News Forum - New ferry route Chon Buri-Songkhla, new speedboat Chumphon-Samui

[Thaiger]

Several new ferry services are launching to connect Thailand, with a long-haul route from Chon Buri to Songkhla and a new boat service launching from Chumphon to the islands of Ko Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. The new routes will be run by Seahorse Ferries Company for the cross country route, and Marine Passion through the islands. CHON BURI – SONGKHLA The Chon Buri to Songkhla ferry officially launches tomorrow, though their website does not show any service bookable yet. They had planned on launching the service earlier but have been delayed due to the lack of travel from […]

The story New ferry route Chon Buri-Songkhla, new speedboat Chumphon-Samui as seen on Thaiger News.

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[AlexPTY]

should they learn from Pattaya-Hua Hin fiasco? Nah...

[gummy]

Just now, AlexPTY said:

should they learn from Pattaya-Hua Hin fiasco? Nah...

Well this time I understand it is a European managed company running this business, but of course it must still be majority Thai owned.  The other service you mentioned ( Pattaya-HuaHin) I believe was Thai owned and managed in general.

Now the levels of  or types of service provision I suspect was put into their business model prior to the impact of Covid, so maybe the level of tourist passengers will be significantly less that what had originally been envisaged.

That means their commercial trade will account I suspect for at least 90% of their business given their primary  aim was to facilitate transportation to the Songhla supply bases of the likes of Chevron/PTP etc  I should think.

I can not envisage any significant demand as a short cut to the Thai/Malaysian border because other then the Eastern Seaboard corridor, most other trade/passenger demand from Thailand is direct down the West side.

However I hope they succeed because in the longer term, after Thailand and the rest of the world recovers from the current pandemic it may be a nice trip for holiday makers across the gulf which if successful could open up other sea transportation cruising opportunities.

Now if only they would have considered a hydrofoil service down the Mekong from Nong Khai, to the South China Sea. Ahh well 2600 km of dreams

[palooka]

Don't think Thais have ever done a feasibility study into any thing they do. Someone gets an idea and they go crazy with it, spend big money and it falls over bankrupt.

Have no idea how they can foresee profitability with this one.  Too expensive for the poor, rich would do it once (maybe) then fly every other time, no tourists yet so no money there either.  Throw in the weather, monsoons etc and there is no money.

Make it a party boat trip with a onboard casino then maybe they will make money.

[gummy]

1 minute ago, palooka said:

Make it a party boat trip with a onboard casino then maybe they will make money.

VIP boat cruises out of Pattaya may give you something you are looking for, except the casino whilst in Thailand waters, plus many of the crew and hostesses I have heard have lovely natures 

Bit pricey though for the normal folk like us  but for the "quality wealthy" tourist they are trying to attract, no problem.

[Stardust]

52 minutes ago, gummy said:

Well this time I understand it is a European managed company running this business, but of course it must still be majority Thai owned.  The other service you mentioned ( Pattaya-HuaHin) I believe was Thai owned and managed in general.

Now the levels of  or types of service provision I suspect was put into their business model prior to the impact of Covid, so maybe the level of tourist passengers will be significantly less that what had originally been envisaged.

That means their commercial trade will account I suspect for at least 90% of their business given their primary  aim was to facilitate transportation to the Songhla supply bases of the likes of Chevron/PTP etc  I should think.

I can not envisage any significant demand as a short cut to the Thai/Malaysian border because other then the Eastern Seaboard corridor, most other trade/passenger demand from Thailand is direct down the West side.

However I hope they succeed because in the longer term, after Thailand and the rest of the world recovers from the current pandemic it may be a nice trip for holiday makers across the gulf which if successful could open up other sea transportation cruising opportunities.

Now if only they would have considered a hydrofoil service down the Mekong from Nong Khai, to the South China Sea. Ahh well 2600 km of dreams

Do you have info about prices to take the ferry with a car / pick up and prices per person from chonbury? Because it is far to drive so this could be a huge benefit to take the ferry.

[gummy]

25 minutes ago, Stardust said:

Do you have info about prices to take the ferry with a car / pick up and prices per person from chonbury? Because it is far to drive so this could be a huge benefit to take the ferry.

You can book here

https://www.seahorse-ferries.com/Home/BookingList.aspx

 

But then you can't !!!  ( scroll down to the bit about no passengers )  !!!

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/11/07/ferry-service-from-chonburi-to-songkhla-to-be-officially-launched-tomorrow-monday-november-8th/

 

I guess that is where the 51% Thai company share is inputting its business acumen .