Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry service news and updates

Bangkok and beyond, travel talk on all other places in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
SPONSORS: Bang Saphan Guide
Post Reply
User avatar
StevePIraq
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 3043
Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:21 pm
Location: Ting Tong Land

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by StevePIraq »

Hand in mouth seriously. Nothing is taken seriously in Thailand the entire country and most of the population are a joke.
"Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right." Muhammad Ali
User avatar
StevePIraq
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 3043
Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:21 pm
Location: Ting Tong Land

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by StevePIraq »

http://pattayaone.news/en/ferry-finally-makes/

Update from yesterday, don't expect the frigate and helicopter to accompany you in future
"Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right." Muhammad Ali
User avatar
Big Boy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 45038
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
Location: Bon Kai

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Big Boy »

I thought I'd read somewhere (don't remember where) that the frigate had been assigned long term as protection on the route - not necessarily on escort duties, but on patrol in the general area.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Points 41; Position 18
HHTel
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10814
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:44 pm

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by HHTel »

Well let's face it, the navy is not stretched in their duties.
User avatar
STEVE G
Hero
Hero
Posts: 12821
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:50 am
Location: HUA HIN/EUROPE

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by STEVE G »

HHTel wrote:Well let's face it, the navy is not stretched in their duties.
When I think back to my days in the Royal Navy, out in the Faroe's gap in winter chasing Russian submarines, I've always been envious of the Thai Navy, perpetually anchored off an upmarket seaside resort but I've noticed recently that they've even abandoned that onerous duty. I believe they run some nice golf courses.
User avatar
Big Boy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 45038
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
Location: Bon Kai

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Big Boy »

Journey to Pattaya 8 Jan 17

What horrible weather we've chosen for the trip. Heavy rain, and the promise of high winds. Would we even set sail? I could have used a boat coming through a flooded Khao Takiab. I actually hit 2 hefty underwater objects - no idea what they were.
DSC00710.jpg
DSC00710.jpg (96.91 KiB) Viewed 825 times
DSC00711.jpg
DSC00711.jpg (95.8 KiB) Viewed 825 times
DSC00712.jpg
DSC00712.jpg (112.85 KiB) Viewed 825 times
DSC00713.jpg
DSC00713.jpg (87.54 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Arrived at the ferry, and the car park was a huge puddle. People were checking in at a beach cafe. Also using the cafe (who was doing a roaring trade) for cover. We checked in and sat in the car, waiting.

About 08:00 there was a mass exodus from the cafe, and cars started leaving in numbers. Mrs BB enquired (I assumed the boat wasn't leaving). Cars were not allowed to use the car park - we had to move to another area, which we were charged 20 Baht to park in.

Then it was waiting in the (not so heavy) rain. The cover was still being built on this jetty, and people were improvising to stay dry. I had my trusty brolly.
Not much of a roof
Not much of a roof
DSC00714.jpg (102.86 KiB) Viewed 825 times
People improvising shelter
People improvising shelter
DSC00715.jpg (146.96 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Of course, this is Thailand, and people didn't want to wait. Several jumped from the jetty to the boat, only to receive a bollocking, and were made to jump back again.

The setting of the gangway was a joke. It kept falling off the side of the boat, giving minimum confidence. Eventually, somebody came along and pointed out they had set it backwards. A quick adjustment, and the error was duly rectified.

We boarded 10 at a time, and there was a cursory scan of people and bags - no internal bag search.

Well here we are onboard. Straight into Business Class. Seats are quite roomy and recline. No sign of a refreshments hatch yet. Feels like sitting on a extra wide bus (7 seats across in Business Class).
Business Class
Business Class
DSC00716.jpg (122.37 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Business Class
Business Class
DSC00717.jpg (115.84 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Business Class
Business Class
DSC00719.jpg (121.06 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Business Class
Business Class
DSC00721.jpg (114.03 KiB) Viewed 825 times
I even took a sneak peek into the VIP Cabins, which were closed off.
VIP Cabin - a bit blurred
VIP Cabin - a bit blurred
DSC00718.jpg (68.54 KiB) Viewed 825 times
We departed at 08:43.
DSC00720.jpg
DSC00720.jpg (118.55 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Five minutes out, after much joviality on our white knuckle ride, engines were cut, and we turned around.

We docked at Khao Takiab at 08:58 - the adventure was over.

Before disembarking, I checked out cattle class. Much smaller seats, and rock hard. Depending on price, I think a few extra Baht for Business Class must be worth considering.
Cattle Class - rock hard seating
Cattle Class - rock hard seating
DSC00723.jpg (129.48 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Cattle Class - rock hard seating
Cattle Class - rock hard seating
DSC00724.jpg (129.91 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Business Class seats had life jackets stored in under seat lockers. Cattle class had them visible under the seats. All life rafts had been inspected, and were valid to 08/2017.
Cattle Class - life jackets
Cattle Class - life jackets
DSC00725.jpg (147.43 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Thoughts: It didn't seem that rough, but it has to be safety first.

There were a lot of people on the ferry today who were doing a one way trip (unlike me, using it as a pleasure cruise). They had big bags, and I'd guess hotels booked at the other end. What a mess they're in now.

I picked up a Russian guy, and dropped him to the bus station - he was distraught, and didn't know what he was going to do.

Then I think forward to my planned Cambodia trip in April. I had factored in a ferry crossing each way, and would make a half way overnight stop en-route. A friend would have a taxi waiting for me at the border. A bit of wind could put all those plans in jeopardy, at cost to me also. Maybe I need to rethink.

At least I'm home in plenty of time to watch the Greens thrash Liverpool tonight.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Points 41; Position 18
RCer
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1294
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2016 12:48 pm

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by RCer »

Good report. I'll suffer driving the distance.
User avatar
Nereus
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10900
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:01 pm
Location: Hua Hin and Bangkok

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Nereus »

First class report, Big Boy!
Did you happen to notice how many exit doors there are in either of the cabins? What about access to toilet's, where for sure some folk are going to puke?

I looks to me like that vessel is strictly a sheltered water ferry. It does not appear to have any sort of draught to handle even choppy seas, let alone open ocean.

You must surely be joking about them trying to fit the gangway the wrong way around? Is there a docking crew on the pier, or just the ferry crew? :cheers:
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
User avatar
Big Boy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 45038
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
Location: Bon Kai

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Big Boy »

Nereus wrote:First class report, Big Boy!
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.

What about access to toilet's, where for sure some folk are going to puke?
Yes, one kiddie managed to puke on our short journey.

Business Class surprisingly only had one toilet, which I thought a bit sparse. Cattle Class had a couple of multiple toilets, male and female at the back of the cabin.


I looks to me like that vessel is strictly a sheltered water ferry. It does not appear to have any sort of draught to handle even choppy seas, let alone open ocean.
As I've said before, I think the aborted journey was for comfort, rather than safety. At no time did I think these seas are too heavy. However, trying to do the journey at speed would have been iffy,

You must surely be joking about them trying to fit the gangway the wrong way around? Is there a docking crew on the pier, or just the ferry crew? :cheers:
I'm not joking. One end of the gangway has wheels, the other doesn't. Where the gangway goes on the boat are a couple of rollers. Anybody with half a brain could see that if you put the wheels on the dockside, the movement of the boat, combined with the onboard rollers would see the gangway roll away. Of course, the crew are Thai, so the couldn't see it. :?

No dedicated docking crew.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Points 41; Position 18
User avatar
Nereus
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10900
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:01 pm
Location: Hua Hin and Bangkok

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Nereus »

Anybody with half a brain could see that if you put the wheels on the dockside, the movement of the boat, combined with the onboard rollers would see the gangway roll away.
Sorry, I am a bit confused by this. It is usual to have some form of wheel or roller on the dockside end of a gangway. As the ship moves the dockside end has to be free to move, and to prevent it digging into the dock surface it needs some form of wheel or roller.

The ship side end needs to be secured to the vessel by some means that allow it to hinge as the vessel moves up and down, but not become detached. Sounds to me like they are trying to use the completely wrong gangway. Also, in most places a safety net is required to be rigged under the gangway, but I guess here it is a novelty to even have a gangway!
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
User avatar
Big Boy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 45038
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
Location: Bon Kai

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Big Boy »

I would agree with your configuration if it weren't for the rollers on the boat. I worked in and around docks all my life, and I agree it's normal to have the roller on the dockside and fixed shipside. However, this vessel has a 'short term' gangway (remember only used for passenger embarkation/disembarkation). The rollers are built into the boat, so the rigid end has to be the jetty.

Design fault? I don't know, but putting wheels on the jetty was dangerous.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Points 41; Position 18
User avatar
Nereus
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10900
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:01 pm
Location: Hua Hin and Bangkok

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Nereus »

If you look at the photo posted by Pete of the ferries in Hong Kong they are moored into a purpose built finger pier that also appears to float. As these ferries have come from China it is very likely that the embarkation points on the vessel are built to take a short gangway designed to connect just to the floating landing dock.

I suppose like the klong boats in Bangkok, they will wait until some poor bugger falls into the water and drowns before thinking about having the correct landing equipment.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
HHTel
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10814
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:44 pm

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by HHTel »

What a surprise. Definitely put me off the trip. What with the waiting and time embarking and disembarking, it doesn't look like much time is saved. I'll stick to driving.

Now if the government had stuck by their original plan, spending 14 bn baht for new piers and large car and truck carrying ferries, there maybe some sort of future. People would use it as a short-cut to that part of the country and shipping cargo would be more attractive than transporting by road. It would also keep some trucks off the road. The original plan was to open in 2020.

This has been rushed half-cocked and will do nothing to promote the 'final plan'.

NB. Ton's place benefited nicely!!
User avatar
Big Boy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 45038
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
Location: Bon Kai

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by Big Boy »

It certainly hasn't put me off. I was quite happy we went as far as we did. I'd been checking weather forecasts, and didn't expect to even get onboard. Wind forecast for today was gusting to Force 8. So for me, getting on, having a look around, and a trip around the bay was a lot more than I expected.

My concern was seeing all of those serious travellers stranded. I really felt sorry for them - hence I gave a complete stranger a lift to help him out e.g. it would be an advantage for my son who sometimes travels across for sport - could he take the risk of same day travel?

Personally, I will monitor for a few months to see if things improve as the weather eases. We all know this time of year is a bit iffy weather wise for crossing the gulf.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Points 41; Position 18
User avatar
StevePIraq
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 3043
Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:21 pm
Location: Ting Tong Land

Re: Hua Hin - Pattaya ferry project news and updates

Post by StevePIraq »

I find it very concerning that the ferry went out at all totally ignoring the met office warning

"The strong northeast monsoon still prevails over the Gulf of Thailand and the South, forcing waves up to 2-3 metres high in the Gulf and Andaman Sea. People should beware of inshore surge. All vessels should proceed with caution, and small boats keep ashore for the next few days."
"Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right." Muhammad Ali
Post Reply