Pattaya - Hua Hin ferry criticized as tourists left waiting at Bali Hai

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, edwinchester said:

So the ferry timetable is, how to say........flexible?

As are most things in Thailand

 

[anotheruser]

I just did the fast boat from Bali to Gili. Guess what? The time table changed based upon weather.

[fruitman]

Why don't they use a bigger vessel? Just one of those dinnercruise ships which are in BKK? They are huge and very stable.

[BsBs]

How long are they going to lose face instead of just cancelling the whole BS ? The idea was stupid at first, so buy a REAL boat or just stop !

 

 

[fish monger]

Won't be long before this idea is put to bed. Wait for it.

[roo860]

Not intending to use the ferry so won't look up the timetable. Where did you find it? Is it displayed at the terminal or booking office?
Not doubting your word, just interested in knowing if it's easy for people to find the info.
 
 

You do really want to know, don't ya. Come on you can admit it, won't go any further!
[emoji102]

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

[gdgbb]

4 hours ago, yellowboat said:

People should be told how long they will have to wait.  If they wait a terribly long time, they should be given a free ticket for a future journey.   Don't give this service much of a chance to survive more than 2-3 months.

They had free tickets already.

[gdgbb]

6 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Oh dear, only a week old and the complaints have started already 

Complaints from passengers assuming, not checking, the schedule.

6 hours ago, edwinchester said:

So the ferry timetable is, how to say........flexible?

No, it's scheduled.

4 hours ago, flyingdoc said:

Problems already !  Oh dear!

The only problems were the passengers not checking the schedule properly.

[Khon Kaen Dave]

Ahhh,the Thainess ballet begins.

[gdgbb]

3 hours ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

Without being negative the service would do well to survive a year. 

The problem are as follows:

1. Not enough customers during the off season.

2. Weather - we are now in the good part of the year for sea crossings, wait for the raining season.

3. Rough seas and tourist dont go together, people like comfort.

4. Delays in service due to weather, breakdowns and management.

 

 

You know how many passengers there will be in the future and you assume that those numbers haven't been considered?  How?

 

What can the operator do about the weather?

 

How do you know that there will be delays in the regular service?  What are the breakdowns that you seem to have advance knowledge of?

 

What delays are going to be due to "management"?

 

[gdgbb]

3 hours ago, wvavin said:

Is there anything this country that was properly done? I don't remember any!

Well, they've started a long distance ferry service which is working fine so far.  The same can't be said about some passengers though.

[gdgbb]

3 hours ago, lvr181 said:

Smarten up Minister Kobkarn if you want to attract tourists to your country! Get these problems sorted quickly. Remember, action speaks louder than words. 

Would you like to expand on what "these problems" are that the Minister needs to sort out, and remember, actions speak louder than words.

[gdgbb]

2 hours ago, lvr181 said:

"Him" is a her. Did you think this timetable "problem" has been the only problem? Rhetorical question.

Name one other avoidable problem that there has been.

[gdgbb]

2 hours ago, Don Mega said:

How many successful trips has it made since the service was launched ?

Every one has been successful so far.

[gdgbb]

2 hours ago, fruitman said:

Why don't they use a bigger vessel? Just one of those dinnercruise ships which are in BKK? They are huge and very stable.

Because the ferry operator doesn't own them.

[gdgbb]

2 hours ago, BsBs said:

How long are they going to lose face instead of just cancelling the whole BS ? The idea was stupid at first, so buy a REAL boat or just stop !

Go on, explain how the operator has lost face.

[gdgbb]

1 hour ago, fish monger said:

Won't be long before this idea is put to bed. Wait for it.

Was it you or someone else who said the same thing about the Skytrain and Metro?

[gdgbb]

22 minutes ago, Khon Kaen Dave said:

Ahhh,the Thainess ballet begins.

 

You must mean Thaivisa-ness, surely?

[farcanell]

Admittedly... haven't read everything.

 

but are people complaining that the ferry didn't run, for their safety?

 

if so... stupid people! And kudos to the operators... if not, expect my retraction.

[denby45]

A lot of folks seem to be just willing this venture to fail. If you don't want to use it then you don't have to. I have no immediate plans to use this service but it would be nice to have the option should I wish to visit sometime in the future. What's not to like? 

 

Den

 

[Khun Paul]

Communication in any form is just beyond most Thai companies, forgetting that there jobs may very well rely on customers, who the staff of most place feel are a hindrance to having a cushy job.

[aguy30]

Where did that 10:30 departure come from? This is Thailand, so of course it was the customer's fault.

How many ThaiVisa Whiners would have been happy if they had this ticket?

Anyone want to speculate on the odds of this service still being active for high season next November?

[fruitman]

38 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

Because the ferry operator doesn't own them.

 

This boat is too small for that trip and the rivercruise ships on the chao praya are too large for that river. So why not swap them? Or let Thailand as a nation buy some real good boats instead of this dinkytoy.

 

Real ships will improve tourism, they could even have cruises to Australia and stop at every island on it's way. If they want real quality tourists than that's the way to go.

[gdgbb]

Just now, fruitman said:

 

This boat is too small for that trip and the rivercruise ships on the chao praya are too large for that river. So why not swap them? Or let Thailand as a nation buy some real good boats instead of this dinkytoy.

 

Real ships will improve tourism, they could even have cruises to Australia and stop at every island on it's way. If they want real quality tourists than that's the way to go.

What do you mean, "why not swap them?".  They are privately owned boats, how can they be swapped?  The owners of the Chao Praya cruise boats probably don't think that they are too big and so far there is no suggestion that the new ferry is too small (apart from Thaivisa's keyboard ferry operators).

 

Buy cruise ships, why?  For a ferry trip?   Who on earth in Thailand would want a cruise to Australia?

[fruitman]

6 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

Buy cruise ships, why?  For a ferry trip?   Who on earth in Thailand would want a cruise to Australia?

 

The ones who can afford it! And while on the way eat local food at every island...and tourists from Europe, Asia, Oz, USA might also be interested as long as the ship is built in a decent country with high standards.

 

The ASEAN countries can buy some together maybe and promote tourism.

 

The dinnercruises in BKK are a big success and have great food as well. Only problem is the guide who speaks over the speakers can't speak english....not a word.

[farcanell]

22 minutes ago, aguy30 said:

Where did that 10:30 departure come from? This is Thailand, so of course it was the customer's fault.

How many ThaiVisa Whiners would have been happy if they had this ticket?

Anyone want to speculate on the odds of this service still being active for high season next November?

 

Its not about that they delayed it... but why they delayed it.

 

if because of sea states, or a safety concern, then it should be applauded (vs high speed unstoppable minivans)... if it's because the vessel is deemed unseaworthy... then it's a problem... And it needs to be made into an artificial reef

 

this vessel was trailed offshore west Australia, in nefarious conditions... its design is good... but factoring in age is appropriate.

 

these same shipbuilders, supply cats to the US navy, amongst other high profile buyers.

[rjwill01]

It has been repeated many times that during the trial"FREE TRIPS", the schedule will vary to work out problems. Will leave Hua Hin in the AM some days and AM from Pattaya other days. I'M 70 year old and knew that. Every time something is free to the public, you get those that criticize. Everyone thinks the price is high, but go to any Country and take a trip like that and it will cost you at least $100 (about 3500 baht). At 1250 baht, that's a pretty damn good deal. I wish expats that live here would appreciate something new in Thailand instead of bashing it. If you don't like the cost or the trip, don't take it. No problem. 

[ThaiWai]

5 hours ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

Without being negative the service would do well to survive a year. 

The problem are as follows:

1. Not enough customers during the off season.

2. Weather - we are now in the good part of the year for sea crossings, wait for the raining season.

3. Rough seas and tourist dont go together, people like comfort.

4. Delays in service due to weather, breakdowns and management.

 

 

 

To address your two concerns (2 thru 4 are all weather related), Phuket ferry shuts down in rough seas season which coincides with tourists low season as well.  If the Hua Hin ferry does the same your complaints are a non-issue.  When trying to avoid "being negative" it is unnecessary to stretch 1 issue into 3.  

[Brer Fox]

6 hours ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

Without being negative the service would do well to survive a year. 

The problem are as follows:

1. Not enough customers during the off season.

2. Weather - we are now in the good part of the year for sea crossings, wait for the raining season.

3. Rough seas and tourist dont go together, people like comfort.

4. Delays in service due to weather, breakdowns and management.

 

 

Some serious overloading will now have to take place to make up for lost voyages and lost money. That seems to be the way it works in Thailand. Even break-even is looking elusive.

[HHTel]

7 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

The vessels planned activity over the launch period was published on the 5th (including HH 8.30 morning departures 7th -10th, P 8.30 morning departures 13th-15th, 15.00 return trips from both destinations)

 

As the service is still "proving" (maintenance and checks 11th, official opening on the 12th, free until 15th January) it would have been wise for a potential traveler to find out as much as possible first.

 

It's just taken me 10mins to retrieve that information.

 

I wonder how much time any of the thwarted freeloaders spent "planning"?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't matter how long they spend 'researching', they would still have got it wrong just like you have.  They only have one boat so how can it leave both piers at the same time??

You're not so clever!!