Min of Transport would spend a billion baht building ferry ports in the Gulf of Thailand

BANGKOK, 25 June 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport would spend one billion baht on a transport project to build ferry ports in the Gulf of Thailand, if approved by the National Council for Peace and Order.

Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong said in the eastern coast, the Lam Bali Hai in Pattaya and the Khuk Samet Pier in Chonburi are the two prime locations to construct ferry ports. The minister explained that the piers have a railway connecting to Pattaya, and the capacity to handle a large influx of tourists.

ACM Prajin added that additional surveys will be conducted for another two suitable locations in the western coast at Cha-Am district of Phetchaburi province and Pranburi district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Initially, the project is expected to cost a billion baht and is likely to be a public private partnership campaign.

He said a comprehensive plan will be drafted within July and will be proposed to the National Council for Peace and Order the following month. Once approved, the ministry will be responsible for the project. Construction of the ferry ports is expected to start next year and would be finished the following year.


-- NNT 2015-06-25

the Lam Bali Hai in Pattaya and the Khuk Samet Pier in Chonburi are the two prime locations to construct ferry ports. The minister explained that the piers have a railway connecting to Pattaya, and the capacity to handle a large influx of tourists.

Railway is no where near Lam Bali Hai........ do they mean to buid a new section linking them ?????

And that railway currently has only one train per day, in each direction.

Would? Could.

I heard this five years ago, imagine

I will hear it again....in another five years

Does this mean fighting for a spot on the beach between Chinese and Thais at Cha Am, on the weekends, Thais might be out of luck as the Chinese will get there before the weekends.

Then the overflow can head to Hua Hin and it will be a big traffic jamb there on the weekends as well, something to look forward to.

"Public private partnership" means expenses charged to taxpayers, income in the pockets of the private company.

Billion baht.. I can see that return on investment happening real soon.

the Lam Bali Hai in Pattaya and the Khuk Samet Pier in Chonburi are the two prime locations to construct ferry ports. The minister explained that the piers have a railway connecting to Pattaya, and the capacity to handle a large influx of tourists.

Railway is no where near Lam Bali Hai........ do they mean to buid a new section linking them ?????

I disagree. The railway is within 2 miles of Bali Hai Pier. Very easy to quickly put together a bus system to meet the train for the less than 10 minute trip. Other routes can also be added to the rail system. When you only have one train each direction per day, the system is certainly not overtaxed. New train routes could be added very easily.

And that railway currently has only one train per day, in each direction.

And probably only 1 track, 1 meter wide. The reason for only one train a day in each direction.

Come on Thailand, how long is it going to take to join the real world??? Get with the program! 2 sets of tracks, 1.5 (approx.) meters wide

"Public private partnership" means expenses charged to taxpayers, income in the pockets of the private company.

Thainess

We can upgrade dams and reservoirs to help with drought and flooding or we can build ferry ports

and piers that will not be built properly or used. I shake my head.

Navy Chief, "But, but, but I haven't got my submarines, yet".

If this project is economically feasible, offer to give a free, long-term lease for terminals/docks space and let the construction costs and ferry boat costs be 100% private. When private businesses doesn't think of this first, it is most likely a government boondoggle. A Billion Baht leaves lots of room for 'skim'; then there are cost overruns, and people paying for the privilege to join the boondoggle. This project could be very profitable... for the transport minister.

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It makes absolute sense for them to do this, and it is about two decades overdue. The real issue, is that no matter how well intentioned some of the government ministers might be, there is rarely any continuity of ideas, or plans when transitioning from one administration to another. Though it may be very hard for the big man to imagine, sooner or later he too will be replaced, by someone who has little regard for all of his plans. How to change that lack of vision is the real question. Linking many spots in the gulf is a brilliant idea. The fact that there is no high speed ferry from pattaya to hua hin, chumporn, or samui, is unfathomable.