Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry service news and updates

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PeteC
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by PeteC »

The free rides have extended until January 31......

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... til-jan-31
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

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Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry free ride extended until Jan 31

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... til-jan-31

CHON BURI - The operator of ferry service between Pattaya and Hua Hin has extended the introductory free-ride period from Jan 15 to Jan 31, after stormy seas caused the cancellation of many trips.

The official launch of the much-publicised ferry service, operated by Royal Passenger Liner Ltd, has also been postponed from Jan 12 until next month because of the unfriendly weather conditions.
The Marine Department and the Meteorological Department have advised the company that more rough seas, strong winds and heavy rain are expected in the Gulf of Thailand.

The company said it will suspend the service on Jan 11-12 and Jan 19 for ferry maintenance and crew training.

On Jan 13-18 and Jan 20-31, the departure time from Laem Bali Hai pier in Pattaya will be changed from 8.30am to 10.30am due to changing tides. The passenger catamaran Royal 1 will also leave the pier at Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan earlier, at 1.30pm instead of 3pm. 

After the free-ride period ends, the basic fare will be 1,250 baht a trip per head. 

Chief executive Preecha Tantipura said the company would strictly comply with safety regulations stipulated by the  Marine Department. Intending passengers should look for any further announcements of changes to the schedule because of weather conditions on the company’s Facebook page -- @RoyalPassengerLiner.

The information on the company’s Facebook is currently only in Thai. Foreigners can call 0-3848-8999, or just walk in and inquire at the office.

The service launched unofficially on Jan 1, with free passage originally offered until Jan 15. However, the first run was delayed by rough seas in the Gulf and not made until Jan 5. The trip is advertised to take about two hours. 

The service was suspended on Jan 6 for ferry maintenance and crew training. It resumed on Jan 7 and stopped again on Jan 8 and 9 due to bad weather.  

The ferry returned to normal service on Tuesday, but its schedule will change on Thursday, with the announced later departures from Pattaya and earlier departures from Hua Hin, until the end of this month.

The ferry company announced it bought three of the passenger catamarans from China, but only one is in service to date.

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Strange, cannot find an IMO number for this ferry. There is a MMSI number, which is basically just a contact system. (Maritime Mobile Service Identity
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

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a clever comedian could make a great routine out of this.
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by huahin4ever »

It is really a bit expensive. 1250 for one person one way. If I take my wife and go for a round trip it will be 5000 baht. Except for the time saved for not driving not much else to gain IMHO. I could drive back and forth 2-3 times for that sum :shock: :| :roll:
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by caller »

So the ferry will now depart patts at 10.30 and is scheduled to make the return trip at 13.30. Let's hope it arrives before it's departure time! :D
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

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handdrummer wrote:a clever comedian could make a great routine out of this.
I think the comedians are already 6 days into their act.
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by barrys »

Nereus wrote:Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry free ride extended until Jan 31
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... til-jan-31

CHON BURI - On Jan 13-18 and Jan 20-31, the departure time from Laem Bali Hai pier in Pattaya will be changed from 8.30am to 10.30am due to changing tides. The passenger catamaran Royal 1 will also leave the pier at Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan earlier, at 1.30pm instead of 3pm. 
One of the major benefits of the previous (short-lived) service was that the docking facilities on both sides used floating pontoons at which there was always sufficient water for the vessel irrespective of tide changes, meaning that there was no need to alter departure/arrival times. This time, they're using concrete piers in areas where the water level can differ up to 3 m depending on the tides.
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by StevePIraq »

I always thought vessels used rubber tyres or other rubber items on the sides when docking to stop damage, this ferry does not seem to have any so in time does the side just get bashed to pieces
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

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Interest in Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry high, but safety unknown
With the ferry service between Pattaya and Hua Hin – the first on the Gulf of Thailand – scheduled for launch in February, tour operators see potential for it to do well for certain segments, but express reservations about its safety and mass appeal.

The Royal 1 catamaran ferry operated by Royal Passenger Liner will provide an alternative route between the two beach destinations, taking about two hours (covering 105km) compared with over four hours by road.

Besides being a “great shortcut”, Nikorn Yatinunt, director of Pegas Select (Thailand), said the service will also give Russian tourists more options in their itineraries.

Nikorn pointed out that Russian tourists, for whom Pattaya is a top choice for Thailand beach holidays, typically like visiting one or two additional destinations and stay an average of 14 days.

Surawat Akaraworamat, general manager of TT Goodluck Express, said that the service could help tour operators design fresh products and attract high-spending FITs from China.

However, both Nikorn and Surawat said they will assess the ferry's safety and readiness to handle groups before launching relevant tour programmes.

Meanwhile, Pornthip Hirunkate, managing director of Destination Asia Thailand, is unsure if the service would speak to current demand since Pattaya and Hua Hin appeal to different traveller types.

Hua Hin mainly targets families, couples and retirees, she opined, while Pattaya caters to travellers who love nightlife, entertainment and shopping.

The ferry will ply between Hua Hin and Chonburi in Pattaya, with fares starting from 1,250 baht (US$35.40) a trip per head.

http://ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=28593
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Nereus »

This project does not add up to me. It has been reported that the company has purchased 3 of the ferries. What commercial operator of any transport system would do that when the market is unproven? By all reports it is a start up company with an address in Na Kluea, Pattaya. In many places it is being written about as a Thai Government initiative.
Maybe it is a front for money laundering!

Despite all the comments to the contrary, that type of vessel is designed for fast passenger transport in sheltered waters, estuaries, rivers and close in coastal services. By definition, the gulf of Thailand is "open water", and at the time of the year considered to be the "high" tourist season, is always going to be subject to unfavourable weather conditions.

The more sensible option in my opinion, would be a larger displacement type of vessel that has RO-RO facilities for cars and trucks. Being able to carry road transport vehicles would provide a pretty much guaranteed base load. Run the thing from the existing port at Laem Chabang, where infrastructure is already in place. If you must have a ferry to keep up with Joneses, then use it to connect Pattaya and Bangkok via Laem Chabang using a coastal route. At the Hua Hin end modify the new landing to suit the vessel.

But then, I doubt that this venture has anything to do with sensible logic.
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Big Boy »

Our Ferry in a previous life:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wX_CmwkDEk
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

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Big Boy wrote:
Nereus wrote:Did you happen to notice how many exit doors there are in either of the cabins?
Yes, front and rear of each cabin plus on either side, halfway down cattle class.
I've just been watching the above video. If you used the doors halfway down cattle class, you'd get your feet wet :shock:
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Nereus »

I think that they would be classed as emergency exits. There does not appear to be a hand rail all the way along the side. And if the life rafts were to be deployed that is where you would board them.
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Big Boy »

I'm sure you're right, but when I answered your question, it was based on apparent exits from inside cattle class :oops: I just thought I'd better clarify :D
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Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Nereus »

In the video notice how it gets along nicely on the flat calm water, and then what happens at around 1.0 minutes.
It runs into the wake of the passing vessel and starts to have a fit! Sorry, that thing is never going to make it as reliable means of crossing the Gulf.
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