Pattaya —
Pattaya City has come up with tougher regulations to address issues related to speedboat operators at Bali Hai Pier, including the introduction of standard ticket prices and the ban on “herding” guests.
On Thursday, September 7th, the Pattaya City Council assembled to devise strategies for organizing and overseeing tour boat operators, following a violent altercation among operators vying for guests aboard a boat to Koh Larn from Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Ruemkitkan and was attended by Pol. Lt. Col. Surachet Aneksri, the Deputy Superintendent of the Pattaya Police Station, and Pittayaporn Korkaew, the Deputy District Chief of Banglamung district, along with other officials and tour boat representatives.
Problems addressed at the meeting encompassed ticket pricing, service protocols, and the establishment of collaborative agreements between operators and Pattaya City.
Most importantly, the city eventually ruled that from now on tour boat operators will be prohibited from approaching and herding tourists who are looking for a boat to Koh Larn. Essentially, they used the word herding to describe pressure selling customers to speed boats versus allowing customers to approach a ticket queue.
To maintain organization and prevent fights among businesses, the operators are instructed to remain within their designated tents and market their services there only. They are also to maintain a staff presence of no more than five people per tent.
The Pattaya News notes that this action is probably a reaction to the operators’ tactics, such as aggressively approaching tourists, which has led to discomfort among visitors and has had a detrimental impact on Pattaya’s reputation.
Furthermore, operators who are granted concessions to operate at Bali Hai Pier are required to furnish precise and comprehensive information regarding their operations, boat routes, departure schedules, and fares to the authorities for examination.
To tackle confusing ticket fares, the council has also established fixed and standard ticket prices for boat trips to Koh Larn as follows:
- From Bali Hai Pier to Na Baan Pier: 150 baht for a one-way trip per person, 300 baht for a round-trip per person.
- From Bali Hai Pier to Tawaen Beach: 200 baht for a one-way trip per person, 300 baht for a round-trip per person.
- Boat charter prices: For 12 passengers with one-engine boat, the rate is set at 2,800 baht (up from 2,500 baht). For a two-engine boat, the rate is set at 4,500 baht.
Boat operators are required to report to the authorities to formally request the use of Bali Hai Pier on September 14th and 15th.
The operators have signed an agreement with the council to follow the above regulations at the meeting. Violation will lead to a suspension of business operations at the pier for 7 days for the first offense, 15 days for the second, and 1 month for the third.
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