Thailand to Invest $1.4 Billion in 7 New Airports

• Sommana Yan
• 26 March 2023
• International News
• 4245 Views

Thailand’s Department of Airports (DOA) is set to invest THB 50 billion ($1.46 billion) in the development of seven new regional airports in the country, aimed at improving connectivity and providing more travel options for both domestic and international tourists. The airports will be built in lesser-known provinces that were previously delayed due to the pandemic.

According to DOA, the new airports are located in Nakhon Pathom, Bueng Khan, Mukdahan, Kalasin, Phayao, Phatthalung, and Satun provinces. The largest among them, Nakhon Pathom Airport, will be built on 3,500 rai of land (560 hectares) at a cost of THB 25 billion. Meanwhile, Satun Airport will be constructed on 2,797 rai of land (447 hectares) at a cost of THB 4.1 billion.

The feasibility studies for most of the new airport projects have already been completed, and construction is expected to begin soon. The new airports are:

1. Nakhon Pathom Airport: the project is to spend 25 billion baht on the construction and to be built on 3,500 rai of land (560ha). Currently, the feasibility studies are already complete and construction is to be begun soon.
2. Bueng Kan Airport: the project is to spend 1 billion baht, under 2,500 rai of land (400ha). The feasibility studies for the construction have been completed, as construction is expected to begin in 2025 and the airport could be open for service by 2027.
3. Mukdahan Airport: The plan is to spend 5 billion baht, under around 2,000 rai of land (320ha). So far, the runway and passenger terminals are underway and the construction is expected to begin in 2025 the airport is expected to open for service in 2027.
4. Satun Airport: Feasibility studies are complete for constructing a 4.1-billion-baht airport, which covers 2,797 rai of land (447ha). Under the plan, the construction is planned to start in 2026 and the airport could be open for service in 2028.
5. Kalasin Airport mulls to spend 2 billion baht.
6. Phayao Airport mulls to spend 4 billion baht.
7. Phatthalung Airport mulls to spend 3 billion baht.

These investments are part of Thailand’s plan to boost its aviation industry and infrastructure and support economic growth in regional areas. Currently, there are 72 airports in Thailand serving 77 cities and provinces.

The construction of seven new regional airports in Thailand is expected to significantly boost the country’s tourism industry, as it seeks to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

• Road and Infrastructure