Military, local officials study feasibility of cross gulf ferry service

[Rimmer]

Military, local officials study feasibility of cross gulf ferry service

PATTAYA:--Military officials surveyed Bali Hai Pier as part of feasibility study for ferry services between Pattaya, Cha-am and Hua Hin, finding both the jetty and harbor in need of improvements.

ACM Wijit Jitpakdee, chief of economic cooperation for the National Council for Peace and Order, led the delegation of junta and local officials to the South Pattaya pier June 19 for a survey of its suitability as the eastern base for the 4-billion-baht ferry project.

The NCPO ordered the Marine Department in April to have its 30-million-baht feasibility study complete by the middle of 2016 with hopes of having the cross-gulf ferry go into operation by 2019

The project is aimed at boosting tourism, the economy and trade between the two coastal areas and shorten travel time to three hours from the current six or seven.

Bali Hai is one of five piers being considered for the eastern terminus of the ferry service, along with Ocean Marina in Sattahip’s Najomtien Sub-district, the Royal Thai Navy’s Juksamet Pier in Sattahip, Laem Chabang Port and Koh Loy Pier in Sriracha.

Transport Minister Prajin Junthong said in April that Bali Hai, Ocean Marina and Laem Chabang were considered the most-suitable locations.

Wijit was told, however, that Bali Hai would need upgrades before it could be used for a commercial ferry operation envisioned to handle at least three million passengers and 220,000 vehicles per year.

- See more at: http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/military-local-officials-study-feasibility-of-cross-gulf-ferry-service-48560#sthash.aJ7jqABL.dpuf

-- Pattaya Mail 2015-07-03

[canopus1969]

to handle at least three million passengers and 220,000 vehicles per year.

[KhunBENQ]

4 billion Baht???

~120 million US dollar, more than 100 million Euro...

"at least three million passengers", more than 8000 per day?

"Fascinating" numbers

----

@canopus1969 was faster

Either a big soap-bubble that will quickly burst or a huge corrupt feeding trough.

My guess: the 30 million Baht "study" will take place, finding that 100 passengers a day would be realistic target.

Project burried. The "study" company very happy.

Edited July 3, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[casualbiker]

This is the boat they need..

https://www.adn.com/article/20150629/mat-su-borough-makes-drastic-price-cut-attempt-offload-never-used-ferry-susitna

[KhunBENQ]

Buy this for 2 million USD for this and maybe 3 million for another ship, let some concrete flow at the harbors.

Leaves plenty of money for "commision"/"consultation" fees.

[RedRoadRunner]

...another great money pit !!!!

[Anthony5]

Pattaya - Hua Hin ferry - part 3462.

[Cuchulainn]

Like the high speed train, another disaster waiting to happen. Will the captain be able to 'swim' away from the scene?

[FangFerang]

Another good idea buried under a mound of paperwork that legitimizes corruption....

[Soutpeel]

8219 PAX - 365 days a year

602 CAR 365 days a year

Approx distance 63 Nm (3 hour run) average speed 21 knots

not considering refuelling/maintenance time/ time to get people on and off the ferry

to make this even remotely viable they would need to purchase something like below which run the Greek islands

they may even get good deal on second hand ones off the Greek government

1900 PAX / 200 odd cars - 21 to 28 knots cruising speed

[Reigntax]

Someone please tell the military its not still 1930 and they have developed these flying birds things that carry people from one place to another

[casualbiker]

Someone please tell the military its not still 1930 and they have developed these flying birds things that carry people from one place to another

But as yet they don't carry cars and trucks, at least not commercially. It's only a good idea if the fare is lower than driving or taking a van and the time is at least half of driving.

[wabothai]

just wait a bit, Creek ferry boats are soon for sale for a reasonable price.

[casualbiker]

just wait a bit, Creek ferry boats are soon for sale for a reasonable price.

Bay of Thailand isn't very deep but it's deeper than a creek.. So a full size boat would be better. No?

[Reigntax]

Someone please tell the military its not still 1930 and they have developed these flying birds things that carry people from one place to another

But as yet they don't carry cars and trucks, at least not commercially. It's only a good idea if the fare is lower than driving or taking a van and the time is at least half of driving.

"Chiang Mai-based Kan Air now operates direct flights from Pattaya (U Tapao Airport) to central and southern destinations in Thailand, including Hua Hin. Meanwhile an agreement has been signed over development of U-Tapao Airport as a 3rd airport serving Bangkok."

490 Baht each way, 55 minutes will be hard to compete with

[casualbiker]

Someone please tell the military its not still 1930 and they have developed these flying birds things that carry people from one place to another

But as yet they don't carry cars and trucks, at least not commercially. It's only a good idea if the fare is lower than driving or taking a van and the time is at least half of driving.

"Chiang Mai-based Kan Air now operates direct flights from Pattaya (U Tapao Airport) to central and southern destinations in Thailand, including Hua Hin. Meanwhile an agreement has been signed over development of U-Tapao Airport as a 3rd airport serving Bangkok."

490 Baht each way, 55 minutes will be hard to compete with

Are they ACTUALLY running flights?

[casualbiker]

Nope. Seems not!

[nakhonandy]

Nope. Seems not!

Odd, I know they started it in May.

Can't find it on their website though.

[casualbiker]

Nope. Seems not!

Odd, I know they started it in May.

Can't find it on their website though.

Maybe they haven't actually got a licence to operate the flights. Lack of licencing happens a lot here in Thailand 5555

[ChrisY1]

I think what they do with figures here....work out the costs including overseas trips...new cars...holidays....trips for the wives to Paris...mia nois......etc.........then deduct the real costs of the project....and throw in some stupid numbers that no-one could possibly work out how they came about.....and submit to Government........usually approvals take 2 days...!!

[Bangkok Barry]

I was at Khon Kaen airport last week and saw a Kan Air banner advertising flights from there to Pattaya from 990 baht. When I got home I looked the flights up on their website. Nothing, so I called them and was told the flights don't exist. They cancelled the idea a week before, but I guess no-one bothered to tell their staff at Khon Kaen. Pathetic. Not exactly a professional outfit, are they.

[onionluke]

These are the boats that go between Hong Kong and Macau. Its about 70km and takes roughly an hour . It's not a bad journey as the seats are comfortable and they serve snacks and drinks . I couldn't tell you if the sea conditions on the South China Coast are similar to those of the Gulf of Thailand.

Here's a thought , If the junta allows casino operators to open in Pattaya they might throw a few of these in for free and cover the costs of the service .

[casualbiker]

These are the boats that go between Hong Kong and Macau. Its about 70km and takes roughly an hour . It's not a bad journey as the seats are comfortable and they serve snacks and drinks . I couldn't tell you if the sea conditions on the South China Coast are similar to those of the Gulf of Thailand.

Here's a thought , If the junta allows casino operators to open in Pattaya they might throw a few of these in for free and cover the costs of the service .

20150430_183530.jpg

20150430_183619.jpg

That's actually a good idea.. Casino on the boat.. Operational only when 3 klicks out , shutdown 3 kliks from port!

[Langsuan Man]

Why is this even being brought up by the new masters

It has been tried before and has been found not to be economically viable

If private enterprise can't get it to work what makes these yahoos think that they can get it to work

[KhunBENQ]

To close the Kan Air flight discussion: its dead as dodo!. Multiple threads were running.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826232-kan-air-adds-new-hua-hin-to-pattaya-flight/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746724-kan-air-adds-hua-hin-and-ubon-ratchathani-services/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819230-recent-2015-experiences-with-kan-air/

A complete marketing desaster these U-Tapao flights.

They didn't fill a couple of 66 seater flights per week!

But the "military experts" plan for 8000 pax per day for a ferry.

What a joke!

With such experts the country is doomed.

Edited July 3, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[casualbiker]

To close the Kan Air flight discussion: its dead as dodo!. Multiple threads were running.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826232-kan-air-adds-new-hua-hin-to-pattaya-flight/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746724-kan-air-adds-hua-hin-and-ubon-ratchathani-services/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819230-recent-2015-experiences-with-kan-air/

A complete marketing desaster these U-Tapao flights.

They didn't fill a couple of 66 seater flights per week!

But the "military experts" plan for 8000 pax per day for a ferry.

What a joke!

With such experts the country is doomed.

Honestly. I'm not sure it's military experts. But a contingent of local politicians!

[jcisco]

Why don't they just big the bullet of the mega project, call the dutch and get them to build a seawall from Hua Hin to Pattaya for flood management. Throw a roadway on the top and eventually, fresh water lake, that idealy wont be treated like a klong. Flooding kinda sorted, storm surge kinda sorted, graft suitability perfect.

[Gunna]

Maybe they should concentrate on ferries to carry lots of trucks and buses. Transport companies will see the advantage in not going via Bangkok which uses large amounts of fuel, paying road tolls, traffic jams and extra wear and tear on vehicles. As as well as a shorter journey time, the drivers get to rest, so can drive further and safely ( so long as they don't spend the time in the on board bar).

Foot passengers may be limited by competition when flights start operating - it's as much about convenience of the journey and where the piers are situated.

Maybe make some money and encourage passengers by having a duty free shop for anyone holding a foreign passport .

[Soutpeel]

These are the boats that go between Hong Kong and Macau. Its about 70km and takes roughly an hour . It's not a bad journey as the seats are comfortable and they serve snacks and drinks . I couldn't tell you if the sea conditions on the South China Coast are similar to those of the Gulf of Thailand.

Here's a thought , If the junta allows casino operators to open in Pattaya they might throw a few of these in for free and cover the costs of the service .

20150430_183530.jpg

20150430_183619.jpg

how many cars do you get on those ? ...a couple of mini's ?

[onionluke]

These are the boats that go between Hong Kong and Macau. Its about 70km and takes roughly an hour . It's not a bad journey as the seats are comfortable and they serve snacks and drinks . I couldn't tell you if the sea conditions on the South China Coast are similar to those of the Gulf of Thailand.

Here's a thought , If the junta allows casino operators to open in Pattaya they might throw a few of these in for free and cover the costs of the service .

20150430_183530.jpg

20150430_183619.jpg

how many cars do you get on those ? ...a couple of mini's ?

Trolley cases only, and lots of them.