Phuket airport boat pier details revealed
Naraporn Tuarob


Phuripat Theerakulpisut: No negative effects at all.

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Marine Office today revealed details of its plans to build an L-shaped pier at Phuket International Airport to provide passenger transport by sea to Patong.

At today’s public hearing, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Director of the Marine Office explained that the pier and onshore facilities, which will be build right at the southern end of the airport, will cost an estimated B180 million. If the budget is forthcoming, construction could be completed in two years.

“We have studied the project and its possible effects for a long time and I’m quite positive that it will receive good feedback,” he said.

“Once we have finished building the pier, we will hand it over to Mai Khao OrBorTor to manage it. The boats will come from private companies, which will be able to bid for the right to provide services.”

There was no outright opposition to the project at the meeting, attended mostly by people from the Mai Khao area. Rather, there was caution mixed with doubt.

Manoch Saithong, Head Man of Mai Khao Moo 4, wondered whether the project would actually get off the ground. “I worry that this project will end up like the International Convention & Exhibition Centre, which failed,” he remarked. “I’m not sure that it will happen the way the Director of the Marine Office says it will.”

One legitimate worry over the project was pointed out by Noppathorn Hongsa, Assistant Head Man of Moo 5 in Tha Chat Chai, who said he was concerned about the effect it would have on the income of taxi and tuk-tuk drivers.

Mr Phuripat said he was sure it would have no effect. “The idea is not to ‘steal’ passengers from the taxis or tuk-tuks,” he said. “The idea is to help lighten the load on the roads and at the same time allow tourists to enjoy the sea view.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-airport-boat-pier-details-revealed-38963.php


-- Phuket News 2013-04-26

......and what will they do during the SW monsoon with waves of between three and four metres?

......and what will they do during the SW monsoon with waves of between three and four metres?

LOL you don't actually think this plan was thought through do you ?? Not sure I have ever heard of anything even semi intelligent coming from Phuket Marine Dept.

I think this is the classic sentence;

Mr Phuripat said he was sure it would have no effect. “The idea is not to ‘steal’ passengers from the taxis or tuk-tuks,” he said. “The idea is to help lighten the load on the roads and at the same time allow tourists to enjoy the sea view.”

Yeh ,i'm sure the tuk tuk guys will see your POV.

Great idea. They can finally make use of the new airport busses

......and what will they do during the SW monsoon with waves of between three and four metres?

sink

I considered that ferry idea a complete fantasy. I'm shocked they are seriously considering it.

I considered that ferry idea a complete fantasy. I'm shocked they are seriously considering it.

Same for me.

So where do the passengers get off? Is there a pier in Patong?

So where do the passengers get off? Is there a pier in Patong?

Yes, there is, at least in high season. But that is also when the traffic congestion is at it worst, so it doesn't bother me that they can't use this service in low season.

I still think the whole idea will not work out though.

All they want is the inflated budget to build a sub standard pier which will line the pockets of a few and rapidly turn into a pink elephant.

Just another Phuket scam.

No mention is made to the fact that for this to work they would need to build piers in Patong, Karon and Kata. Yet another scam.

I considered that ferry idea a complete fantasy. I'm shocked they are seriously considering it.

I wonder who's getting the feasibility study money?

So the new piers will just be another area for tuk tuk and taxi drivers to blockade.

So where do the passengers get off? Is there a pier in Patong?

Yes - well a Jetty, well a floating pontoon actually

I considered that ferry idea a complete fantasy. I'm shocked they are seriously considering it.

Exactly, I mean they havent considered my HOVERCRAFT idea yet!

I considered that ferry idea a complete fantasy. I'm shocked they are seriously considering it.

Exactly, I mean they havent considered my HOVERCRAFT idea yet!

That would probably be safer than off-loading tourists and their suitcases onto a rickety old floating pontoon.

All they want is the inflated budget to build a sub standard pier which will line the pockets of a few and rapidly turn into a pink elephant.

Just another Phuket scam.

No mention is made to the fact that for this to work they would need to build piers in Patong, Karon and Kata. Yet another scam.

Exactly- another corruption tactic. Same with the tunnels, underpasses,overpasses etc. They estimate the cost then double it. Then a few years later leave Thailand as millionairs....

If it is the same company who build the pride of chalong (new marina) then no worrys, it will never work.

Start worrying if the name of a certain female member of parliament for Phuket appears.......

can anyone seriously see people wanting to get on a boat to go to their hotel, what idiot thought this one up, probably the one that is in charge of the jetty/pier being constructed so he can pocket as much as possible. Another thaksin in the making.

You guys are missing the point - USD6M to build what will only cost USD2M.

You guys are missing the point - USD6M to build what will only cost USD2M.

can anyone seriously see people wanting to get on a boat to go to their hotel, what idiot thought this one up, probably the one that is in charge of the jetty/pier being constructed so he can pocket as much as possible. Another thaksin in the making.

I can. It would be very beautiful entry to Phuket, vacation. Lots of photos would be taken and shared. This compared to the ugly road way.

can anyone seriously see people wanting to get on a boat to go to their hotel, what idiot thought this one up, probably the one that is in charge of the jetty/pier being constructed so he can pocket as much as possible. Another thaksin in the making.

I can. It would be very beautiful entry to Phuket, vacation. Lots of photos would be taken and shared. This compared to the ugly road way.

Could be perfect if you can pay in advance for a flat calm sea the day you arrive.

can anyone seriously see people wanting to get on a boat to go to their hotel, what idiot thought this one up, probably the one that is in charge of the jetty/pier being constructed so he can pocket as much as possible. Another thaksin in the making.

I can. It would be very beautiful entry to Phuket, vacation. Lots of photos would be taken and shared. This compared to the ugly road way.

Could be perfect if you can pay in advance for a flat calm sea the day you arrive.

Nice weather on 80% during he high season should be enough?

Why are you blokes talking about the success or failure of a proposed pier.

The real story here is that some crony has rolled out the next government funded "project" in order to keep the money trough full.

Whether or not the project has any chance of success is entirely irrelevant.

Oh, and even if a new pier was built, it will fall into the sea in a matter of a few years.

Go and have a look at the one they built just north off the Island at Nat Thai.

Why are you blokes talking about the success or failure of a proposed pier.

The real story here is that some crony has rolled out the next government funded "project" in order to keep the money trough full.

Whether or not the project has any chance of success is entirely irrelevant.

Oh, and even if a new pier was built, it will fall into the sea in a matter of a few years.

Go and have a look at the one they built just north off the Island at Nat Thai.

Panem et circenses.

It could work if executed correctly.

Hydrofoils could easily handle the big swell. Its just the pier facilities that's a worry.

Luggage handling, covered waiting areas, toilets just to name a few.

I'm sure King Power will want some duty free space on the pier.

180mb couldn't get that done, not even close.

It could work if executed correctly.

Hydrofoils could easily handle the big swell. Its just the pier facilities that's a worry.

Luggage handling, covered waiting areas, toilets just to name a few.

I'm sure King Power will want some duty free space on the pier.

180mb couldn't get that done, not even close.

Your are dead right about the 180MTHB not being enough. The pier would have to run out well past the monsoon surf line, which as has already been posted, can be 3 to 4 meters at times.

If this project does go ahead...it will be the usual half arsed attempt. The pier will either fall in the ocean during the big seas, or a ferry will sink.

It could work in the high season though...and that is when the bulk of the tourist are here right.

Low season would be a night mare. What family...fresh off a long haul flight, would want an hour long sea voyage in big swells down to Patong?

The floor of the ferry would be awash with vomit and the air filled with diesel fumes....the perfect start to your holiday in paradise...

COme & see how well the single lane access road copes with only a few cruise ships a week in Patong