Naew Na Thai Caption: Samui residents oppose ferry price increase

 

Naew Na reported from the municipal offices on Koh Samui in southern Thailand where mayor Ramnet Jaikwang and a host of other local officials heard the opinions of Samui residents regarding increase in ferry charges from the mainland in line with the current economic situation. 

 

Originally both ferry companies that run services to the island and Koh Phangan from Donsak on the mainland were given permission to raise prices in May. 

 

These were due to take effect on July 1st as reported elsewhere on ASEAN NOW. 

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

In a latest move the governor of Surat Thani province issued an order on July 11th delaying the increases. 

 

This resulted in Seatran reducing their services and suspending their membership scheme that gave preferential treatment to card holders for the queue. 

 

It was decided to set up another committee to handle resident's complaints on the issue. 

 

One resident called Pathom complained that action to restrict the numer of ferries had a detrimental effect on the reemergence of tourism post pandemic. 

 

He called for a reasonable increase in price and if oil prices go down again for fares to drop too.

 

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It's a no-win scenario.

Increased costs means that the ferry companies need to charge more.  (I cannot remember there ever being a fare increase but my memory is not great.)

Meanwhile, people and businesses on the island are struggling with similar increased costs and two years of no or little income from tourism.

Solution - government subsidy but that is unlikely to happen.