Thailand targets Krabi-Phuket seaplane pilot by year-end

Thailand’s transport ministry is pushing to launch pilot seaplane flights between Krabi and Phuket by the end of this year, with Krabi designated as the country’s first seaplane service area.

Deputy Transport Minister Phattharapong Phatprasit said the ministry is working with state agencies and private companies to open seaplane services to improve travel links across tourism destinations on the Andaman coast and support Thailand’s goal of becoming an aviation hub.

He made the comments during a visit to Krabi International Airport and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand to follow operational progress and discuss the seaplane plan with public- and private-sector participants.

According to Phattharapong, the ministry wants to develop Krabi International Airport as an “Airport for Regional Development” that can connect travelers more seamlessly to major tourism destinations and support future tourism growth. He said seaplanes would offer another option for reaching islands and coastal areas more conveniently, quickly and efficiently.

The ministry is also in the process of setting up a strategic integration committee for seaplane operations on water surfaces. The committee is intended to coordinate work among government agencies, experts and relevant private companies, set directions and accelerate implementation under aviation safety standards. Phattharapong said he had been assigned by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to chair the committee.

He said the seaplane project would not only improve travel options and tourism experiences for high-value, high-spending visitors, but could also add economic value to related industries including aviation, tourism, hotels, restaurants, services, emergency medicine and maritime security missions.

Phattharapong said Krabi would serve as the pilot area and Thailand’s first seaplane destination, with Thai Seaplane expected to begin trial flights from Krabi Airport to Phuket no later than the end of this year. He added that Siam Seaplane would be able to move forward with opening services after completing the process for submitting its Initial Environmental Examination, or IEE.

He said strong cooperation between the public and private sectors could help launch a new form of aviation business, create seamless tourism connections across the Andaman region, attract high-potential tourists from around the world and generate economic value for the country. He said he had urged all related parties to speed up preparations so the service can open by the end of the year.