Pattaya to Hua Hin ferry services to relaunch in the New Year
Thailand’s Marine Department has released a statement saying ferry services across the north end of the Gulf of Thailand are set to relaunch. Ferries will make their maiden voyages on New Year’s Day and travel between Pattaya and Hua Hin.
The department’s director, Sorasak Sansombat, said the daily services would be operated by Royal Passenger Liners. He noted that this company was the only one to submit a bid to run the ferries.
The distance across the gulf between Pattaya and Hua Hin is only a little over 100kms whereas by road it is closer to 350kms. Mr Sansombat says the ferries have a top speed of 27 knots and should reduce travel times between the two beach towns by at least a half.
Royal Passenger says it will start the service with a 150-passenger capacity catamaran, but if demand warrants it will add a larger vessel capable of carrying 260 people. A representative explained that fares for the gulf crossing had not been finalised yet and would be issued in mid-December.
Ferries link most of Thailand’s offshore holiday isles to the mainland. These islands include Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi. 12GO ASIA sells online tickets for the bulk of these ferry routes.
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