The Thai government plans to expand Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, aiming to double its annual capacity to 150 million passengers.
- The government plans to more than double the annual capacity of Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan to 150 million passengers and add a third runway by October this year.
- Don Mueang airport in Bangkok will also see capacity rise from 30 million to 50 million passengers each year, with construction of a new terminal for international passengers and expansion of the existing facilities.
- Thailand aims to position itself as an aviation hub by upgrading regional airports, building new ones in tourist hot spots, and utilizing the capabilities and assets of Thais to develop existing airports.
This expansion includes the addition of a third runway to increase the airport’s handling capacity. Similar upgrades are planned for Don Mueang airport in Bangkok and other regional airports to support the country’s tourism industry.
The government aims to position Thailand as an aviation hub and leverage its strategic location in the Asia Pacific region. The investment for these expansions is estimated at around 100 billion baht and will be funded mainly from internal cash flow.
The prime minister has announced plans to expand the capacity of Phuket airport in the Southern region to accommodate 18 million passengers annually, up from the current 12.5 million. There are also plans to construct a new airport in the area. In the North, the airport in Chiang Mai is also set to increase its annual capacity to 16.5 million by 2029, doubling its current capacity.
