WITHu Thailand includes hundreds of paradise islands dotted with dream beaches, coral reefs and tropical jungles. However, smaller islands in particular are often poorly connected and can only be reached with difficulty using scheduled flights and then switching to ferries and boats. That is about to change: Thailand will have one more attraction.
Seaplanes will begin service in former Siam later this year. We also have a German to thank for that: Dennis Keller co-founded the company Siam Seaplane two and a half years ago. “The special thing is that we offer this top-class experience at reasonable prices,” he says.
First, world-famous holiday resorts in the Gulf of Thailand are to be headed for. The machines can take off and land both on land and in the water. It starts at one of the two airports in the mega-metropolis Bangkok, landing in front of Koh Tao or Koh Kood in the turquoise sea. From there it takes a few minutes by boat to the shore.
Seaplane instead of ferry: With the Cessna, travelers should get to Thailand’s islands faster
Source: dpa-tmn
“But don’t worry: we end up far enough away from the coast that holidaymakers on land don’t have any noise pollution,” says Keller, who is the company’s chief business officer and responsible for finance and marketing.
By seaplane from Bangkok to the island
What has long been established as a means of transport in island kingdoms such as the Maldives or impassable regions such as Alaska was not previously part of the transport offer in Thailand.
However, in the 1930s, the mighty Chao Phraya River that flows through Bangkok was used as a water aerodrome for commercial flights. Historical photos show seaplanes swimming in the current. Today that would be unthinkable given the massive shipping traffic.
Keep an eye on the weather and guests: the pilots of Siam Seaplane
Source: dpa-tmn
Exactly when the new airline’s planes will take off is not yet certain due to possible delays due to the corona pandemic, but Dennis Keller is convinced that it will be in 2022.
“This will completely change the Thai travel industry,” prominent Thai actress and singer Zom Ammara Siripong is quoted as saying on the airline’s website. She has been waiting for a long time to finally reach her favorite island resort directly from busy Bangkok.
The Cessna’s longest flight is to Koh Samui
The amphibious seaplanes of the Cessna Caravan type fly directly to Jomtien near the seaside resort of Pattaya, to the seaside resort of Hua Hin and to the Samui archipelago. Later, a hub on the largest island of Phuket is also planned in order to further expand the route network from there.
For reasons of comfort and economy, the machines stay in the air for a maximum of one and a half hours – the longest connection is currently from Bangkok to Koh Samui. A longer trip could also be difficult because the small seaplanes don’t have onboard toilets for their maximum of eight passengers.
“Seaplanes fly a lot lower than other planes, so you have a great view,” says Keller, who holds a pilot’s license himself. The sightseeing is almost included. “For the guests, it almost feels like they are traveling in a private jet.”
Revival of tourism after the Corona break
A ticket will cost between 5,000 and 15,000 baht (130 and 400 euros) depending on the destination. Bookings are made via the Internet, via an app or via the hotel. “It will also be possible to charter the entire aircraft, which is even cheaper for a larger group than buying individual tickets,” says Keller.
He founded Siam Seaplane in October 2019 together with two French aviation experts, shortly before the start of the Corona crisis. “For us, that ultimately turned out to be a great opportunity,” says the 35-year-old from Baden-Baden, who studied in Utrecht and London. Because the virus caused tourism in Thailand to collapse completely at times – however, the kingdom was one of the first long-distance travel destinations to open up to international guests months ago.
During the flight with the Cessna, the passengers enjoy fantastic views of Thailand’s islands
Source: dpa-tmn
“The government authorities have seen that they have to do something differently after the pandemic and that Thailand has to differentiate itself from neighboring countries in order to revive tourism,” says Keller. Thailand, for example, wants to focus more on quality tourism than on mass tourism in the future, as the authorities repeatedly emphasize. Siam Seaplane is already an integral part of this recovery plan, says the head of the tourism authority TAT, Yuthasak Supasorn.
Another plus: seaplanes are more climate-friendly than other aviation alternatives because they do not need an airport or a runway. “The Cessnas land in the sea and take off again ten minutes later as if nothing had happened,” says Keller. It is also planned to fly with a purely electric fleet in the future. Fish or corals are also not harmed because the propellers – unlike boats – only operate above the water surface.
Source: Infographic WORLD
Tips and information about Thailand:
Getting there: Lufthansa currently offers direct flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok. Many airlines offer flights with a stopover.
Entry and Corona situation: Different rules apply depending on the destination. Current information can be found on the Federal Foreign Office website. Travelers must inquire about all the necessary formalities before they travel and apply for a so-called Thailand passport. Information is available from the Thai Embassy in Berlin.
travel time: The best time to travel varies by region. In general, the dry season from December to February is the ideal travel time with little rain and pleasant temperatures.
Information desk: thailandtourismus.de; About Siam Seaplane: siamseaplane.com
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