The department's director-general Sorasak Sansombat said Royal Passenger Liner was the only firm to apply for a licence to operate the Pattaya-Sattahip-Cha-am-Hua Hin ferry ride after applications open on Aug 9, and passed a selection process on Sept 30. A ferry committee was inspecting the firm’s documents and readiness for the service, upgrading arrival and departure ports for safety, and finding the appropriate fares.