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Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...-new-years-day
A privately-run ferry service from Pattaya to Hua Hin is expected to start operations on Jan 1, the Marine Department says, but the ride will be initially limited to a daily round-trip and cater only to passengers, not vehicles...
Surfcrest
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
Too late for my forthcoming trip.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
I wish them well----I have never been to Hua Hin.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
I hope it opens as scheduled and the times suit my schedule, in which case I will try their service for a round trip Bankok-Pattaya-Hua Hin-Bangkok (or other way round).
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
When in Hua Hin stop by at Chez Smiles and get acquainted.:devilsh:
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
Quote:
Originally Posted by
neddy3
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.
Quote:
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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
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 ?
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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:
Quote:
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: )
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
The Hua Hin/Pattaya ferry escapade is like a Seinfeld episode: it's all about nothing.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Smiles
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.
Attachment 4149
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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. :)
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
" 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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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..
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
Quote:
Originally Posted by
llz
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.
Quote:
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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...e-until-jan-15
Surfcrest
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
According to that Bangkok Post article the vessel can carry 329 , yes 329 people! Enjoy your crossing...
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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/gene...e-until-jan-15
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
Perhaps poster meant to say "Stay IN your life jackets at all times". That's certainly what I would be doing.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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:
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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".
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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 ! )
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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...9428&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.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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).
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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).
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
There have been multiple requests to increase editing time from 15 min. My second post is edited of first after that time passed.
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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).
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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!
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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 -
Quote:
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!
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Re: Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day
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''