Chumpom - Samui High Speed Ferry

[PeteC]

I post this because I had no idea such a service existed. Pete

http://www.lomprayah.com/E/route.htm

PS: Not far from the design of craft another company is trying to make work Hua Hin <>Pattaya.

[STEVE G]

I've never used it, but it's been running for quite a while.
They have their own bus service from Bangkok to Chumpon that also stops in Hua Hin which is the only reason I know about it as the bus has a picture of the boat on the side.

[PeteC]

I don't travel to that neck of the woods often and all I've ever seen advertised/talked about is the Surathani > Samui service. I think some of those are car ferries. I just stumbled on the above company in a Thai magazine today, advert in Thai only. Pete

[crazy88]

Been going for years. Hua Hin office in soi kanjanomai or whatever it is called parallel to bintabaht. Very rekiable for frieght as well.

Crazy 88

[Shane]

Does anyone know any info about this? I was looking at the possibility of the overnight ferry, but I can't see any mention of somewhere to sleep other than a lounge with AC.

[buksida]

Lomprayah works a treat, used it many times.

Can't comment on the over-nighter as I haven't been on that since '97.

[johnnyk]

Lomprayah run an excellent service to Samui. Single ticket for bus from the clock tower to Chumpon pier then on to Samui. Minivans await at the Samui dock. The vans used to be part of the ticket price but now are paid 100 baht separately. Vans go all over Samui.
When coming off the boat you tell staff your destination and they direct you to the appropriate van.
I have only seen pics of the HH-Pattaya boat and it is not the same as the Lomprayah cats which can carry up to 300 people.
Car ferries go from Surat Thani AFAIK and arrive at Nathon on the west side of Samui which is not where most want to go. North and east coasts of Samui are the most popular and developed areas.

[Nereus]

Car ferries go from Surat Thani AFAIK and arrive at Nathon on the west side of Samui which is not where most want to go. North and east coasts of Samui are the most popular and developed areas.

I find it very confusing when it is advertised that the car ferries go from Surat Thani to Koh Samui.
The terminal is actually at Don Sak, which IS in Surat Thani province, but a bloody long way from Surat Thani city! The couple that I have been on are old vessels imported from China, although one of them has been reconditioned and is in reasonable condition.

If you are taking your car to Koh Samui it does not really matter where the arrival terminal is, as you can drive around the complete island in about 1 hour on the only ring road.
If you are just using the ferry without a car the transport at the terminal is well organised to anywhere on the island.

As far as I am concerned, having been just last year, I would not go there if I was paid to go. An overcrowded, overpriced, underdeveloped rip off! Sure, there is some very nice scenery and resorts, but there are better and cheaper places in the South that are easy to access, and far better value. Koh Samui suffers from the usual Thai problem of the infrastructure not keeping up with the increase in the number of people trying to live there. Basic items such as water and power supply, can not cope with the continual increase in business. The recent storms, although maybe not a regular event, saw the place completely cut off and without power for 4 or 5 days.

Caveat emptor!

[barrys]

Does anyone know any info about this? I was looking at the possibility of the overnight ferry, but I can't see any mention of somewhere to sleep other than a lounge with AC.

There isn't an overnight ferry as such:

The Lomprayah bus leaves from Hua Hin Clock Tower at 11.30 p.m.
The actual ferry then leaves Chomporn at 7 a.m. and arrives in Samui at 11.20 a.m.

We are also agents for Lomprayah so if you want to book tickets you can do it through us.

[johnnyk]

There is an overnight boat from Surat Thani (well, nearby anyway) but not operated by Lomprayah AFAIK.

[Nereus]

This site claims it was updated in January 2011:

http://www.1stopsamui.com/getting_here/ferry/

It also adds some good advice.

[Shane]

Does anyone know any info about this? I was looking at the possibility of the overnight ferry, but I can't see any mention of somewhere to sleep other than a lounge with AC.

There isn't an overnight ferry as such:

The Lomprayah bus leaves from Hua Hin Clock Tower at 11.30 p.m.
The actual ferry then leaves Chomporn at 7 a.m. and arrives in Samui at 11.20 a.m.

We are also agents for Lomprayah so if you want to book tickets you can do it through us.

Thanx Barry, I understand it now. I'm meeting up with some friends in Hua Hin and we're still deciding where to go after Hua Hin, so I may be in touch.

Would I need to eMail you or is there a section / form on your website?

[barrys]

Does anyone know any info about this? I was looking at the possibility of the overnight ferry, but I can't see any mention of somewhere to sleep other than a lounge with AC.

There isn't an overnight ferry as such:

The Lomprayah bus leaves from Hua Hin Clock Tower at 11.30 p.m.
The actual ferry then leaves Chomporn at 7 a.m. and arrives in Samui at 11.20 a.m.

We are also agents for Lomprayah so if you want to book tickets you can do it through us.

Thanx Barry, I understand it now. I'm meeting up with some friends in Hua Hin and we're still deciding where to go after Hua Hin, so I may be in touch.

Would I need to eMail you or is there a section / form on your website?

Hi Shane
Just send me an email or call me and we'll deliver your tickets to you

[Shane]

Barry am I correct in believing the the ferry docks at Mae Nam in Samui?

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/34833298

...then I assume I just need to get a taxi to the resort I'm staying at in Samui?

[johnnyk]

Yes, Mae Nam is the main ferry dock. I would avoid taxis, they are a ripoff on Samui.
If traveling by Lomprayah just disembark and tell staff at the pier the name of your hotel. They will point out/tell you the minivan # (there are about 12 or so), you pay 100 and they'll take you.