A major ferry company operating between Surat Thani and the popular islands of Samui and Pha-ngan will increase fares for passengers and vehicles due to a rise in fuel prices and supply shortages. Meanwhile, operators in Trat are holding rates steady for now but warning of possible hikes if costs continue to climb.
Seatran Ferry, which operates services from Don Sak pier to Samui and Pha-ngan, will increase its passenger fare from 170 to 180 baht per trip, effective March 19. Charges for four-wheel vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks have also been increased from 550 to 580 baht.
The increases will affect logistics operators, especially local pickup truck drivers who rely on ferry services to transport goods to the island of Samui. One driver expressed concern that the fare hike will add further pressure, as his charge per trip remains unchanged while costs continue to rise.
At Laem Sok pier in Trat, ferry services to Koh Kut and Koh Mak islands remained busy, with operators maintaining fares at 600 baht per trip for now. However, a ferry captain warned that if fuel prices continue to rise or shortages worsen, fare increases or even service suspensions may become unavoidable.
Atthapol Klintub, an executive of Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, which operates ferry and bus services in Trat, said the company consumes between 4,000 and 5,000 litres of fuel per day, with passenger boats alone using around 1,200 litres for a round trip. He stated that even a one-baht increase in fuel prices would significantly raise operating costs.
To cut costs, the company has shifted some fuel purchases for vehicles to retail stations. Atthapol said the company will maintain current fares for as long as possible to avoid affecting tourism during the final weeks of the high season in the eastern region, although it could absorb the higher costs for about one month, despite the reduction in profits.