Phuket advances luxury seaplane project after final environmental briefing
The final briefing meeting for the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) report was held on Thursday (May 7) at the multipurpose pavilion in Moo 7, Ao Makham, in Wichit.
Phuket moved its luxury seaplane project closer to approval after the final briefing on the Preliminary Environmental Assessment report was held on Thursday, May 7, at the multipurpose pavilion in Moo 7, Ao Makham, Wichit. The session presented the study findings and gathered stakeholder feedback before the project enters the last stages of the approval process.
Mueang District Palad Apichat Chantrawong chaired the meeting, which was attended by PPAO President Rewat Areerob, agency representatives, private-sector participants, Thai Seaplane Co Ltd executives and academics from Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Environment.
Investment plan and proposed routes
Thai Seaplane CEO Kasinphoj Rodko said the company was established in October 2023 with registered capital of B25 million. He said the firm plans to invest more than B100 million during its initial development phase.
The company is targeting premium seaplane transport for luxury and high-income travellers moving between Andaman destinations. Planned routes cover Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, the Similan Islands, Koh Lipe and Koh Kradan, with every flight expected to take less than 90 minutes.
The first aircraft, registered HS-TSP, is already based in Phuket. Thai Seaplane has said it aims to expand to 30 aircraft within five years if approvals are secured.
Study scope and regulatory process
The assessment was commissioned by Thai Seaplane and carried out by Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Environment. It examined engineering feasibility, environmental effects, natural resources and possible impacts on nearby communities’ quality of life.
Project documents presented at the meeting said the temporary seaplane landing and takeoff point is planned in Phuket Bay off Ao Makham on the island’s east coast. The proposal is aligned with Phuket’s Provincial Development Plan 2023-2027.
Officials said the project is now going through legal procedures and environmental approval requirements under Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment regulations issued in 2023. Thai Seaplane first unveiled the plan last year under a proposed public-private Sandbox initiative to test environmental impacts before commercial operations begin.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-pushes-ahead-with-luxury-seaplane-project-100149.php
