TRAT, THAILAND – A ferry operator serving Koh Chang scaled back a planned steep fare increase and issued a public apology after fierce criticism from residents and businesses.
Fierce criticism over planned fare jumps
Local debate in Trat began when the operator proposed a sharp rise in ticket prices for the Koh Chang route. The plan met broad rejection from residents, tourists and local businesses in the province.
Many feared that higher transport costs would slow tourism to Koh Chang and at the same time push up living expenses for locals. Families and schoolchildren who relied on the ferry for regular travel were seen as particularly vulnerable.
Fuel costs cited as main reason
The company pointed to significantly higher fuel prices as the main reason for the proposed adjustment. According to the operator, costs had risen from around 26 baht per litre in 2016, when the current fares were set, to as much as 50 baht per litre.
Against this backdrop, drastic increases were initially floated. The proposal included higher prices for passengers and much higher fees for cars.
Original plans: 80 to 130 baht, cars up to 280 baht
Under the first draft, the passenger fare was set to rise from 80 baht to 130 baht. For four‑wheeled vehicles, an increase from 120 baht to 280 baht was planned.
These figures immediately triggered resistance in Trat, where they were viewed as too abrupt and excessive. Critics also warned of negative effects on bookings and the wider local economy.
Governor steps in with crisis meeting
Responding to public pressure, the provincial governor called an urgent meeting with relevant authorities and the ferry operator. The aim was to review the proposal and weigh its impact on residents and tourism.
After the talks and continuing criticism, the fare model was revised. The company then presented a clearly softened version of the increase.
New fare model from 10 April
Under the new structure, which was due to take effect on 10 April, the passenger fare would rise from 80 baht to 90 baht. The adjustment was therefore significantly lower than originally announced.
For four‑wheeled vehicles, the fee would increase from 120 baht to 200 baht. This level still represented a notable rise, but remained well below the initially proposed 280 baht.
Apology for confusing communication
In a formal statement, the operator admitted that its earlier communication had been unclear and had caused confusion among both tourists and local businesses. The company said this had led to a decline in tour bookings and apologised publicly.
The operator stressed that it regretted the impact the initial announcement had on confidence in the route. It pledged to provide clearer information on any future changes.
Tourism concerns and pressure on families
Local authorities underlined how important transparent and understandable information was for maintaining trust in Koh Chang as a travel destination. They warned that unclear price announcements could quickly harm perceptions of the island.
Members of the public also highlighted the broader consequences of rising fuel prices. Higher travel costs could heavily burden families, especially when children needed to commute to the mainland for school.
Operator insists rise is economically necessary
Despite the scaled‑back plan, the company maintained that a fare increase was economically necessary in light of current conditions. It argued that the adjustment was needed to secure the long‑term viability of operations.
At the same time, the operator promised to keep fares as “reasonable as possible”. The revised tariff schedule was presented as a compromise between cost recovery and affordability for passengers.