Thailand Pressed to Enhance Regional Airports for Tourism Boost

[snoop1130]

 

The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) has appealed to the government to elevate more local airports to international level, with the goal of increasing tourism to Thailand's 55 smaller cities and boosting revenue.

 

At the Ignite Tourism Thailand event, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was told by AAT President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth about the necessity of improving local airports to accommodate international flights. This move is expected to draw more tourists to nearby provinces and enrich their tourism potential further.

 

Puttipong suggested that the government should consider including airfare costs to less-developed cities in its recent tax deduction measure to help lower travel costs. He also stressed the importance of visa-free policies due to the trend of tourists making last-minute flight bookings. He underscored that airlines wish for visa-free policies to be announced two to three months in advance for planning and flight booking purposes.

 

Moreover, Puttipong mentioned that many airlines are advocating for the government to boost air service agreements with India, as the current provisions are inadequate to meet the demands of all Thai airlines.

 

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, raised concerns over the increase in foreign tour businesses, particularly from China and Russia, setting up shop in Thailand. He argued that their low-cost strategy is threatening the local tourism industry by depressing market prices and providing substandard services.

 

To address these issues, Sisdivachr proposed intensive sales and marketing campaigns, especially for less popular touristic provinces. These campaigns could assist tour operators in introducing new paths to unexplored markets.

 

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association, advised the government to consider implementing a subsidy exclusively for retirees, similar to the previous We Travel Together program, as they have the budget and leisure to travel during weekdays.

 

During a gathering with 55 provincial governors, the Prime Minister emphasized the necessity for all provinces to upgrade their infrastructure to meet growing tourism demand, including improvements in transport and other tourist facilities.

 

These plans are part of a broader aim to evenly distribute tourism gains throughout Thailand, ensuring that smaller cities also benefit from an influx of tourists.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-12

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Andycoops]

As usual just a load of mumbo jumbo because Thailand has no strategic vision or plan.

Investment in airports takes years and won't solve the immediate future of attracting airlines without the in place infrastructure.

 

Just like the visa issue the left Thai hand hasn't a clue what the Thai right hand is doing.

 

Continually implementing last minute policies at a whim just proves that the Thai government and it's agencies haven't a clue about their target markets and how they plan holidays...

[dinsdale]

Maybe build a few more regional airports would be a better idea rather than extending existing ones to accommodate larger international aircraft and passenger numbers. Make more of the regions accessible with new small airports to accommodate domestic air travel. Just a thought.

[Georgealbert]

Moving from a domestic airport to an international airport, is a bit more than a new name. The airports will need to meet Annex 14 of the Convention on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) which contains the basic standards and recommendations (SARPs) for airports, plus the requirements under Thai laws, such as customs, immigration, health and environmental monitoring.

 

Here is a few Thai airport facts.

 

The DOA (Department of Airports) currently has 29 airports, of which only 19 have scheduled commercial air services, while the rest either only have a handful of flights each week or no commercial flights. The airports I believe, with no scheduled flights are Tak, Nakhon Ratchasimi, Pattani, Petchabun, Pai, Mae Sariang, Uttaradit and Betong.

 

AOT (Airports of Thailands) operates 6 airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport and Chiang Rai International Airport.

 

U- Tapao Airport is owned by RTN (Royal Thai Navy) and operated by DOA

 

Koh Samui International Airport, Sukhothai Airport and Trat Airport are owned and operated by Bangkok Airways.

[mfd101]

14 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Maybe build a few more regional airports would be a better idea rather than extending existing ones to accommodate larger international aircraft and passenger numbers. Make more of the regions accessible with new small airports to accommodate domestic air travel. Just a thought.

Yes, a (usable) airport for Surin province would be great. I and the elephants would be very pleased. Would eliminate a 1.5-hour drive to Buriram airport every time we want to go anywhere ...

[dinsdale]

30 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Yes, a (usable) airport for Surin province would be great. I and the elephants would be very pleased. Would eliminate a 1.5-hour drive to Buriram airport every time we want to go anywhere ...

There a so many provincial centres that are 1-2 hrs drive away from the nearest airport. This doesn't encourage international (even domestic) air travel to these provinces which is what this idiotic govt wants. 2nd tier provincial tourism I think the emptyheads at TAT call it. As for useable it doesn't really require that much in infrastructure. Buildings and a runway system. Doesn't need any glitz or glamour just needs to be functional. Could easily be done within a decade.

 

[mfd101]

17 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

As for useable it doesn't really require that much in infrastructure

True, but it does require the Thai Air Force to surrender its (improbable) privileges.

 

Which means that there are small airports in various places, left over from the Vietnam War, but the government can't be bothered upgrading them for locals to be able to use and for the Thai Air Force golf course to be removed.

[dinsdale]

4 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

True, but it does require the Thai Air Force to surrender its (improbable) privileges.

 

Which means that there are small airports in various places, left over from the Vietnam War, but the government can't be bothered upgrading them for locals to be able to use and for the Thai Air Force golf course to be removed.

An excellent point.

[Georgealbert]

Here is the list of The DOA (Department of Airports) regional airports, 3 have international status, Krabi, Udon Thani and Surat Thani.

 

DOA also operate U-Tapeo International Airport, which is owned by Royal Thai Navy.

Edited June 13 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

22 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

True, but it does require the Thai Air Force to surrender its (improbable) privileges.

 

Which means that there are small airports in various places, left over from the Vietnam War, but the government can't be bothered upgrading them for locals to be able to use and for the Thai Air Force golf course to be removed.

It is not just the cost to upgrade, it is trying to get a commercial airline interested in using any of these possible airports, as the chances of them being profitable is doubtful.

 

As I said above.

 

“The DOA (Department of Airports) currently has 29 airports, of which only 19 have scheduled commercial air services, while the rest either only have a handful of flights each week or no commercial flights. The airports I believe, with no scheduled flights are Tak, Nakhon Ratchasimi, Pattani, Petchabun, and Betong.”

Edited June 13 by Georgealbert

[mfd101]

8 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

trying to get a commercial airline interested in using any of these possible airports, as the chances of them being profitable is doubtful

That may well be the key point, but it would be nice to see a properly-structured assessment of the various possibilities nationwide, including the airlines' inputs.

[Georgealbert]

1 minute ago, mfd101 said:

That may well be the key point, but it would be nice to see a properly-structured assessment of the various possibilities nationwide, including the airlines' inputs.

Fully agree, but AOT and DOT, the 2 government agencies that run the airport have been is disagreement since 2019.

 

“Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT) had planned to assume management of Udon Thani International Airport, Sakon Nakhon Airport, Tak Airport, and Chumphon Airport in 2019. The DOA would relinquish control, reducing the airports under its control to 24. In a change of plans in August 2019, AOT proposed instead to take control of the Udon Thani, Tak, Buriram, and Krabi airports, leaving Sakon Nakhon and Chumphon airports to the DOA. DOA insists that the earlier plan be followed as it would retain its money-making airports.”

 

The airlines are not interested, the last government tried to get flights to the brand new Betong Airport, but it only lasted a few months, no money in it.

[mfd101]

6 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Fully agree, but AOT and DOT, the 2 government agencies that run the airport have been is disagreement since 2019.

 

“Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT) had planned to assume management of Udon Thani International Airport, Sakon Nakhon Airport, Tak Airport, and Chumphon Airport in 2019. The DOA would relinquish control, reducing the airports under its control to 24. In a change of plans in August 2019, AOT proposed instead to take control of the Udon Thani, Tak, Buriram, and Krabi airports, leaving Sakon Nakhon and Chumphon airports to the DOA. DOA insists that the earlier plan be followed as it would retain its money-making airports.”

 

The airlines are not interested, the last government tried to get flights to the brand new Betong Airport, but it only lasted a few months, no money in it.

So, as usual, particular and private interests trump the interests of the nation as a whole.