Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry service news and updates

[Big Boy]

Thank you, that will put a bit more meat on the bone for yesterday's event posting.

[buksida]

City council balks at Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry
City council members are insisting Bali Hai Pier is unprepared to host a new Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry service planned for January, saying millions of baht in repairs are needed first.

Speaking at a Nov. 30 council meeting, Thanet Suporn­sahatrangsi, who also is vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, endorsed the concept of a scheduled ferry linking east and western sides of the Gulf of Thailand, but said Bali Hai, particularly the bridge leading to it, is desperately in need of repair and adding more boats and passengers will only make it worse.

He noted the council has before it a proposition to spend 26 million baht to repair the bridge, but the budget has not been approved.

Sinchai Wattanasart­sathorn, who also heads the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association, agreed the pier is not ready to handle the service planning test runs in January.

He noted that current problems with pier previously prompted the current military government to reject the ferry plan, also ruling out Sattahip’s Juksamet Pier for similar reasons. Yet, somehow, the new 15-billion-baht ferry project has won tentative approval.

A final decision on whether the ferry can proceed is scheduled for Dec. 15 in Bangkok.

Pier repairs are part of 142-million-baht package of infrastructure initiatives currently being considered by the city council.

Bridge repairs covering damaged incurred since 2003 are included with new development of the Bali Hai area for next year’s international navy fleet show. The budget request covers 12,000 sq. meters of land and new buildings, including development of the Tourism Authority of Thailand office.

Also included is a proposal to build two new speedboat-loading areas after the military banned operators from boarding passengers on Pattaya Beach.

Finally, the city council is considering the purchase of 76 more closed-circuit cameras. However, the bid was put on hold after objections were raised about the 62,000 baht price of each camera, which is far above average market price.

http://www.pattayamail.com/news/city-co ... rry-157722

[StevePIraq]

Isn't it strange that HH is silent on this topic except on this forum. The new pier has no facilities to accommodate a ferry, no parking not even for motorbikes let alone tuk tuks or cars so how could it possibly work here.

It also seems pretty strange that a company would buy a used ferry and upgrade it without having 100% agreement on pier usage on both sides of the gulf.

[buksida]

Pattaya-Huahin Ferry Comes True Soon
Mr Aekarat Kantharo, director of Marine department, revealed that the official already inspected the readiness and security in Bali Hai pier according to a mega project to launch Pattaya-Huahin ferry. Plus, the official ordered the operator to improve road quality within the end of December 2017.

Meanwhile, the ferry has been already shipped to Laem Chabang port and it’s during process of customs. After that the ferry will be sent for inspection in Samuthprakarn province. In addition, the ferry will be trialed in order to check safety system.

Pattaya-Huahin is 113 Kilometers ferry route and Catamaran Ferry will be used. It’s estimated that it takes around 1 hour 40 mins a trip and its capacity is 260 passengers. Also the official will purchase 1 more ferry in the near future.

The official expected to define 1,200 baht per person as fare. It’s expected that 70 % of passengers will be tourists who buy tour package.

http://pattayadailynews.com/pattaya-hua ... true-soon/

[sidthesloth]

I haven't read the whole thread I just wanna say this is an insane ripoff that will flounder as soon as the novelty wears off. That is all.

[HHTel]

For the second time today, you're talking sense. Careful!!!!

[hhinner]

Pattaya-Huahin Ferry Comes True Soon
Mr Aekarat Kantharo, director of Marine department, revealed that the official already inspected the readiness and security in Bali Hai pier according to a mega project to launch Pattaya-Huahin ferry. Plus, the official ordered the operator to improve road quality within the end of December 2017.

Meanwhile, the ferry has been already shipped to Laem Chabang port and it’s during process of customs. After that the ferry will be sent for inspection in Samuthprakarn province. In addition, the ferry will be trialed in order to check safety system.

Pattaya-Huahin is 113 Kilometers ferry route and Catamaran Ferry will be used. It’s estimated that it takes around 1 hour 40 mins a trip and its capacity is 260 passengers. Also the official will purchase 1 more ferry in the near future.

The official expected to define 1,200 baht per person as fare. It’s expected that 70 % of passengers will be tourists who buy tour package.

http://pattayadailynews.com/pattaya-hua ... true-soon/

Back on Nov 15th: "The ferry has the maximum capacity of 150 passengers, with a possibility of a bigger ferry carrying as many as 260 passengers expected in the future, according to the marine department."

Seems the future is now.

[PeteC]

A big part of success or failure will be the quantity of Chinese tourists using it. With southern Chinese, ferries are a part of everyday life as there are hundreds if not thousands operational in that part of China. Using one is a daily routine for many there. Pattaya has a large Chinese tourist presence and it will depend upon how many see the Hua Hin area as an attractive destination for part of their holiday. Pete

[Homer]

I haven't read the whole thread I just wanna say this is an insane ripoff that will flounder as soon as the novelty wears off. That is all.

Oops. Had to erase my reply after realizing this wasn't a Bluport thread.

[buksida]

Pattaya-Huahin Ferry Pre-Launch New Year 2017

Mr Aekarat Kantharo, director of Pattaya Marine Department, revealed that the official will pre-launch Pattaya-Huahin ferry at Bali Hai pier on January 1, 2017. Recently, Bali Hai pier has been renovated and it is ready to support the ferry effectively.

The operator has ordered 3 Catamaran Ferries from China and its capacity is 339 passengers. The official estimated that this route takes around 2 hours; meanwhile, Pattaya marine department has already inspected security system of the ferry.

The ferry will set sail twice a day at 08.30am from Huahin to Pattaya and 15.30pm from Pattaya to Huahin.

However, the officials are considering the appropriate fare and the official will officially initial the route on January 12, 2016.

http://pattayadailynews.com/pattaya-hua ... year-2017/

[buksida]

Hua Hin-Pattaya ferry to start in Jan

The ferry service between Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Pattaya will start on Jan 12 next year, according to the Marine Department’s regional office in Pattaya.

Aekarach Khantharo, head of the regional marine office, said the ferry service will ply between a fishing pier in Hua Hin and Pattaya’s Bali Hai pier, which has been improved to accommodate the service.

At the launch of the test run on Jan 1, ferries will leave the fishing pier in Hua Hin at 8.30am and travel to Pattaya. For the return trip to Hua Hin, ferries will leave Pattaya at 3.30pm, Mr Aekarach said.

A Marine Department committee is considering imposing ferry fares according to maintenance and fuel costs. No decision has been made.

The National Council for Peace and Order recently took measures to relocate seafood vendors along footpaths around Bali Hai pier and a large number of tourist speedboats that crowded the pier, under its plan to improve the image of the resort town.

Mr Aekarach said the ferry service concessionaire bought three large 38-metre long ferries from China, each with the capacity to carry up to 339 passengers.

The ferries can travel at speeds of up to 27 knots, and ferry rides are expected to last no more than two hours between Pattaya and Hua Hin, Mr Aekarach said.

Pattaya is about 345km from Hua Hin by road, but only 105km across the Gulf of Thailand.

The service is tipped to boost the economy, enhance the country’s competitiveness and reduce heavy road traffic during long holidays, he said.

Marine Department officials have conducted regular inspections of the ferries and equipment to ensure safety for the public and tourists, he said.

A privately-run ferry service from Pattaya to Hua Hin and Phetchaburi’s Cha-am was offered in the past, but was not financially viable, causing the operator to stop the service in 2011.

http://satprnews.com/2016/12/27/hua-hin ... rt-in-jan/

[Big Boy]

A Marine Department committee is considering imposing ferry fares according to maintenance and fuel costs. No decision has been made.

So does this mean they believe they can squeeze even more than 1200 Baht each way?

Let me reflect on a mission of mercy I had to make to Thailand about 16 years ago. Mrs BB was holidaying alone, when she was taken very ill.

I basically dropped everything and came to help. When I arrived at the airport, I just took an airport taxi to Pattaya. Cost was no problem (insurance company was paying). The taxi driver said X Baht (don't remember how much). Then he said it would be an extra 40 Baht to use the Expressway. I asked what the difference was, and he said it would take at least 2 hours longer if I didn't pay the 40 Baht.

My point is, although they always seem to be in a hurry, if they can save a few Baht, many Thais are prepared to travel by the longer route. This guy was quite prepared to spend another 2 hours in traffic to save 40 Baht. The more expensive they make the ferry, the more Thais who are likely to find an alternative route.

It'll probably be fine in high season - 1200 Baht (or is this now suggesting more?) is not a lot for Farang visitors. If it's a scheduled service, they need to be targeting low season travelers as well, not drive them away. This ferry ride is already suggesting a fare 3 times greater than the bus journey.

[Geko]

Anyone know where the ferry is going to dock at the Hua Hin end???????

[RCer]

I haven't seen anything about how many cars and motorbikes it will carry, just people.

[Big Boy]

Anyone know where the ferry is going to dock at the Hua Hin end???????

They are saying Hua Hin Fishing Pier initially.