Patthapong, Deputy Minister of Transport, is advancing the Seaplane project to connect city and island travel, aiming to elevate Thailand as an Aviation Hub. He has ordered urgent studies on area and personnel readiness to support sustainable economic growth.
13 Aug 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Patthapong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, chaired the first 2026 meeting of the Strategic Integration Committee to promote the use of seaplanes. The meeting set directions and collaborative approaches among relevant agencies and established a framework for developing Seaplane services in Thailand for the benefit of the public and the country. Attendees included Mr. Kiatchai Chairuengyot, Inspector General of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Danai Ruangsorn, Director-General of the Department of Airports (DOA); Air Chief Marshal Manat Chuanaprayoon, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT); along with representatives from the Marine Department, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Thai Navy, and other related agencies. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Transport conference room.
Mr. Patthapong stated that the Strategic Integration Committee for advancing Seaplane use is responsible for coordinating infrastructure development, service provision, and related regulations. It will also create short- and long-term operational plans, promote public and private sector participation, and provide advice, oversight, and support regarding operational readiness, safety, environmental impact, and community effects. The Seaplane initiative will expand travel options among cities, coasts, and islands, improving access to areas with limited infrastructure or land transport. It will also support public service missions and emergency assistance, aligning with Thailand's policy to become a regional Aviation Hub. The goal is to connect air travel networks with cities, tourist sites, coasts, and islands, enhancing the efficiency and diversity of air transport systems. This will accommodate domestic and international tourists and strengthen tourism, trade, and investment potential, ultimately boosting the country's competitiveness and long-term economic value.
Mr. Patthapong added that the Civil Aviation Training Institute and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand have been instructed to accelerate studies and prepare personnel, especially by defining knowledge, skills, and training standards for pilots and ground staff to support future Seaplane operations. He also directed the Marine Department and the Department of Airports to assess the feasibility of building seaplane ports, considering each area's context and potential, along with safety, legal compliance, environmental factors, and community benefits. Evaluations of water area potential will consider necessity and benefits, flight and safety conditions, waterway use and navigation, environmental impact, protected areas, and benefits to local communities.
The Ministry of Transport will coordinate with relevant agencies to collect and analyze data, set guidelines, and systematically drive the project forward. The aim is for Seaplane services to become a new transportation option connecting travel routes and supporting area development, while ensuring safety oversight, legal compliance, environmental consideration, and sustainable benefits for the public and communities.
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