Th’ Gaussling had the occasion visit Bangkok a while back. Like any large city, Bangkok is bustling with tourist operators anxious to provide carriage to any point of interest. Along the river you can see long boats fitted with automobile engines and long propeller shafts. The engine is attached to a swivel and a tiller arm with throttle controls. The engine fan blades spin without any kind of guard to protect the operator.

Muscle boat for Tourists

To steer, the operator simply pivots the power train and adjusts the throttle. These narrow craft shuttle their perspiring payload up and down the river from stop to stop at bridges and the finer hotels.