Pattaya - Hua Hin Ferry

[Shane]

I arrive in Pattaya on Sun 4th Dec 2011, and intend to go to Hua Hin on Fri 9th Dec, so I'm Very interested in using the Ferry service. What worries me is the Ferry being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions that are more likely this time of year (if my understanding is correct).

If I book in advance, and I'd like to so I guarentee a ticket, how will I find out about any problems so I can make alternative arrangements? And how easy is it to get a refund?

Also I'll have a 12-15kg Rucksack and hand luggage, so is it ok to take luggage on the Ferry? Is there storage or do passengers have to keep it nearby.

And finally is there a map of pickup off point(s) in Pattaya?

I'm staying at Queen Victoria Inn (soi 6) in Pattaya, and as best I can understand there's a pickup nearby but can't find where exactly.

[BaaBaa.]

I'm sure Barry will come along and answer your questions, his websites here http://www.huahinmedia.com/huahinferry.php

The Pattaya pickup points are:
Royal Garden, Beach Road - 07.30
Thailiving Ferry Office, Thapraya Road - 07.45
Ocean Marina - 08.15

As I said, Barry will fill you in.

[barrys]

Hi Shane

To answer your questions in order:

Q.1. I arrive in Pattaya on Sun 4th Dec 2011, and intend to go to Hua Hin on Fri 9th Dec, so I'm Very interested in using the Ferry service. What worries me is the Ferry being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions that are more likely this time of year (if my understanding is correct).

A.1. The weather at the beginning of December normally tends to be ok, it's normally a bit later in the month that the winds pick up.

Q.2. If I book in advance, and I'd like to so I guarentee a ticket, how will I find out about any problems so I can make alternative arrangements? And how easy is it to get a refund?

A.2. We try to give at least 24 h notice of cancellations due to adverse weather conditions. We will organise alternative transport if you wish and give an immediate refund.

Q.3. Also I'll have a 12-15kg Rucksack and hand luggage, so is it ok to take luggage on the Ferry? Is there storage or do passengers have to keep it nearby.

A.3. Luggage is permitted up to 20 kg per passenger and there is storage space.

Q.4. And finally is there a map of pickup off point(s) in Pattaya?
I'm staying at Queen Victoria Inn (soi 6) in Pattaya, and as best I can understand there's a pickup nearby but can't find where exactly.

A.4. If you PM me your email address, I'll send you the map of the pick-up points.
From the Queen Vic, come out, turn left and walk down to Beach Road.
Hop on a Songteaw and get off at the Royal Garden Plaza shopping mall (before Walking Street)
The complementary minibus picks up there in front of Macdonalds at 7.30 a.m.

If you want more info or would like to book, just contact me as below.

[BaaBaa.]

Right on cue, I told you!

[Big Boy]

Shane, firstly I'd like to welcome you to the forum. barrys has suggested that you PM him. Unfortunately, the Forum's anti-spam software will not permit this until you have completed a few more posts. However, if you follow the link at the bottom of barrys post, it will take you to his website. His e-mail address can be found in the contact us section.

[barrys]

Thanks for that BB

[Shane]

Thanx Barry et al!

I bought a Thai SIM card for my mobile phone when I was over a few months ago, so going to try to get the number before booking so I can use it to be contacted. In the mean time I've send you an eMail requesting a map, but it sounds pretty straight forward... I'm quite looking forward to it! :]

[barrys]

No problem, Shane

I've sent you the map as requested.


In addition:
I'm afraid the ferry will not run tomorrow Sunday, 27 and Wednesday, 30 March due to high winds.
Wind speeds over 20 knots forecast for the next few days.

If anyone's interested where we get this info from, we use a combination of the Thai meteorological service at http://www.tmd.go.th/en/ and WindGuru at http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=273.
This has proved to be pretty reliable up to now.

The basic policy is: if the conditions combine to produce a wave height of more than 1 metre for a substantial part of the crossing, the service is cancelled.

The catamaran can certainly cope with waves much higher than than, but we're not so sure about the passengers, so their comfort and safety is the prime consideration.

[Shane]

Cheers Barry! I've a booking request form... only just over 8 months to go now. :]

[Shane]

How long does it usually take to get a reply? I completed the form on Saturday. I expected to be re-directed to a page to pay but there was only a message saying my form had been submitted, not even a confirmation eMail so I'm not sure my details have gone through.

[barrys]

How long does it usually take to get a reply? I completed the form on Saturday. I expected to be re-directed to a page to pay but there was only a message saying my form had been submitted, not even a confirmation eMail so I'm not sure my details have gone through.

Hi Shane

Your booking form was received at 16:51 Thai time on Saturday, 26 March.
The confirmation was sent to you at 17:00 the same day, i.e. just 9 minutes later.

Could be a problem with your yahoo account - they do tend to be problematic quite often.

I've just sent the confirmation again.

In case there's a problem, here is a copy of the confirmations sent on Saturday and today:


Hi Shane
As you can see, confirmation was sent to you at 5 p.m. Thai time on Saturday 26 March.
How many seats do you want to book.
There is no need to pay in advance.
Please let me know if you need any more info.

Best regards
Barry


On 26.03.2011 17:00, Barry Stone wrote:
> Hi Shane
>
> Thanks a lot for your booking.
> Are you booking one place only?
>
> Best regards
> Barry
>
>
>
> On 26.03.2011 16:51, Shane M Spencer wrote:
>> Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted on Saturday, March 26th, 2011 at 02:51 AM.
>>
>>
>> Address : [Personal details removed]
>> Name : [Personal details removed]
>> Email : [Personal details removed]
>> Email2 : [Personal details removed]
>> Phone : [Personal details removed]
>> Direction : Pattaya to Hua Hin
>> Ticket : One Way
>> Depart_day : 9
>> Depart_month : 12
>> Depart_year : 2011
>> Message : I arrive in Thailand on 4th December, and from this date intend to use a Thailand mobile number: +66873343286I'll also be staying at The Queen Victoria Inn in Pattaya for my first 5 nights if you need to get in contact / leave a message for me there. You can also try eMailing me as I'll try to logon to my eMail whilst in Thailand.

[cass1981]

does the ferry service run satardays or not?

[barrys]

does the ferry service run satardays or not?

The present schedule runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Any further days will be demand-related and are hardly likely throughout the low season, I'm afraid.

[Shane]

Thanx Barry. I found the message in my spam folder.

[Super Joe]

Re: Thailand weather/winds/seas/ferries, not sure if this website is helpful to Barry or others, but found it interesting as looking at Koh Tao (air evacuations yesterday ) as meant to be going there in a few days time.

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=273

SJ