive Director Ithipol Phadungcheevit, who
invented the boat, said the prototype had been built some time ago, but was only
put into service during the recent flood crisis. He said he saw potential for
widespread use of the boats during future floods and wanted to give senators a
first-hand view of its capabilities.
