EHang has launched an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Sandbox Initiative in Thailand aimed at fast-tracking the commercial operations of its EH216-S pilotless eVTOL aircraft through an innovative regulatory approach.
The initiative is a collaboration between EHang, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), and local partners. Continuous trial operations with the EH216-S have already commenced at the first sandbox area in Bangkok, with plans for expansion to other areas across Thailand.
During the launch event, the EH216-S successfully completed a series of point-A-to-point-B autonomous flights, showcasing its integrated flight control systems and operational reliability.
Senior officials from the CAAT and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Thailand attended, alongside key industry partners including Aerial Sea Ventures, Energy Absolute, Amita Technology, G Capital, China Harbour Engineering Company, Bangkok Airways, VietJet, and Tahira Group from Malaysia.
EHang also held a technical meeting with CAAT officials, demonstrating the EH216-S’s safety architecture, Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) integration, risk assessment framework, and flight-testing methodology.
Under the initiative, EHang’s local partners will offer essential operational support, including infrastructure and operational teams. There are plans to expand the sandbox areas to locations such as Pattaya, Koh Larn, Phuket, and Koh Samui to establish more sightseeing flight routes and transportation services.
Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the CAAT, stated, “We are highly impressed with the cutting-edge technology and demonstrated safety of EHang’s EH216-S during these flights.
“At the CAAT, we are guiding Thailand’s transition into a new era of AAM, where safety and public trust remain our highest priorities. Through our ‘prove it safe, then scale’ approach, we have explored a clear path toward commercial operations, with the target of launching the world’s first commercial eVTOL operation services within the next three months leveraging the Initiative. The future of AAM in Thailand will be safe by design, ambitious in vision, and realized through tangible action.”
Panya Chupanit, Deputy Permanent Secretary of MOT of Thailand, added, “The MOT is fully committed to advancing sustainable transportation, and the development of AAM technology – exemplified by EHang’s innovative eVTOL solutions – is integral to this vision. We are working closely with partners across sectors to position Thailand as a regional AAM hub, in line with our national goals for carbon neutrality and smart, connected cities.”
Luong Pham of Aerial Sea Ventures, also commented, “Today marks a historic day as we launch the future of transportation here in Thailand. With the EH216-S, we are entering an era where travel is measured in minutes, not hours, connecting waterways, islands and remote areas with unprecedented efficiency. With the strong support of the CAAT and MOT, we are now months – not years – away from commercialization in Thailand. We look forward to positioning Thailand as the regional hub for AAM across Southeast Asia.”
Thailand represents a strategically vital AAM market due to its strong service sector, thriving tourism industry, and proactive government policies promoting smart transportation and sustainable technology.
The country’s densely populated urban areas and persistent traffic congestion make it an ideal environment for deploying AAM solutions, with major cities like Bangkok being well-suited for air taxi services. In November 2024, the EH216-S successfully conducted three days of human-carrying flights in central Bangkok.
Conor Yang, Chief Financial Officer of EHang, said, “This demonstration showcased not only routine flight capabilities but also the core safety principles integral to our certified EH216-S aircraft. The AAM Sandbox Initiative in Thailand serves as a pivotal model for the region. Our goal is to leverage the operational and regulatory framework established here as a blueprint for expansion into other Southeast Asian markets, bringing safe, sustainable AAM to the wider region globally.”
