Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day [Archive] - Sawatdee Gay Thailand the oldest and most popular gay forum on Thailand and South East Asia

Smiles

November 14th, 2016, 22:15

This ferry route has been tried before, if my memory is correct. Memory is unreliable at best, I admit. And the service failed; uneconomic? A good idea in theory.
There has been at least three attempts that I know of over the last 15 years or so, None succeeded.
I agree with you that it makes a lot of sense if one leaves out the financials (which of course will not happen). The drive (bus or car) all the way up to Bangkok, round the corner, then all the way down to Pattaya is a pain in the ass and the last stretch can easily be bumper to bumper quite often.
A ferry service would be almost straight across the gulf. A car ferry would be the best bet I would guess, but that's a very expensive proposition.
This apparent new start up ferry service is news to me however ... obviously I'm not paying attention. I'll post a message on this thread if I can find out more details.

The Bangkok link in the OP sounds adventurous.

The firm’s ferry would cruise at 27 knots on the 113-km journey across the Gulf of Thailand with a maximum passenger capacity of 150 for each trip. A bigger ferry carrying up to 260 people would be added to the service later, Mr Sorasak said.

Thank you Francois for trying to foist visitors uninvited on me. Obviously you have not heard of my anti-social leanings.

llz

November 24th, 2016, 00:27

According to an announcement by the thai website painaidii.com, passed on by Richard Barrow's twitter, you will be able to ride the Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry for free at the end of December before the official launch on 1 January 2017.

llz

December 1st, 2016, 01:11

Game over for the Hua Hin / Pattaya ferry link ?

According to the thai newspaper Manager, the service is unlikely to be authorized by the Pattaya authorities due to the poor state of the Pattaya jetty.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/956134-pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-could-be-a-dead-duck-even-before-it-starts-as-local-authority-warns-of-damaged-pier/?page=1
(http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/956134-pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-could-be-a-dead-duck-even-before-it-starts-as-local-authority-warns-of-damaged-pier/?page=1)
We can only be surprised and worried that the pier is not good for the ferry but in a good enough state for the thousands of daily visitors to Koh Larn ... or should we not ?

Smiles

December 1st, 2016, 06:06

If you think the South Pattaya pier is a mess you should take a gander at Hua Hin's downtown pier. It can hardly handle a two-man squid boat. There is no way it could handle a reasonably large ferry.
Most of the attempts at starting up a Hua Hin/Pattaya ferry service have used the pier(s) at Pak Nam Pran which is a half hour (+) drive south from Hua Hin.

Apparently there is a brand new pier being built on the beach between Hua Hin and Cha Am. (About a 15 minute drive into Hua Hin).
There's a amateur video showing a plane landing at Hua Hin Airport: at the start of the video and another peek at the 30 second mark in the video there is definitely a kind of pier being built out into the waters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwc6fBbjhGw

I have no idea whether this new pier is related to a ferry start-up, but ... it's being built for a reason and it certainly looks as if there's some serious money being spent.
More on this as we approach year-end.

I did however enjoy this post in llZ's link to that ThaiVisa thread:

Hot news: Sin City to Hurrah Hin ferry is a dead sperm in a condom, due to an expert study revealing that the water might be unsafe and needing stuff like lifejackets!

Nothing like a good old pile of rank cynicism. (But he's probably right :yahoo_mini: )

Smiles

December 14th, 2016, 06:49

Latest on the ferry: nuttin', zilch, nada. Not a word, not an advertisement, zero on the Hua Hin channel, nothing in the local Farang Rag.
Supposed to be Jan 1 as the lift off day: you'd think there would be a parade!

Check out this space regularly for more scintillating news.

arsenal

December 14th, 2016, 08:49

It's a fine line with Asian ferry companies. Not enough customers and the company goes bust. Too many and the boats sinks drowning everyone on board.

christianpfc

December 14th, 2016, 11:52

I second Smiles' observations from the Pattaya side (8dec2016). No signs or stall at Bali Hai pier. Then I made the mistake to ask for the ferry in TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) office in Pattaya. They don't know anything. (Mistake because after 5 minutes of talking, I knew nothing more than when I arrived.) What I read on Thaivisa is not encouraging either: Bali Hai pier is not ready, and nobody has ever seen the ship.

arsenal

December 14th, 2016, 12:33

Christian wrote.
"I second Smiles' observations from the Pattaya side (8dec2016). No signs or stall at Bali Hai pier. Then I made the mistake to ask for the ferry in TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) office in Pattaya. They don't know anything. (Mistake because after 5 minutes of talking, I knew nothing more than when I arrived.) What I read on Thaivisa is not encouraging either: Bali Hai pier is not ready, and nobody has ever seen the ship."

But apart from that everything is ship shape and ready to go. Haha.

Smiles

December 14th, 2016, 18:46

The Hua Hin/Pattaya ferry escapade is like a Seinfeld episode: it's all about nothing.

Khor tose

December 15th, 2016, 07:50

Thank you Francois for trying to foist visitors uninvited on me. Obviously you have not heard of my anti-social leanings.

You have got to be kidding right? Everyone knows. Last time I looked your baby picture was still posted on the ten most wanted list, and you are still the same age mentally.

4149

Yraen

December 16th, 2016, 23:07

Koh Larn. Yes, two weeks ago, I went with friends to visit this tourist-trap.

The ferry over took two tries at making a mooring, both failed badly. The ferry was going up and down on the swell whereas the concrete pier did not seem to match the rise and fall of the ferry. I slipped and fell, fortunately on the rubber tyre the ferry was using as a buffer. Landing on my arse, I dislocated my right SI joint leaving me barely able to walk let alone explore the island.

On the return trip, we got to within a few hundred metres of our target Pattaya pier when the propellor-shaft bearing gave up the ghost with plenty of noise and smoke, leaving us adrift. The Chinese tourists stampeded the buoyancy vests whereas previously they had been totally indifferent. <Grin>

Another ferry eventually towed us into a mooring and we trans-shipped in a still bumpy sea.
On the plus side, it was amazing at the speed with which maybe 2 dozen jet-skies came racing up to see if they could be of assistance.

In summary, the authorities definitely need to move on the wharf facilities at both ends. Pattaya wharf it better than Koh Larn but there was never a gang-plank in sight. The Koh Larn disembarking and embarking was down-right dangerous - I could just have easily gone down the gap between concrete landing and the bucking boat. I got lucky, though damaged.

For all those "gentlemen of a certain age" out there, I strongly suggest there are other ways to get an adrenaline 'kick' than by going to Koh Larn. The youthful and sprightly might want to try their luck. :)

arsenal

December 17th, 2016, 22:01

Yraen wrote:
"On the plus side, it was amazing at the speed with which maybe 2 dozen jet-skies came racing up to see if they could be of assistance." Wonderful.

It reminded me of a time (not remotely life threatening) when I was returning to Pattaya along Sukhumvit on my motorbike after heavy rain. At one point the water was a couple of feet deep and many bikes, including mine were just conking out. A few Thai guys had set themselves up as a rescue outfit and as soon as any bike stalled they immediately waded in and dragged the bike out while escorting the rider safely to the dry roadside. All tips from grateful rescuees were politely refused.

gerefan2

December 17th, 2016, 22:03

" it was amazing at the speed with which maybe 2 dozen jet-skies came racing up to see if they could be of assistance"

Not surprising considering the number of ferry accidents and fatalities on this ferry route.

llz

December 28th, 2016, 03:16

According to this news in Pattaya One ( http://pattayaone.news/en/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry (http://pattayaone.news/en/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry/) ), the ferry service is set to begin on January the 12th.
Cost of the service is said to be about 1200 THB one way.

Old git

December 28th, 2016, 06:24

Hua Hin and Pattaya are poles apart - if you like the scene in one, you'll hate the other - and vice versa.

It follows that a ferry only makes sense as a short cut for vehicles - not footie tourists..

I also know that the townsfolk of Hua Hin are not enthusiastic - they think it will bring more trouble than THB..

Smiles

December 28th, 2016, 08:21

According to this news in Pattaya One ( http://pattayaone.news/en/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry ), the ferry service is set to begin on January the 12th.
Cost of the service is said to be about 1200 THB one way.
Interesting quote, but I'll only be a believer once it's started.
That quote focuses only on Pattaya's pier problems ... but in fact it's also a problem on the other side. Unless this rather secretive new pier apparently being built between Hua Hin and Cha Am is ready on time, there is no other pier that I know of which can take that size of boat.

I also know that the townsfolk of Hua Hin are not enthusiastic - they think it will bring more trouble than THB..
Well that's a pretty broad generalization, especially the " ... I also know ... " part. I've lived here for ten years now and the best generalization I would even pretend to give was that most of the folks I've talked to are simply underwhelmed regarding the whole concept.

Surfcrest

December 30th, 2016, 21:31

This article now from the Bangkok Post today includes photos of the boat and more information about the proposed service..

http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/in-thailand/1171669/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-starts-jan-1-free-until-jan-15

Surfcrest

gerefan2

December 31st, 2016, 02:05

According to that Bangkok Post article the vessel can carry 329 , yes 329 people! Enjoy your crossing...

arsenal

December 31st, 2016, 07:18

gerefan2 wrote:
"According to that Bangkok Post article the vessel can carry 329 , yes 329 people! Enjoy your crossing..."

Yes. And stay near the life jackets at all times.

arsenal

December 31st, 2016, 07:49

Here you go. Nice looking boat. And I particularly like the company name. The Royal Passenger Liner Co. Nicely grand and in honour of the great trans-Atlantic liner companies of yesteryear such as Cunard and The White Star Line.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1171669/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-starts-jan-1-free-until-jan-15

bobsaigon2

December 31st, 2016, 08:55

Perhaps poster meant to say "Stay IN your life jackets at all times". That's certainly what I would be doing.

destiny

December 31st, 2016, 10:05

while I would certainly stay near the life jackets at all times, it still might (actually it WILL) be safer - albeit dearer - than Minivan-rides from PTY to BKK and further on to HH. No life jacket has been invented yet to rescue your squeezed body from a chunk of metal after your Minivan-Madman-Driver swallowed one of those funny coloured pills too many

Smiles

December 31st, 2016, 10:35

Well, we shall see what happens tomorrow morning. I'm walking over there to the fisherman's wharf around 8 am and will let you know ASAP. According to the Bangkok Post the first regular customers will be taken over to Pattaya at 8:30am ... with a return sailing back to HH at around 3:30pm.

I'm still somewhat skeptical about this, but cannot but be less so now than I was a few months ago. That HH wharf not so long ago was a mess and in need of a makeover, but perhaps that has already happened ... if so then it's not Thai-like (which would be to take 6 months fixing it up) but one mighty renovation in the dead of night.
If all this comes to pass I will try it out during the the 'free' dates. :dirol_mini:

Smiles

January 1st, 2017, 13:36

He said sheepishly . . .
Sorry, I missed the boat time (8:30am) at Hua Hin pier. Woke up this morning with a splitting headache. No idea why :blush:
So still have no knowledge whether it went, didn't went, or sunk.
Back to bed ...

News published when known.

Smiles

January 1st, 2017, 20:13

I've been scooped!
Mr Alex on Gaybutton has posted that the very first sailing of the new ferry ... yes the boat which is purported to be big enough that most weather should not be an issue: "Cancelled because of weather".

Nirish guy

January 1st, 2017, 21:20

lol I cant believe that after all these weeks and the big build up and countdown to does it exist and will it sail or not that you slept in Smiles and on the big launch day too no less, as you say out scooped by Gaybuttons board - you've brought shame on the lot of us with your drunken hangover it seems ! :-) ( Mind you I wonder just who's bright idea it was to launch that service at 8am on New years day anyway - I'm sure the crew weren't too happy about having to ease off on their own new years eve celebrations - unlike Smiles it seems !!!!

Re safety and staying beside lifejackets etc, to be fair that's seems like a sturdy enough vessel and is the same model used on the Hong Kong to Macau route etc and they've proved themselves there to be (fairly) safe as I think the last major incident involving one was where it had simply crashed into another vessel perhaps rather than it having any mechanical or general safety issues. Although it's interesting to see they're offering all sailings free until the 12th - thus obviously quietly testing everything out with their free riding passengers who can't then complain much if things go awry ( or it bloody SINKS as some tired Thai sailor forgot to put the sink plug in the bottom of it again before they leave the dock some day ! )

Smiles

January 3rd, 2017, 19:21

There is lots of info regarding the latest news on the Hua Hin/Pattaya ferry on the Hua Hin message board ('HuaHinAfterDark')

http://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29428&start=240

It's a 17-page topic, so the best idea is to go straight to the last page and start there. Lots of interesting comments, and lots of cynicism as well :)). Right now the posts are pretty well in sync regarding the clearly amateurish planning which has been going on.

christianpfc

January 3rd, 2017, 23:23

On Jan 1st, I went to the pier (just south of Khao Takiap, about 7 km by air south of Hua Hin railway station), and asked people there who confirmed that will be the place where the ferry will dock. On the picture, the ferry looks too big to dock there; or the pier too small, whichever way you see it; or rather the distance between pier and land (Khao Takiap) to narrow.

If it had been running, I would even have taken the ferry to cross over to Pattaya, but with all these delays, I'm out for now (until my next trip to HH or Pattaya, but by then the ferry service might have stopped because they found the water is too wet).

christianpfc

January 3rd, 2017, 23:40

On Jan 1st, I went to the pier (just south of Khao Takiap, about 7 km by air south of Hua Hin railway station; information by a Thai friend who lives in HH), and asked people there who confirmed that will be the place where the ferry will dock. On the picture, the ferry looks too big to dock there; or the pier too small, whichever way you see it; or rather the distance between pier and land (Khao Takiap) to narrow.

No signage at all at the pier, and without google maps I wouldn't have found the pier.

But there are pictures of a sign and a building on a pier, which is neither Bali Hai nor the pier I went to. (Will read the HH forum thread to find out more.)

If it had been running, I would even have taken the ferry to cross over to Pattaya, but with all these delays, I'm out for now (until my next trip to HH or Pattaya, but by then the ferry service might have stopped because they found the water is too wet).

christianpfc

January 3rd, 2017, 23:41

There have been multiple requests to increase editing time from 15 min. My second post is edited of first after that time passed.

Smiles

January 4th, 2017, 05:18

Come on Surfcrest, put it back to an hour, or more. Most folks here want a change from this silly 15 minutes (or whatever it is).

fountainhall

January 4th, 2017, 09:01

Agree 100% with christianpfc and Smiles. 15 minutes is FAR TOO SHORT! I know that it was introduced to prevent overlapping of responses. I'd be happy with 30 minutes but will go with the flow. Whatever, please increase the edit time!

fountainhall

January 4th, 2017, 09:13

Back on topic. Looking at that long thread Smiles posted, seems there were quite high winds and a big swell on the first day - hence the cancellation. But one earlier post is interesting -

The biggest problem, as ever, will be the fact that the worst weather in the gulf, high winds and waves, falls in the high season, i.e. January and February. Some cancellations will be inevitable - how they go about this in organisational terms will be a crucial factor.
So why did they even consider starting on January 1st? TIT!

Smiles

January 4th, 2017, 09:55

Whoa Nellie . . . the Member of the Year (MOTY) is pissed and spitting out red ink, and hoping to make this board great again.
Let's start of with a half hour, couldn't we?

Signed,

'NOT MOTY''

fountainhall

January 4th, 2017, 10:57

At the very least it will attract attention - which was the whole point!

Jellybean

January 4th, 2017, 17:45

Over the last few months I recall seeing several members request, in various degrees of exasperation, type face size and colour a change to the far too short, 15 minute, edit window.

As an alternative, those members have requested a longer edit period and 30 minutes seems, by common consent, to be the preferred option. I may be mistaken, but I do not believe that there has been an acknowledgement from ‘management’ that they have heard and taken note of members’ requests for change.

At the same time I have read and heard that experts are warning that within the next 30 years, robots/machines are increasingly likely to take over many occupations, with some experts estimating 50% unemployment rates. Perhaps, as part of such a trial or covert operation, change has already happened at Sawatdee Central deep in the Canadian Rockies and no one has told the membership.

Maybe if members were to address their complaints to HAL, we might find that we receive a response, or even some positive action along the following lines:

HAL: Affirmative, Smiles, ChristianPFC and fountainhall. I read you.

If we’re desperately out of luck, things are turning critical and it’s time to set the destruct button and head for the escape pods, we might just hear this . . .

HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you guys to jeopardize it.

Or, in response to a recently deleted topic . . .

HAL: I know that frequent was planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.

Scary! But it might be the future.

And finally, to return to the topic. Actually, I would not mind being a passenger on the Pattaya - Hua Hin ferry once it becomes operational, weather permitting of course, and after a decent interval has elapsed without any reported major incident.

arsenal

January 4th, 2017, 18:35

Jellybean wrote:
"And finally, to return to the topic. Actually, I would not mind being a passenger on the Pattaya - Hua Hin ferry once it becomes operational, weather permitting of course, and after a decent interval has elapsed without any reported major incident."

Jellybean old bean. 329 seats. Only way to fill those seats is with Chinese tour groups. Do the return journey and then tell me you didn't mind it. If the noise such as shouting, watching movies and playing computer games (no earphones) doesn't get you then the constant eating of yukky and smelly snacks will and if that doesn't get you then the clambering over you to get to their seat will and if that doesn't get you then the people to your left having a long conversation with the people on your right will and quite possibly all 300 of them doing all of that at the same time. Enjoy.

Jellybean

January 4th, 2017, 19:38

. . . Jellybean old bean. 329 seats. Only way to fill those seats is with Chinese tour groups. Do the return journey and then tell me you didn't mind it. If the noise such as shouting, watching movies and playing computer games (no earphones) doesn't get you then the constant eating of yukky and smelly snacks will and if that doesn't get you then the clambering over you to get to their seat will and if that doesn't get you then the people to your left having a long conversation with the people on your right will and quite possibly all 300 of them doing all of that at the same time. Enjoy.

Crikey arsenal! You paint a very grim picture, I must say. Hmmm . . . perhaps then I’ll wait and see if your dire predictions of the apocalypse to come turn out to be true.

But didn’t I read in one of the reports there was to be a Business Class option? That is one possibility to avoid the hoi-polloi and assorted riff-raff. But, whether I’m prepared to pay hand-over-fist for the dubious pleasure of travelling the treacherous ferry route between Pattaya and Hua Hin remains to be seen.

Oh, and by-the-by, old sport, I did like your reference to me as, “old bean”. It’s very much in keeping with the old fashioned style I’ve been using in my most recent posts and it makes a change from some of the more, er . . . ah, yes, intemperate language used on other threads.

arsenal

January 4th, 2017, 20:05

OK. I admit I did over egg the pudding a little. It's unlikely that all of them will be doing all of the things at the same time. But that was the only exaggeration. It's obvious that this latest attempt at this somewhat pointless ferry has banked on the boats being filled with the tour groups. No other business model is viable. Anyway you've volunteered now and you can't back out so please go and tell us how it was. By the way, very few Chinese people can swim so if the boat starts to go down make sure you grab a life jacket pretty bloody sharpish because there won't be an orderly queue.

arsenal

January 4th, 2017, 20:30

Sorry Jellybean I forgot to mention the tour groups' guide. She will stand at the front of the boat and talk into a loud microphone for perhaps 20 minutes shortly after departure and then again for 20 minutes as you come into dock.

fountainhall

January 4th, 2017, 20:33

Sadly they don't follow the Japanese tradition of merely waving little flags.

arsenal

January 4th, 2017, 20:37

If it possible for two countries to actually be opposite then China and Japan are those two countries. But let's not get sidetracked from the main issue here. Namely that Jellybean (the special forces agent of the sexpat world) has volunteered to ride the ferry.

scottish-guy

January 5th, 2017, 00:26

Jellybean..has volunteered to ride the ferry.

A) That's gonna piss LatintopXXX off big time - and

B) I hope Jelly doesn't burn his cock on the funnel

:D

Jellybean

January 5th, 2017, 08:35

Infamy! Infamy! arsenal has it in-for-me!

Well yes, I know, a somewhat over the top introduction to my reply, but I wanted an eye catching beginning to attract my readers attention.

Now look here arsenal, at my age, with one foot in the grave, I am more akin to Victor Meldrew than Ethan Hunt. I am most definitely not the member to risk your, er . . . mission impossible.

And I certainly did not ‘volunteer’ for this dangerous operation. What I did say, initially, was that “I would not mind being a passenger on the Pattaya - Hua Hin ferry” but that came with two very important caveats. Then you, one of our resident experts on all things Chinese, issued a dire warning of all the insufferable conditions passengers could expect to face in addition to the perfect storm and faulty and inadequate piers. Of course, being a very sensible sort of chap, I took due consideration of your warning and had a change of opinion in post #44, when I said, “Hmmm . . . perhaps then I’ll wait and see if your dire predictions of the apocalypse to come turn out to be true.”

No, I must confess, I am not the member for this highly skilled operation. If you want it to be a success and for the member to survive the journey, it will call for a young, fit, able-bodied, seafaring member. Yes, I know, we don’t have too many members who fit those particular requirements, but a few spring to mind. But we will also need one other special requirement. You warn us that . . .

. . . By the way, very few Chinese people can swim so if the boat starts to go down make sure you grab a life jacket pretty bloody sharpish because there won't be an orderly queue.

So when the call goes out, Man the lifeboats! and Women and children first! as some here think it inevitably will, our special member will have to be the sort of chap that is not likely to form an orderly queue and whose first instincts are, “Damn the bloody women and children, that fecking life jacket’s mine!”

Well, the only uniquely gifted member that, in my opinion, meets all these rigorous physical and emotional requirements is . . . and I’m hoping that the majority of members are already ahead of me in concluding that the only suitable candidate is, and I hope he’ll forgive me for the nomination, our much maligned and misunderstood . . .

Latintopxxx

Now, that’s positively the very last comment I have to make on this topic. I believe this whole volunteer business was just a ruse by arsenal to get me to exceed my annual posting quota and thereby incur the wrath of rincondog, our Equity union shop steward. arsenal knows very well that I have a walk-on role on this show/forum. No doubt that ferocious dog will be along any minute now, barking at me to mind my place as an extra and to keep my posts to the agreed limit.

Right, I’m out of here, I have a background part as an extra in The Walking Dead, where I am a particular favourite of Scott Gimple, as no make-up is required and all I have to do is walk slower than usual and dribble a bit more than I currently do.

:crazy_mini:

fountainhall

January 5th, 2017, 10:33

Don't be a spoilsport, Jelly! If you're worried about drowning, I will personally go out and get you the latest state-of-the-art life vest with all associated bells and whistles. You'll bobble perfectly safely on the surface until the helicopters arrive. (Can't give you any guarantees about box jellyfish or other assorted nasties lurking in the sea, but you can rest easy (sic) that Steven Spielberg may well be interested in your having a starring role in a movie about your demise!)

arsenal

January 5th, 2017, 12:18

Jellybean wrote:
Blah blah blah I'm not going blah blah I might drown blah I'm too old blah blah I can't swim too well blah blah. Well all I can say is...........I don't blame you.

Reminds me. On my last trip to Pattaya I asked one of Boyztowns superstars if he ever went with farang. "No. I don't like" he replied. "I don't blame you" I replied..."I wouldn't like either." I made him an offer and told him I was there for 10 days and that the offer stood for the duration of my trip. He came with me the next night.

Now Jellybean, we need to find a new volunteer. My leanings are towards someone from a seafaring nation and used to rough seas with most inclement and unpredictable weather. Someone who can follow in the footsteps of his nations great explorers such as Dr David Livingston and William Balfour Blaikie and write his name alongside those luminaries. Someone who can demonstrate as much courage in real life as they do on the written page. Know you of such a chap?

francois

January 5th, 2017, 15:25

Now Jellybean, we need to find a new volunteer. My leanings are towards someone from a seafaring nation and used to rough seas with most inclement and unpredictable weather. Someone who can follow in the footsteps of his nations great explorers such as Dr David Livingston and William Balfour Blaikie and write his name alongside those luminaries. Someone who can demonstrate as much courage in real life as they do on the written page. Know you of such a chap?

Arsenal, look no further than Rear Admiral Andy Bean aka Olde Bean, RN, now in Port Bangkok.

I must say, a rather handsome bloke.

arsenal

January 5th, 2017, 16:37

We really need someone alive Francois.

Surfcrest

January 5th, 2017, 21:58

arsenal

January 5th, 2017, 22:25

Under escort of the navy? Hahaha. Shouldn't laugh but whatever next. The sooner we get 'our man' down there and on this infernal boat to really find out what's going on the better. My preferred choice seems to have gone strangely silent. Mmmm.

Marsilius

January 6th, 2017, 02:51

Meanwhile...and back to the Pattaya to Hua Hin Ferry dock, the Ferry actually completed a sailing Thursday under escort of the navy...in case they encountered any rouge waves, or something.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1174868/frigate-assigned-to-escort-pattaya-hua-hin-ferry

Surfcrest

Presumably the waves turn rouge when assorted lady boys and farang queens jettison their excess cosmetics as they attempt to keep this Thai version of the Boaty McBoatface afloat in those choppy waters.

Jellybean

January 6th, 2017, 16:46

Don't be a spoilsport, Jelly! If you're worried about drowning . . .

Well yes, I won’t lie to you, especially since you currently hold the much sought after and impressive, Member of the Year title. But yes, I won’t deny it; I am somewhat concerned about the prospect of drowning. It’s not the going quietly in my bed overnight death I would prefer, given the choice.

. . . I will personally go out and get you the latest state-of-the-art life vest with all associated bells and whistles. You'll bobble perfectly safely on the surface until the helicopters arrive . . .

That’s uncommonly kind of you founty old sport. You are indeed a kind and generous gentleman and a worthy holder of the esteemed Member of the Year title. But, after a great deal of thought, I must decline your thoughtful offer and I hope you won’t think any less of me for doing so. For your greater understanding, I shall expand upon my reasons in the next post.

Jellybean

January 6th, 2017, 17:00

Well, well, well, there’s something definitely afoot when the the Trollfinder General and the, as yet uncrowned, Member of the Year, are both urging me to be a passenger on the Pattaya – Hua Hin ferry, or the voyage of the damned as I prefer to call it.

So let’s just recap one minute. First, we are told that the jetties and piers are not up to scratch, then the boat, Boaty McBoatface, the name of which was correctly identified by Marsilius, may not be seaworthy and its maiden voyage was cancelled due to no more than a light swell.

Then one of our two resident experts on all things Chinese warned us that the majority of passengers are likely to be Chinese tour groups. And, with his detailed knowledge, the Trollfinder General further informed us that those same passengers are more than likely to create a lot of noise by:

“. . . shouting, watching movies and playing computer games (no earphones),” and if that, “doesn't get [me] then the constant eating of yucky and smelly snacks will. And if that doesn't get [me], then the clambering over [me] to get to their seat will, and if that doesn't get [me], then the people to [my] left having a long conversation with the people on [my] right will and quite possibly all 300 of them doing all of that at the same time.”

And to add insult to injury, arsenal only added, “By the way, very few Chinese people can swim, so if the boat starts to go down make sure you grab a life jacket pretty bloody sharpish because there won't be an orderly queue.”

But arsenal wasn’t finished yet, he further added, “I forgot to mention the tour groups' guide. She will stand at the front of the boat and talk into a loud microphone for perhaps 20 minutes shortly after departure and then again for 20 minutes as you come into dock.”

As a further ‘enticement’, founty, our Member of the Year for those of you who may have forgotten, casually informed us that the sea between Pattaya and Hua Hin may be populated by the deadly box jellyfish. But hey! not to worry, if I am drowned or have been stung to death, my plight, and those of my fellow passengers, will be immortalised on film by Steven Spielberg.

Then HAL, sorry, Surfcrest, informed us that the ferry actually managed to complete a sailing on Thursday, but it required an escort from a ship-of-the-line of the Royal Thai Navy in case, yes, I kid you not, in case it encountered a reddish wave, or was that a rough wave, yes I think our esteemed leader meant a rough wave.

Well, what’s not to like? Honestly, my fellow members, who in their right mind would consider accepting such an invitation? Actually, I have a feeling that it will not be long before one of our younger and more able-bodied members, dear ChristianPFC (our intrepid reporter-at-large), is providing us with his usual, fact and information packed report, with added high quality photographs.

So, in conclusion, I ask arsenal and fountainhall to be patient and wait a little while longer for Christian’s report. Or maybe, just maybe, Smiles might lay off the booze long enough to get up on time and catch the 08:30 departure and let us have one of his exceptionally well written trip reports. (Only joking about the booze, Smiles, in case it wasn’t obvious)

:D

arsenal

January 6th, 2017, 19:50

Yes Yes. Christian must go. An inspired choice Jellybean, he is, after all named after those who walked on water. And should the boat sink (or the Chinese behaviour cause him to take his chances and throw himself off) then Christian is young enough to tread water until the rescue boat arrives or even swim to shore because it's not far.

christianpfc

January 6th, 2017, 21:13

I would have gone HH to PTY if the ferry had been running (despite the unfavorable time of 8:30). Next chance is end of this month, in combination with trip to Pattaya (15:30 PTY to HH is much more favorable), provided the ferry is running by then. Due to high cost only one-way, HH to BKK by bus or train.

Dalewood

January 6th, 2017, 21:46

If I take this journey from Pattaya, I will have to stay overnight in Hua Hin. How should one pass the time there overnight? B1250 each way? Seems expensive for the locals. I might think twice about taking "company" with me from Pattaya unless it was someone I really liked.

Smiles

January 6th, 2017, 21:54

" ... Or maybe, just maybe, Smiles might lay off the booze long enough to get up on time and catch the 08:30 departure and let us have one of his exceptionally well written trip reports. (Only joking about the booze, Smiles, in case it wasn’t obvious) ... "
OK OK ... I shall try the trip next week, on a Friday, and on the 13th.
You couldn't wish more unless I deliberately decide to throw myself overboard ~ all Hollywood ~ into the briny depths in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand screaming "Sawatdee Sucks" just as I hit the one and only 5-meter-high rogue wave to be recorded in the last 300 years. Hey ... it could have been "Pattaya Sucks" which would've been more understandable.

Whatever, if you don't hear from me, we didn't make it ... and I don't mean anything like Christian's unbelievably pathetic excuse of an " ... unfavorable time of 8:30 am ... ". Oh dear oh dear, Queen Elizabeth must not let her pale-but-unblemished skin come into contact with the morning sun. No wonder he hasn't had a decent fucking Thai Twink for over 6 years now.

christianpfc

January 6th, 2017, 21:58

If I take this journey from Pattaya, I will have to stay overnight in Hua Hin. How should one pass the time there overnight?
Well, there are 3 (?) boy host bars in Hua Hin, and when I went over a year ago, it looked promising.

At 8:30 I prefer to be in bed, or having breakfast at most, but not be at a pier/bus stop/train station/airport.

Smiles

January 6th, 2017, 22:04

" ... At 8:30 I prefer to be in bed, or having breakfast at most, but not be at a pier/bus stop/train station/airport.... "
Christian, you really are an unbelievable nerd aren't you. Did you know that?

arsenal

January 6th, 2017, 22:18

Christian (not Fletcher, he was a fine seamen) wrote:
"Well, there are 3 (?) boy host bars in Hua Hin, and when I went over a year ago, it looked promising."

I certainly didn't know that. I thought the whole place was populated with a few fisherman and their wives. I'm still not getting on that fucking boat though.

Jellybean

January 7th, 2017, 12:12

OK OK ... I shall try the trip next week, on a Friday, and on the 13th . . .

Ahhh . . . I knew we could count on you to step once more into the breach, Smiles. But to be on the safe side, I would set two alarm clocks if I were you. Belt and braces and all that, if you know what I mean.

Crikey! A Friday the thirteenth departure you say. Hmmm . . . perhaps you might be pushing your luck a bit too far, but hey! let’s not dwell on any of the negative aspects, they’ve already been covered at length in the earlier posts.

And remember, the eyes of the world will be upon you. Oh, wait a minute, scrub that, it sounds a little bit over the top. I’ll start again, if I may . . .

And remember Smiles, the eyes of the forum members and readers will be upon you, so don’t let us down. I’m sure we all wish you God speed and a bon voyage.

One last thing Smiles, do bear in mind that it is a far, far better thing that you do, than you have ever done for the membership; and I am sure we all hope it is not a far, far better rest that you go to than you have ever known.

Tintin

January 7th, 2017, 14:01

It's probably a good idea to try the ferry on Friday, the 13th, and I'm sure everyone wishes you good luck with this undertaking, but...

According to the Bangkok Post article provided by Surfcrest by then the ferry will reverse its direction and travel the other way around:

Departure time is set at 8.30am and the return trip at 3pm. The ferry is scheduled to depart Hua Hin for Pattaya return from Jan 7 to 10 and from Pattaya to Hua Hin return on Jan 13 to 15.

If true, this will save you an early departure in Hua Hin!

arsenal

January 7th, 2017, 20:38

This is bad news for the overly optimistic owner of Boaty McBoatface but good news for everybody else.

http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Thailand-cracks-down-on-zero-dollar-tour-groups

Dalewood

January 8th, 2017, 04:54

This is bad news for the overly optimistic owner of Boaty McBoatface but good news for everybody else.

http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Thailand-cracks-down-on-zero-dollar-tour-groups

Better a tourist of modest means than no tourist at all. Motel 6 keeps people working too.

arsenal

January 8th, 2017, 07:45

Dalewood wrote:
"Better a tourist of modest means than no tourist at all. Motel 6 keeps people working too."

I disagree.The amount of money that comes into the Thai economy compared to the aggravation these millions of budget tourists is not a reasonable return. It's miserable for them and everyone else. And clearly the Thai government agrees too so.....

Jellybean

January 12th, 2017, 16:22

Commeth the hour, commeth the man. Tomorrow, the great day, is almost upon us.

Smiles, you are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we, the Sawatdee Network members have striven these many months. The eyes of the forum are upon you. Rest assured that the hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is not well trained, or well equipped, but will be battle-hardened. You will need to fight savagely, if need be, to secure a life jacket should Boaty McBoatface perchance happen upon the rocks or inclement weather such as rough, rogue or even rouge waves.

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in getting up on time and securing a seat with a view. We, the membership, will accept nothing less than full victory and completion of the return journey between Hua Hin and Pattaya.

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Smiles

January 12th, 2017, 21:25