These visually-striking fishing vessels, locally known as perahu kolek, make the village of Kampung Pulau Gajah at Pantai Sabak in Pengkalan Chepa, about 15km from here, rather unique.
Kota Baru Area Fishermen’s Association general manager Rosdi Md Ali said in the past there used to be more than 80 perahu kolek in Kampung Pulau Gajah but now the number has dwindled to 40. Some of the fishermen in Kampung Pulau Gajah said the perahu kolek that belong to them were specially ordered from the Narathiwat and Pattani regions in southern Thailand because, apparently, there are no craftsmen in Kelantan with the skill to build these traditional fishing boats.
Mohd Ridzwan Ramli, 38, said his boat was over 50 years old and that he inherited it from his late father who bought it from its original owner in Narathiwat.