Thailand to trial seaplanes to boost tourism

Thailand is moving to emulate the Maldives and introduce seaplane services across the country to boost tourism. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is joining forces with private operators to launch "a new era of air travel" with a seaplane project at Koh Kradan in Trang, The Nation newspaper reports.

The island will serve as a “sandbox” for testing operations before the service is expanded elsewhere. CAAT wants to begin the project this year, with Phuket under consideration as a future site.

Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, CAAT’s director, said Koh Kradan was chosen because of its favourable geography and strong support from Trang authorities, local agencies and private partners.

Phuket, while included in long-term plans, was deemed less suitable for initial trials due to harsher sea conditions.

Two licensed seaplane operators - Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane will participate in the trials.

The seaplanes are being mooted aa favourable way to transport tourists to and from some of Thailand’s lesser-known islands and connect them with other major tourism hubs.

The long-term goal is to develop seaplane routes with passenger terminals and related infrastructure.

Trans Maldivian Airways, which operates flights to many island resorts, has the world’s largest seaplane fleet, taking passengers from Velana International Airport in Malé to holiday destinations.

Image: Seaplane in the Maldives. Jaya Waskar, Scop.io

Resort links with the most environmentally friendly boat in the world

A focus on the environment has prompted an eco-friendly resort to link with the world's first vessel powered solely by renewables using solar, wind and hydrogen energy.

The Maldives resort LUX South Ari Atoll is known for a passion for sustainable travel and development.

It is the main partner of the the Blue Odyssey sailing project MS Porrima - the world's first vessel powered solely on renewables.

Sailing under the Swiss flag, Porrima has just set sail from Dubai to the Maldives as part of its circumnavigation of the globe and will end its ambassadorship voyage at the opening of Osaka World Expo in 2025.

The 36-meter-long vessel has 515 sqm of solar panels on board, capable of propelling the boat.

Its excess energy also converts seawater to hydrogen. 

Within the Blue Odyssey project, Porrima has already crossed every major ocean twice, with the main purpose of inspiring entrepreneurs and companies to take on planet-friendly initiatives and the best of technology to create an impact.

On the second week of July, LUX South Ari Atoll will host the boat and its crew on the island of Dhidhoofinolhu.

The resort says its objective is to help the Maldives become one of the pioneers of the hydrogen economy.

“We are delighted to be the key partner of Porrima's Blue Voyage, where this partnership reinforces our group's strategic focus on sustainable development and sharing pioneering breakthrough concepts of zero-emissions facilities that operate within natural boundaries," resort general manager Patrice Aira said.

"In addition to utilising solar energy at our resort, the support of this project is our way of caring for the ocean and the planet, especially in the Maldives where we are located.”

The boat creators are bullish.

“This is a revolution; this is a milestone for the world,” says Professor Gunter Pauli, founder of The Blue Economy and owner of Porrima.

“We want to share how Porrima generates more than enough power and uses this surplus energy to clean the ocean from nanoplastic. We want to set new global standards rather than building museum pieces.”

The perfect party venue for multi-millionaires and their friends

So you are ridiculously rich and want to hold an extravagant party for a couple of hundred of your nearest and dearest friends?

How about exclusive use of a five-star resort in the Maldives?

The five-star Kuredhivaru Maldives Resort is available on an exclusive basis - for guests with deep pockets or maybe a superstar with an album to launch.

The lucky rich dude and his or her mates will gain exclusive use of facilities that include 105 private villas, suites and residences located both over-water and on the beach as well as four restaurants, lounge bars and cafes, the Bodumas over-water seafood restaurant, and Latitude 5.5 poolside grill..

The Movenpick-managed resort also features a five-star PADI dive and watersports centre, Sun Spa by Healing Earth, and recreational facilities such as tennis and volleyball courts, Travel Mole reports.

It is priced from US$930,000 per three-night stay between May 10 - September 30, 2021; US$999,000 between November 1 - December 23, 2021, and from US$1,014,000 per three nights between October 1-31, 2021.

The resort comes with an all-Inclusive meal plan, unlimited non-motorized water sports and free snorkelling gear rental, and a choice of accommodation. 

The island getaway has been the subject of recent legal action over its lease.