– Large numbers of families, couples and groups lined up at the Koh Loi–Koh Si Chang pier on October 23 for the start of a three-day holiday around King Chulalongkorn Day.
– Ferry operators ran full boats and added trips under a “full and depart” system to clear passengers quickly.
– Marine Department, Sri Racha Marine Police, municipal disaster-prevention staff and district officials enforced life-jacket rules, passenger limits and bans on alcohol or drugs.
– Spending on the island over the long weekend is expected to reach tens of millions of baht.
– Similar queues and extra sailings were recorded at the same pier during an earlier 2026 holiday:
Sri Racha: Tourists formed long queues at the Koh Loi–Koh Si Chang ferry pier in Sri Racha on October 23rd as a three-day long weekend began, with couples, families and groups of friends waiting to cross to the island.
The holiday combines King Chulalongkorn Day (Piyamaharaj) with the following Saturday and Sunday. Passenger boats filled on every sailing. Operators responded by adding trips and applying a “full and go” policy, departing as soon as each vessel reached capacity so that waiting passengers could board without long delays.
Officials from the Marine Department, Sri Racha Marine Police, the Sri Racha Municipality Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Division and the district administration office were present to manage the flow and enforce safety rules. They required every passenger to wear a life jacket before departure, checked that boat operators were fit to sail, prohibited alcohol and narcotics, and ensured passenger numbers stayed within legal limits. Operators and travellers were reported to have cooperated with the measures.
Koh Si Chang remains a popular short-break destination for its coastal scenery, beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Local estimates suggest that visitor spending on the island over the three-day period will reach tens of millions of baht.
The pier has seen comparable holiday surges before. During an extended holiday in early May 2026, large numbers of families and groups also queued for ferries, prompting operators to increase sailings and generating several million baht in local spending.
After the 2025–2026 New Year holidays, returning passengers created another busy period at the same pier, with authorities again providing safety oversight.
Ferry fares on the route have remained at 60 baht despite earlier diesel-price pressure.