In former times, most people were agriculturists who settled along the water ways, some living on rafts. Rivers and canals were avenues for trade and transport, resulting in the emergence of floating markets in many areas. Boats were the most important means of transport in the waterbased culture of Siam.
 
Mr. Kamol Vibulthanakorn has been in the boat-building business for decades. With his enthusiasm and skill, he is commissioned to make small boats for use as flower baskets.
This was the origin of the model boats which led to the Model Boat Museum demonstrating exactly how boat are made. The museum also offers courses for those interested in boat-building. The first step in making a model boat is to dismantle an old boat to use as a prototype. Then, each section must be scaled down in proportion to the real boat. Every detail in boatbuilding is observed, such as starting with the keel first. The materials used are all locally acquired, notably teak, which comes from unused bits and pieces in furniture factories. Different kinds of boats modelled include Kra Sang, Sadej Prapas Ton, Moo, E-Pong and Chinese junks. Some of these ancient boats no longer exist, except in the form of models like these.
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