First 'Seaplane Tourism' Launched in Phuket by Thai Deputy Minister of Transport

[snoop1130]

 

Thai Deputy Minister of Transport, Manaporn Charoensri, recently inaugurated Thailand's pioneering 'seaplane tourism' venture in Phuket. This introduction aligns with the announcement from Airports of Thailand back in January regarding a new seaplane terminal at Phuket International Terminal aimed at accommodating the growing coastal tourism sector.

 

This novel project seeks to magnify the influx of tourists from Phuket to the local Andaman islands and beaches, putting a fresh spin on the existing boat tour services operating for decades. Ms. Manaporn underlined the dual utility of upcoming seaplane operations as a facilitator of tourism and a provider of crucial medical aid amidst the growing issue of land transport congestion on the island.

 

Nopasit Chakpitak, the President and CEO of Aerothai, the company destined to kickstart the first seaplane services, spoke about their exploration of maritime aircraft control services as a new air transport segment. AoT President, Kerati Kijmanawat had previously declared the seaplane base as a component of Phuket airport's expansion, with the estimated budget for terminal construction approximately 8 billion baht.

 

The other contenders in the race of establishing a seaplane service in Phuket are Thai Seaplane, which had announced plans to commence operation in late 2024, and Siam Seaplane, planning to add Cessna Caravan 208 model amphibian planes. While Thai Seaplane's recent activities remain unknown, Siam Seaplane's first route is reported to be from Phuket to Ko Lipe in Satun province.

 

In light of these developments, Phuket's travel scene is buzzing with anticipation, as the launch of distinct and efficient travel services promises to further energise Thai tourism and provide more accessible connections to its beautiful coastal sites.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-09

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[soi3eddie]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

his introduction aligns with the announcement from Airports of Thailand back in January regarding a new seaplane terminal at Phuket International Terminal aimed at accommodating the growing coastal tourism sector.

 

So the Mai Khao Beach will be blocked and developed into an airport facility for seaplanes?

 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Siam Seaplane's first route is reported to be from Phuket to Ko Lipe in Satun province.

 

...and Ko Lipe will be over run with yet more tourism.

 

[Tropicalevo]

Not quite the first seaplane service in Thailand but I hope that they do better than the other one.

CoCo group on koh Samui had a seaplane offering 'visa run' trips to the casino in Burma just off Ranong.

This was back in 2006/2007

Then things went wrong with the group.

The seaplane ended up flying illegally to Singapore.

 

The plane was bought this month by Mary Cummins, who co-owns a tourist adventure flight company with Rhys Thomas, a former pilot with Australian airline Ansett, the newspaper said. The plane had previously been flown by an airline in Koh Samui.

 

https://<URL Automatically Removed>.com/thailand-and-asia-news/23991-koh-samui-plane-forced-land-singapore.html

[Captain Monday]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Not quite the first seaplane service in Thailand but I hope that they do better than the other one.

CoCo group on koh Samui had a seaplane offering 'visa run' trips to the casino in Burma just off Ranong.

This was back in 2006/2007

Then things went wrong with the group.

The seaplane ended up flying illegally to Singapore.

 

The plane was bought this month by Mary Cummins, who co-owns a tourist adventure flight company with Rhys Thomas, a former pilot with Australian airline Ansett, the newspaper said. The plane had previously been flown by an airline in Koh Samui.

 

https://<URL Automatically Removed>.com/thailand-and-asia-news/23991-koh-samui-plane-forced-land-singapore.html

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20200416204822/http://www.vision.net.au/~apaterson/aviation/pd89_introduction.htm

 

That brought me to the wayback machine

Was he a scab?

 

 

Edited May 9 by Captain Monday

[cowellandrew]

Oh good lord I will stick with long tail boats, speed boats, ferries, oh no they all keep sinking!

[hotchilli]

What could possibly go wrong...

[Surasak]

I will give it a miss if they don't mind. I may be getting on in life, but I would continued in that vain thanks.

[newbee2022]

Are we waiting for the first crash?

Pilots are similar skilled as Bus drivers or Boat captains??😵‍💫

[webfact]

New Seaplane Service Set for Phuket to Boost Tourism by Year-End

 

Picture courtesy: The Star

 

A seaplane service is scheduled to start operating in Phuket by the end of the year. This development, an initiative by the Transport Ministry, aims to boost tourism and is a part of the government's aviation hub policy.

 

The policy, orchestrated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has been implemented to increase the nation's capacity to accommodate an influx of international tourists.

 

The news was announced by Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri, at the 'First Seaplane Operations Towards Thailand’s Aviation Hub' workshop. The workshop focused on the potential of seaplanes servicing popular marine locations, such as Ao Pho and Ratsada Ports in Phuket and Phi Phi Island in Krabi.

 

The seaplane service aims to facilitate tourists visiting remote marine destinations and serve as a resource for disaster mitigation and emergency rescue in these areas. To ensure safety, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has established guidelines for seaplanes, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

 

In additional tourism development plans, the Marine Department is considering turning the Phuket Deep-sea Port into a cruise terminal. The proposal, designed to accommodate small, mid-size and bigger cruises, is a response to declining cargo traffic at the port. The study for this plan is expected to conclude by the end of the year.

 

-- 2024-05-10

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[Tropicalevo]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

The policy, orchestrated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has been implemented to increase the nation's capacity to accommodate an influx of international tourists.

I cannot see how a domestic service will help the influx of international tourists, but hey, let's give the PM a pat on the back  - he needs them.

[natway09]

8 billion Bht to build a terminal ? Now I see why it was finally allowed 

[eezergood]

Im thinking this never gets off the ground............😉