Pattaya U Tapao Airport expansion to go ahead

18 Apr 2011

Moves to expand Pattaya’s U Tapao Airport are progressing and the funds necessary have already been assigned. The expansion of the Vietnam War air base will see its passenger handling capabilities increase from 400 per hour to 1,500.

Thai Navy officials have already endorsed the almost 900 million Baht needed for the project and have also awarded the contract for U Tapao’s renovation to ESCON Construction Development, after the company successfully tendered for it.

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said recently that around half of the money would be spent on improving and enlarging the Departures and Arrivals concourses at the airport and the remainder on state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Work on the project is expected to begin in the near future and finish by September 2012.

Plans for U Tapao’s renewal were first announced by the Thai government in early 2009. A budget of 600 million Baht was earmarked for passenger terminal improvements, new x-ray and baggage handling machines, fuel storage and fire-fighters depots, a bigger car park and exterior landscaping.

The budget for improvements at U-Tapao Airport came as a result of its use as the country’s main international airport in 2008 when anti-government demonstrators occupied Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in Bangkok and closed them to all flights. U-Tapao was swamped with stranded tourists and Thai tourism officials said the media images seen all over the world were negative to the country’s image.

Tags: U Tapao expansion