The coastal city of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province is working to build its first pair of sight-seeing submarines for Thailand.
They will also be the first such submarines in Thailand where tourism is a core industry.
The submarines, each 23.5 meters long and 30 meters deep, can carry 48 people and operate 30 meters below the surface.
Being made by the Haiyun Corporation, the submarines can stay safely under water for 72 consecutive hours, China Ocean News reports.
Tourists can enjoy the underwater scenery outside through viewing portholes.
In the event of any emergency, a rescue would be carried out within 10 minutes. Each submarine will carry enough lifejackets and oxygen for every passenger.
Thailand, which is eagerly awaiting the two submarines, sent a ranking government team to attend the inauguration ceremony for the vessels earlier this month.
The Haiyun Corporation holds intellectual property rights and patents for the design.
The submarines are expected to be completed by the end of November.
(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2002)
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