Hua Hin airport upgrade to attract tourists and boost Thai economy

[webfact]

 

In a move poised to encourage tourism, Hua Hin Airport, operated by the Department of Airports (DoA), is set for a vast upgrade that will escalate it to international status, as confirmed by acting director Rattapol Charoenphon recently.

 

The Hua Hin Airport has already made significant strides towards this goal, extending its runway to reach a length of 2.1 kilometres and a width of 60 metres, thus facilitating the accommodation of Airbus A320 aircraft. Alongside this, the airport now boasts sufficient parking space for three such aircraft.

 

Presently, the sole airline providing a one-stop service between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai thrice weekly is Thai AirAsia. The aspiration, Rattapol revealed, is to stretch the airport’s capabilities far beyond this restriction and facilitate the handling of international flights.

To make this vision a reality, the DoA recognises the need to bolster safety measures around the airport. This necessitates several infrastructural expansions, including the enlargement of the traffic tunnel on Phetkasem Road – about 1 kilometre away from the airport, and a similar expansion for the airport train tunnel. The secure zone around the Hua Hin Airport will also go through significant improvements in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s standards.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of huahintoday.com

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/hua-hin-airports-vast-upgrade-to-attract-tourists-and-boost-thai-economy-2

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-07

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[poppysdad]

How many times have we heard all this before, I’ve lost count. 

[webfact]

Hua Hin Airport Nears International Flight Readiness
by Editorial Staff

 

Photos Courtesy : Siamrath Online

In a significant development for Hua Hin Airport, Mr. Rattapol Charoenpol, the airport director, recently disclosed the latest progress on the airport’s ambitious development plan. Situated in the picturesque province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, the airport has been making strides towards meeting international aviation standards.

 

One of the critical improvements undertaken as part of the development plan is the extension of the runway. The runway has now been upgraded to meet aviation standards, measuring an impressive 2,100 meters in length and 60 meters in width, inclusive of shoulders. This enhancement allows the airport to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A320, opening up new possibilities for international flight operations.

 

To ensure seamless international flight operations at Hua Hin Airport, a comprehensive flight study is underway, specifically targeting airports with physical constraints. The study, scheduled for completion within this year, involves consultations with various airlines to conduct aviation assessments.

 

The objective is to understand the physical requirements and potential risks associated with international flights at the airport. Subsequently, a comprehensive report will be prepared and submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand for review and consideration of licensing international flights.

 

Full story: https://huahin.locality.guide/2023/08/07/hua-hin-airport-nears-international-flight-readiness/

 

 

-- © Copyright Hua Hin Locality Guide 2023-08-07

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

[webfact]

Bangkok Post says

Quote

the project will need 600 days to complete after the contract was signed.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2624691/airport-in-hua-hin-to-be-expanded

[webfact]

Hua Hin Airport latest: Regular international flights still some way off, discussions held over Udon Thani route
By Jonathan Fairfield

 

Image: Hua Hin Today

The vision for Hua Hin Airport to transition into an international hub is steadily taking shape, as the Department of Airports (DoA) pushes forward with an extensive modernization plan.

 

However, while recent optimism suggested international flights might commence by the end of this year, updated projections indicate that the timeline for such operations could span anywhere from one to three years.

 

Meanwhile, Hua Hin Today understands that discussions have taken place about more domestic routes operating from the airport, notably a route linking Hua Hin with Udon Thani.

 

Hua Hin Airport is currently undergoing a significant upgrade and infrastructural improvements.

 

Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/hua-hin-airport-latest-regular-international-flights-still-some-way-off-discussions-held-over-udon-thani-route/

 

-- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2023-08-07

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[KhunLA]

Just shut the airport down.  Even another super mall would be better use of the land.

 

Decades of wasted taxes, and yet to have 1 carrier make a profit, or break even apparently.

 

No market, and quite understandable.

[khunjeff]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Hua Hin Airport, operated by the Department of Airports (DoA), is set for a vast upgrade that will escalate it to international status

There were Air Asia flights to Kuala Lumpur four times a week back in 2018 - were those not international?

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Hua Hin Airport has already made significant strides towards this goal, extending its runway to reach a length of 2.1 kilometres and a width of 60 metres, thus facilitating the accommodation of Airbus A320 aircraft

The Air Asia flights mentioned above used A320s. So again, what exactly is new here?

[picctrainop]

Bangkok Airways gave up over 30 years ago and they used a turboprop Shorts 8 back then and those flights were only half full… Thais who would make it profitable prefer the cars and I cannot see that changing in the near future…

[bignok]

Why do they need an airport. Trains and buses.

[Jackbenimble]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Just shut the airport down.  Even another super mall would be better use of the land.

 

Decades of wasted taxes, and yet to have 1 carrier make a profit, or break even apparently.

 

No market, and quite understandable.

Of course there is a market..........it's a popular destination for people living al over Thailand but if people living outside could land there too it would make a huge difference to the HuaHin local economy.

I think it could easily be as popular as Samui.

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, Jackbenimble said:

Of course there is a market..........

And yet ... failed to materialize.  In the 2+ decades I've been here, and as stated, every year, and a new push, a new airline, a new upgrade every so many years, and all the same results.

 

Failure to operate after 1 high season, usually.

Hua Hin compared to Samui ... yikes.   Who flies around the world to go to HH.

 

If not for Krung Thep weekenders, it would be back to it's sleepy surfside town, and simply the commerce hub that it always has been.

[mran66]

My estimate is it will be ready in 555 days, every day! 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, poppysdad said:

How many times have we heard all this before, I’ve lost count. 

One more until the next one.

[XJPSX]

I’m still waiting for the road to be finished from BKK…I am 52 and will probably never see it complete in my lifetime.

HH better improve their taxi / grab situation as getting a car there is next to impossible.

[klauskunkel]

Compared to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, et al, there must be some really nice temples in Hua Hin to give it that international appeal...

[KhunLA]

32 minutes ago, XJPSX said:

I’m still waiting for the road to be finished from BKK…I am 52 and will probably never see it complete in my lifetime.

HH better improve their taxi / grab situation as getting a car there is next to impossible.

That will never happen. 

 

Much improved since 2000, but constant widening & maintenance is never ending.  To / from, Fri-Sat / Sun, Bkk-HH-Bkk, to be avoided, along with driving in town weekends.  Gridlock, parking - nil, thanks to taxis.

 

Thankfully, 'downtown' is small enough that most things are within walking distance.  Really don't need a car.  And taxis are silly priced.   Decent baht bus service for exploring a bit N or S of 'town'.

 

Good place to chill for the a short week or long weekend.   Once is enough for most folks, if even bothering.  Nice base to explore the province, as would be Pranburi.

 

Surf looks nice at times, but forget swimming in it.  mid Nov - mid May can be a smoggy.

[nickmondo]

bla bla bla

about as much chance of this happening as Pita becoming PM in the next few weeks

[Skeptic7]

T minus 600...days...

 

T minus how many till Space Port❗❓ ????

 

[spidermike007]

Yak, yak, yak. They have been promising more flights for years. 

 

Air Asia has been interested in using Hua Hin as a regional hub, for years now, and all they have ever gotten is neanderthal style foot dragging from the officials here. Hua Hin Airport is one of the least utilized airports in Thailand, possibly even in the world. Shame on these guys. They can do so much better. Thailand desperately needs more regional airports, especially within a few hours of Bangkok. Anything to ease congestion, and save souls from the nightmare of getting in and out of Bangkok has to be a good thing for the nation and it's people. Shame. Shame.

 

A few years gap, we heard:

“We will begin by growing the flight base at Hua Hin Airport with a focus on international destinations, and domestic travel and our numbers will take time to grow.  We will get started immediately working with the town and recruit local businesses to participate in our new programs, Open to the World and LIVE-LEARN-WORK-PLAY, in Hua Hin,” Laroche said.

And so? When? How? Why not? Why is this taking so many years? What is really going on here?

https://www.traveldailymedia.com/several-airlines-are-keen-to-fly-to-hua-hin-thailand/

[PETERTHEEATER]

From the linked article:

 

As it stands, Hua Hin Airport already deals with approximately 30,000 private jets annually, signalling its strong potential for growth,..........

 

If you believe that an average of 82 private jets fly into HH airport each day you probably believe in the tooth fairy. It is an active commercial ab initio flight training school operated by the AOT and in frequent use by the RTP for para drops but, even adding all those landings together would not reach that figure.

 

I shudder to think of the disruption that would ensue it widening the twin dual-lane road tunnels that pass directly under the runway. No reason is given for the perceived need.

Widening of the rail tunnel could be justified by the current upgrade of the rail system to twin track from the existing single track.

[geisha]

3 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

Compared to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, et al, there must be some really nice temples in Hua Hin to give it that international appeal...

There’s nothing much to see in Hua Hin, one small temple with monkeys ? I went once to the beach and never again. Shopping is poor. The ice-cream shop on the uncrossable main road is as exciting as it gets !  The expats don’t travel much except to the golf course. 

[MangoKorat]

Fantastic idea - there's not much traffic and/or or road works on highways 35 and 4 are there? A bit more traffic will go down really well ????.

[KhunLA]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand desperately needs more regional airports, especially within a few hours of Bangkok. Anything to ease congestion, and save souls from the nightmare of getting in and out of Bangkok has to be a good thing for the nation and it's people. Shame. Shame.

A few hrs from Bangkok ... ????

... go much more than 1.5 hours and you're out Thai airspace.  And that's if you head N or S.

[Caldera]

Ready for what, exactly?

 

It's become quite clear that nobody wants to fly there. No nearly the numbers they've dreamed up anyway. 

[digbeth]

Given how much flight Chiang Mai sees from Thai holidaymaker alone everyday, the market is there, if the flights can be cheap and regular enough, anything sure beats the traffic and roadworks on Rama2 road, Huahin has been quiet the past few Thai long weekends and the bad traffic and potential accidents on Rama 2 road sure put people off coming

[bigupandchill]

Hua Hin is an army town, and the army have been in power long enough to get this done. They have all sorts of plans to develop the coastline south of the city with a new high(ish) speed train line and airport who would bet against them?

[Jackbenimble]

19 hours ago, geisha said:

There’s nothing much to see in Hua Hin, one small temple with monkeys ? I went once to the beach and never again. Shopping is poor. The ice-cream shop on the uncrossable main road is as exciting as it gets !  The expats don’t travel much except to the golf course. 

the beach at HuaHin is really good........were you at ChaAm?

[KhunLA]

53 minutes ago, Jackbenimble said:

the beach at HuaHin is really good........were you at ChaAm?

Maybe to look at, but I wouldn't swim in it ????