Peerapong Praspsuk says ferry services would significantly reduce travel times across the north of the gulf. He carried on by saying SEP had lined up investors interested in collaborating on launching services between Pran Buri and Pattaya. The former is a little south of Hua Hin.
Mr Praspsuk noted that the sea trip was only 109kms whereas by road it was almost 400kms. He said ferries would cut travel times by a third and claimed ferries would be able to make the crossing in around 90 minutes. As a footnote, Mr Praspsuk stated that buying vessels capable of a 40-ton payload would enable them to carry goods vehicles as well as cars and foot passengers.
One ferry operator previously inauguated a Pattaya-Hua Hin route, but soon cancelled it. The company said there was not enough demand to make it viable. Last June, Thai transport-minister Prajin Juntong said the government would like to see this route relaunched.
Pattaya to Hua Hin ferry services may be relaunched
News in Asia
A spokesperson for a Thai development company says a feasibility study on relaunching ferries across the Gulf of Thailand has revealed it is a viable proposition. The development manager of Siam Eastern Industrial Ltd (SEP) says the study found there is sufficient demand for the route.