Expansion Of Samui Airport

[ClaudeFeller]

I found this in the Nathon-Forum, may be interesting:

BANGKOK Airways' expansion of Samui Airport complete with a Shanghai-inspired walking street is

a prime example of the upmarket makeover sweeping the island.

Construction of six new international and domestic terminals, situated next to the existing terminals, is well under way. Once completed, Bangkok Airways, owner of the airport, said the gateway's capacity would increase from 800,000 passengers a year now to two million.

The new freestanding terminals (two international and four domestic measuring 320m2 each) are being constructed in a Moroccan-Indonesian style and, like the existing terminals, will not be enclosed. But there will be an air-conditioned VIP area.

The cost of the new terminals, which will be connected by landscaped walkways and feature three domestic departure lounges, is estimated to cost 600 million baht (US$17.8 million).

The domestic terminals are due to be operational end-March, and the international terminals in early April.

Bangkok Airways vice-president airports, General Komkrich Sriyabhandha, said the new terminals were needed to keep pace with the 15 per cent growth in passenger arrivals Koh Samui averaged each year.

"In the future we may have direct flights from KL (Kuala Lumpur) and Medan (in Indonesia) to Koh Samui. If we have the new Airbus 319, we may also have direct Koh Samui-Shanghai and Koh Samui-Taipei flights. But in my opinion, direct Koh Samui-Japan flights won't work because it's not a year-round market," he added.

The highlight of the expansion is the walking street development in front of the new terminals. The 200 to

300 million baht project, slated for completion by the end of July, will feature an array of shops, restaurants and bars, children's playground as well as a 100-room hotel, swimming pool, spa and fitness centre. There will also be a music stage and street performers.

General Komkrich said the development, which will be 250m long and 21m wide, would be almost identical to Shanghai's Walking Street.

He said: "All 27 buildings will have brand names such as Siam Paragon (the Bangkok shopping complex). It will be upmarket, and we'll let people (non-passengers) come in to shop. There will be everything from garment and souvenir shops to bars and restaurants to street performers."

Bangkok Airways vice-president corporate communications, Ms Nandhika Varavarn, said the privately-owned carrier which will finance the entire project through a property fund wanted to create a resort airport atmosphere.

She said: "We feel that Koh Samui, even with its unique identity, lacks an area where people can enjoy the day without cars running around. We wanted to do a more luxury compound, such as those in Europe."

The Samui Airport compound also includes a new international-calibre catering facility. Mark Bode

source: http://www.ttgalwaysthailand.com/index.php...iew&id=2598