2017
In promoting Thailand as a “Kingdom of Bleisure”, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Bangkok are featured as a perfect setting for business-leisure (hence ‘Bleisure’) harmony.
Bangkok is, of course, a hub for Thailand’s MICE industry with abundant choices of world-class conventions and meeting venues, accommodations, shopping centres, fine dining and entertainment options.
Pattaya, Thailand’s favourite seaside resort, is a vibrant leisure destination with a world-class multipurpose convention facility, myriad meeting venues, hotels, night life and seaside attractions.
Hua Hin, on the other hand, is the royal heritage beach resort town with aristocratic roots dating back to 1920s when royal summer residences established in the area. Today, Hua Hin is home to luxury hotel chains, numerous world-class golfing resorts, spas and outstanding seafood restaurants. This is perfect for a laid-back get-away.
Until recently, it has been quite difficult for convention and incentive groups to cover all three destinations in a single trip, or even to just visit Pattaya and Hua Hin. This is because Pattaya and Hua Hin are located on the opposite coasts of the Gulf of Thailand, and a bus ride round the coasts between the two destinations would take about 5.5 hours. Since early 2017, the traveling time has been cut significantly, thanks to the Ferry service operated by Royal Passenger Liner.
The ferry offers Economy class seats on the lower deck, and Business class seats plus VIP rooms on the upper deck. The seats are fairly comfortable, and the trip across the gulf takes about two hours. This makes it possible for a two to three-destination incentive tour itinerary, or a Pattaya-based event to offer Hua Hin as a post-show tour or vice versa.
However, while the ferry ride is relatively fast, weather and sea conditions are beyond anyone’s control. Bad weather may result in a longer travel time or a rather choppy ride. Sea sick pill is advisable. Another point to note is the wide gap between the price of a bus ride and a ferry ride. The ferry ticket are priced at THB1,125 per person for Economy, THB1,395 per person for Business, and THB14,000 for a VIP Room of 8 persons, while the bus costs about THB500 per person. Nevertheless, this new ferry service offers more itinerary options for MICE planners.
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Ferry Connection Between Pattaya and Hua Hin Boost MICE Business
1/9/17
OPERATOR: Royal Passenger Liner Co., Ltd.
SERVES: Pattaya – Hua Hin
Capacity: 346 passengers on Economy, Business class seats and VIP rooms
TRAVEL TIME: About 1.5 to 2 hours
Top left: The Pattaya – Hua Hin ferry
Top: Departure from the Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya
Centre: Passengers in the Business class deck
Bottom: Ferry route vs. Bus route between Pattaya and Hua Hin
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