Siam Seaplane plans Phuket facilities as regulatory hurdles slow launch

Siam Seaplane plans to develop seaplane facilities at Bangtao and Makham Bay in Phuket, with services targeted to begin as early as January 2027, the company’s chief executive said.

Worakanya Siripidej said the rollout has been slowed by Thai regulations that have not kept pace with new aviation technology. She said a 2023 notification from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry requires certain projects to submit environmental assessments, and that temporary water landing sites or floating docks for seaplanes also need an initial environmental examination.

According to Ms Worakanya, that process can cost several million baht, close to the cost of a boat marina, creating a burden for operators and delaying the company’s seaplane launch.

Siam Seaplane, which registered in Thailand in 2019 and obtained an air operator certificate in 2024, is part of Seaplane Asia Group. The company currently operates only land-to-land charter flights using a Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft on routes in Thailand including Samui-Phuket and Bangkok-Samui.

She said the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand issued rules last year for commercial seaplane operations and set standards for temporary take-off and landing areas on water. However, she said the regulation does not yet cover larger covered facilities such as water aerodromes that can handle several aircraft, or beach landings.

The government and industry stakeholders have formed a strategic committee for seaplanes, chaired by the deputy transport minister, to help coordinate approvals among agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Ms Worakanya said public hearings with local communities in Krabi should be completed this year, allowing construction to begin on three temporary water take-off and landing sites in Tub Kaek and Koh Phi Phi. Alongside those projects, Siam Seaplane also plans facilities in Phuket and on Koh Yao Noi in Phang Nga.

The company said it received nearly 100 seaplane inquiries in January. It has ordered six additional Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft this year, which would bring its fleet to seven.

Ms Worakanya said a 30-minute seaplane flight from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi would cost about 50,000 baht and carry eight to 10 passengers. Siam Seaplane projects revenue of 70 million baht next year and 650 million baht within five years, with 70% expected to come from seaplane services and the rest from land-to-land charters.