Q&A: Chai Suwatthi the Balloon Pilot

November 1st, 2007

As the first balloon pilot with a Thailand-issued license, Lieutenant Chai Suwatthi is very proud to prove that Thais, too, can fly as high as anyone. Here the 47-year-old shares some of his experiences and talks about the upcoming Pattaya International Balloon Fiesta 2007, the first event of its kind to be held here.

What are the basics of being a balloon pilot?

You need to control the balloon from take off to landing and be alert at all times and understand the weather conditions. You have to calculate the direction and speed of the wind, so it’s challenging because you have to understand the current climate and the wind to take the balloon up to the height that you want.

How did you get your start?

I had a friend from England who was a balloon pilot. He came to Thailand and offerred to teach me how to fly balloons. At that time there was no one here qualified as a balloon pilot, so I learned from him. He had a balloon pilot license from the BBAC, the British Balloon and Airship Club. Then I got to be the first Thai licensed balloon pilot in the country.

Is there anything different about in Thailand?

In Thailand, the only good times to fly a balloon are in the early mornings, 6am-8am, and late afternoons, 4pm-6pm. It's easier in England because the weather is more stable; the wind never gets that strong.

Is it dangerous?

If you’re skillful, it isn’t. You have to be careful, and weather is very important, so before you go up, you have to check if it’s suitable to fly or not. There are very few accidents with balloons, fewer than all other flying vehicles.

Where in Thailand are the best places to go up in a balloon?

In the North, there are mountains and fields and beautiful scenery. But you must be careful, because the wind in the mountains is very strong. Most pilots don’t usually fly over mountains. If they approach one, they land immediately.

How do you feel about becoming the first balloon pilot with a Thai license?

At least it shows that we have the capacity to fly, like anyone else. It’s not even necessary to be a pilot first. It just takes interest and you must be in good health.

Would you like to say something about the upcoming first balloon fiesta in Thailand?

The first balloon fiesta in Thailand will be held in Pattaya. It’s a great tourist event, and more people will now know that there are balloon pilots in Thailand. Hopefully it will raise interest amongst Thais, too. Thailand still doesn’t have so many balloon pilots yet, only pilots who got their license from other places and come to fly here. If there’s serious interest in the upcoming event, I’m sure we can produce lots of balloon pilots and then use balloons in our tourism industry.

For more information, check out www.pattayaballoonfiesta.com.

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