Alibaba has submitted a bid for the Suvarnabhumi Airport land plot B. Airports of Thailand (AOT) expects to start construction this year, with the board approving 1 billion baht to address traffic congestion around Suvarnabhumi.

 

          Nitinai Sirismartkan, the President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), revealed that progress on the development of 1,600 rai of land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, divided into plot A (900 rai) and plot B (723 rai), is moving forward. The bidding process for private investors to develop plot B, which is leasehold land, is set to open soon. The lease from the Treasury Department will expire in 2032. Currently, over 30 private companies have submitted investment plans, mostly for businesses with quick return on investment and smaller scale. It is expected that construction will begin within this year, including projects such as shopping malls, floating markets, retail stores, and service businesses.

          Nitinai further stated that plot A, covering 900 rai, is vacant land in freehold status, attracting interest from major global companies. The zoning plan is currently being revised and is expected to be completed by April to May. Recently, large logistics companies, including the e-commerce giant Alibaba from China, have shown interest in this area. 


          The high level of interest is due to the demand at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which already serves over 60 million passengers annually, along with numerous flights. E-commerce businesses often ship products via passenger planes for greater flexibility. Previously, large investment groups have proposed plans for roads and infrastructure in exchange for financial obligations under concession contracts. Therefore, this airport has the potential to become a regional transportation hub with flight routes spread across the globe. Additionally, the development of commercial areas will be a key mechanism driving sustainable revenue for AOT in the future. Furthermore, the development of plot B will provide a waiting area for passengers before boarding, which will help reduce congestion within the terminal and enhance safety in service operations.


          Nitinai continued that in 2019, the board approved a 1 billion baht investment plan to alleviate traffic congestion around Suvarnabhumi Airport, particularly during peak hours when traffic jams extend up to 3-4 kilometers on Srinakarin and Srinakarin Noi roads. A 4-lane road will be constructed, with 2 traffic lanes on each side, along with an elevated road. Currently, the design survey is underway, starting from the area of plot B (900 rai) next to the airport, creating a ground-level road that will transition into an elevated road crossing over bike lanes or cycling paths around the airport, ending at the fuel depot of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Limited (BAFS). Once completed, this project will help resolve traffic issues on major routes such as Lat Krabang Road, Srinakarin Road, Srinakarin Noi Road, and internal airport roads.

 

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