Blue Dolphin ferry. File photo

 

A car ferry service which will connect Chonburi with Songkhla in southern Thailand will finally launch on Monday (Nov 8).

 

The service, which was due to begin back in May, had to be delayed due to COVID-19.

 

However, operator Seahorse Ferries Company says the service will now begin on Monday.

 

It was reported previously that a three decker Blue Dolphin ferry had been purchased for a company in Japan for a fee in the region of 200 million baht.

 

The ferry, which has since undergone renovation, can accommodate 586 passengers, 80 lorries and 20 cars.

 

Onboard is also a selection of guest rooms ranging from single capsules to rooms with ensuite bathrooms. There is also a restaurant and entertainment area.

 

Monday’s voyage will see the ferry depart Chuk Samet Pier in Sattahip at 2pm and is expected to dock in Songkhla port at 10am on Tuesday.

 

The journey will take approximately 20 hours each way. 

 

Transport officials have said they expect the service to be used mainly for logistics and commercial purposes helping to boost trade between the Eastern and Southern Economic Corridors. 

 

Previously plans had been mooted to later expand the service to Bang Saphan in Prachuap Khiri Khan. 

 

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Let´s hope it will not make good on it´s name. A seahorse swim under water.

Great news! Let's hope they are successful with this.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

will finally launch on Monday (Nov 8).

In the video above she says there will be many price options to choose from but there's no word from the company what those prices are they will be announced after they work out what is financially viable !!

 

I suppose the member  ( @hammer something ) involved in this project  will have a clue ??? 

7 hours ago, johng said:

In the video above she says there will be many price options to choose from but there's no word from the company what those prices are they will be announced after they work out what is financially viable !!

 

I suppose the member  ( @hammer something ) involved in this project  will have a clue ??? 

Pricing is key to any successful business....not to publish prices beforehand is strange to say the least.

3 minutes ago, petermik said:

Pricing is key to any successful business....not to publish prices beforehand is strange to say the least.

Me: How much is the ticket,?

Vendor: How much do you have?

 

Just a bit of fun. Keeping it light when kept in the dark. I certainly would like to put my car on it and avoid the long drive.

Here we go again.......

With 2 days to go you still cannot book anything. Maybe it;s free.

@Hammerman will no doubt report later to say it was all a complete misunderstanding. 

1 hour ago, johng said:

In the video above she says there will be many price options to choose from but there's no word from the company what those prices are they will be announced after they work out what is financially viable !!

 

I suppose the member  ( @hammer something ) involved in this project  will have a clue ??? 

Even their website isn't showing prices (or availability).

https://www.seahorse-ferries.com/Home/Home.aspx

Fingers crossed all goes well this time & some obscure Thai ministry doesn't pull the rug from under them at the last minute. 

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Let´s hope it will not make good on it´s name. A seahorse swim under water.

Maybe this one will just "flounder"...

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Onboard is also a selection of guest rooms ranging from single capsules to rooms with ensuite bathrooms. There is also a restaurant and entertainment area.

But no chance of a bevvy I'm sure.

Can't see this is going to work out fine with all the restriction there still are to enter Songkhla at this moment.

16 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Fingers crossed all goes well this time & some obscure Thai ministry doesn't pull the rug from under them at the last minute. 

I have a sinking feeling that this being a nautical theme should your sentence not read "Fingers crossed all goes well this time & some obscure Thai ministry doesn't pull the rug plug from under them at the last minute." 

Why would anyone want to travel 20 hours to visit a place where Muslim terrorists are active?

20 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Here we go again.......

Like the Ferry from Sattahip to Bang Bao Koh Chang it never did materialize.  

only 20 cars ! 

It will never work, could never work and is a white elephant. I give it two years at most. 

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

Why would anyone want to travel 20 hours to visit a place where Muslim terrorists are active?

You clearly don't know what you're talking about bro. Have you ever been down south yourself?
I have lived in one of those provinces for many years and most is fine and dandy. Don't believe the media.
The muslims are nice and friendly and I got absolutely no beef with em, you know what I'm sayin?

There are too many posts on different forums on this subject. It will not start Monday. Maybe 15th - but they are not sure yet.

An unfounded troll post claiming some replies have gone missing, has been removed.

 

I tried to book a trip for Nov. 14-19.

Unfortunately, their website at https://www.seahorse-ferries.com/Home/BookingList.aspx

isn't working for selling tickets or making reservation.

 

Silly to start a big expensive ferry service without an online booking/sales facility or a modern working administration system. They won't be in business very long. That big ship drinks lots of diesel fuel, so it needs lots paying customers.

21 hours ago, MarcelV said:

You clearly don't know what you're talking about bro. Have you ever been down south yourself?
I have lived in one of those provinces for many years and most is fine and dandy. Don't believe the media.
The muslims are nice and friendly and I got absolutely no beef with em, you know what I'm sayin?

I have spent time in (R)Hat Yai & Songkla.  I accept most Muslims are fine & dandy (spent months in Brunei).  It's the few which are not nice & friendly that the public worry about - it's those that the media write about.

You undo the thrust of your riposte with 'most is fine and dandy.'

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

I have spent time in (R)Hat Yai & Songkla.  I accept most Muslims are fine & dandy (spent months in Brunei).  It's the few which are not nice & friendly that the public worry about - it's those that the media write about.

You undo the thrust of your riposte with 'most is fine and dandy.'

Songkhla in particular has only seen very few attacks. Worrying about terrorism should be the least of your worries. So, yes, most is certainly fine.

On 11/7/2021 at 10:45 AM, Doctor Tom said:

It will never work, could never work and is a white elephant. I give it two years at most. 

You have a pretty safe bet there Dr..all the other attemps with these ferries have not been successful.

I hope this ferry is a success. Many alternatives to the rather challenging highways here are needed. That is an absolutely horrendous trip by land. And it has to be timed perfectly to get through Bangkok. Likely a two day trip. I would take this ferry if I was living in the south. 

35 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I hope this ferry is a success. Many alternatives to the rather challenging highways here are needed. That is an absolutely horrendous trip by land. And it has to be timed perfectly to get through Bangkok. Likely a two day trip. I would take this ferry if I was living in the south. 

I live in the Deep South (Narathiwat) and I will keep taking airplanes instead. Cars may be rented in Bangkok. Taking this ferry would be a one-time thing, but I see no reason to use it more than once.