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Seaplane Tests Set to Boost Thailand's Island Tourism Scene

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  • Popular Post

Capture2_cleanup-4.webp

Pictures courtesy of Set My Trip

 

Thailand is set to trial seaplane routes in Trang to boost tourism by connecting remote islands with key destinations. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), in collaboration with Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, plans to launch test flights later this year. This initiative aims to revolutionise Thai tourism, with Koh Kradan as the initial testing ground.

 

Koh Kradan, known for its pristine waters and serene environment, will serve as the hub for seaplane trials. If successful, this scheme could expand to link less-visited islands with major locations such as Bangkok and Phuket. CAAT’s Air Chief Marshal, Manat Chavanaprayoon, expressed optimism, highlighting the project’s potential to offer tourists access to lesser-known attractions while fostering sustainable growth.

 

Seaplanes are set to provide fast, scenic routes to remote islands, offering an appealing alternative to ferries, which can be unreliable during monsoon seasons. Travellers will not only reach their destinations quicker but will also enjoy stunning aerial views of Thailand's coastline, making travel itself an attraction. In tandem, CAAT looks to build dedicated seaplane terminals with check-in and waiting facilities, collaborating with local and environmental authorities to prevent ecological harm.

 

Beyond enhancing tourist experiences, this initiative aims to boost local economies by drawing visitors to lesser-known areas. This influx could increase demand for local services like accommodation and dining, thus economically benefiting island communities. Moreover, the plan is expected to create job opportunities in aviation and tourism sectors, including roles for pilots, maintenance staff, and more, as noted by Travel and Tour World.

 

The project holds promise for positioning Thailand as a pioneer in innovative tourism. CAAT and its partners aspire to offer eco-friendly travel options that consider both environmental sustainability and local community needs. Should the trials succeed, island-hopping in Thailand could be more accessible, encouraging global tourists to explore the country's diverse cultural and natural landscapes.

 

Thaiger-News-Featired-Image-35-1.webp

 

Key Takeaways:

 

  • Thailand to initiate seaplane tests in Trang to enhance tourism.
  • Koh Kradan selected as the initial testing island for new routes.
  • Project aims to balance tourism growth with environmental care.


Related Stories:

 

Read more Thailand News here

 

 

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-17

 

image.jpeg

 

image.png

  • Popular Post
5 hours ago, webfact said:

in collaboration with Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, plans to launch test flights later this year. This initiative aims to revolutionise Thai tourism,

 

Ha ha ha,

  • Popular Post

 

 

 

No way on God's Earth would I contemplate going up in one of those.

  • Popular Post
5 hours ago, webfact said:

This initiative aims to revolutionise Thai tourism, with Koh Kradan as the initial testing ground.

This is insane and cant be allowed to happen. 1. Koh Kradan was voted the most beautiful beach in 2023 for its unspoiled natural beauty. So fly in tourists who will destroy the island in months. 2. I can see the tour operators letting people snorkle off the planes, just a wonderful idea. 3. What will all the oil and petrol leaked from the older propellor planes do to the pristine waters? I am not a big whiner, but this has to be the most harebrained  stunts of the past decade. 

They did this on Koh Samui 20 years ago.

Visa run to Burma was the idea.

Cancelled because of environmental concern

Australian pilot was my neighbor.

21 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Ha ha ha,

Somehow I think I'd stick to a boat, as dangerous as that seems.

If I had 1,000,000 baht for every such pipe dream started in Thailand over the last 20-odd years, I would be quite rich.

 

The would-be entrepreneurs would still be rich, or  or at least richer, if they hadn't bothered!

 

 

The aircraft in the 2 photos in the article are TMA aircraft that operate in the Maldives.

 

Thailand can only dream to emulate TMA

22 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

 

No way on God's Earth would I contemplate going up in one of those.

I agree! I will buy a Drone and enjoy the view while relaxing in my recliner.

11 minutes ago, ozfarang said:

The aircraft in the 2 photos in the article are TMA aircraft that operate in the Maldives.

 

Thailand can only dream to emulate TMA

Exactly in the maldives the service is quality and well organized. I would also the suspect the weather variation and tidal waters around Thailand would make it a very in reugular if not dangerous service.

  • Popular Post

Must be fake news, there is no mentionof a Hub.

That picture looks uncannily like the Maldive scene that greeted me when I visited a few years ago. No attribution for the photo though.

 

I paid USD250 per person for my seaplane transfer in Maldives quite a few years ago. I’m not sure the average tourist is going to shell out that plus inflation, in Thailand, for a day trip.

 

And we all know that maintenance will be minimal, just as it is with the boats, so it’s a ticking timebomb waiting for the first accident.

 

In and of itself, it’s not a bad idea. It’s just that Thailand operators always F these ideas up, not least because they tout them as something they are not. I mean, “revolutionize” Thai tourism? How many people can fit in one of those things? So how long before even 0.1% of Thai tourists take one?

 

You can be sure that boat operators will be on the case to raise objections from day one.

 

All in all, it’s just another pipe dream that will be forgotten about or become headlines if there is an accident.

The unreliability of ferries in the monsoon season is due to rough seas. Thai floatplanes are unaffected by this?🤔

I've done these type of transfers in the Maldives and in Canada.  Works really well, if a little expensive.  The Canada flight from the harbour in Vancouver to Victoria is one of the smoothest flights I've ever taken.  I worry a bit about aircraft maintenance of course.

On 9/17/2025 at 5:05 AM, webfact said:

CAAT’s Air Chief Marshal, Manat Chavanaprayoon

 

CAAT does not have an Air Chief Marshal. Manat is the organization's Director General, and happens to have retired from the Air Force with the rank of Air Chief Marshal - which, like almost all Thais, he continues to use in his personal life.

On 9/16/2025 at 11:05 PM, webfact said:

Capture2_cleanup-4.webp

Pictures courtesy of Set My Trip

 

Thailand is set to trial seaplane routes in Trang to boost tourism by connecting remote islands with key destinations. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), in collaboration with Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, plans to launch test flights later this year. This initiative aims to revolutionise Thai tourism, with Koh Kradan as the initial testing ground.

 

Koh Kradan, known for its pristine waters and serene environment, will serve as the hub for seaplane trials. If successful, this scheme could expand to link less-visited islands with major locations such as Bangkok and Phuket. CAAT’s Air Chief Marshal, Manat Chavanaprayoon, expressed optimism, highlighting the project’s potential to offer tourists access to lesser-known attractions while fostering sustainable growth.

 

Seaplanes are set to provide fast, scenic routes to remote islands, offering an appealing alternative to ferries, which can be unreliable during monsoon seasons. Travellers will not only reach their destinations quicker but will also enjoy stunning aerial views of Thailand's coastline, making travel itself an attraction. In tandem, CAAT looks to build dedicated seaplane terminals with check-in and waiting facilities, collaborating with local and environmental authorities to prevent ecological harm.

 

Beyond enhancing tourist experiences, this initiative aims to boost local economies by drawing visitors to lesser-known areas. This influx could increase demand for local services like accommodation and dining, thus economically benefiting island communities. Moreover, the plan is expected to create job opportunities in aviation and tourism sectors, including roles for pilots, maintenance staff, and more, as noted by Travel and Tour World.

 

The project holds promise for positioning Thailand as a pioneer in innovative tourism. CAAT and its partners aspire to offer eco-friendly travel options that consider both environmental sustainability and local community needs. Should the trials succeed, island-hopping in Thailand could be more accessible, encouraging global tourists to explore the country's diverse cultural and natural landscapes.

 

Thaiger-News-Featired-Image-35-1.webp

 

Key Takeaways:

 

  • Thailand to initiate seaplane tests in Trang to enhance tourism.
  • Koh Kradan selected as the initial testing island for new routes.
  • Project aims to balance tourism growth with environmental care.


Related Stories:

 

Read more Thailand News here

 

 

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-17

 

image.jpeg

 

image.png

Seaplanes 🫣😱It’s bad enough putting your life on the line with the ferries. 🙈

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

The unreliability of ferries in the monsoon season is due to rough seas. Thai floatplanes are unaffected by this?🤔

Exactly. Any swell or chop would make it very difficult, if not dangerous, to land or take off .  Minor problems to the Thai appreciation of perilous activities. 

I recall flying from Koh Phi Phi ( was it PP??)  decades ago. He headed out to sea, turned around towards the beach and  barely made it up over the trees! Took off on floats and landed in Dom on wheels. Great flight. 

Also had a few more in Canada. 

On 9/17/2025 at 5:51 AM, Will B Good said:

 

 

 

No way on God's Earth would I contemplate going up in one of those.

Not in Thailand !

On 9/17/2025 at 5:05 AM, webfact said:

Koh Kradan, known for its pristine waters and serene environment, will serve as the hub for seaplane trials.

 

Formerly known.

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