Thailand to Begin Construction of $9bn Aviation City in 2023

• Sommana Yan
• 28 January 2023
• International News
• 5361 Views

Thailand will begin construction on the US$8.82 billion U-Tapao aviation city early this year, a government spokesperson said on Friday 27 January. 

Deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said that the project covers an area of 6,500 rai (1,040 hectares) in the eastern seaboard province’s Ban Chang district and requires an investment of THB290 billion in the form of a public-private partnership. 

The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office already gave the project contractors the green light to start construction early this year, she said. 

Covering three eastern seaboard provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao, the completed upgraded airport can serve as Bangkok’s third international airport, connected with the capital’s two existing commercial airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, by high-speed trains. 

During the first five years, about THB62 billion was expected in tax revenue, in addition to creating about 15,600 new jobs per year. After its upgrade, the U-Tapao Airport alone is expected to accommodate at least 60 million passengers per year. 

The Eastern Aviation City will include a free-trade zone for cargo, an aviation training center and aircraft maintenance, and repair and overhaul facilities. 

Photo credit to one-works 

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