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

[kuma]

2 hours ago, pontious said:

This must be the unluckiest business venture of all time.

Despite heroic efforts to get this up and running we now have   the covid situation and restrictions in Songkhla. I expect  an update from HM soon - I cannot see it starting in 3 days time.

I see that now after reading your post... ten provinces...its not worth the hassle for me so I am shelving the idea of a tour this year, just these two days of planning n prep have shown what a hassle it will be. Condolences to all Thai people who rely on tourist activity (internal and external) for their living...

Sure hope the ferry service gets rolling and at least they move commercial cargo

[HammerMan]

20 hours ago, pontious said:

This must be the unluckiest business venture of all time.

Despite heroic efforts to get this up and running we now have   the covid situation and restrictions in Songkhla. I expect  an update from HM soon - I cannot see it starting in 3 days time.

 

Sadly you are right.. the new restrictions in Songkhla have scared away the potential business, primarily because it's unclear what exactly is or is not allowed. Many truck operators fear having their vehicles stranded and with the closure of many construction sites business is dwindling. Added to this is potential restrictions on passengers entering Songkhla, which amazingly is also very confusing..  We just can't catch a break..

[kuma]

2 hours ago, HammerMan said:

 

Sadly you are right.. the new restrictions in Songkhla have scared away the potential business, primarily because it's unclear what exactly is or is not allowed. Many truck operators fear having their vehicles stranded and with the closure of many construction sites business is dwindling. Added to this is potential restrictions on passengers entering Songkhla, which amazingly is also very confusing..  We just can't catch a break..

i am in that passenger category...was ready to go this week but cannot risk forced qtine in songkhla or other such nonsense so have decided this year is just not practical....oh well...hope you get a break on the commercial traffic

[Golden Triangle]

^^^^^^  kuma, I second your comment, unfortunately until the situation eases substantially & me and the Mrs get vaccinated at some point in who knows when future we won't be going anywhere, @HammerManI really hope you can get the commercial cargo trips running until the situation favours tourists ????????????????

[HammerMan]

On 7/4/2021 at 4:42 PM, Golden Triangle said:

^^^^^^  kuma, I second your comment, unfortunately until the situation eases substantially & me and the Mrs get vaccinated at some point in who knows when future we won't be going anywhere, @HammerManI really hope you can get the commercial cargo trips running until the situation favours tourists ????????????????

Thanks..  the ever confusing "fishing nets and poles" has again arisen with complications and all of the promises from various government officials etc.. promising faithfully to resolve the issue, has resulted in nothing. However, we are resolved to start one way or another on 15th July 2021..  

[Golden Triangle]

14 minutes ago, HammerMan said:

Thanks..  the ever confusing "fishing nets and poles" has again arisen with complications and all of the promises from various government officials etc.. promising faithfully to resolve the issue, has resulted in nothing. However, we are resolved to start one way or another on 15th July 2021..  

Shakes head in disbelief, but fully expected with this bunch.

[CLW]

On 7/7/2021 at 7:46 PM, HammerMan said:

Thanks..  the ever confusing "fishing nets and poles" has again arisen with complications and all of the promises from various government officials etc.. promising faithfully to resolve the issue, has resulted in nothing. However, we are resolved to start one way or another on 15th July 2021..  

unbelievable....

[impulse]

On 7/7/2021 at 7:46 AM, HammerMan said:

Thanks..  the ever confusing "fishing nets and poles" has again arisen with complications and all of the promises from various government officials etc.. promising faithfully to resolve the issue, has resulted in nothing. However, we are resolved to start one way or another on 15th July 2021..  

"fishing nets and poles" are code...  Somehow, you're not getting enough money to the right people.  Sadly, you may not be able to, and still offer a reasonable price and make a profit.  We got absolutely bent over the table on everything related to jetty expenses in SKL.  Fortunately, they were a small portion of our total expenses to operate our platforms.

 

[Leaver]

On 7/7/2021 at 7:46 PM, HammerMan said:

Thanks..  the ever confusing "fishing nets and poles" has again arisen with complications and all of the promises from various government officials etc.. promising faithfully to resolve the issue, has resulted in nothing. However, we are resolved to start one way or another on 15th July 2021..  

 

After compensating the fishermen, you'll then have to compensate all the gasoline stations on the northern highway, for example.  It's never ending. 

 

Then, if the project is successful, a Thai company will get their own ship and compete with you, whilst your company will face raids, licensing issues, lease issues, permit issues, safety issues etc etc etc etc, the Thai company will operate unimpeded.    

 

Thailand's no place to do serious business.  You are dealing criminals, not businessmen and / or politicians.  

[MarcelV]

Hammerman, you'd be wise to at least postpone the planned start of the service. Now with the impending curfew and the current restrictions on interprovincial travel, I would definitely put this on the backburner. I suggest just selling your assets and retiring comfortably in this beautiful country. I know you can comfortably retire already anyway, so no biggie there.

The powers that be have already decided this ferry service isn't gonna happen. The opening of Betong Airport has already been postponed indefinitely and there's talk it may never see the light of day.

Take your losses and run! It's not like Pattayans are lining up for a trip to the muslim south anyway, what with the insurgency going on.

[HammerMan]

Thank you everyone for the support..  Seahorse is a Thai Company.. the main shareholders are a Public Company listed on the Thai Stock Market. The Covid-19 situation and restrictions are of course a set back and once again limit potential business to trucks/essential services etc.. but we feel we really need to start now, one way or another, as its been 7 months now already trying to start the service. We'll keep you updated accordingly.

[josephbloggs]

5 hours ago, HammerMan said:

Thank you everyone for the support..  Seahorse is a Thai Company.. the main shareholders are a Public Company listed on the Thai Stock Market. The Covid-19 situation and restrictions are of course a set back and once again limit potential business to trucks/essential services etc.. but we feel we really need to start now, one way or another, as its been 7 months now already trying to start the service. We'll keep you updated accordingly.

Glad that that shuts down the typical, paranoid anti-Thai narrative of this thread that this is a deliberate act to shut down the foreigners, that a Thai company will come in to steal the route once you are out of the picture, blah blah blah.  Such depressing, predictable replies that are based on nothing more than the posters' own prejudices.  

Anyway, thanks for your information and for keeping everyone up to date.  I wish you the best and hope the route eventually becomes a success once these troubles are over.

[redwood1]

Boy the difference between how this private enterprise has been treated and how the government Hua Hin ferry rollout was treated is like night and day...

 

With the Hua Hin ferry all problems fell away in no time.....Heck the ferries even had a helicopter escort on the first day..... 

[dabhand]

Anyone interested in seeing the innards of this ferry / ship there is a recent video by Rides 4 Kickz that might be of interest. No news on when it might start / how much, etc. but informative nonetheless.   

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPXdaLLUgtY

[Leaver]

On 7/13/2021 at 10:46 PM, josephbloggs said:

Glad that that shuts down the typical, paranoid anti-Thai narrative of this thread that this is a deliberate act to shut down the foreigners, that a Thai company will come in to steal the route once you are out of the picture, blah blah blah.  Such depressing, predictable replies that are based on nothing more than the posters' own prejudices.  

 

Time will tell.  

 

Reminds me of when all the budget airlines were pushed to Don Muang, except for Thai Smile, the subsidiary of the struggling, and ever going broke, Thai Airways.  

 

Would you buy shares in this venture?  I didn't thinks so.  

[josephbloggs]

7 hours ago, Leaver said:

 

Time will tell.  

 

Reminds me of when all the budget airlines were pushed to Don Muang, except for Thai Smile, the subsidiary of the struggling, and ever going broke, Thai Airways.  

 

Would you buy shares in this venture?  I didn't thinks so.  

Not sure what that has to do with anything, I was merely pointing out that all the people saying this is an anti foreign conspiracy so a Thai company could scoop up the route are wrong as this IS a Thai company.

Whether I would invest - I have no idea of the feasibility of the route at all as I have not researched it, but as it has been several years in the making I assume the company who have invested (heavily) in it has done huge amounts of it.  Good luck to them.

And I see you've even made an anti-foreign conspiracy out of the airports!  It was initially the budget airlines themselves that were asking to go back to Don Muang!   They were refused for a long time.  As the airlines had spent a lot to move to Suvarnabhumi, once the government did relent and reopen Don Muang they offered many many financial initiatives for budget airlines to move back (yes, foreign airlines got them too!).  Thai Smile moved too and used both airports but eventually gave up DM as it was too expensive to maintain operations at both airports and too inconvenient for passengers as most flight connected to TG flights.

Thai VietJet and Air Asia also both operate flights from Suvarnabhumi.   Airlines can choose, it just costs more to operate from Suvarnabhumi.  Guess what, it's not an anti-foreigner conspiracy!!  They are not all out to get you.

 

[Leaver]

7 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Not sure what that has to do with anything, I was merely pointing out that all the people saying this is an anti foreign conspiracy so a Thai company could scoop up the route are wrong as this IS a Thai company.

Whether I would invest - I have no idea of the feasibility of the route at all as I have not researched it, but as it has been several years in the making I assume the company who have invested (heavily) in it has done huge amounts of it.  Good luck to them.

And I see you've even made an anti-foreign conspiracy out of the airports!  It was initially the budget airlines themselves that were asking to go back to Don Muang!   They were refused for a long time.  As the airlines had spent a lot to move to Suvarnabhumi, once the government did relent and reopen Don Muang they offered many many financial initiatives for budget airlines to move back (yes, foreign airlines got them too!).  Thai Smile moved too and used both airports but eventually gave up DM as it was too expensive to maintain operations at both airports and too inconvenient for passengers as most flight connected to TG flights.

Thai VietJet and Air Asia also both operate flights from Suvarnabhumi.   Airlines can choose, it just costs more to operate from Suvarnabhumi.  Guess what, it's not an anti-foreigner conspiracy!!  They are not all out to get you.

 

 

No anti foreign conspiracy here. 

 

Just merely pointing out Thai's, and that means those with connections to people in power, and people in power who have invested in Thai companies, don't like to compete, because, in general, they can't, because they run an inferior operation, or offer inferior services and / or products. 

 

In my opinion, it's mainly due to the rampant corruption here.  So, they set about causing bureaucratic barriers to profitability on foreign entities, or, high taxes.  Just look at the way they tax wine here.  

 

As it was some time ago, I googled the budget airline move to Don Mueang.  Air Asia, being the biggest budget airline, was offered incentives to move, they did not want to move willingly, and with good reason.  They lose all that domestic and regional connecting flight business from those that do not want to cross Bangkok city to catch a connecting flight, but Thai Smile was allowed to stay at Swampy and pick up that business.  I can not post links because most were in the print media that we are not allowed to link on this forum.    

 

In all likelihood a rival Thai company may not procure a ship and compete on this route, because the powers that be have already taken a big bite out of the bottom line of this project, but if they see it is being profitable, they very well might.

 

The  system of "buying" yourself a promotion in a company, or in the public service, the Thai police comes to mind, doesn't mean the best managers get the top jobs.  It usually means the most corrupt get to the top here, and that extends to the top job of the nation, being Prime Minister.  

 

There are many highly educated Thai's who were schooled in prestigious western institutes, but when they return to Thailand, it all reverts back to corruption.  

 

I wish this venture all the best, and hope they succeed, with no further impediment from the Thai way of doing business in Thailand.  

[HammerMan]

I read with interest everybody's comments and there are many valid points being made. We do anticipate eventually there will be competition, but having been studying this project for 5 years I can promise, as correctly pointed out by many, this is no easy venture to copy, especially with so many difficult parameters and restrictions. I'm happy to say the first voyage is scheduled to commence on the 21st July 2021 from Sattahip, departing 2pm and will arrive at Songkhla Southern Port 10am on 22nd July 2021. Thereafter it will maintain a fixed schedule between the two berths. Of course there is a risk that the growing Covid-19 situation could restrict/block the operation, but to date this seems not to be an issue. Services aboard the ferry are at this stage a little limited, but they will be improved going forward. Rates will be posted on the website soon and anyone can contact the customer service numbers on the website.  Meanwhile for a preview you can see this excellent Youtube link that was kindly posted:  https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FYPXdaLLUgtY&h=AT1JEVebvUMKHTEiwbew37t-iX0B3MxYEMxWpuRLoYP--oM4yDBjLWpBPiW3nvLB6bSKAxyQNrlbOLdMyJR2K4RwbM8flZf58jVsUSUu0HhAIRFQjGODeSMQ6yck-nBrj-SnFRRa8PNE&s=1

[pontious]

I have not checked Songklha province entry requirements but will your website state what documentation will be required to check in at the ferry.? Most people think extra restrictions will be announced next week so I fear it will all go on hold again. You cannot expect passengers to get a PC test in 5 minutes  { if required {  I hope not but I fear the ''start date'' can will be kicked further down the road.

It is only 4 days to go.

[HammerMan]

28 minutes ago, pontious said:

I have not checked Songklha province entry requirements but will your website state what documentation will be required to check in at the ferry.? Most people think extra restrictions will be announced next week so I fear it will all go on hold again. You cannot expect passengers to get a PC test in 5 minutes  { if required {  I hope not but I fear the ''start date'' can will be kicked further down the road.

It is only 4 days to go.

We hear you.. so far no particular restrictions except the same 9pm - 4am quasi curfew which hopefully has no direct impact on the ferry.. we are hoping we can move forward but its anybodies guess what further restrictions may come. For further information please contact the Customer Service numbers shown on the website.   www.seahorse-ferries.com    Thanks.

 

[Leaver]

6 hours ago, HammerMan said:

I read with interest everybody's comments and there are many valid points being made. We do anticipate eventually there will be competition, but having been studying this project for 5 years I can promise, as correctly pointed out by many, this is no easy venture to copy, especially with so many difficult parameters and restrictions. I'm happy to say the first voyage is scheduled to commence on the 21st July 2021 from Sattahip, departing 2pm and will arrive at Songkhla Southern Port 10am on 22nd July 2021. Thereafter it will maintain a fixed schedule between the two berths. Of course there is a risk that the growing Covid-19 situation could restrict/block the operation, but to date this seems not to be an issue. Services aboard the ferry are at this stage a little limited, but they will be improved going forward. Rates will be posted on the website soon and anyone can contact the customer service numbers on the website.  Meanwhile for a preview you can see this excellent Youtube link that was kindly posted:  https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FYPXdaLLUgtY&h=AT1JEVebvUMKHTEiwbew37t-iX0B3MxYEMxWpuRLoYP--oM4yDBjLWpBPiW3nvLB6bSKAxyQNrlbOLdMyJR2K4RwbM8flZf58jVsUSUu0HhAIRFQjGODeSMQ6yck-nBrj-SnFRRa8PNE&s=1

 

All credit to you for your candor.  

 

It's possible the Thai's are allowing your company to spend on market research, feasibility studies etc etc, and they will sit back and see how your venture goes. 

 

Your company spends all the money, takes all the risk, has to "pay the man" to play, and the Thai's get to sit back and see if it is successful.

 

If your company is seen to be doing well, then, as you agree, competition will come, albeit, on the back of your company's hard work and investment.

 

This is when the playing field will become unlevel for your company.  On the face of things, you are a proper company, playing by the rules, looking to simply offer a good service and product, yet, you very well may find yourself competing with criminals dressed as businessmen. 

 

The saying "Thailand is for Thai's" has nothing to do with patriotism, it's just a guise for unconscionable business practices, and in many cases, collusion, monopoly, and criminality.  

 

I will use your service in the future, and even if there is competition, I will still use your service to support your company, even if you are a little more expensive, because to support your competition means supporting a criminal enterprise set up on the back of your company's hard work and investment.

 

Once again, I wish you well.

[Damrongsak]

On 7/13/2021 at 6:15 AM, HammerMan said:

Thank you everyone for the support..  ...

Good stuff.  I was thinking about this and ran across an instrumental song that you might like.  "Fare Forward Voyagers".  At 20:31 in. 

 

 

[HammerMan]

We will not be posting in this group chat going forward as hopefully we'll be fully operational soon, assuming the Covid-19 restrictions don't stop us..  If we are forced to wait again, we'll move the vessel to the outer anchorage and wait things out for 1 or 2 months. I hope everyone remains safe and healthy and thank you for the excellent support and great comments, good or bad, I've lived here long enough to understand everyone's feelings, even if I don't necessarily share the same opinions. Thank you.

[pontious]

49 minutes ago, HammerMan said:

We will not be posting in this group chat going forward as hopefully we'll be fully operational soon,

That is disappointing - your website gives no information at all. And never has. With Chonburi and Songkhla going dark red on Tuesday I cannot see you going anywhere. 3 days to your launch date and nothing on the website.

Like you I now give up posting on this topic.

 

 

[impulse]

3 hours ago, HammerMan said:

We will not be posting in this group chat going forward as hopefully we'll be fully operational soon, assuming the Covid-19 restrictions don't stop us.

I can understand the reluctance to continue the conjecture and opinions, but I hope you'll update any time there's solid news of actual progress.

 

[MarcelV]

Just like you are giving up posting, Hammerman, you'd be wise to give up this project. A ferry to Songkhla has never been and will never be viable. Us Pattaya folk just don't wanna go there. We need booze and babes.

Just end it and retire already!

[HammerMan]

12 hours ago, MarcelV said:

Just like you are giving up posting, Hammerman, you'd be wise to give up this project. A ferry to Songkhla has never been and will never be viable. Us Pattaya folk just don't wanna go there. We need booze and babes.

Just end it and retire already!

Thanks for your amazing advice and intuition but surely you realise we are not going in blind and under different circumstances, i.e. no Covid-19 the ferry would have been working well already. What we couldn't see coming was the constant barriers being imposed by some government agencies and escalating Covid restrictions. But hey, can't all be as wise as you.  

[MarcelV]

Due to you being more than financially set up for life already, one wonders why you'd put yourself through these hardships. Just relax, hang out on the beach with a cocktail and let other companies try, or not, at a later date.

Enjoying life I would put as my number one priority, with a drink in my hand and a phone full of LINE spinners at my disposal. But, hey, everyone is different. Fair play to you, for not giving up on this endeavour.

[soi3eddie]

13 hours ago, MarcelV said:

Due to you being more than financially set up for life already, one wonders why you'd put yourself through these hardships. Just relax, hang out on the beach with a cocktail and let other companies try, or not, at a later date.

Enjoying life I would put as my number one priority, with a drink in my hand and a phone full of LINE spinners at my disposal. But, hey, everyone is different. Fair play to you, for not giving up on this endeavour.

Some people maybe more ambitious than you and still want to achieve good things. A challenge keeps the mind strong and can often lead to fulfillment and happiness. A wage slave who works a boring job in an office (or similar) all their life on the 9-5 daily grind and commute may well want to just sit on a beach after retirement. Nothing wrong with that. My mother at 83 is still developing properties and hosting guests in vacation rentals despite being comfortably off. She does enjoy a visit to SE Asia (Thailand and Myanmar) and was so disappointed not to get back to LOS earlier this year due to 2 weeks quarantine. Hopefully the Sattahip-Songkhla ferry service will commence and be successful in due course. Hammerman deserves success.

 

 

 

[HammerMan]

Once again we have been forced to delay after the Marine Department expressed concerns over safety and the continuing Covid-19 situation. I can't really write my true feelings but its seems we're jinxed or disliked, not sure which. We're trying to address all issues, but ultimately it looks like 'plan B' -  to head out to the outer anchorage and layup for a few months..  We will let you know..