THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

More boats to boost canal tourism

More boats to boost canal tourism

FOREIGN TOURISTS will be able to explore major attractions along the Saen Saep and Banglumpoo canals, using new tour boat services on the Bangkok waterways from April.

Chaovalit Metthayapraphat, chief executive officer of Family Transport (2002) Co, which runs services on Saen Saep Canal and operates the Kwan Riam floating market, said the family business planned to launch six additional boats in a service called Bangkok Canal that will link Bangkok’s old town with the new metropolis.
The route will link the Pratunam Pier near the Ratchaprasong intersection with the old town of Banglumpoo near the Khao San Road backpacker precinct, using the Saen Saep and Banglumpoo canals. Attractions along the route include the MBK mall and sports market, the Bobae wholesale centre, Golden Mountain and Khao San Road.
Chaovalit said total investment for the Bangkok Canal project would be up to Bt60 million, involving construction of the six tour boats, new piers and a night food market at Patunam Pier.
“The new project is aimed at serving tourists particularly from China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia countries,” he said.
A one-day unlimited trip ticket will cost Bt200. The operator aimed to earn Bt6 million revenue in the first year operation.
Chaovalit said he had also considered diversifying into the cruise business in the future, with services based on the Andaman coast and the Gulf of Thailand.
He said the core business of passenger boat services along Saen Saep Canal would generate revenue of Bt200 million this year, while Kwan Riam floating market would contribute Bt3 million.
 Family Transport operates 72 passenger boats with 740 trips a day that carry 50,000 passengers. It has begun renovating the boats in order to increase capacity as well as improve safety.
 

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