Thai government approves US$9bn Pattaya airport expansion

• 11 July 2020
• Construction Focus
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A consortium led by Bangkok Skytrain and metro operator BTS has been given the green light by the government of Thailand to expand U-Tapao International Airport near Pattaya.

The consortium, which includes Bangkok Airways and Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction, plans to build a third terminal and cargo and plane maintenance centres as well as create a US$7.2 billion, 220km rail link running between U-Tapao and Don Muang airport in the west of Bangkok.

The expanded airport would be managed by Japan’s Narita International Airport Corporation and is a key part of the planned Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

After the upgrade, U-Tapao is expected to have a passenger capacity of 60 million, putting it in the first rank of international airports. The proposed airport expansion also ties in with discussions taking place with Bangkok Airways to expand the old, unused airport in Koh Kong province in Cambodia.

• Investment and Funding
• Road and Infrastructure