Pattaya - Hua Hin Ferry

[PeteC]

I spent the morning (unfortunately) at the dental department of Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. I told my oral surgeon about this new service as as he was waiting for the novocaine to start working, he had a mini meeting with 6 other dentists. I now have to send 7 emails this weekend with boat details, costs and schedules. There was really keen interest from these people to make the trip with their families. I have a feeling this service is going to be a big hit, and not really with the bar runners, but with golfers and families. Pete

[PeteC]

Barry, can you please give me the Pattaya side contact numbers for bookings so I can pass along. Thanks. Pete

[Big Boy]

That would be my take on it as well. If you only want bars/night life, then it is probably better to stay in Pattaya ie it's a lot of money with little or no advantage. However, I think Hua Hin will be attractive to golfers/families.

It's probably been stated already, but what is the capacity (in terms of passengers) of the vessel?

[barrys]

Pete, the number for bookings and info in Pattaya is 038-364515

Big Boy, the boat is licensed to carry a maximum of 75 passengers.

[Big Boy]

Thanks Barry

[PeteC]

Thanks Barry. They really need to get a web site up and running ASAP to field inquiries and questions and show some glitzy photos of the boat(s), sea, blue sky etc.

The major questions directed to me today were:

1) Who made the boat?
2) What type is it?
3) Crossing time?
5) People who brought it to be? (farang answer made them smile)
4) Why haven't we heard about this? (see opening paragraph above)

The only female in the group tried to play devil's advocate.....3 hours boat....4 driving... expensive....on and on. She went quiet when auto gas money/wear and tear, and personal driving stress/fatigue were mentioned. They all seemed to crave starting their "days off" from the moment they step on the boat, not the moment they step out of their car in HH bruised and battered. Often it's great to be able understand loads more Thai than one can speak comfortably.

I can almost assure, 11 hours now since the discussions took place, that the entire staff of BPH top to bottom knows about this service and are awaiting more info from my emails to be sent tomorrow.

The owners really need to jump on this early interest and get more info dispersed and media involved. Pete

[Khundon1975]

The wife's uncle lives in Patts, so it would be good to pack her off on the afternoon trip and get her back in the morning, whilst I sit on the porch, glass of wine in my hand and enjoy the quiet.

Well worth 3000 Baht IMHO.

Some pics would be good.

[BaaBaa.]

The wife's uncle lives in Patts, so it would be good to pack her off on the afternoon trip and get her back in the morning, whilst I sit on the porch, glass of wine in my hand and enjoy the quiet.

Well worth 3000 Baht IMHO.

Some pics would be good.

Your wife or the Uncle?

[Khundon1975]

I've always fancied a boat on the broads but a broad on a boat would be even better.

No BaaBaa pics of the catamaran, I have one of the wife, and her uncle is butt ugly and not at all photogenic.
But as he is an ex copper, I have refrained from telling him that.

[barrys]

Just a quick update on the ferry service, which has now been running for 1 month.

The service is presently being offered on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

It has so far had to be cancelled twice because of the weather - high winds and waves this time of year as most people are aware.
Cancellation does not depend on what the boat can take; the determining factor is what passengers feel comfortable with.

The last couple of weeks have seen an average of around 50 people using the ferry on any one day, i.e. total passengers in both directions. This is pretty good for a new service, considering we're still not properly into high season yet.

The split of passengers in each direction is roughly equal.

Departure frequency will increase with demand.

If any anyone needs any more information, please ask here.

[PeteC]

Thinking about the future, if this venture proves successful and passenger numbers continue to grow, no doubt some deep pocket Thai or foreign corporation will step in and introduce a competing service with perhaps some kind of behemoth vessel. It always happens, and I hope this original group can maintain market share when it does and grow their business to stay competitive.

No matter what kind of business you start if a 'little guy', the vultures watch to see how you're doing then swoop when the pickings are good. Pete

[dozer]

Barry
I really hope this is going to be a success this time.

Do you feel any sense of reluctance because of the service departing/arriving at Pak Nam Pran rather than a direct Pattaya – Hua Hin service?

The reason I ask is that I hope you stay in Pak Nam Pran, as docking in HH will probably lead to the same problems that the previous service had.

[yolande]

Just seen, www.thailivingferry.com

[Rider]

Thinking about the future, if this venture proves successful and passenger numbers continue to grow, no doubt some deep pocket Thai or foreign corporation will step in and introduce a competing service with perhaps some kind of behemoth vessel. It always happens, and I hope this original group can maintain market share when it does and grow their business to stay competitive.

No matter what kind of business you start if a 'little guy', the vultures watch to see how you're doing then swoop when the pickings are good. Pete

Hopefully that won't happen.

From my own experiences in Koh Tao I can tell you that the Catamaran service was the largest and most popular way for the most part. In fact the Koh Tao Cruiser and Slow Boats were superseded to an extent by the catamaran there (built in Australia).
Koh Tao get's all it's customers from Surat Thani, the islands and Chumpon.
Hua Hin is unlikely to get a lot of competition for its ferry's imo. There's unlikely to be much of a market with road access being what it is...

[Rider]

Just taken a look at the Catamaran, doesn't look like motorbike transit is doable