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The above hovercraft was a test
project for my
present work. My present project is a ten person hovercraft to be operated at the Doi Thaow
Lake in Thailand. The hovercraft below is built differently as I
have perfected the construction method. It will have a composite
fiberglass hull complete with all the safety features and have comfort
considerations as well.
below is my investment proposal
Doi Thaow tourist development
Transportation problems
There
are problems with boat transportation from Doi Thaow to Kaeng Kroah, Wat
Keang Soi, the other tourist attractions and the dam area. More
importantly there is the transportation problem bringing customers to
Doi Thaow from the dam area.
These
places have been developed as tourist attractions but see little
visitors due to the high cost of boat transportation. This is
unfortunate as the area is very beautiful; I have been to these places
many times.
All
these areas are essentially inaccessible to tourists because of the high
costs of transportation. The high cost of boat fuel results in a
customer charge rate that is too expensive and too time consuming for
customers to consider.
the
transportation problems are economical
The
distance from Doi Thaow to the Dam is 120 Km.
A Long
Tail Boat can transport 10 people this distance at a cost of 4 thousand
baht for fuel using four to five hours time one way, round trip 8
thousand baht in eight to ten hours.
The
journey is long and hot. It is hardly something to consider so there are
few tourists despite the attractions. If the boat is only half full
either more money is charged or it isn’t profitable for it to leave the
dock. If it travels the whole distance one way there is the problem of
it not having passengers for the return trip. So these tourist areas
have few tourists.
A fast
speed boat can transport customers from Doi Thaow to the dam using ten
thousand baht of fuel and two hours one way, twenty thousand baht round
trip. The economics of this high cost of fuel necessitates a per person
ticket rate that is too high for people to consider as well. One can see
at ten thousand baht for fuel this boat needs as many customers as it
can carry. This fast boat gets no business.
If a
lesser fuel cost could be achieved at a fast speed this would solve the
problem. The solution is a hovercraft. A 10-12 person hovercraft can
transport tourists from Doi Thaow to the dam in two hours with a fuel
cost of one thousand baht one way two thousand baht round trip. I know
this because I build hovercrafts in Chiangmai. I am building them to
implement my Doi Thaow transportation plan. Recently my first hovercraft
was tested successfully, (March 2550).
To have
tourism business it is necessary to have a scheduled transport available
that runs to and from the dam to Doi Thaow and the tourist areas.
Without this tourism will not develop, it is a matter of economics. Make
transportation affordable and people will come, more tourist facilities
and destinations will be built.
I will
facilitate this with the help of a Thai company. I don’t want to be a
business owner or an investor; I want to be an employee. I will also
supply the hovercraft, operate and maintain them and the route. I don’t
want a share of the profits; I want only a salary and a work permit.
Who am I and what do I do
I am
Sean Walker a long time Thai resident Farang of twenty years and I am
fluent in the Thai Language. I am a boat builder from America who has
built hovercraft. I also worked with my father building airplanes and I
have friends at the Chiangmai International Airport and at several
ultra- light airfields near Chiangmai. Soon I will be working at a
hovercraft factory in America where I will finalize the design of my new
big hovercraft.
In the
past I have built large boats in America. In Chiangmai I build small
hydroplane long tail boats that I use to explore the rivers and lakes
throughout Thailand. I do not build boats or hovercraft for sale in
Thailand.
I have
been working half the year in America and building boats and hovercraft
for fun the other half of the year in Thailand. It is a good lifestyle
but it has been my dream to stay in Thailand year round. I have a Thai
wife and two children I would like to be with; it breaks my heart to
leave them every year. If there was some way I could work here I would
be able to stay with my loved ones and be happy. I have a plan to do so.
It has
been my dream to find employment here in Thailand in the boating
industry. What I want to do is build several quite large hovercrafts to
transport people for hire around the Doi Thaow Lake and to all the
tourist places including the dam area. As I am a Farang without a work
permit it is not possible for me to do this. However If I worked for a
Thai company it is possible. I do not have the money and the desire to
be an investor in any business. I want to work for a company building
and piloting hovercraft in the Doi Thaow area.
It is my
offer to build my first larger hovercraft using my workshop at my house
in Chiangmai. The hovercrafts are to be stationed at Doi Thaow and at
the Dam area. Then my son, other family members and I can pilot these
hovercrafts to and from the dam to Doi Thaow Lake or to any anywhere
required. I will do all the construction and I am willing to build
initially with my own money as well.
Imported
commercially built hovercraft that can seat ten people will cost
approximately three million baht apiece. There is a high tax import
surcharge for them as well. Eventually it will become necessary to have
three hovercrafts available. One at Doi Thaow, one at the dam and
possibly one to be available when the others are down for maintenance.
If commercial hovercrafts were purchased the investment capital needed
would be ten million baht or more plus spare parts. Commercial
hovercrafts are expensive to maintain. Then there is the problem with
who can maintain and pilot them. My hovercrafts use parts that I make
myself or buy locally, I import no parts.
I will
build my own hovercraft one at a time; all I ask for is a job and the
time to build the other two. I also ask for the engines to be supplied
for the later two hovercrafts. These engines will cost about 50,000 B.
for each hovercraft.
The
hovercrafts will be owned by my son Anurat Walker my assistant mechanic
who will soon graduate from technical school. It is my plan to retire
eventually here in Thailand and he will take over. The hovercraft will
be lent to the company at no charge other than my sons and my salary, we
will maintain them. Fuel and supplies are to be bought by the company
who hires us. As the parts are made by us or at local shops the cost is
not substantial.
What I
ask of an employer is a monthly salary that is enough to support my
family and is appropriate for the work I am prepared to perform. The
amount is to be negotiated. I do not want any percent of any business
and I will be satisfied to be an employee.
There is
but one other important thing I must require. I need a work permit, for
without one I can not work in Thailand. I will not work illegally, it is
my dream to have this permit and after five years I want to apply for
Thai citizenship. Once I have accomplished this I will have completed my
life’s vision and can grow old and die in peace at my home in Thailand.
Work
permits are given to forigners who have talents that are not abundant in
Thailand. Hovercraft builders and operators are not available here so it
should be possible for me to get one. Without including the work permit
I will not accept any offer.
I have
had several inquiries, from a Farang and also a Thai investor but so far
neither has made me a concrete offer including the work permit. I have
also contacted the Thai government to perhaps work for them or the
forestry department; they can surely provide the work permit.
To date
I am still available but I am confident this will soon change. My offer
is so attractive I am not worried but I would like to get things moving
and find employment.
My first
hovercraft was tested recently at Doi Thaow and it works well. I built
it as a test hovercraft prior to building the bigger craft. It was a
success and I now know how to build the larger ones effectively. I now
have all the pertinent data to do so; all that is left is the actual
construction.
In six
months I will have worked at the hovercraft factory in America and will
have a custom design in hand ready for building. It will be a hovercraft
with all the safety features. It will have a semi enclosed cabin with
comfortable seats.
Hovercrafts are safer than boats because they ride above the waves and
can be controlled better in high wind situations. Due to the fact that
they ride above the water, have no under water propellers and use
substantially little fuel they are compatible to eco tourism.
They are
in operation for transportation purposes in nearly all countries
worldwide. Initially some people may be frightened or have safety
concerns, this will pass. The hovercraft will be sleek, sturdy, have
positive floatation and be set up professionally. The captain will wear
a white shirt, pilot’s cap and have a professional appearance,
refreshments will be served. Once the routes are established, TV
coverage and advertisements will establish our credibility.
So my
proposal is on the table as they say. In my heart I know someone will
take me up on my offer soon because of the amount of profit to be made.
Hovercrafts are necessary to make the Doi Thaow area grow and become
more profitable. I will be more than happy to consider any serious offer
of employment.
Sean
Walker
Anyone
interested in hiring me please email me at:
seanwalker@iname.com
