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
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Iceland for International Rock Day
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Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
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It s Mountain Day in Japan
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Women s suffrage at 100
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Kangaroo family for National Hugging Day
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Happy winter solstice!
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Celebrating 30 years of eye-opening images
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Crimson-rumped toucanet in the Refugio Paz de Las Aves, Ecuador
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Sami lavvu structures, Finnmark, Norway
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Long-eared owl in the Czech Republic
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Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona
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Ode to the sun
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National Trails Day
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Talk like a pirate—or walk the plank
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Cannes, France, in the spotlight
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Bow Bridge in Central Park, New York City
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Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany
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Museum Mile Festival
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Art Basel Miami Beach
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You won’t see this on Mulberry Street
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Mute swans
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Maya site of Copán
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A path to access
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Zion National Park Turns 100
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Oktoberfest begins
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National Park Week: Yosemite National Park, California
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Happy St. Patricks Day!
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From Sputnik to extraterrestrial storms
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Naxos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
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Black History Month
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