Thai Seaplane plans Phuket-Andaman flights by September
Thai Seaplane says it plans to launch Phuket-Andaman seaplane services by September, with initial links including Phuket, Cape Panwa and Krabi.
Thailand’s first commercial seaplane operator plans to start flights linking Phuket with destinations across the Andaman region by September, targeting high-end tourists seeking faster access to resort islands and coastal destinations.
Kasinpoj Rodkho, chief executive of Thai Seaplane, said the company aims to strengthen luxury tourism infrastructure and improve regional connectivity between Phuket, Krabi and nearby islands.
He said the company was established on Oct 3, 2023 with registered capital of 25 million baht and initially allocated more than 100 million baht for investment over its first three years, covering aircraft procurement, infrastructure and personnel development.
Total investment has since risen to about 300 million baht, while the fleet is expected to grow from one aircraft to five within three years. Commercial flights will initially operate within the Andaman region on routes of no more than 1 hour 30 minutes, including Phuket-Krabi, Phuket-Phi Phi Island, Krabi-Phi Phi Island, Phuket-Similan Islands and Phuket-Lipe Island.
Initial operations will connect Phuket airport, Cape Panwa and Krabi airport, cutting travel time between Phuket and Krabi to about 20 minutes from roughly three hours by road. One-way fares on the Phuket-Krabi route will cost no more than US$150, or about 4,849 baht per seat.
“Our goal is to elevate the tourism experience by reducing travel time and creating seamless connections between major destinations and island attractions,” Mr Kasinpoj said.
He said the service is designed mainly for foreign luxury travellers, who are expected to make up about 70% of passengers, with Thai travellers accounting for the rest.
The company has spent six years preparing the project, including specialised pilot training in the United States and Germany. Its first aircraft, an orange seaplane named PP, has been imported and is stationed in Krabi alongside completed docking facilities for passenger transfers.
Mr Kasinpoj said the project advanced after the Civil Aviation Authority introduced regulations in 2025 governing seaplane operations and temporary water landing facilities.
