The cat flotation device is just perfect. The dog one is almost so.
These are all really cool. Ingenuity at its finest. posted by Hactar at 1:03 PM on November 15, 2011
I thought most of those were pretty cool, especially the ones using plastic water bottles. But, this guy is rather disgusting. posted by Burhanistan at 1:07 PM on November 15, 2011
aww, flotation device. I guess that's cool. At first, I thought it was a jetpack. posted by mannequito at 1:20 PM on November 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
Plus one for gettin' things done! posted by SharkParty at 1:25 PM on November 15, 2011
If they work together ...
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2010-07-26-plastic-bottle-boat_N.htm posted by LoudMusic at 1:33 PM on November 15, 2011
Many Hard Drive components are made in Thailand, and the recent flooding has caused prices to more than double in many cases. posted by schmod at 1:35 PM on November 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Tesco's making sure they have customers using their carts alright posted by infini at 1:38 PM on November 15, 2011
You had me at underbones dangling from trees. posted by sonascope at 1:40 PM on November 15, 2011
But, this guy is rather disgusting.
Why? posted by Malice at 1:40 PM on November 15, 2011
I'm picturing Akha women with snorkels, holding above the water little croaking wooden frogs: "You [blub blub] buy frog [glub glub] mistaaah?" posted by UbuRoivas at 1:50 PM on November 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
That flooding has a major consequence for us'n. Turns out a large percentage of the world's hard disks are made in Thailand. Two major factories were flooded out. A couple of others are not running because their suppliers were flooded out.
This represents a loss of something like 20% of the world's manufacturing capacity for hard disks, and that means prices are going way, way up. (Already have, in fact.)
The shortage isn't expected to be relieved until next year some time. posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:37 PM on November 15, 2011
Why?
Flood water is gross. posted by empath at 2:53 PM on November 15, 2011
No matter how practical they may be, stilts will still make you look like a big nerd.
The guy at the 1 minute mark keeps going with just a couple chunks of hose. Submarine moto Jump to 2:35 for a closeup of his work around. MacGyver would be proud. posted by calamari kid at 2:57 PM on November 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
I need proof they didn't do this stuff before the floods. posted by srboisvert at 3:29 PM on November 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
favorited for the awesome junk-ski. posted by ninjew at 3:58 PM on November 15, 2011
They used the wrong breed of dog - I ARE FLOTATION DALMATIAN would have been great. posted by Inspector.Gadget at 4:01 PM on November 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
But the slow-moving floodwaters have been a boon for quick-witted small traders looking to cater to some of the startling demands of water-weary Thais.
I respect what journalists do, hey they're on deadline, alright? posted by StickyCarpet at 5:51 PM on November 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hill people FTW. posted by Meatbomb at 8:09 PM on November 15, 2011
Oh man, I first read this as being about the THALS.... too much classic Doctor Who lately posted by scrowdid at 8:56 PM on November 15, 2011
For some reason that motorized swan brought tears to my eyes. At some point the images go beyond an absorption threshold and then there is one that opens the flood gates.
Having lived through a comparatively small flood upstate NY in 2005, floods do not, generally, inspire a sense of humor about the filthy water mixed with every kind of human and chemical waste that pollutes everything, the massive loss of property ruined, the expense of the clean up. But somehow the Thais have found some core humor to get them through this massive flood, even in their ingenuity, which is charming while also very lovable.
Given that this is the part of the world where a scooter is a vehicle for the whole family,* I'm not at all surprised at this ingenuity.
*Not my pic. Google images search for "thai scooter family" returns 461,000 results. Resourceful indeed. posted by lunasol at 1:21 PM on November 16, 2011
>*Not my pic. Google images search for "thai scooter family" returns 461,000 results. Resourceful indeed.
That's actually not limited to Thailand. From India to Indonesia it's very common to see whole families, people precariously balancing small appliances or big loads of groceries, sacks of rice, bamboo, freezers, chicken cages, and everything else on little 50cc motorbikes. posted by Burhanistan at 1:25 PM on November 16, 2011
These are all really cool. Ingenuity at its finest.
posted by Hactar at 1:03 PM on November 15, 2011