A question:
Lomprayah operates a proper catamaran service from Chumpon>>Samui with stops in between. Obviously they know what they are doing, have the equipment and the crews and they seem to be making money at it.
As experienced operators why have they not jumped on this "golden opportunity" to make money?
Pattaya - Hua Hin Ferry
.... as long as it's not Lead.
Frankly I think before the #9 ring roads it would have been well worth it. But now the time saving factor is not there. It's just too far for a day trip (7 hours on a boat, with a pissy lunch in between legs? Bring the barf-bucket.)
As a commercial proposition it doesn't make a lot of sense... You either need a mighty 300 seater that is packed to the rafters and is virtually weather independent, or a nice little 8 seater monohull set up for deep sea speed. You should get one for the right price from the Florida DEA cheap.
And if you go down the Leviathan road, you need your marketing spot on: part of a package tour perhaps. (The DOM package: 5 days in Pattaya and then 2 days in Sao Paulo getting the heart monitored after the Kamagra has exited stage left.)
Frankly I think before the #9 ring roads it would have been well worth it. But now the time saving factor is not there. It's just too far for a day trip (7 hours on a boat, with a pissy lunch in between legs? Bring the barf-bucket.)
As a commercial proposition it doesn't make a lot of sense... You either need a mighty 300 seater that is packed to the rafters and is virtually weather independent, or a nice little 8 seater monohull set up for deep sea speed. You should get one for the right price from the Florida DEA cheap.
And if you go down the Leviathan road, you need your marketing spot on: part of a package tour perhaps. (The DOM package: 5 days in Pattaya and then 2 days in Sao Paulo getting the heart monitored after the Kamagra has exited stage left.)
Some families without a car or a group of friends on a jolly up going either way for whatever reasons will prefer a few beers and watch a movie on a boat (irrespective of whether it's +/- half an hour), rather than be cramped in the back of a taxi. Others won't fancy it and will drive their own cars or get a taxi, time will tell.
At least they're giving it a go, have invested money on a brand new boat built by a reputable company (apparently), carrying out sea trials etc, we should at least give them the chance to fail before writing them off.
SJ
At least they're giving it a go, have invested money on a brand new boat built by a reputable company (apparently), carrying out sea trials etc, we should at least give them the chance to fail before writing them off.
SJ
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barrys
- Legend
- Posts: 2296
- Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:52 pm
- Location: Enjoying the sea air on a boat around Pak Nam Pran
Firstly, regarding some previous posts, I'm quite certain that this new venture has nothing whatsoever to do with the Stormbringer fiasco a couple of years ago - that concerned a boat that only existed on paper and never materialised - the "organiser" behind it was an English guy (geordie) with a rather chequered history.
As I said in an earlier post, this new boat belongs to a Swedish concern and it really does exist and is brand new - built especially for this venture - its cruising speed is 20 kn and it has a capacity of 65 passengers.
If it is successful, the company already now has plans to upgrade to a bigger vessel with a speed of 30 kn.
Also as previously said, they hope to start the service in October after the logistics have been finalised and certain modifications completed on the back of the initial sea trials.
I have had contact with the owners and the partner responsible for this project is returning to Thailand from Sweden at the end of this month to resume personal charge.
As and when I get any further info, I will post it here.
Let's congratulate someone for having the balls to sink their own money into a big project and trying to do something innovative for a change.
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migrant
- Addict
- Posts: 6042
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:15 am
- Location: California is now in the past hello Thailand!!
I, like many here, am not a fan of Pattaya. The wife and I went for one night last year (her first trip) and she hated it.
But here in the states we've taken rail trips to Los Angeles (an easy 30 minute drive) that took over an hour, and two-three times the price, also other similar trips.
What I'm getting at is the trip is sometimes worthwhile, especially if different.
Hope it works for them
But here in the states we've taken rail trips to Los Angeles (an easy 30 minute drive) that took over an hour, and two-three times the price, also other similar trips.
What I'm getting at is the trip is sometimes worthwhile, especially if different.
Hope it works for them
Every time I go past the boat for sale just past the Modex Service Station going southbound out of Hua Hin and see the (approx) 20 foot deep Vee hull for sale I drool... I keep thinking about buying a second hand V8 motor from the second hand car joint and fitting it. It would make one hell of a ski boat with an inboard and should do the Pattaya crossing in about 2 hours.
Quick update:
Sent an email recently to operators asking about progress, wasn't really expecting a reply but just got one. Very nice email, apologizing for the delay to scheduled start, but they are still waiting for boat builders to complete the modifications. I'm assuming these are as a result from the recent sea trials, re-assuring to know they won't put it in service until it's good and ready.
Anyway, it's all still going ahead as soon as they can, no revised start date given just yet and the docking piers will be Bali Hai in Pattaya and the Fishing Pier in Hua Hin. Nice .
Cheers,
SJ
Sent an email recently to operators asking about progress, wasn't really expecting a reply but just got one. Very nice email, apologizing for the delay to scheduled start, but they are still waiting for boat builders to complete the modifications. I'm assuming these are as a result from the recent sea trials, re-assuring to know they won't put it in service until it's good and ready.
Anyway, it's all still going ahead as soon as they can, no revised start date given just yet and the docking piers will be Bali Hai in Pattaya and the Fishing Pier in Hua Hin. Nice .
Cheers,
SJ
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The understudy
- Ace
- Posts: 1293
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:16 pm
- Location: Hua Hin, Bangkok, Berlin, L. A. rotating
Good evening Y'All my HHAD brothers and Sisters outthere1
Last night I had a strange dream of me taking the trip on the mentioned Ferry from Hua Hin to Bali Hai Pier Pattaya. I can still rememnber me taking a Seat inside the Ferry as they even show an onboard Video of the Safety procedures of the Vesel which was pretty impressive. After 3 hours across the Rim over in Bali Hai I had arrived straight where Heaven and Hell meet in one Place Pattaya. I spent one day visiting & partying out with my Homies (old Stamfrod buddies) I went back to Hua Hin the next day again with the Ferry it was a pretty decent trip to as I arrived on Hua Hin fishing Iepr with the Beautiful View of Ye olde Buffolo Tavern. I was glad back in Hua Hin again. Boy Waht a Dream1
Your;s The understudy!!!
Last night I had a strange dream of me taking the trip on the mentioned Ferry from Hua Hin to Bali Hai Pier Pattaya. I can still rememnber me taking a Seat inside the Ferry as they even show an onboard Video of the Safety procedures of the Vesel which was pretty impressive. After 3 hours across the Rim over in Bali Hai I had arrived straight where Heaven and Hell meet in one Place Pattaya. I spent one day visiting & partying out with my Homies (old Stamfrod buddies) I went back to Hua Hin the next day again with the Ferry it was a pretty decent trip to as I arrived on Hua Hin fishing Iepr with the Beautiful View of Ye olde Buffolo Tavern. I was glad back in Hua Hin again. Boy Waht a Dream1
Your;s The understudy!!!
In Love with Hua Hin since 19naughty9 and it ain't fading!!!
(My fable for All Things Japanese knows no boundaries!) Proud Student of Stamford University Hua Hin Campus from 1999 to 2004 (5th Batch of Graduates.)
“Once you survive Stamford U Hua Hin Campus only you can survive anything!!!”
(My fable for All Things Japanese knows no boundaries!) Proud Student of Stamford University Hua Hin Campus from 1999 to 2004 (5th Batch of Graduates.)
“Once you survive Stamford U Hua Hin Campus only you can survive anything!!!”
Sorry, not nice. For all pratical purposes, landing passengers at the HH Fishing Pier means that one of my favorite quiet watering holes, the Fat Cat, close to the pier, will be invaded by bragging lo-life Russians and possibly more British and German hooligans.Super Joe wrote:Quick update:
Sent an email recently to operators asking about progress, wasn't really expecting a reply but just got one. Very nice email, apologizing for the delay to scheduled start, but they are still waiting for boat builders to complete the modifications. I'm assuming these are as a result from the recent sea trials, re-assuring to know they won't put it in service until it's good and ready.
Anyway, it's all still going ahead as soon as they can, no revised start date given just yet and the docking piers will be Bali Hai in Pattaya and the Fishing Pier in Hua Hin. Nice .
Cheers,
SJ
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