A ferry to connect Chon Buri in the east and Songkhla in the south will be launched within the first half of this year, according to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. Bangkok Post

East-South ferry launch

A ferry to connect Chon Buri in the east and Songkhla in the south will be launched within the first half of this year, according to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.

The service will facilitate logistics as well as boost tourism, said the minister.

The Bangkok-based Seahorse Ferries Company will offer the service. It imported the 136.6m-long ship from Japan. It can accommodate up to 586 passengers, 80 lorries and 20 cars. It will also have guestrooms, a restaurant, a recreation zone and a lobby. The vessel can run up to 17 knots (32kph).

The Marine Department approved the ship for the commercial service on March 12. Seahorse Ferries expects to launch a test service next month.

The ferry will depart from the Chuk Samet Pier in Chon Buri's Sattahip district and will dock at the Southern Songkhla port operated by Songkhla Southern Logistic 2009 in Songkhla's Muang district. The one-way journey is about 20 hours.