webfact Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 In a bid to boost tourism in Thailand, ferry company offers free tickets to popular islands File photo In what is the latest of many moves to boost the ailing tourism industry, a ferry operator in southern Thailand has taken the rare step of offering free tickets to passengers. Raja Ferry Port Public Co, which operates ferry services between Donsak on the mainland and Koh Samui and Koh Phanghan, two of Thailand’s most popular islands, said the promotion will run from 25 January to 30 June 2020. As part of the promotion, any passenger who buys a return ticket between Donsak and Koh Saumi will also receive a return ticket to Koh Phanghan at no extra cost. Tickets will be valid for 15 days from the date of issue. Apichart Chayopas, managing director of Raja Ferry Port Public Co, who announced the promotion, told MCOT the offer will help to stimulate tourism on the islands. For more information, passengers can contact the Raja Call Center on 02-2768211-2, 092 247 3423-5 or make a reservation via the website https://www.rajaferryport.com/ Or on the Line app @rajaferry. The news comes after the head of Thailand’s hoteliers' association predicted a tough 2020 for the country’s tourism industry. Suphawan Thanomkiatphoom said bookings are already down 15% compared to the same period last year, while only 60% of hotels are booked between January 25th to 31st, which is Chinese New Year and typically a peak period for tourism in Thailand. Ms Suphawan said the industry was hoping for a flurry of late bookings from Chinese tourists. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-01-13 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Town Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 These truly are desperate times! Talking to a motorbike taxi driver last weekend, he said he's had very few customers, and had heard people are going to the surrounding countries instead of Thailand. Five days of "free" boat rides with strings attached won't even be a drop in a bucket. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 lol ...25 January to 30 June 2020. Quote As part of the promotion, any passenger who buys a return ticket between Donsak and Koh Saumi will also receive a return ticket to Koh Phanghan at no extra cost. what if ya dont want go to the backpackers island?? not well thought out promotion. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kotsak Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Wow.. It's that bad.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchis Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 46 minutes ago, J Town said: Five days of "free" boat rides with strings attached won't even be a drop in a bucket. it is five months 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Surelynot Posted January 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 13, 2020 A free ticket won't keep you afloat. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Town Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 1 hour ago, orchis said: it is five months Five days, five months, it still won't make a difference. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AhFarangJa Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Maybe I am missing something here, but if the islands were popular why would you be giving free tickets to get there.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tidybeard Posted January 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2020 Oh dear .... the Raja ferries from Samui to Koh Phanghan are the oldest and most unsafe ferries in the Raja fleet. You risk you life every time you travel on one. Do they really think that giving a free ticket worth 2 beers is going to change tourist numbers ? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borzandy Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Like a zero dollar tour ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 17 hours ago, webfact said: In what is the latest of many moves to boost the ailing tourism industry, a ferry operator in southern Thailand has taken the rare step of offering free tickets to passengers. That will boost the local domestic Thai tourist... foreigners won't be here to take advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeray Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 What a pity that "someone" mismanaged the Thai economy so badly that a SME has to give the services away to stay afloat. But heh, a similar concept could be a great use for those otherwise useless Chinese subs. Dive, dive, dive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammieuk1 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 The Greek islands would be a good idea???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Yea but what they fail to mention is that the raja ferry to koh phangan is a car ferry that takes 1 hour 45 minutes and departs from the far west tip of samui which is as far as possible you can get from the main tourist areas of Chaweng or Lamai. So 30 minute plus taxi (probably 800bt) and that a super slow boat or just do the usual 25 minute Seatran or Lompraya ferry for 300bt. This a deal to literally keep that empty boat afloat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo2014 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Not sure this amazing idea will offset the deterrent from polluted beaches and cities, high baht and of course the amazing safety record. Offering Free Ferry rides may not be the best idea to encourage more Chinese, given recent events. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44728478 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netease Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 4 hours ago, neeray said: What a pity that "someone" mismanaged the Thai economy so badly that a SME has to give the services away to stay afloat. But heh, a similar concept could be a great use for those otherwise useless Chinese subs. Dive, dive, dive. Thats a good idea, use the subs as a tourist attraction, submarine rides to the islands bht 500,000, all profits go to ?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinBKK Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Free boat ticket - 800 baht for lifejacket... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baansgr Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 On 1/14/2020 at 7:59 AM, AhFarangJa said: Maybe I am missing something here, but if the islands were popular why would you be giving free tickets to get there.... And it says islands...when In fact the free ticket is only to one island KPG 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotBenz8888 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 What difference does a free ticket make, when the Baht is just as strong out on the islands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy cow cm Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Pretty soon the bar girls will be sayin: bar fine me out 5 days, pay only 3 days for entertainment.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overherebc Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 On 1/14/2020 at 8:53 AM, neeray said: What a pity that "someone" mismanaged the Thai economy so badly that a SME has to give the services away to stay afloat. But heh, a similar concept could be a great use for those otherwise useless Chinese subs. Dive, dive, dive. Sh-t, who left the hatch open ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer90210 Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Free lifejackets also offered in the package....that is, if available on board in sufficience ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now