About 200 passengers were aboard for Royal 1’s inaugural gulf crossing. They were a mix of tourists taking advantage of a free journey offer, government dignitaries and journalists. The journey from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier to Hua Hin took 2 hours 30 minutes and was 1 hour longer than operator Royal Passenger Liner claims the average crossing time will be.
Royal Passenger is putting Royal 1 through seaworthiness trials and is offering free crossings until mid-January. When the service is officially launched, the standard ticket price for a single trip will be THB1,250. The trials were supposed to begin on New Year’s Day, but high waves and strong winds delayed the launch until yesterday.
12GO ASIA’s ticketing options for buses between Pattaya and Hua Hin are about 30 per cent of the ferry ticket prices. Although buses are not as quick as the ferry, they do run every day and are cheaper as well.
Pattaya Royal 1 ferry arrives safely in Hua Hin
News in Asia
After four days of postponements, a new Gulf of Thailand ferry successfully completed her maiden voyage yesterday. Royal Thai Navy frigate HTMS Kraburi accompanied Royal 1 as she made her debut voyage from Pattaya to Hua Hin.