Thailand’s first commercial seaplane operator plans to begin flights linking Phuket with Andaman destinations by September, in a move aimed at luxury travellers who want faster access to resort islands and coastal attractions. Thai Seaplane says the service will cut journey times sharply on routes such as Phuket to Krabi and Phuket to Phi Phi Island.
The company expects foreign visitors to make up about 70% of passengers, with Thai travellers accounting for the rest. It has already imported its first aircraft, a seaplane named PP, and completed docking facilities in Krabi for passenger transfers.
Chief executive Kasinpoj Rodkho said the project is designed to improve regional connectivity while supporting high-end tourism infrastructure across Phuket, Krabi and nearby islands. He said the company has now raised its investment to about 300 million baht, up from an initial allocation of more than 100 million baht for its first three years.
Thai Seaplane was created on 3 October 2023 with registered capital of 25 million baht. The company said it spent six years preparing the project, including specialist pilot training in the United States and Germany.
The routes will initially operate within the Andaman region and each journey will take no more than 1 hour 30 minutes. Planned services include Phuket to Krabi, Phuket to Phi Phi Island, Krabi to Phi Phi Island, Phuket to the Similan Islands and Phuket to Lipe Island.
Initial operations will connect Phuket airport, Cape Panwa and Krabi airport. The company says the Phuket to Krabi trip will take about 20 minutes by seaplane, compared with roughly three hours by road.
One-way fares between Phuket and Krabi will cost no more than US$150, or about 4,849 baht per seat. The company said the pricing is aimed at travellers seeking a faster, premium alternative to existing transport links.
“Our goal is to elevate the tourism experience by reducing travel time and creating seamless connections between major destinations and island attractions,” said Kasinpoj Rodkho, chief executive of Thai Seaplane.
The firm plans to expand its fleet from one aircraft to five within three years. It said the growth would depend on demand and the rollout of supporting infrastructure for water landings and passenger handling.
Mr Kasinpoj said the project gathered pace after the Civil Aviation Authority introduced rules for seaplane operations and temporary water landing facilities in 2025. Those regulations made it possible for the company to move ahead with commercial operations.
Thai Seaplane’s arrival adds a new option for travel between southern Thailand’s islands and resort areas, where road and ferry connections can be slow and weather dependent. The company is positioning the service as a niche product for higher-spending visitors rather than mass tourism.
The operator’s focus on the Andaman coast reflects growing interest in premium travel products in Thailand, as destinations such as Phuket and Krabi continue to recover and compete for international arrivals. If the launch goes ahead as planned, it would mark one of the country’s most unusual new transport services for tourists.
