Sea Tran ferry passengers stuck at Donsak due to fisherman dispute

[Can samui]

Just got back from the mainland and there was a road block at the entrance to Seatran Donsak.
Luckily I was in a bike so skirted it but they had all of the cars bottled up. Still there when I returned at about 1200 so scooted down to Raja which was still reachable.
Do not know why they are there or how long they plan on being there but have to be seriously pissing some people off. Cops were there ensuring it was peaceful but still got yelled at when I scooted by on the bike.


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[churchill]

Sea Tran ferry passengers stuck at Donsak due to fisherman dispute

 

http://www.samuitimes.com/sea-tran-ferry-passengers-stuck-donsak-due-fisherman-dispute/

[webfact]

Sea Tran ferry passengers stuck at Donsak due to fisherman dispute

KOH SAMUI: -- The Sea Tran ferry has recently had to re-dredge parts of the channel they use from Koh Samui to Donsak as the water is not deep enough for the ferries to pass.

The dredging has resulted in many dolphins and fish disappearing from the area angering local fishermen who have lost their income.

Local fishermen made compensation demands that Sea Tran said they would meet, however, on the deadline, that was today, 5th August no payments were made. Local fishermen have now blockaded the road at Donsak and are refusing to let any vehicles pass.

Many passengers asked Sea Tran if they were running to Donsak today and were told yes, and boarded the ferries totally unaware that once they reach Donsak they would not be able to leave the car park or access the mainland.

When we telephoned Seatran they declined to comment on the situation.

The cue for Raja ferry is escalating out of control and contains many passengers who had to turn round at Donsak, come back to Samui and then take the alternative ferry.

 
-- Samui Times 2014-08-05

[motocrosser]

I'm in ranong and booked a ticket back to samui tomorrow at 1pm,at first they said its booked,1 hour later called me back to say no boats and had to find other means to get back samui!


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[Pomthai]

Compensation for what? Its a damned big ocean out there? If a channel is silted up and was open before, then it needs to be dredged. How else do the fishermen expect ferrys to operate?

 

[PoorSucker]

I'm in ranong and booked a ticket back to samui tomorrow at 1pm,at first they said its booked,1 hour later called me back to say no boats and had to find other means to get back samui!


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Have you tried Raja ferry, not affected by the blockade.

http://www.rajaferryport.com/

[PoorSucker]

Any updates on the situation?

[Tao Diver]

Couldn't Seatran simply come to an agreement with Raja to use their pier ? 

[webfact]

Samui ferry rides increased amid congestion caused by protest

SURAT THANI, 6 August 2014 (NNT) – Additional ferry trips are being provided for people traveling between mainland Surat Thani province and the popular island of Koh Samui as a protest by local fishermen partially obstructs the ferry traffic.

Since yesterday, fishermen from Don Sak district of Surat Thani have been demonstrating at the entrance of Seatran Ferry Pier to demand compensation for the damages inflicted on their fishing equipment during the company’s dredging operation. About 67 fishermen were reportedly affected, with the value of damage totaling 700,000 baht. The protest has forced Seatran Ferry to suspend its services.

As a consequence, all travelers waiting to board the ferries at the pier yesterday had to switch to use the services of another major operator, Raja Ferry, located nearby. Due to the long queues and heavy congestion, the services were faced with delays.

However, Raja Ferry announced that 18 more trips have been added to its services, both to and from Koh Samui, in a bid to accommodate the huge number of passengers. Buses carrying foreign tourists are receiving the privilege to get on board before other types of vehicles as a measure to avert an impact on the image of Thai tourism.

Raja Ferry assured that, despite some delays, adequate services are available to all travelers and no one will be left stranded.

[nnt]2014-08-06[/nnt]

[samuijimmy]

Couldn't Seatran simply come to an agreement with Raja to use their pier ? 

 

Hardly likely, the ferries run at approx same times, and if I remember only one loading dock.....not to mention parking waiting area,   plus why would they give the competition space..... ?

 

Seems to me they will need to settle with the fishermen, although they are probably doing this with "wishful thinking of a money grab"

[VocalNeal]

Surely they lose more money by demonstrating/not fishing than they would by simply getting on with fishing? If it smells of extortion the NCPO will be along shortly.

[webfact]

Seatran ferry between Koh Samui and Don Sak district of Surat Thani is canceled today due to protests in Don Sak /Bangkok Post

[ParadiseLost]

Couldn't Seatran simply come to an agreement with Raja to use their pier ? 

 

My thoughts too, until I realised Raja would not like to incur the wrath of the protesters, who will just blockade their terminal...

 

Expect Raja will hurry up with their next acquisition of another 1930's rustbucket to join their stellar fleet...
 

[ParadiseLost]

Time to open the bridge debate again?

[PoorSucker]

Time to open the bridge debate again?

[webfact]

Seatran reopens ferry service between Don Sak and Koh Samui after settling the dispute with local fishermen. /Bangkok Post

[spidermike007]

Compensation for what? Its a damned big ocean out there? If a channel is silted up and was open before, then it needs to be dredged. How else do the fishermen expect ferrys to operate?
 

But, you are expecting the use of common sense and reason. How peculiar. What a huge expectation on your part. LOL.

[webfact]

Seatran Ferry disruptions enter their second day



KOH SAMUI: -- On Wednesday ongoing disputes between the Seatran Ferry Company and local fishermen caused the company to suspend their services from Koh Samui to Donsak, a rout that normally operates four times a day.

The suspension of the service has stemmed from a protest by the fishermen that is taking place at the entrance to the ferry port that is stopping vehicles arriving at Donsak from leaving the Seatran car park and preventing those en route to Samui from accessing the Seatran port. Customers are now relying on the Raja Ferry service that covers the same rout after seeing the announcement on the Seatran website

The protest has been organized by 67 small scale fishermen who are demanding 780,255 baht in compensation from loss of earnings caused by their claims that the ego systems have been damaged by a port-dredging project that saw mud dredged from the Don Sak channel dumped elsewhere in the sea.

It was agreed with Provincial officials during talks on July 18th that the monies would be paid within 20 days, when that did not happen the fishermen took action and formed their blockade. More talks between the protestors and the company were expected to take place today.

 
-- Samui Times 2014-08-07

[samuijimmy]

Seatran Ferry disruptions enter their second day



KOH SAMUI: -- On Wednesday ongoing disputes between the Seatran Ferry Company and local fishermen caused the company to suspend their services from Koh Samui to Donsak, a rout that normally operates four times a day.

The suspension of the service has stemmed from a protest by the fishermen that is taking place at the entrance to the ferry port that is stopping vehicles arriving at Donsak from leaving the Seatran car park and preventing those en route to Samui from accessing the Seatran port. Customers are now relying on the Raja Ferry service that covers the same rout after seeing the announcement on the Seatran website

The protest has been organized by 67 small scale fishermen who are demanding 780,255 baht in compensation from loss of earnings caused by their claims that the ego systems have been damaged by a port-dredging project that saw mud dredged from the Don Sak channel dumped elsewhere in the sea.

It was agreed with Provincial officials during talks on July 18th that the monies would be paid within 20 days, when that did not happen the fishermen took action and formed their blockade. More talks between the protestors and the company were expected to take place today.

 
-- Samui Times 2014-08-07

 

a lot of miss information (number of ferries per day, is more than four, at least I thought so... one every hour or so all day  ) and incorrect spelling, are they using Big C as editor? ....  rout, ego system?

 

At least now we know, that there were negotiations before hand, if that is the case Seatran only have themselves to blame.

[webfact]

Samui ferry service resumes at Seatran



The Samui – Donsak ferry rout operated by Seatran ferry resumed service at 3pm yesterday after a military-brokered deal was reached with local fishermen who have accused the company of damaging their livelihoods along with the eco system when they dredged the port.

Services had to be suspended on Tuesday and part of Wednesday when compensation claims were not met by the ferry company and the fishermen put a blockade at the entrance to the Donsak ferry port.

Seeing the damage caused to business, Seatran eventually agreed to pay the compensation putting an end to the blockade. Major Gen Teerachat Jinda-ngern, commander of Surat Thani military district, and Pol Col Pornsak Nuannoo, deputy commissioner of the southern province, called in Wanna Tanpaibul, managing director of Seatran ferry along with representatives of the fishing industry to reach the deal.

It is believed that over 700,000 Baht was paid to over 50 fishermen, although around 500 took part in the protest. During the disruptions many passengers used the nearby Raja ferry.

 
-- Samui Times 2014-08-07

[oldsailor35]

Here we go. Anyone with an axe to grind can just block a main highway regardless of whom they disrupt, just to get their own way, and are then helped by the military. Oh ! deary me. .................Bit like France innit !

[Mole]

On Tuesday 5 August 2014, I was on my way to BKK in the morning with Sombat Tour bus and was caught in the middle of this protest. No bus or vans or cars was able to pass. Eventually after nearly 1 hour, they let only the buses pass.

From what I heard of the protests, the main issue is that Seatran had promised to pay the fishermen compensation, but the payment has been delayed for months and they want the money NOW!!!
The so called environmental "concerns" is just an excuse to stage the protest.

[attachment=278724:IMG_20140805_101842.jpg] [attachment=278725:IMG_20140805_101851.jpg] [attachment=278726:IMG_20140805_101901.jpg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bHHwxPsrB4

Sorry for the poor quality pic and video. My previous Samsung was recently stolen and I'm using temporary a cheap charlie Lenovo waiting for a new Samsung Galaxy S4 Active from Hong Kong. For some reason, Samsung won't officially sell the S4 Active here in Thailand. Edited August 11, 2014 by Mole