The feasibility study of a ferry project between the eastern and western coasts of the Gulf of Thailand is expected to be concluded in three months.
The project is a policy announced by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who wants the Transport Ministry to study the car-ferry service across the Gulf of Thailand, the so-called East-West Ferry, Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Cheevapruck said. The ferry should reduce travel times by at least two hours compared to road transport, he said.
If the ferry is operational between Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri and Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, the travel time could be just 1.2 hours, compared with four hours by road.
The study will look into a suitable route and customer demand to determine whether the project is viable, the deputy minister said.
Under the plan, the existing ports will be a priority, such as Laem Chabang port on the eastern coast, which needs upgrading.
On the other coast, private companies may be sought to invest for constructing a ferry pier, which could allow the project to launch more quickly.
Private operators may also be enlisted to run the ferry service after suitable locations are defined.
"Whether the project can materialise quickly depends on the readiness of the piers, particularly on the western coast," said Mr Ormsin. "The project would need several steps, including the environmental impact assessment, which could take years."
A Transport Ministry source said the government had assigned the Marine Department to look after the feasibility study of the project at a cost of 30 million baht allocated under the 2015-2016 budget. Both sides must have major and minor ports to cope with the ferry service.
The source said suitable locations for the pier on the western coast include Hua Hin and Pran Buri districts of Prachuap Khiri Khan province as well as Puek Tian and Cha-am beaches in Phetchaburi.
Those on the eastern coast include Laem Chabang port and Koh Loi Pier in Chon Buri's Si Racha district.
Mr Ormsin said the government also plans to upgrade Juk Samet port in Chon Buri's Sattahip district to serve yachts, cruises and ferries to support sea travel between the two coasts of the Gulf of Thailand.
It could take only one hour to travel from Sattahip to Hua Hin, the deputy minister said.