DON SAK, THAILAND – Seatran Ferry announced it would raise passenger fares on its Don Sak–Koh Samui and Don Sak–Koh Phangan routes from 14 March 2026 due to higher global energy and fuel costs.
What changes from 14 March
Passenger tickets on the Don Sak–Koh Samui–Don Sak route were set to rise from 170 baht to 180 baht per trip. The adjustment applied specifically to standard passenger fares on this main connection.
On the Don Sak–Koh Phangan–Don Sak route, the ticket price increased from 240 baht to 250 baht. The company framed both changes as uniform 10‑baht rises across the two key island services.
Seatran cites oil prices
The operator referred to the global energy and fuel situation, which it said had pushed up oil prices. Rising fuel costs had made operating the ferries more expensive overall.
Fuel was described as one of the central operating costs for ferry services. According to the company, these price jumps had a direct impact on financial calculations and ticket pricing.
“Until further notice” – no end date given
Seatran Ferry stated that the new tariffs would apply from 14 March 2026 and then remain in force until further notice. No timeline was attached to the duration of the increases.
The company did not name any fixed end date or a specific moment for a renewed review of the prices in its announcement. Any future adjustment therefore remained open.
Safety and operations to remain stable
Seatran explained that the fare adjustment was necessary to continue running operations efficiently. The company linked the step to maintaining an uninterrupted timetable on the routes.
The operator emphasised that service standards and safety were targets it aimed to uphold despite higher costs. It presented the price move as a way to protect reliability for passengers.
Price adjustment within official guidelines
According to the company, the increase took place within a framework set by the responsible authorities. The fares were therefore not decided in complete freedom.
Seatran pointed out that ferry ticket prices were tied to regulatory guardrails. This meant tariffs had to remain within limits laid down by the competent bodies.
Importance of Don Sak link for island travel
Don Sak in Surat Thani province is one of the most important departure points for travellers heading to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The port serves as a crucial mainland gateway to the islands.
Fare changes on these main routes therefore affected tourists as well as commuters and island residents. Many locals rely on dependable connections to the mainland for work, services and supplies.
Your view
The announcement raised questions about how justified the 10‑baht increase per ticket was in times of expensive energy. Some travellers might wonder whether such a key connection should be cushioned more strongly against higher costs.
Others may focus on recent experiences with Seatran regarding punctuality, capacity and service. For many passengers, higher prices could influence future travel planning and choice of route.