Tourism is one of the main sources of income for Thailand. Away from the main tourist centres, fishing is an important source of income for the locals. In the end, tourism benefits from this as well since Thailand is known for its excellent cuisine and the large selection of seafood dishes. Many large and small companies earn their living by catching fish. Local fish factories, markets and restaurants are directly dependent on that industry.
The Tsunami destroyed a sizeable part of the Thai fishing fleet and many of the longtail boats of independent fishermen. While the companies will more than likely survive thanks to their own financial reserves and government aid, many of the independent fishermen have lost loved ones, housing and their boats and are not eligible for government aid since their boats were not registered with the Department of Fisheries. Since they normally do not have financial reserves, nor are they eligible for loans/credit from the banks or government, their future is bleak. These people and their families would more than likely become dependent on aid organisations for years, have to change their way of life or even end up on the wrong side of the law.
This is exactly the point where aid has to come in and this is what we are trying to do.

Acquisition of Boats
As soon as a longtail boat and fishing gear is supplied to someone, they can support their families and themselves. They do not need additional aid and can once again contribute to the growth of the local economy though their work, supply to locals and tourists and, very importantly, gain their self respect again. It is a delight to see how desperate and hopeless people are transformed into proud fishermen through the gift of a small boat. They do their hard work gladly, even in tough weather conditions.
Our course of action is to let the families search and choose a used boat according their needs (since they did not lose a new boat and, for the price of one new boat, you can help two families with used ones).
The needs differ, as some fishermen prefer to work alone in a small boat whilst others go out jointly with their family and additional staff and need larger boats. Once they have found a boat and the price is fair, we purchase it.
To avoid abuse of this system, the seller’s and buyer’s personal data are registered on a database and both have their pictures taken upon completion of the contract. Furthermore, the buyer agrees in writing that he will only use the boat for the described purpose and not for resell it. In the case of someone breaking the described agreement, we can take the boat back and give it to another family in need. Unfortunately, we have learnt of cases where the same person has requested boats from several different organisations or was a recipient trying to sell their boats straight away. We are trying to curb this abuse by sharing our database with all other organisations in the territory.

Fishing Equipment for the boats
As soon as the fisherman has acquired a boat, he has to be equipped with nets and tackle, an icebox and ice to keep the catch fresh, and the first tank of gasoline. Then, he is ready to begin a new and autonomous life for his family and himself.
Instead of nets, most sea gypsies (an ethnic minority at the bottom of the social scale) require primitive compressors, long plastic hoses and masks which they use to fish underwater and earn their living.

Boat Launching Ceremonie
Once there are enough boats ready to be launched into new service, they are covered with banners and flowers and are then blessed in an official ceremony which is concluded by an unofficial and always wild boat race. The decorating of the boat with banners and flowers has the purpose of appeasing the boat spirit which, according to the fishermen’s beliefs, lives in each boat and takes care of them and ensures a good catch. It is very touching to see how hard the fishermen try to put the spirit into a good mood.
For us, it is wonderful to see a new flotilla of fishing boats go out to sea and the fishermen are back in their element.
 

Achieved so Far:
Supported His Majesty King Carl Gustav XVI of Sweden in aquiring 80 Boats.
Purchased 30 boats with engine out of our own project funds.
Repaired 1 dozen heavily damaged boats.
Purchased engines for 7 boats.
Purchased primitive compressors for 9 sea gypsies.
Equipped 18 Boats with nets, tackle and iceboxes.
Supplied 20 Fishermen with the first tank full of diesel as well as ice.
Produced a database of boat donations for officials and other organisations.