Although harbour authorities in Pattaya say the new ferries are likely to be utilised to provide additional frequencies on the route to Hua Hin, owners Royal Passenger Liner said last month they had other plans for their forthcoming new acquisitions. The company stated then it planned to inaugurate two routes from Sattahip to Hua Hin and Koh Chang Island.
Ekachai Khantaro is the harbour master at Pattaya and he noted that the new vessels were slightly bigger then Royal 1 and could accommodate 350 passengers apiece. The trio are high-speed catamarans. Voyage times between Pattaya and Hua Hin on Royal 1 are around two hours which is only around one third of the time needed to make the same trip by road.
Mr Khantaro said the timetables and destinations for the new ferries will be announced in the near future. 12GO ASIA already offers ticket reservations services for Royal 1 sailings and will add the new ones just as soon as routes are officially launched.
Pattaya to Hua Hin ferry operator acquires new vessels
News in Asia
The operator of the recently launched Pattaya to Hua Hin ferry service has announced the acquisition of two new vessels. Royal 2 and Royal 3 are expected to start sailing on routes across the northern part of the Gulf of Thailand once they have been certified as seaworthy.