The Ministry of Transportation has tasked Airports of Thailand (AOT) to proceed with feasibility studies for the construction of a second airport in Phuket and Chiang Mai, with clearer plans expected next year. AOT is prepared to invest over 120 billion baht, confident it will support travel demand in major cities.

Mr. Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, revealed the progress of the development studies for Phuket and Chiang Mai's second airports. He stated that last June, the Ministry approved AOT to conduct feasibility studies for the new airports, instructing them to hire consultants for the project.

Mr. Chula Sukmanop, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), mentioned that CAAT has studied the master plan for airports in Thailand, which indicates the need for two new airports to accommodate air travel demand. These two airports will be located in the southern region, with the second Phuket airport suitable for development in Koh Kloy, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga, and the second Chiang Mai airport located in Ban Thi District, Lamphun.

“CAAT has conducted a master plan study and reported it to the Ministry of Transportation, which has now assigned AOT to study the details and investment. Previously, there were reports of private interest in developing an airport in the southern region or a second Phuket airport, but no development proposals were submitted to CAAT, necessitating the continuation of the master plan,” he added.

Mr. Chula further stated that the airport development master plan will assess suitable areas for development to enhance air travel capacity. If AOT develops the second Phuket airport in Phang Nga, there should be no further airport developments in nearby areas. Currently, there is no necessity for construction in other provinces, but if airport owners, including the Department of Airports (DOA), AOT, or private entities, wish to expand airport capacity, they may do so.

Mr. Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), revealed that AOT has been assigned by the Ministry to hire consultants to study the feasibility of developing the second airports in Phuket and Chiang Mai. The study will analyze financial viability and passenger demand, which is expected to take about one year to complete.

“Certainly, the development of both airports will help accommodate travel demand in major cities like Chiang Mai and Phuket, enhance air traffic capacity, and facilitate better regional connectivity,” he noted.

According to reports from AOT, they have previously studied the investment details for developing the new airports in both locations, estimating the total construction cost to be around 120 billion baht, with approximately 75 billion baht allocated for the second Phuket airport and about 54 to 60 billion baht for the second Chiang Mai airport.

The suitable area for the second Phuket airport will be located in Koh Kloy, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga, requiring about 7,000 rai of land, involving over 200-300 land titles. Preliminary surveys indicated that there are about 10 main landowners. For Chiang Mai, the suitable area is in Huai Yab, Ban Thi District, Lamphun, as it does not obstruct runway development, with an estimated need for 7,000 rai and compensation for over 5,000 plots.

SOURCE : www.bangkokbiznews.com