Sattahip to Songkhla car ferry service set to begin by March, Prachuap Khiri Khan misses out - for now

[HammerMan]

I can confirm the ferry "The Blue Dolphin" will definitely commence on November 15th from Sattahip to Songkhla and return to Sattahip on 17th..  and continue a weekly service, increasing in sailings as volumes hopefully grow..  anyone interested should call 0858426023 (Sattahip) or 0858426021 (Songkhla). 

 

[petermik]

7 hours ago, HammerMan said:

I can confirm the ferry "The Blue Dolphin" will definitely commence on November 15th from Sattahip to Songkhla and return to Sattahip on 17th..  and continue a weekly service, increasing in sailings as volumes hopefully grow..  anyone interested should call 0858426023 (Sattahip) or 0858426021 (Songkhla). 

 

Pricing????

[pontious]

2 hours ago, HammerMan said:

I can confirm the ferry "The Blue Dolphin" will definitely commence on November 15th from Sattahip to Songkhla and return to Sattahip on 17th..  and continue a weekly service, increasing in sailings as volumes hopefully grow..  anyone interested should call 0858426023 (Sattahip) or 0858426021 (Songkhla). 

 

With respect HM many followers of this adventure have lost count of ' it is starting on'. To expect people to phone a mobile phone to show interest will not work. People want a workable website to show what the prices are and what services are to be provided.  I, and many others want it to work but I just cannot see it at the moment. We are not even sure of the entry requirements for Songklha are. All this has to be included in the website. That maybe in progress but apart from your updates, which are very welcome, nothing from Seahorse ferries has been announced since day one of this venture. And most of the reports in the press  have been wrong and not been corrected by Seahorse. Good luck anyway.

[HammerMan]

18 hours ago, petermik said:

Pricing????

[HammerMan]

16 hours ago, pontious said:

With respect HM many followers of this adventure have lost count of ' it is starting on'. To expect people to phone a mobile phone to show interest will not work. People want a workable website to show what the prices are and what services are to be provided.  I, and many others want it to work but I just cannot see it at the moment. We are not even sure of the entry requirements for Songklha are. All this has to be included in the website. That maybe in progress but apart from your updates, which are very welcome, nothing from Seahorse ferries has been announced since day one of this venture. And most of the reports in the press  have been wrong and not been corrected by Seahorse. Good luck anyway.

Yes absolutely agree with you, but this is Thailand. Website being updated and this time the vessel is going even if empty.. have to start or die.  I updated Pattaya News already:  https://thepattayanews.com/2021/11/07/ferry-service-from-chonburi-to-songkhla-to-be-officially-launched-tomorrow-monday-november-8th/

[pontious]

6 hours ago, HammerMan said:

Is that one way prices.?

If yes then myself plus car and wife would be 6000 plus 2000 - 8000 one way.

16,000 return and I have not even booked a cabin yet.?

[MarcelV]

I read on The Pattaya News that there's gonna be no passengers until further notice. Then what's the point?

Songkhla will stay dark red until at least January and Covid restrictions are there to stay.

[pontious]

35 minutes ago, MarcelV said:

I read on The Pattaya News that there's gonna be no passengers until further notice. Then what's the point?

Songkhla will stay dark red until at least January and Covid restrictions are there to stay.

Pattayanews updated the news yesterday. Pax are allowed but must be double vaccinated.

[MarcelV]

26 minutes ago, pontious said:

Pattayanews updated the news yesterday. Pax are allowed but must be double vaccinated.

It clearly states on the website that pax are not allowed.

[pontious]

1 hour ago, MarcelV said:

It clearly states on the website that pax are not allowed.

Hammerman updated this yesterday. -See his quote above.

Edited November 11, 2021 by pontious

[HammerMan]

15 hours ago, pontious said:

Is that one way prices.?

If yes then myself plus car and wife would be 6000 plus 2000 - 8000 one way.

16,000 return and I have not even booked a cabin yet.?

Yes one way. Everything can be discussed during the promotional phase, we already allow driver + 1 and for children under 12 years old free. Rooms are limited, hence expensive, but booking rate includes access to all rest areas and aircraft type seating and a basic meal each way etc..  Its cheaper and more convenient than flying.

[HammerMan]

47 minutes ago, pontious said:

Hammerman updated this yesterday. -See his quote above.

We already corrected the Pattaya News wrong information and they already updated their report.

[HammerMan]

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/11/07/ferry-service-from-chonburi-to-songkhla-to-be-officially-launched-tomorrow-monday-november-8th/

[petermik]

22 hours ago, pontious said:

Is that one way prices.?

If yes then myself plus car and wife would be 6000 plus 2000 - 8000 one way.

16,000 return and I have not even booked a cabin yet.?

Perhaps you could keep the cost down by sleeping in the car?????

[MarcelV]

48 minutes ago, HammerMan said:

We already corrected the Pattaya News wrong information and they already updated their report.

The information I copy-pasted from their site is still in the article.  You had better contact AJ again.

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, HammerMan said:

Yes one way. Everything can be discussed during the promotional phase, we already allow driver + 1 and for children under 12 years old free. Rooms are limited, hence expensive, but booking rate includes access to all rest areas and aircraft type seating and a basic meal each way etc..  Its cheaper and more convenient than flying.

Utapao to Hat Yai flights can be had for around Bt.1500.

 

How is a 20hr boat ride cheaper and more convenient ?

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, petermik said:

Perhaps you could keep the cost down by sleeping in the car?????

Won't it get rather hot and stifling?

[treetops]

8 hours ago, MarcelV said:

The information I copy-pasted from their site is still in the article.  You had better contact AJ again.

The correction/update is at the top of the article.

[pontious]

8 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Utapao to Hat Yai flights can be had for around Bt.1500.

 

How is a 20hr boat ride cheaper and more convenient ?

Just for pax -no car.

I agree. You can fly down South from UTP or BKK say for 3000 Baht return.

The flight time will be about 1.10 each way. Any day of the week.

 

Outside the promotional period on the ferry it will cost 4000 Baht and include I assume one packed meal. The return trip will take 40 hours. At the opening it will be only once a week sailing.

For people like me who need a car at the other end -why would you use it otherwise.?

 

3000 Baht return flight ticket.

Hire car 7 days - 8400 Baht.

 

That's  11400 Baht.

 

For the ferry 16000 Baht outside the promotional period and that does not include a room booking the prices of which are unknown at this time but HM says are expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HammerMan]

I understand peoples concerns on pricing and there are discussions internally on this. But our main focus group at this stage is Logistics Operators. With the limited number of rooms on the vessel and the strict Covid-19 restrictions we are limited on numbers. I'm hoping we'll adopt the European ferry operators strategy of charging for the car and allowing up to 4 persons per vehicle included. Please be patient and you will see things will dramatically improve. In the end as they say, you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.. 

[pontious]

9 minutes ago, HammerMan said:

I understand peoples concerns on pricing and there are discussions internally on this. But our main focus group at this stage is Logistics Operators. With the limited number of rooms on the vessel and the strict Covid-19 restrictions we are limited on numbers. I'm hoping we'll adopt the European ferry operators strategy of charging for the car and allowing up to 4 persons per vehicle included. Please be patient and you will see things will dramatically improve. In the end as they say, you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.. 

Thank you for your reply. I want this to work - I really do. I travel frequently to the South. I hate the road journey. It is early days and Covid 19 restrictions any where or everywhere are hurting everybody. Good luck anyway -it must be a nightmare for you.

[Leaver]

1 hour ago, pontious said:

Just for pax -no car.

I agree. You can fly down South from UTP or BKK say for 3000 Baht return.

The flight time will be about 1.10 each way. Any day of the week.

 

Outside the promotional period on the ferry it will cost 4000 Baht and include I assume one packed meal. The return trip will take 40 hours. At the opening it will be only once a week sailing.

For people like me who need a car at the other end -why would you use it otherwise.?

 

3000 Baht return flight ticket.

Hire car 7 days - 8400 Baht.

 

That's  11400 Baht.

 

For the ferry 16000 Baht outside the promotional period and that does not include a room booking the prices of which are unknown at this time but HM says are expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I concur.

 

Also, I'm wondering if this price point is cheap enough to get trucks onboard.  

 

Given the drivers are only on 300 baht day, would they really use around 12,000 baht of fuel for the journey?  

[josephbloggs]

47 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

I concur.

 

Also, I'm wondering if this price point is cheap enough to get trucks onboard.  

 

Given the drivers are only on 300 baht day, would they really use around 12,000 baht of fuel for the journey?  

What have drivers' salaries got to do with the price of fuel?

[Leaver]

11 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

What have drivers' salaries got to do with the price of fuel?

 

Total cost to the company for the journey if driving.  Of course, there is also vehicle maintenance, but that's also carried out by 300 baht a day Thai's.  

 

In other words, will it be cheaper for the company to drive, or to get on the boat.  

 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Leaver

[HammerMan]

Yes its cheaper and safer using the ferry.. Most trucks carry minimum 2 drivers and you have to add on fuel/maintenance and tyre costs etc.. The Journey from the border to Laemchabang area takes around 25-30 hours depending on road conditions.  But.. no matter what price we set there's always going to be people who will complain and want cheaper, its beyond our control and totally expected. I say to them enjoy your flying or driving and have a good life.

[Leaver]

5 hours ago, HammerMan said:

Yes its cheaper and safer using the ferry.. Most trucks carry minimum 2 drivers and you have to add on fuel/maintenance and tyre costs etc.. The Journey from the border to Laemchabang area takes around 25-30 hours depending on road conditions.  But.. no matter what price we set there's always going to be people who will complain and want cheaper, its beyond our control and totally expected. I say to them enjoy your flying or driving and have a good life.

 

I was thinking more of the transport companies, not private users.  

 

Will it really cost truck companies 36,000 baht for a return trip, including salaries, fuel, maintenance etc?  (large trucks)    

[HammerMan]

We've discussed everyone's comments on this chat (which has proved very helpful and for the most part constructive) and agreed to restructure the pricing and allow driver and passenger to be inclusive, children under 12 free and revised overall rates. All will be announced on the website/Facebook etc..  And one final note, which I personally found somewhat amusing, the first voyage to Songkhla we will have a Royal Thai Navy escort.. just hope they can do 20 knots.. ????

[Leaver]

5 minutes ago, HammerMan said:

We've discussed everyone's comments on this chat (which has proved very helpful and for the most part constructive) and agreed to restructure the pricing and allow driver and passenger to be inclusive, children under 12 free and revised overall rates. All will be announced on the website/Facebook etc..  And one final note, which I personally found somewhat amusing, the first voyage to Songkhla we will have a Royal Thai Navy escort.. just hope they can do 20 knots.. ????

 

I was under the impression your main customer base would be freight trucks, not passengers.  

 

Once again, do you think a truck can do a return trip, by road, for cheaper, or more expensive, than 36,000 baht?  I would have thought the answer to this question goes directly to the success, or otherwise, of the venture.  

[HammerMan]

14 hours ago, Leaver said:

 

I was under the impression your main customer base would be freight trucks, not passengers.  

 

Once again, do you think a truck can do a return trip, by road, for cheaper, or more expensive, than 36,000 baht?  I would have thought the answer to this question goes directly to the success, or otherwise, of the venture.  

According to my experience and discussions with serious, major logistics operators the return journey costs for trucks is around 42K which includes 2 drivers each way, maintenance, fuel/oil and tires. It's also my experience, having set up logistics operations in many countries in Asia that current operators will definitely lie about the real costs and alleged rates obtained. Then of course there's "tea money" provided to decision makers which we cannot compete with..  So, ultimately we'll get there as we know our rates are reasonable.

[Leaver]

6 hours ago, HammerMan said:

According to my experience and discussions with serious, major logistics operators the return journey costs for trucks is around 42K which includes 2 drivers each way, maintenance, fuel/oil and tires. It's also my experience, having set up logistics operations in many countries in Asia that current operators will definitely lie about the real costs and alleged rates obtained. Then of course there's "tea money" provided to decision makers which we cannot compete with..  So, ultimately we'll get there as we know our rates are reasonable.

 

If that is the case, then you should get quiet a few trucks onboard, which should supply a steady revenue for the company.    

 

I gather there will be quite a few unemployed and angry drivers, but that's progress.  Of the drivers that remain employed, it may work out well for them, as they are not away from their families.  I guess it will put a maintenance staff out of work as well.

 

In general, Thai's resist change, and many live hand to mouth here, but anything that gets trucks of the road is a good thing, so I hope they use the service.