Woradej Harnprasert, a permanent secretary attached to the ministry, says both the national Department of Civil Aviation and the Royal Navy are in agreement with the plan and it will be placed before the government for final approval. The navy owns the land U-Tapao is located on and also manages it.
At present, U-Tapao is underused and only serves local carrier Bangkok Airways in addition to Russian airlines during the peak European winter months. A new terminal is already being built in readiness to accommodate the Transport Ministry’s aims.
Built during the Vietnam War to accommodate American B52 bombers, U-Tapao’s runway is the longest in Thailand. The upgrade calls for a second runway and passenger bridges for easier access to aircraft.
Private tourism operators based on Thailand’s eastern seaboard have long recommended the development of U-Tapao Airport. They say it is closer to Pattaya, Rayong and Koh Samet than Bangkok’s two airports and would help ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi, that city’s main one.
Pattaya U-Tapao Airport set for major revamp
News in Asia
A regional airport close to Pattaya is set to get a revamp that will enable it to handle significantly more passengers and flights. The Thai Transport Ministry says it will enhance facilities at U-Tapao International Airport so its capacity will be up to three million passengers annually.