Fire engines in Bangkok frequently face problems reaching the scene, due to narrow streets or traffic congestion. Note the license plate which is the same as that of a police vehicle, due to the fact that the fire brigade until recently was a division of the local police.

The Bangkok metropolitan fire brigade, which is part of the Fire and Rescue Department (fig.), therefore makes use of a fleet of smaller pick-up trucks...

... as well as of boats that can operate on and from the many canals, which also provide an abundant source of water.