Raja Ferry now need passport Donsak to Samui

[sootybrown]

Just returned from three days in Surat Thani, got ticket at Raja Ferry Donsak for 11 am ferry, paid at booth for car and wife. On arriving at the security barrier had to show passport but man took my drivers licence instead, he then placed it in a purpose made frame with a camera mounted to look and take a picture of my licence the frame can also hold a regular passport. While I removed my drivers licence from my wallet the security guard said to my wife he could use her identity card. Dont know if this going to be a regular thing but be aware for now.

[Cylon]

Seatrans, Donsak to Samui were doing that about 4 months ago.

[khunPer]

Just getting to park a bike or car at Central Festival in Chaweng – since the car-bomb about a year ago – or enter the Airport, you need to show photo-ID, which security staff records. With the terror-threat from Middle East groups, that kind of check will probably increase – however, no matter how irritating or worthless we may find it, we shall indeed be happy someone cares for our safety...

[Basil B]

Just getting to park a bike or car at Central Festival in Chaweng – since the car-bomb about a year ago – or enter the Airport, you need to show photo-ID, which security staff records. With the terror-threat from Middle East groups, that kind of check will probably increase – however, no matter how irritating or worthless we may find it, we shall indeed be happy someone cares for our safety...

Posibly do care about our safety... but I am more certain it is more about protecting their assets.

[samuijimmy]

Don't suppose many people notice, but when the cruise ships come to Nathon, there is what looks like several Thai Navy ships escorting them ... and security at the pier includes a bomb squad...

[mihalis]

Just getting to park a bike or car at Central Festival in Chaweng – since the car-bomb about a year ago – or enter the Airport, you need to show photo-ID, which security staff records. With the terror-threat from Middle East groups, that kind of check will probably increase – however, no matter how irritating or worthless we may find it, we shall indeed be happy someone cares for our safety...

Posibly do care about our safety... but I am more certain it is more about protecting their assets.

Well done sir !!

[smotherb]

Seatrans, Donsak to Samui were doing that about 4 months ago.

Well, you have to show ID to get into Tesco's parking lot, don't you? As long as they require ID for a short-time . . . .

[samuijimmy]

Seatrans, Donsak to Samui were doing that about 4 months ago.

Well, you have to show ID to get into Tesco's parking lot, don't you? As long as they require ID for a short-time . . . .

Not on Samui's Tescos or Big C... you don't have to show ID... Only Central that I have seen...

[robertson468]

Just getting to park a bike or car at Central Festival in Chaweng – since the car-bomb about a year ago – or enter the Airport, you need to show photo-ID, which security staff records. With the terror-threat from Middle East groups, that kind of check will probably increase – however, no matter how irritating or worthless we may find it, we shall indeed be happy someone cares for our safety...

The security at both Central Festival and Samui Airport are a joke. Dropped a friend off at the Airport yesterday - stopped at barrier (no request for passport or driving license) and received parking permit. Drove on to the security check point that had FOUR people manning it, who waved me on through - no security check whatsoever. Did a similar trip a couple of months ago, same procedure, but because it was raining, security staff stayed under their tent. At Central had to produce either driving license or passport and then received same back together with a parking permit. Told the security guy the back door of my SUV was open. He opened the door, closed it and waived me on. Did not check cabin of vehicle or the underside, in fact he looked very bored with the whole procedure. I feel a little uncomfortable with a very lackadaisical and inefficient security system on the Island in view of the present terrorist activities around the World, particularly with the suggestion that these murderers are already in Thailand, presumably planning their next atrocity. Perhaps once a couple of resorts have been blown up, Thailand might, in retrospect decide to tighten up their unacceptably low procedures.

[khunPer]

Just getting to park a bike or car at Central Festival in Chaweng – since the car-bomb about a year ago – or enter the Airport, you need to show photo-ID, which security staff records. With the terror-threat from Middle East groups, that kind of check will probably increase – however, no matter how irritating or worthless we may find it, we shall indeed be happy someone cares for our safety...

The security at both Central Festival and Samui Airport are a joke. Dropped a friend off at the Airport yesterday - stopped at barrier (no request for passport or driving license) and received parking permit. Drove on to the security check point that had FOUR people manning it, who waved me on through - no security check whatsoever. Did a similar trip a couple of months ago, same procedure, but because it was raining, security staff stayed under their tent. At Central had to produce either driving license or passport and then received same back together with a parking permit. Told the security guy the back door of my SUV was open. He opened the door, closed it and waived me on. Did not check cabin of vehicle or the underside, in fact he looked very bored with the whole procedure. I feel a little uncomfortable with a very lackadaisical and inefficient security system on the Island in view of the present terrorist activities around the World, particularly with the suggestion that these murderers are already in Thailand, presumably planning their next atrocity. Perhaps once a couple of resorts have been blown up, Thailand might, in retrospect decide to tighten up their unacceptably low procedures.

At Central I would love to say, »don't forget the bomb under the car« – they check motorbikes so well, but you dont need much Mother-of-Satan to make a lot of damage, if you so wish – and in the airport something about »...under the seat«; but I don't joke, they may take me serious and give me endless numbers of free Visa-extensions at Bangkok Hilton...

It's not a question if the security checks function as intended – they may in some eyes seem irritation waste of time and effort, compared to what they achieve – but security checks show that some has been decided done to protect somebody or something by "someone important"...

Edit: PS, when they made bomb-checks at Big C in Bo Phut, you should deliver your bomb when raining – because the security staff would then seek shelter, maybe equipment could not stand rainwater – or during luch break (noon to 1pm); or after 8pm, when security staff went home...

[oldsailor35]

I don't use Raja Ferries. Don't like dirty boats .