webfact Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Gulf of Thailand ferry officially open File photo PATTAYA, 13 February 2017 (NNT) - Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith on Sunday presided over the opening ceremony of the Pattaya - Hua Hin ferry service at the Bali Hai pier in Chon Buri province. The ferry service is part of the government’s policy to develop connection between transportation systems in the Gulf of Thailand. The “Royal One” ferry is a high-speed catamaran vessel of 346 seats. It provides 286 seats in economy class, 44 seats in business class and two 8-seat VIP rooms. The ferry is equipped with modern baggage scanners. It sails for 116 kilometers from the eastern to western parts of the Gulf of Thailand for two hours. It usually takes around 5 - 6 hours by car. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gives priority to the development of water transport for goods and passengers to connect coastal cities such as Pattaya and Hua Hin. The Pattaya - Hua Hin ferry is expected to support the government’s Eastern Economic Corridor policy and stimulate tourism in Chon Buri and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. -- nnt 2017-02-13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman20 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 and with the prices their charging will OFFICIALLY CLOSE SOON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2unique Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I was looking forward to this car ferry!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coxo Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 No cars or motorbikes, it will fail 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canopus1969 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Last week a Pattaya to HH trip was cancelled because the engines broke down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatfreak Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Will be taking the ferry with my daughter next week, looking forward. I would never have done the 6 hours trip with a suicide minibus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimmer Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 A post has been removed, please do not post in caps, thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Deer Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 After changes in Hua Hin disembarkation points, unsuitable piers, changes in fares, cancellations to to "weather", without even a publicity shot of the actual boat until it arrived (did they actually know what boat was coming??) they are FINALLY opening the service.....which I would not be in the least bit surprised to find that nobody actually wants....or needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retiredandhappyhere Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 It would be great to believe that this ferry could be a success, but it is doubtfull as a full-year service because of unreliability due to weather and engine conditions and because people want to be able to take their cars and motorbikes. The high price is another adverse factor for families, although avoiding the hazardous trip by road, particularly by minivan, is a big incentive. Arriving at your destination expensively but alive is definitely preferable to arriving cheaply but dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mettech Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Do they really know what kind of engines they are operating wit?? and how many?? silly but if engine break down so soon it must tell what kind of maintenance they are doing. Would not trust this ferry rather drive day time and enjoy the scenery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tompelli Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I would like to hear from anyone that has used the ferry. Was the ride comfortable? Depart/arrive on time & real duration? Passenger numbers limited or open to 350 capacity? Still being shadowed by Thai navy? As far as I can gather, the company (No information) has bought 3 of these 30 year old ex Chinese ferries & I have concerns about condition/maintenance & safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iforbach Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Actually for people who want it great ,,,so many people moaning , if u ain't going use it why comment , pointless , as always I say if you don't like thailand as a whole ,,just go home easy this is just general view ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallGuyJohninBKK Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 9 minutes ago, Retiredandhappyhere said: It would be great to believe that this ferry could be a success, but it is doubtfull as a full-year service because of unreliability due to weather and engine conditions and because people want to be able to take their cars and motorbikes. The high price is another adverse factor for families, although avoiding the hazardous trip by road, particularly by minivan, is a big incentive. Arriving at your destination expensively but alive is definitely preferable to arriving cheaply but dead. Minivans in Thailand are indeed horrible when it comes to passenger safety. But you're assuming this ferry service is going to be any better. I'd say at this point, that remains to be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddermax Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Having been a Chinese ferry for several years I wonder if they have managed to eliminate the foul smoking smell which is prevalent on all other Chinese ferries on the mainland! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mousehound Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I see the usual moaners are at it. Well, the service may close but at least it is there. So much for all the TV whiners stating it would never happen. I also like the ones that complain about safety. It most likely is a risk but then I have travelled in those crazy mini buses and I will take my chance on the ferry thanks. I will be using it regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HHTel Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 42 minutes ago, tompelli said: I would like to hear from anyone that has used the ferry. Was the ride comfortable? Depart/arrive on time & real duration? Passenger numbers limited or open to 350 capacity? Still being shadowed by Thai navy? As far as I can gather, the company (No information) has bought 3 of these 30 year old ex Chinese ferries & I have concerns about condition/maintenance & safety. It was built in Australia 25 years ago and sold to a Chinese buyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arandora Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 27 minutes ago, maddermax said: Having been a Chinese ferry for several years I wonder if they have managed to eliminate the foul smoking smell which is prevalent on all other Chinese ferries on the mainland! Never seen a frrry operate on the mainland ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsailor35 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 55 minutes ago, tompelli said: I would like to hear from anyone that has used the ferry. Was the ride comfortable? Depart/arrive on time & real duration? Passenger numbers limited or open to 350 capacity? Still being shadowed by Thai navy? As far as I can gather, the company (No information) has bought 3 of these 30 year old ex Chinese ferries & I have concerns about condition/maintenance & safety. 30 years old !! surely a recipe for breakdowns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMangosteen Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 18 minutes ago, Arandora said: Never seen a frrry operate on the mainland ? Rivers...or at least one long river...one sunk last year I think it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 56 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said: Minivans in Thailand are indeed horrible when it comes to passenger safety. But you're assuming this ferry service is going to be any better. I'd say at this point, that remains to be seen. If you can swim, and/or wear a life jacket, you have some control over your fate on the ferry- just pick a seat with easy egress in case it all goes south. In a minivan, your fate is completely out of your hands- no matter which seat you choose or whether you wear the seat belt or not. I like the idea of a little bit of say in my fate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharecropper Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Amazing for such a stupid, ill-thought-out venture how much publicity they can drum up, and how much naval hardware sails with it (ships and choppers). Tells you all you need to know about its shadowy backers. I bet public funds were used to buy them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sungod Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 (edited) 2 minutes ago, impulse said: If you can swim, and/or wear a life jacket, you have some control over your fate on the ferry- just pick a seat with easy egress in case it all goes south. In a minivan, your fate is completely out of your hands- no matter which seat you choose or whether you wear the seat belt or not. I like the idea of a little bit of say in my fate. Hire a car then :) On another note, I'm interested to know where in HH it docks, I read in the BP this morning it was Koh Takiab? If so, what the cost of a taxi into town? Edited February 13, 2017 by sungod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piersbeckett Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 (edited) Airport bus from Hua Hin (Petkasem Road) to Patts Baht 390.00! Edited February 13, 2017 by piersbeckett price correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorbobo Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Typical Thailand ....do something now and think about the correct method to do it at a later date The planning of proper and timely docking along with no ability to accommodate even motorcycles was poor preparation to say the least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Swift Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Iforbach said: Actually for people who want it great ,,,so many people moaning , if u ain't going use it why comment , pointless , as always I say if you don't like thailand as a whole ,,just go home easy this is just general view ... So according to you nobody should post an opinion that you don't approve of? Legitimate crticizms are not allowed? In an opinion and comment section? And did these people say they don't like Thailand, or are they simply pointing to the facts, failures, and broken promises which anyone who looks can see? Are you making the rules here? Is this your website? If you don't like these comments as a whole just go somewhere else and read happy thoughts which never criticize Edited February 13, 2017 by Jonathan Swift Upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crickets Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 i wonder if they have thought of putting life jakets on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nielsk Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 4 hours ago, catman20 said: and with the prices their charging will OFFICIALLY CLOSE SOON. Not expensive for saving 3-4 hours in the deadly traffic ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 2 hours ago, Boatfreak said: Will be taking the ferry with my daughter next week, looking forward. I would never have done the 6 hours trip with a suicide minibus. life on the ocean wave Thai style may not be so rosy either!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nielsk Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 7 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said: So according to you nobody should post an opinion that you don't approve of? In an opinion and comment section? Legitimate criticism is not allowed? And did these people say they don't like Thailand, or are they simply pointing to the facts, failures, and broken promises which anyone who looks can see? Are you making the rules here? Is this your website? If you don't like these comments as a whole just go somewhere else and read happy thoughts which never criticize O.M.G. You are really the one there is moaning. Piece be with You and all the moaners !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 23 minutes ago, sungod said: Hire a car then :) On another note, I'm interested to know where in HH it docks, I read in the BP this morning it was Koh Takiab? If so, what the cost of a taxi into town? Cost will probably depend on the "whiteness" of your skin.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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