Thai Seaplane, Thailand’s inaugural commercial seaplane operator, is preparing to launch flights that will connect Phuket with various locations across the Andaman region by September, catering to affluent tourists seeking quicker access to resort islands and coastal attractions.
Kasinpoj Rodkho, the chief executive of Thai Seaplane, stated that the initiative aims to enhance the luxury tourism infrastructure while bolstering regional connectivity among Phuket, Krabi, and nearby islands.
Established on October 3, 2023, with a registered capital of 25 million baht, the company originally earmarked over 100 million baht for investments over its first three years, which will cover aircraft acquisition, infrastructure development, and personnel training.
As of now, the total investment has increased to approximately 300 million baht, with plans to expand the fleet from one aircraft to five within a three-year timeframe. The initial commercial flights will operate within the Andaman region on routes designed to last no longer than 1 hour and 30 minutes, including connections from Phuket to Krabi, Phi Phi Island, Similan Islands, and Lipe Island.
The first operations will facilitate travel between Phuket airport, Cape Panwa, and Krabi airport, significantly reducing the travel time from Phuket to Krabi to around 20 minutes, compared to approximately three hours by road. One-way ticket prices between Phuket and Krabi are expected to be capped at US$150, or roughly 4,849 baht per seat.
“Our objective is to enhance the tourism experience by minimizing travel duration and ensuring seamless connections between key destinations and island attractions,” Mr. Kasinpoj remarked. He noted that the service is primarily aimed at international luxury travelers, who are anticipated to make up around 70% of passengers, with Thai travelers representing the remaining percentage.
The project has been in development for six years, which includes specialized pilot training conducted in the United States and Germany. The first aircraft, an orange seaplane named PP, has been imported and is currently stationed in Krabi, where docking facilities for passenger transfers have been completed.
Mr. Kasinpoj also indicated that the project’s progress accelerated following the implementation of new regulations by the Civil Aviation Authority governing seaplane operations and temporary water landing facilities in 2025.
Source: Bangkok Post
