New Connection Between Samui To Ko Pha Ngan

[Stevethongsala]

The first regular daily connection by private speed boat was born yesterday morning at the beginning of Big Bouddha in Petcherat Marina with an arrival on Koh Pha Ngan at the small port of Bantai.

This connection must function each day and every hour from 07. 00 of the morning and up to 5 P.m. 00, last departure from Samui to Pha Ngan.

The time of crossing estimated is 10 minutes and the price is 450 Baht per person .

For any further information, call this number 077.425.262

[sbk]

Already posted in the boat schedule thread steve

But I didn't get the phone number. Looks like you'll need to book a seat as its a speed boat, . I guess that's why the 450 baht price tag then. I guess, if its convenience you need, and the waves are not big (like yesterday and today) then 450 baht is not a bad price. Don't think I'll be using it much tho. Lomprayah gives you a free taxi ride to where you want to go on Samui.

[Dingojoe]

Already posted in the boat schedule thread steve

But I didn't get the phone number. Looks like you'll need to book a seat as its a speed boat, . I guess that's why the 450 baht price tag then. I guess, if its convenience you need, and the waves are not big (like yesterday and today) then 450 baht is not a bad price. Don't think I'll be using it much tho. Lomprayah gives you a free taxi ride to where you want to go on Samui.

Interesting, someone PM me and said that would be a good business.

But its expensive to run a high powered speed boat and yeah at least 450 baht

But quick way to get there, yep its 10 min for sure if its calm, 20 min if rough.

How long does the other ferry take?

[Chayaphum]

The first regular daily connection by private speed boat was born yesterday morning at the beginning of Big Bouddha in Petcherat Marina with an arrival on Koh Pha Ngan at the small port of Bantai. This connection must function each day and every hour from 07. 00 of the morning and up to 5 P.m. 00, last departure from Samui to Pha Ngan. The time of crossing estimated is 10 minutes and the price is 450 Baht per person . For any further information, call this number 077.425.262

these NEWS are more then two weeks old (born yesterday morning?)

have a look at here:

http://www.samuilink.com/bd_info_phanganexpres.html

in just 9 minutes!

Chayaphum

Edited December 16, 2007 by Chayaphum

[sbk]

Already posted in the boat schedule thread steve

But I didn't get the phone number. Looks like you'll need to book a seat as its a speed boat, . I guess that's why the 450 baht price tag then. I guess, if its convenience you need, and the waves are not big (like yesterday and today) then 450 baht is not a bad price. Don't think I'll be using it much tho. Lomprayah gives you a free taxi ride to where you want to go on Samui.

Interesting, someone PM me and said that would be a good business.

But its expensive to run a high powered speed boat and yeah at least 450 baht

But quick way to get there, yep its 10 min for sure if its calm, 20 min if rough.

How long does the other ferry take?

20 minutes.

Frankly, I don't think they'll have the business to run it as scheduled every day. Perhaps over Xmas and New Year, but after that? Every hour on the half hour to Samui? With th e price of gas what it is these days, I just don't see this service lasting as scheduled for more than a few months.

[Dingojoe]

Already posted in the boat schedule thread steve

But I didn't get the phone number. Looks like you'll need to book a seat as its a speed boat, . I guess that's why the 450 baht price tag then. I guess, if its convenience you need, and the waves are not big (like yesterday and today) then 450 baht is not a bad price. Don't think I'll be using it much tho. Lomprayah gives you a free taxi ride to where you want to go on Samui.

Interesting, someone PM me and said that would be a good business.

But its expensive to run a high powered speed boat and yeah at least 450 baht

But quick way to get there, yep its 10 min for sure if its calm, 20 min if rough.

How long does the other ferry take?

20 minutes.

Frankly, I don't think they'll have the business to run it as scheduled every day. Perhaps over Xmas and New Year, but after that? Every hour on the half hour to Samui? With th e price of gas what it is these days, I just don't see this service lasting as scheduled for more than a few months.

Definately wont last, with 2 x 200 hp its 100 ltrs to Had rin, plus oil

[Mark Wolfe]

I don't understand the business model. Who would need to take advantage of a ferry that only cuts 10 minutes off the service already provided and doesn't offer the all-important free shuttle service on arrival? And for almost double the cost?

I'd love to hear from the owner of this.

[highdiver]

I went to see it yesterday and had a word with the owner at Petcherat Marina.

there is definatly a demand for this service of a speed boat transfer.

The concept is:

the ferry to hadrin takes 45 minutes and costs 200 baht.

the ferry to tongsala takes 50 minutes and costs 200- 250 baht.

the ferry goes 4 times a day, roughly every 4 hours. if the ferry is full you need to wait for the next one.

the Samui Phnagan Express speed boat goes every hour and its 450 baht. but you get there quicker and dont need to wait for 3 hours for the ferry.

and you can go and come back nearly every hour.

the speed boat goes from Ban rak to Ban thai that is the closest geographical point and takes about 10 minutes on a calm sea and 15- minutes when there are waves.

As for the business profitabilty. it seems that the owners of Petcherat on the contrary to other speedboats are doing something right...

[sbk]

highdiver, what ferry to Thong Sala takes 50 minutes? Only one that takes that long is the Songserm boat. Lomprayah is 20 minutes, Seatrans about 25.

Yes, different departure times are a good thing, and if the weather were good I would seriously consider it as a return trip from Samui, but I don't know that they will make a profit each trip. Perhaps I am wrong, but I do take the boat to Samui on occasion and I can verify that the 7am Lomprayah boat is rarely full.

[Stevethongsala]

the ferry to hadrin takes 45 minutes and costs 200 baht.

Haad Rin Queen cost : 150 baht

[Stevethongsala]

The first regular daily connection by private speed boat was born yesterday morning at the beginning of Big Bouddha in Petcherat Marina with an arrival on Koh Pha Ngan at the small port of Bantai. This connection must function each day and every hour from 07. 00 of the morning and up to 5 P.m. 00, last departure from Samui to Pha Ngan. The time of crossing estimated is 10 minutes and the price is 450 Baht per person . For any further information, call this number 077.425.262

these NEWS are more then two weeks old (born yesterday morning?)

have a look at here:

http://www.samuilink.com/bd_info_phanganexpres.html

in just 9 minutes!

Chayaphum

Ok ! and look at this ...........

And since yesterday, you have a person in bantai pier who sell a tickets ! I was there for the first day. I live in Ko Pha Ngan But it doesn't matter

[Mark Wolfe]

I don't see the need for speed in this regard. Most tourists watch their pennies and paying double for a smidgen of time just won't wash with most travelers.

This isn't like missing the last Lammai ferry from Central in Hong Kong and being stranded for the night.

And what about that free transfer? That is absolutely the deal-maker in my mind given the profiteering rates the cabbies charge here.

[highdiver]

I don't see the need for speed in this regard. Most tourists watch their pennies and paying double for a smidgen of time just won't wash with most travelers.

This isn't like missing the last Lammai ferry from Central in Hong Kong and being stranded for the night.

And what about that free transfer? That is absolutely the deal-maker in my mind given the profiteering rates the cabbies charge here.

i totaly agree... but then again you are not the client for this service...

this is a speedy service. you know... like first class... and there are those who gladly pay fo it.

as in any service in Thailand there are those who will try to save a few bhts and there are those who would gladly pay 4 Euros more..(less then a cup of coffee in Europe) to get there more quick and with no need to wait.

all those who come off the plane to ban rak and wonder around all the piers only to find out that the next ferry is 3 hours away.

or those who want to pop over to Samui or KPG and come back at every hour and not only 3 times a day.

a friend who owns a resort in KPG told me that this was the service he has been waiting for. he is fed up that there are only 4 ferries a day.

he feels that every trip to Samui has to be planned with ferry times and this service gives him and his guests a choice.

not to mention those "spontanious" people who just want to pop over for lunch or for the day with out commiting to a certain time.

there are those that go to the full moon party on the slow boat.. and pay 200 baht and there are those that pay 600 baht and go and come back when they wish.

since the Samui Phangan express is only for 14 people. i am sure they will find enough people who would gladly pay another 4 euros to have a speedy service.

Definatly a great service that is very usefull to those who want to decide to go now!!!

[mssabai]

I don't see the need for speed in this regard. Most tourists watch their pennies and paying double for a smidgen of time just won't wash with most travelers.

This isn't like missing the last Lammai ferry from Central in Hong Kong and being stranded for the night.

And what about that free transfer? That is absolutely the deal-maker in my mind given the profiteering rates the cabbies charge here.

I'm not sure I agree Mark. The kind of tourists heading to certain parts of Koh Phangan are not your usual budget backpackers and judging by the prices of accommodation in places like Had Rin now, your budget backpackers are not even on so much of a budget anymore. The amount of people who now fly to Samui to get to KPN is huge and if you are happy to pay Bangkok airs exhorbitant rates, I think you would be happy to shell out an extra 200 odd baht for a speedboat if you didn't want to wait for a certain boat. Also the songthaews are cheap and reliable. I go to KPN evey weekend and have never had to get a taxi although I have taken every boat going. I have friends on KPN who have speedboats and they are regularly doing to KPN - Samui as a private charter - I just worry what this will do to their business!

Also if you are headed to Had Rin or Tong Nai Pan / Bottle Beach you are already saving another 10-15 minutes by landing in Ban Tai.

I reckon it sounds like a good service and I think that there will be a few locals who will be taking it up too...

[Gatorade]

I don't see the need for speed in this regard. Most tourists watch their pennies and paying double for a smidgen of time just won't wash with most travelers.

This isn't like missing the last Lammai ferry from Central in Hong Kong and being stranded for the night.

And what about that free transfer? That is absolutely the deal-maker in my mind given the profiteering rates the cabbies charge here.

i totaly agree... but then again you are not the client for this service...

this is a speedy service. you know... like first class... and there are those who gladly pay fo it.

as in any service in Thailand there are those who will try to save a few bhts and there are those who would gladly pay 4 Euros more..(less then a cup of coffee in Europe) to get there more quick and with no need to wait.

all those who come off the plane to ban rak and wonder around all the piers only to find out that the next ferry is 3 hours away.

or those who want to pop over to Samui or KPG and come back at every hour and not only 3 times a day.

a friend who owns a resort in KPG told me that this was the service he has been waiting for. he is fed up that there are only 4 ferries a day.

he feels that every trip to Samui has to be planned with ferry times and this service gives him and his guests a choice.

not to mention those "spontanious" people who just want to pop over for lunch or for the day with out commiting to a certain time.

there are those that go to the full moon party on the slow boat.. and pay 200 baht and there are those that pay 600 baht and go and come back when they wish.

since the Samui Phangan express is only for 14 people. i am sure they will find enough people who would gladly pay another 4 euros to have a speedy service.

Definatly a great service that is very usefull to those who want to decide to go now!!!

Sounds a very good idea. I will certainly use it, not only for the convenience but being a RIB it should be fun.

Fortunately I am not in a posiion where I need to save a couple of hundred Baht and have to wait 3 hours for the next ferry.

I hope that it succeeds despite the doom and gloom merchants predictions.

[sbk]

Not doom and gloom Gatorade, just experienced I'd like it to succeed as well, it would be very nice to have alternatives. I don't mind paying the extra if I don't have to sit in Samui for hours on end either.

Saw it go today, it even has a little roof for white skinned people such as myself

[Gatorade]

Not doom and gloom Gatorade, just experienced I'd like it to succeed as well, it would be very nice to have alternatives. I don't mind paying the extra if I don't have to sit in Samui for hours on end either.

Saw it go today, it even has a little roof for white skinned people such as myself

Yes it's a pretty nifty piece of kit and seems to have all the necessary bit n'bobs i.e. radar,GPS etc.

Wonder if they would allow wakeboarding in between schedules?

[BusyBee123]

I'll definitely be using it. I have little patience whilst on the road and lots of money so this service suits me down to the ground.

[excite]

Never mind the price or time saving.

Its fast and fun ....an experience in itself .

Definitely worth a trip

[Stevethongsala]

In fact, the price is 440 baht. I met a guy yesterday

[LaoPo]

The first regular daily connection by private speed boat was born yesterday morning at the beginning of Big Bouddha in Petcherat Marina with an arrival on Koh Pha Ngan at the small port of Bantai. This connection must function each day and every hour from 07. 00 of the morning and up to 5 P.m. 00, last departure from Samui to Pha Ngan. The time of crossing estimated is 10 minutes and the price is 450 Baht per person . For any further information, call this number 077.425.262

these NEWS are more then two weeks old (born yesterday morning?)

have a look at here:

http://www.samuilink.com/bd_info_phanganexpres.html

in just 9 minutes!

Chayaphum

It's not a speed boat as such; it's a rubber Zodiac with 2 engines as far as I can see.

Very fast indeed but you don't want to ride that one with higher waves although it's quite sea worthy.

I drove a big one on high waves....quite an experience. Not for the weak hearted when it's rough out there and you will get wet; better secure your belongings, shopping bags and luggage

LaoPo

[Dingojoe]

The first regular daily connection by private speed boat was born yesterday morning at the beginning of Big Bouddha in Petcherat Marina with an arrival on Koh Pha Ngan at the small port of Bantai. This connection must function each day and every hour from 07. 00 of the morning and up to 5 P.m. 00, last departure from Samui to Pha Ngan. The time of crossing estimated is 10 minutes and the price is 450 Baht per person . For any further information, call this number 077.425.262

these NEWS are more then two weeks old (born yesterday morning?)

have a look at here:

http://www.samuilink.com/bd_info_phanganexpres.html

in just 9 minutes!

Chayaphum

It's not a speed boat as such; it's a rubber Zodiac with 2 engines as far as I can see.

Very fast indeed but you don't want to ride that one with higher waves although it's quite sea worthy.

I drove a big one on high waves....quite an experience. Not for the weak hearted when it's rough out there and you will get wet; better secure your belongings, shopping bags and luggage

LaoPo

Ok I know the boat, its very light extremely stable, its commonly used in Australia as a search and rescue boat, can do anything in rough seas if your not faint hearted, very fast because its so light, very fuel efficient cause its so light, he will probably stay in business.

If you get in it on your own ask him to tramp it, its a wow of a ride.

Picture deceiving, its almost as long as the 25 seater full moon speed boats.

If i tried to do this with my boat or any of Petcherats boats with 2 x 200hp on the back it would not be profitable, well only on the full moon party with full capacity of 25 person, (not 30 or 35) as they do sometimes.

[MonkeyNuts]

That boat looks like fun. I'd give it a try. Not worried about the price.