Hi Lipe vs Ploysiam Speedboat
Compare Hi Lipe and Ploysiam Speedboat — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.
Operator A Hi Lipe vs 
Operator B Ploysiam Speedboat What travellers say: Hi Lipe vs Ploysiam Speedboat
Based on review data, Hi Lipe earns higher marks than Ploysiam Speedboat for transfers involving Pak Bara Pier and Koh Lipe, though both receive mostly positive feedback.
Hi Lipe
Reviewers consistently praise Hi Lipe's VIP van plus speedboat service for its seamless logistics, attentive staff who personally guide travellers at the pier, proactive night-before WhatsApp or email communication, punctuality, and comfortable clean vans, yielding a 4.84 average from 76 reviews with almost no negatives.
Ploysiam Speedboat
Ploysiam Speedboat draws praise for punctual departures, friendly and helpful drivers, comfortable air-conditioned vans, and safe transfers, scoring 4.46 from 71 reviews, but some note speedboat discomfort from heat, bumps and hard seats plus occasional language barriers or minor delays.
Hi Lipe shows stronger consistency in service quality and fewer complaints. Book either operator at ThailandBoatTickets.com, where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook provides seamless support.
Pros & cons
Hi Lipe Pros
- Service quality and helpful, friendly staff frequently praised as professional and attentive with dedicated pier guidance
- Smooth, seamless journeys with strong punctuality and proactive night-before WhatsApp/email communication
- Well-organized overall process from airport/hotel to boat, including flexibility for earlier transfers
- Comfortable, clean, air-conditioned vans described as new and larger than typical
- Feeling safe with experienced boat crew and high recommendation rates
Cons
- Arrival times sometimes reflect speedboat departure rather than actual island arrival, leading to ~1 hour discrepancy
- Speedboat can be very hot inside and uncomfortable, with occasional rough seas noted
- Occasional departure delays of ~45 minutes for shared van passenger pickups
- Ferry option criticized for being loud, diesel-smelling, and unsuitable for longer trips or very cold
Ploysiam Speedboat Pros
- Strong punctuality highlighted as most-cited positive with many "everything on time" notes
- Good, friendly, and helpful drivers praised for being kind, safe, and punctual
- Comfortable vans with good air-conditioning frequently mentioned as a highlight
- Helpful staff/service and feeling safe even in rain/wind conditions
- Well-organized piers and logistics, with Van + Speedboat combo rated highest at 4.88
Cons
- Speedboat discomfort common due to hard seats, bumpiness, heat, and lack of fans on ~1.5h trips
- Language barriers with crew/drivers unable to speak English, requiring passenger translation
- Some reports of late departures, last-minute pier changes, and excessive passenger pickup stops
- Isolated cases of dangerous/erratic van driving and one mechanical breakdown causing seasickness
Service areas at a glance
Based on currently active routes for each operator.
Both operators 8
Only Hi Lipe 5
Only Ploysiam Speedboat 0
No areas served exclusively by Ploysiam Speedboat.
Routes & coverage compared
Both Hi Lipe and Ploysiam Speedboat operate the same core routes including Hat Yai to Koh Lipe, Hat Yai to Pak Bara, Koh Lipe to Ao Nang, Koh Lipe to Hat Yai, Koh Lipe to Pak Bara, Pak Bara to Hat Yai and Pak Bara to Koh Lipe, giving trip planners direct competition on these connections. Book any of these overlapping services seamlessly through ThailandBoatTickets.com where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook to help compare schedules and secure tickets.
Hi Lipe alone covers routes such as Hat Yai to Satun, Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe to Langkawi, Koh Lipe to Phuket, Langkawi to Koh Lipe, Satun to Ao Nang, Satun to Krabi, Satun to Phuket, Satun to Songkhla, Satun to Trang and several Satun and Trang loops, while Ploysiam Speedboat exclusively runs Ao Nang to Koh Lipe, Ao Nang to Pak Bara, Koh Lipe to Krabi, Koh Lipe to Trang, Krabi to Koh Lipe, Krabi to Pak Bara, Pak Bara to Ao Nang, Pak Bara to Krabi, Pak Bara to Phuket, Pak Bara to Satun, Pak Bara to Trang and Trang to Koh Lipe, allowing each operator to reach distinct destinations beyond the shared network. ThailandBoatTickets.com remains the best place to review and reserve all these unique options with assistance from our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.
Routes both operators run
Same departure and destination — true head-to-head options.
Price distribution
How ticket prices spread across each operator's routes (THB).
Hi Lipe tickets usually fall between 730 THB–2,360 THB (median 1,760 THB), while Ploysiam Speedboat between 530 THB–950 THB (median 800 THB). On the whole, Ploysiam Speedboat offers the cheaper tickets.
Which should you pick?
Frequently asked questions
Hi Lipe vs Ploysiam Speedboat