Hua Hin and Pran Buri Harbour Office head Arporn Heukhan said the office would allow private ferry boats to use the pier on the condition that they follow the rules of the Fish Marketing Organisation, which include informing the office 24 hours in advance of boat arrivals and departures as well as paying fees.
Arporn said the pier had been improved by being widened, refloored, and equipped with better docking pillars and lighting to cater to tourism in line with the government policy to upgrade piers to support fishing and tourism. The office had not yet received written notification from ferry firms, she added.
A source reported that businesspeople had already asked to rent spaces on the pier to set up commercial booths in anticipation of the ferry service.
Hua Hin-Cha Am Tourism Association president Lisa Onghang welcomed the move, saying it would boost tourism and provide alternative and convenient transport for visitors.
On Monday, Marine Department chief Sornsak Saensombat said a Gulf of Thailand ferry service licence had been granted to Royal Passenger Liner Co, which would apply for a ferry permit and set fares accordingly.
According to the firm’s business plan, the first phase will see two trips per day by two catamaran ferries, which can separately carry 150 and 262 passengers. One ferry will depart from Hua Hin at about 9am, and leave Pattaya on the return journey at about 4pm.
The number of ferries would increase later, he said. The second phase would cater to both passengers and vehicles, but the firm was still looking for a suitable pier for the department to consider, he added.