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I booked the overnight ferry in Thailand - but was shocked when I saw my 'bed'

I booked the overnight ferry in Thailand - but was shocked when I saw my 'bed'

Daily Mail​01-07-2025
A traveller has shared a video of her 'treacherous' journey on an overnight ferry in Thailand – and many are too scared to try it.
Gabbi, a solo traveller who posts her adventures on Instagram (@vidacongabbi), caught the ferry from Koh Tao to Surat Thani.
In the video caption, she explains: 'I boarded expecting an assigned bunkbed like I'd seen online and my friends had told me.'
Instead of a bunk bed, Gabbi's 'bed' for the night was a mattress on the top deck of the ferry next to an open railing.
'They put me on the top deck - no walls, no real barriers, just a thin mattress next to an open railing that led straight to the gulf,' says Gabbi.
In the video, Gabbi and other travellers are shown perched on the top deck next to the railing.
The solo traveller shows the fast-flowing water below the open railing as well as the thin mattress travellers are given to sleep on. Her sleeping area is very narrow with just enough room to lie flat.
Gabbi says: 'The eight hour ride itself wasn't exactly the smoothest, but honestly? It was one of those moments that you can't help but find hilarious even in the chaos. The most treacherous of journeys make for the best stories.'
In the comments, Gabbi explains that she actually managed to sleep for 80 per cent of her hair-raising journey.
Commenter 'taigfeats' says: 'The amount of panic attacks I would have would be insane.'
Meanwhile 'dani.norland' adds: 'Took a boat about 15 years ago on the same route and was only mattresses on the floor and one exposed outdoor toilet.'
And one user asks: 'So how do you go to the bathroom?'
Gabbi replies: 'I didn't even try leaving once I sat. You don't wanna see the bathroom sitch (situation).'
'Txnasty07' has no sympathy for Gabbi, writing: 'Who gives a d***. You probably spent $3/£2.19 and will be to your destination shortly.'
While 'sunriserclub' jokes: 'These are the stories we wait to tell our moms till we are back home.'
There are several ferry options between Koh Tao and Surat Thani with shorter routes than Gabbi's, including one that takes just four hours.
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