Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry service news and updates

[StevePIraq]

And the safety certificate for the vessel will be issued by Thai authorities, this really gives me confidence given the state of other ferries around Thailand.

[hhinner]

Will the fishing pier be ready in 2 weeks time?

They seem to keep changing the boats. Now they've bought 3 x 339 pax capacity vessels. Really? Quite a step up from 1 x 160 pax originally.

[Toreh]

Would be very convinient if they are using the fishing peer. Are they working there to making it ready at the moment ?

[StevePIraq]

It seems the govt is insisting the service be operational at all costs. Just the other week Pattaya facility need 100m Baht to fix it up, they have moved the traders to clear the area, now it is ready. The HH fishing pier is built and they will say it is ready to accept the ferry even without any parking available or any other facilities. Any service like this which is being rushed into service at any cost will not be getting my custom.

[Big Boy]

I certainly intend using it, and I know several visitors who are coming to see us next year are including it in their plans.

Depending on ticketing, I might take advantage of one of the freebies early in the year, but I guess tickets will be like rocking horse sh*t.

[Geko]

The boat fare for the 113-kilometre ferry service between Pattaya and Hua Hin which is currently set at 1,250 baht single trip for normal class is reasonable, said Mr Sornsak Saensombat, director-general of Marine Department, on Thursday.
He maintained that the fare rate is suitable with the cost and the operator of the ferry service which will begin on January 1 will make a profit of between 20-30 percent “which is not much”.

However, he said that, after six months of operations, the Marine Department would hold a meeting to assess the performance of the ferry service, its popularity among travelers vis-à-vis the fare rate.

If the occupancy seating rate for each trip averages 80-90 percent, Mr Sornsak said that the department would order the operator to reduce the fare rate.

The current fare rate of 1,250 baht per one single trip for a distance of 113 kilometre across the Gulf of Thailand is based on the assumption that each trip is about 50 percent full.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ferry- ... ngle-trip/

[HHTel]

The boat fare for the 113-kilometre ferry service between Pattaya and Hua Hin which is currently set at 1,250 baht single trip for normal class is reasonable, said Mr Sornsak Saensombat,

That's his opinion based on his 'back-hander'

[Big Boy]

I wonder what you'll get for better than cattle class, and at what cost.

[barrys]

Well, I'll certainly give it a try and I really do hope it succeeds.
The biggest problem, as ever, will be the fact that the worst weather in the gulf, high winds and waves, falls in the high season, i.e. January and February. Some cancellations will be inevitable - how they go about this in organisational terms will be a crucial factor.
Being aware of the running costs of an operation likes this, the current fare level seems fair if the service is first rate.

[Bristolian]

I believe that this is the Ferry undergoing safety checks today. The photo is taken from HH beach. Sorry but this is the best zoom I can get with my phone!

[Big Boy]

[PeteC]

Those types and similar run in Hong Kong and southern China waters during rough seas and not a problem. Should be ok for here in winter conditions. Pete

EDIT: My main concern would be who they have driving them and how much experience they have with the ship type.

[PeteC]

This is good if it's true. Nothing but this recent "update" with no more details in this particular November 23rd article....keep an eye out elsewhere for more. Pete

"Update: Free ride offered on Jan. 1-15 as a New Year gift"

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/tran ... hes-jan-1/

[Big Boy]

It's being talked about regularly over here, but no details how to obtain tickets. I guess the freebies will go to dignitaries, press and their mates - probably the crowd that will never use after 16 Jan. The rest of us will have to sit and wonder.

[Nereus]

Some photos in the Bangkok Post, including the seating:
.......................................................
Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry starts Jan 1, free until Jan 15

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... til-jan-15