Transport Ministry Advances Andaman Seaplane Plan With Temporary Island Terminals
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Deputy Transport Minister Phattharapong Phatthaprasit is accelerating inter-agency integration to drive the seaplane project across Satun, Phang Nga, and Trang. Authorities are studying temporary takeoff and landing sites around Ko Klang and Ko Khai before connecting to Ko Lipe by boat, while preparing demonstration flights in a sandbox area. The initiative aims to boost tourism, distribute income to communities, and balance safety with marine ecosystem conservation.
On October 27, 2026, Deputy Transport Minister Phattharapong Phatthaprasit chaired the second meeting of the Strategic Integration Committee for Water Aircraft Operations (Seaplane) for 2026 to monitor progress in Satun, Phang Nga, and Trang, particularly around Ko Lipe. The agenda covered personnel development, landing site designation, airspace management, environmental oversight, and demonstration flight operational testing.
Attendees included Transport Ministry Inspectors-General Kriengchai Chairuengyot and Puriwat Thirakulpisit, Department of Airports Director-General Danai Ruengson, Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand Director-General Air Chief Marshal Manat Chuanaprayoon, and representatives from the Civil Aviation Training Center, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd., Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and other relevant agencies. The meeting took place on October 26, 2026, at the Transport Ministry conference room.
Phattharapong stated that advancing seaplanes requires cooperation from all agencies to determine appropriate guidelines covering personnel development, aviation and maritime safety, airspace and route management, environmental and marine ecosystem impact assessment, as well as considering public demand, market potential, and project viability to ensure sustainable benefits for communities and the local economy.
The ministry and relevant agencies have established area-level working groups to survey site potential and gather preliminary feedback, finding support from the public sector, private sector, and citizens. The seaplane service is expected to promote tourism, elevate the economy, and distribute income to local residents.
Regarding landing site development around Ko Lipe in Satun, the meeting preliminarily concluded that Ko Klang and Ko Khai are feasible for temporary flight operations. Authorities will prepare temporary landing facilities, safety equipment, and emergency response plans while studying additional suitability, particularly national park regulations, preliminary Environmental Impact Evaluation (IEE) requirements, and Environmental Code of Practice (CoP) for temporary landing sites.
Phattharapong added that the meeting also discussed linking flight routes along the Andaman coast from Phuket, Krabi, Trang, to Satun, taking into account Flight Information Region (FIR) limitations. Since Ko Lipe lies within Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur FIR, outside Thailand's Bangkok FIR, the approach is to designate landing points at Ko Klang and Ko Khai — which fall within Bangkok FIR — before connecting onward to Ko Lipe by long-tail boat, a distance of about 18 kilometers, to create income opportunities for local communities.
On personnel development, the Transport Ministry has tasked the Civil Aviation Training Center to prepare curricula for pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, and related personnel, with close monitoring and evaluation.
