June 11, 2008
Bangkok - The boat operators got an approval from the government to raise their boat fares from June 25 onwards.
Prasong Tanmaneewattana, director-general of the Water Transport and Merchant Marine Department (WTMMD), yesterday met with the Thai Boat Association and boat operators.
The meeting agreed to approve the boat fare hikes. Two and one-baht fare hike will be for Chao Phraya express and regular boats respectively.
One-baht hike will also be for the express boats in Saen Saeb canal.
Ferries at small piers will be allowed to raise 0.50 baht of their fares while ferries at large piers have to maintain their fares.
Large piers which have 5,000 passengers per day include Tha Chang-Wat Rakang, Tha Chang-Wang Lang, Tha Prachan Nua-Wang Lang, Tha Prachan Nua-Railway station, Tha Prachan Nua-Pinklao, and Pinklao-Thonburi-Phra Nakhon.
As for the cheap diesel oil requested by the boat operators, the WTMMD would further discuss the issue with the transport ministry.
