Meet Captain Pop — Now Officially SEA Rated

With decades of experience in military and commercial aviation, he adds seaplane certification to his credentials.

For more than twenty years, Thailand had no active seaplane pilot certification. While seaplane operations existed in other parts of the world, locally the category had remained inactive.

In October 2025, Captain Wattanapol “Pop” Intharasirithorn became the first pilot in over two decades to receive an officially endorsed SEA rating under the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s TCAR framework.

The certification allows him to operate single-engine seaplanes under Thai regulations. It’s a technical qualification, but one that carries significance for the gradual return of seaplane activity in the country.

Captain Pop brings decades of aviation experience to this new rating. He previously served as a fighter pilot and flight instructor in the Royal Thai Air Force before moving into commercial aviation, where he flew Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft on international routes.

His seaplane qualification was completed through formal training and practical assessment, followed by endorsement under Thailand’s current regulatory standards.

For Thai Seaplane, this milestone represents a careful step forward. Before aircraft, routes, or expansion plans, aviation begins with certified pilots and regulatory approval.

The process is methodical, and it should be. Safety, compliance, and experience remain at the core of every operation.

Stay tuned as we introduce more key personnel behind Thai Seaplane in the near future.
#SeaplanePilot
#ThaiSeaplane