Travel Green to Koh Kood: New Electric Hydrofoil Ferries Revolutionize Eco-Tourism in Thailand

Published on October 6, 2025

Over the years, the Swedish manufacturer of electric vessels, Candela, has partnered with the Thai transport operator, Seudamgo by Leopard Transportation Co. Ltd, to roll out 10 Candela P-12 electric hydro-foil ferries. The ferries are to be deployed on the much-traversed axis of the mainland and the beautiful island of Koh Kood in the Trat province of Thailand.

Koh Kood has got to be one of the most beautiful and untouched islands in Thailand. Differing from other busy tourist destinations in Thailand like Phuket and Koh Samui, Koh Kood has been purposefully kept much less developed, and as such, has a much calmer ambience. The purpose of this new ferry service is to provide an environmentally friendly means of transport to and from the island, while also maintaining the island’s peace, as opposed to the previous gas-powered, loud, and damaging ferries used.

Sustainable Travel for Visitors to Koh Kood

Commonly known as the ‘paradise island’ of Thailand, Koh Kood is well-known for its gorgeous beaches, towering trees, and sapphire waters, drawing in tourists in search of a getaway surrounded by nature. However, since, for many years, accessing the island has been limited to speedboats, the island has been exposed to the noise, carbon emissions, ecosystem disruption and dollar-a-minute destruction which boats are known for.

The electric boats by Candela, known as P-12, is a game changer for the transport industry in Thailand and tourism within the country. These electric boats, completely insulated from gas, can transport tourists to Koh Kood in a way that is hygienic and silent, devoid of any gasoline noise. Hydrofoil technology and the shape of the boats enable them to minimise energy and drag, allowing a more pleasurable ride. The excess exhaust removed by traditional ferries is a huge threat to Koh Kood’s delicate ecosystem, and thus, the absence of gas ensures the same is not inflicted by these electric boats.

The electric ferry service is a new addition to the many eco-friendly initiatives of Thailand’s tourism industry. Electric ferries to the islands of Koh Kood will allow visitors to experience the beauty of Thailand’s islands while enjoying peace of mind that they are conserving Koh Kood’s pristine wilderness for the future.

With minimum electricity usage, the electric ferries will service the Trat Province on the mainland and Koh Kood, the easternmost island of Thailand. Koh Kood and the surrounding islands are renowned for the stunning visibility of the water, diverse marine life, and vibrant coral reefs. As such, protecting the waters is a vital component of the overall sustainability of this ecosystem in order to attract visitors interested in eco-tourism.

The conventional combustion engine boats contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, disturb wildlife, and can cause pollution, all of which are detrimental to the ocean environment. Furthermore, incorporating the Candela P-12 Electric Hydrofoil ferries will aid in mitigating these threats by introducing emission-free seafaring transport. By limiting the amount of noise and air pollution, these ferries will maintain the island’s peace, which allows the environment and visitors to fully appreciate the island without negative consequences.

Improving Customer Experience While Travelling to Koh Kood

Now, visitors travelling to Koh Kood will appreciate a more serene and smoother ride without the loud motors and choppy wakes that come with conventional boats. Candela P-12 electric Hydrofoils are made to ensure a perfectly smooth and comfortable ride while preserving the island’s environment as much as possible.

On top of that, the hydrofoils are built to maintain high speeds, making them an eco-friendly transportation solution. Travelling to and from Koh Kood from Trat Province will take much less time, as well as minimising the time spent on the island, thereby enhancing the amount of time available to appreciate the beautiful beaches, magnificent waterfalls and other breathtaking landscapes on the island.

Koh Kood gets to have amazing nature-based tourism activities, and will benefit from the new ferry service. These eco-tours include hiking in untouched jungles, snorkelling in colourful coral reefs, and eco-friendly lodges, all of which promote sustainability. These new ferry systems, alongside Koh Kood’s eco-friendly ventures, show other islands in Southeast Asia the importance of sustainable tourism and encourage them to use green transportation options.

Assisting Thailand In Achieving Sustainable Tourism Goals

The partnership between Candela and Seudamgo by Leopard Transportation is a step towards Thailand’s national goals of promoting tourism with eco-friendly, sustainable initiatives. The Thai government has increasingly emphasised the need for greener travel solutions and a commitment to minimising tourism’s impact on the environment. This case demonstrates a fusion of eco-tourism with cutting-edge technology, which the country’s tourism infrastructure is in need of.

The new ferry service to Koh Kood is Thailand’s best-kept secret for passionate eco tourists keen to reduce their carbon footprint, as it allows both Koh Kood and its visitors to enjoy a quiet, safe, and clean mode of transport, providing an environmentally friendly way to protect the island’s sanctuary, and Koh Kood is the ultimate place for travelers who want to do “real” eco tourism. The electric hydrofoils, of which Candela is the first in class, are an important achievement in eco-tourism

The service is predicted to operate to and from the island all year, with the addition of other nearby islands in the years to come. Candela P-12 Electric Hydrofoils are expected to be equipped with an expanding fleet of ferries that eco-conscious travellers want to take to Koh Kood. Koh Kood ferries can be booked through travel agencies through Seudamgo and operate year-round.

Conclusion

In Thailand, the superlative ecological impact of the electric hydrofoil ferry, the Candela P-12, serves sustainable tourism while ensuring the preservation of the peaceful Koh Kood archipelago. The new ferry service will further reduce the environmental impact of travel to one of the country’s most delicate islands, helping to sustain the island’s unmatched beauty and protect its diverse marine life. The decades-old desire of international and local vacationers to travel to Koh Kood will now also be met with a faster, cleaner, and quieter travel option that is very much in line with Thailand’s rising eco-tourism policies.