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One of the major features of life at sea and in the rivers in Thailand is the presence of Long Tails.

“There is much variation among these boats, but the sole defining characteristic is a second-hand car or truck engine.

This engine is invariably mounted on an inboard turret-like pole which can rotate through 180 degrees, allowing steering by thrust.  The propeller is mounted directly on the driveshaft with no additional gearing.  The engine also swivels up and down to provide a "neutral gear" where the propeller does not contact the water. The driveshaft must be extended by several metres of metal rod to properly position the propeller, giving the boat its name and distinct appearance.

Following this basic design pattern allows a variety of engines to be attached to a variety of different kinds of hulls. This flexibility simplifies construction and maintenance while sacrificing efficiency and comfort (noise).

Control is achieved by moving the engine with a lever attached to the inboard side. Ignition and throttle controls provide simple means to control this simple craft. Larger boats may include more than one "tail," with several operators piloting in tandem”.