Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry service news and updates

[Geko]

With only a few weeks to go before the service is supposed to start, does anyone know where the terminal will be located the Hua Hin side of things?

[Geko]

A test run of the first ferry service between Pattaya and Hua Hin will be held late December before the launch of the service scheduled on January 1, said Mr Sorasak Saensombat, director-general of the Marine Department, on Monday.
Operated by Royal Passenger Liner, there are two trips a day with the first leaving the pier of the Fishery Organization at 8.30 am and the second leaving Pattaya’s Balihai pier at 3.30 pm. Each trip takes 1.40 hours. A Catamaran ferry will be used in the service and initially there will be just one vessel and the number will be increased to two tentatively next March.

The vessel has a cruising speed of 27 nautical miles and has the capacity to carry 150 passengers at a time.

Mr Sorasak said that the test run which will be free of charge was meant to test the seaworthiness and safety of the vessel.

He disclosed that Royal Passenger Liner had proposed the ticket price at 1,200 baht per trip, but the Marine Department was looking into the operational costs before announcing the actual price of the service.

The Catamaran ferry to be put into service on the route is a used vessel and is now being refurbished and equipped with facilities to meet the required standard. The work is expected to be completed by the end of this month after which the vessel will undergo seaworthiness test and safety test before it is to be registered.

Mr Sorasak said the department would grant a ten-year operating licence to the company and would assess the service every six months for the first two years, after that assessment would be conducted once a year.

He noted that, initially, the piers in Hua Hin and Pattaya might be a little congested to accommodate over 100 passengers at a time. Both piers will be expanded to cope with increased passengers.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/test-r ... ce-launch/

[Big Boy]

It's still in my plans for April, but I think some may find the proposed 1,200 Baht each way excessive. It'll be interesting to see if it prices itself out of business, which is what I think was the most probable reason for the failure of the last venture.

I think the location of the piers is a bonus. Mind you, for those naysayers who think the cost is too much, just think of the cost of the tuk tuk to get you to the pier. In comparison, the boat will be a bargain.

[aragon]

Mr Sorasak said that the test run which will be free of charge was meant to test the seaworthiness and safety of the vessel.

The boat might turn out to be a heap of sh*te and as a consequence you might drown, but don't worry as you won't have had to pay for the privilege......WTF is this really for real......TIT I suppose

[HHTel]

If you and your partner goes then that's 4,800 return. I consider that way excessive. I know we shouldn't compare, but the price of an equivalent ferry trip in Europe is a fraction of the price when it would be expected to be more expensive. For example, a car plus 4 passengers return on an equivalent ferry trip is not much more than equiv. 6,000 baht. And that's in the affluent west!
I think this venture will fail on price as attempts in the past have.

I think that unless you're in a hurry, it's much cheaper by road.

[Big Boy]

The boat might turn out to be a heap of sh*te and as a consequence you might drown, but don't worry as you won't have had to pay for the privilege......WTF is this really for real......TIT I suppose

HaHa, I did sea trials with the Iranian Navy in a force 12 - no fear Just sit back and enjoy the ride

[dundrillin]

Well, I hope it's a success (and safe ) I look forward to using it. Could anything be more unsafe tha a minibus to Pattaya or to anywhere in fact.

[huahin4ever]

Well, I hope it's a success (and safe ) I look forward to using it. Could anything be more unsafe tha a minibus to Pattaya or to anywhere in fact.

Probably not, but driving myself will be as safe and a hell of a lot cheaper. Just takes 3 hrs more.

[caller]

I have no interest in going to Patts, so this service isn't on my radar, but I can imagine it would be a good day trip for tourists.

[Takiap]

Well, I hope it's a success (and safe ) I look forward to using it. Could anything be more unsafe tha a minibus to Pattaya or to anywhere in fact.

Probably not, but driving myself will be as safe and a hell of a lot cheaper. Just takes 3 hrs more.

And more comfortable and enjoyable as well?

[StevePIraq]

If it is to be a private enterprise how can the Marine Department dictate the price.
Also the catamaran has a cruising speed of 27 nautical miles and hour, the distance is 53 nautical miles on Google Earth. so how can it do the trip in 1.4 hours. 53NM/27NMH = 1.96hours or am I wrong.

[HHTel]

Knots is the speed through water, not over land, so with a strong following tide it would be quicker but against the tide would be much slower. Knots (speed through water) would remain the same but speed over land would differ depending on current. So with a constant speed of 27 knots, 53 nautical miles will be covered quicker or slower because of the current. " 53NM(distance)/27NMH = 1.96hours " is only true in perfect conditions, i.e. no current.

[barrys]

Well, I hope it's a success (and safe ) I look forward to using it. Could anything be more unsafe tha a minibus to Pattaya or to anywhere in fact.

Probably not, but driving myself will be as safe and a hell of a lot cheaper. Just takes 3 hrs more.

Spent 6 hours!!! in a minibus from HH -> Pattaya last Friday morning (incl. 1 hour traffic jam in Sri Racha for roadworks) - will be delighted to see the ferry link work.

And considering the investment and operating costs (especially fuel) involved, 1200 each way doesn't sound too bad IMHO.

[HHTel]

Ferry to Samui 140 baht per person - one and a half hours
Express boat to Samui - 380 baht per person - one hour

This has to be the most expensive crossing anywhere!

[StevePIraq]

In the end it will come down to personal choice based on convenience and value for money. For one person it could be good but for a family it could be expensive. One other important aspect is safety, what provisions are being made should something serious go wrong when half way across.