Hua Hin Airport set to join the ranks of international airports next year

[webfact]

FILE photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In an ambitious expansion move, Thailand's Hua Hin Airport is set to join the ranks of international airports next year, marking a significant step in boosting regional connectivity and tourism. The Transport Ministry has laid out a transformative plan to elevate Hua Hin's status, aiming to facilitate both domestic and international travel seamlessly.

 

Transport Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that the Department of Airports, alongside Aeronautical Radio of Thailand and other key agencies, is pressing ahead with efforts to obtain the necessary certification that will grant Hua Hin international airport status. This change is driven by a steady rise in passenger numbers, underscoring the need for expanded and efficient operations.

 

The development is poised to have a profound impact, not only by increasing the frequency and diversity of flights but also by energizing the local economy, particularly benefiting the tourism sector. The move is a strategic push to make Hua Hin a more accessible destination, fostering growth and opportunities.

 

Danai Ruangsorn, the director-general of the Department of Airports, outlined two significant projects within the development plan. The first involves extending and widening the runway to meet international standards, accommodating larger aircraft.

 

This expansion, pegged at 239 million Thai Baht, has been completed and is currently undergoing inspection by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

The second project focuses on enhancing the road tunnel, runway strip, and runway-end safety areas, requiring an investment of around 300 million Thai Baht. Currently under review by the Budget Bureau, plans are in place to commence construction in January, with completion expected by April 2026.

 

Presently, Hua Hin Airport can accommodate aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, seating approximately 180 passengers. Its passenger terminal is set for expansion and can currently support 300 passengers per hour, or around 860,000 annually.

 

Thai AirAsia provides domestic services with the Chiang Mai–Hua Hin route operating multiple days a week, offering much-needed connectivity within the country. With the upcoming upgrade, Hua Hin aims to broaden its horizons, welcoming a new era of international travel and economic vitality.

 

As the plans unfold, stakeholders and residents alike anticipate the benefits this upgrade will bring, promising to place Hua Hin firmly on the map as a key player in Thailand's aviation landscape, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-16

 

 

[LeeTheCelt]

We were n Hua Hin back in November & yes it was very busy & yes I'm sure internal flights would be welcomed, but not so sure they'd be enough demand for international flights.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In an ambitious expansion move, Thailand's Hua Hin Airport is set to join the ranks of international airports next year, marking a significant step in boosting regional connectivity and tourism. The Transport Ministry has laid out a transformative plan to elevate Hua Hin's status, aiming to facilitate both domestic and international travel seamlessly.

Excellent idea, those wanting an international connection or domestically go north or south from the west will have another choice other than going into Bangkok

[Jack Hammer]

It will be the end of Hua Hin as a lay back beach town resort.  Tourist operators from China, India and Russia will promote Hua Hin as a place to have a vacation.

[Mburo]

We’ve heard this story a dozen times. Pure blah, blah, blah 100%

[Johno57]

Heard this rubbish for years & they cannot even get a single service yet from Singapore or KL .

And of course if you noticed the traffic congestion  already in peak season & the new train station, the road system will also need upgrades.. have they planned for that ?

[Aussie999]

Economically it would be good for Hua Hin, but it would be sad to see it becane another Pattaya or Phuket.

[AhFarangJa]

I have been hearing this every year for the past ten years, or more. Upgrading the airport without the surrounding areas will be a disaster. The centre is already gridlocked at weekends. 

It will also signal the death knell for H.H. as a relaxing holiday town, another one bites the dust in the relentless grab for money & profits. Sadly, It will join the ranks of Pattaya, Phuket, Samui, as a place to avoid.

[spidermike007]

I will only believe it, when I see it happen. 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. 

[kiwikeith]

3 hours ago, Jack Hammer said:

It will be the end of Hua Hin as a lay back beach town resort.  Tourist operators from China, India and Russia will promote Hua Hin as a place to have a vacation.

Cha amm beach is invaded every weekend with people from BK you can't get near it on the weekends, Hua Hin is filling up with people from BK, plus Chinese tour busses are all over the place at present, The airport might make it worse 

[Nid_Noi]

4 hours ago, Johno57 said:

Heard this rubbish for years & they cannot even get a single service yet from Singapore or KL .

And of course if you noticed the traffic congestion  already in peak season & the new train station, the road system will also need upgrades.. have they planned for that ?

Air Asia had an excellent flight between Hua Hin and KL for several years (before « Covid »). We used it half-a-dozen times. International connections were easier in KL and airport fees less than in BKK. Air Asia has its own terminal in KL. 

[Hummin]

Boosting the real estate marked again. An yearly event, 

 

 

[mikeymike100]

5 hours ago, Jack Hammer said:

It will be the end of Hua Hin as a lay back beach town resort.  Tourist operators from China, India and Russia will promote Hua Hin as a place to have a vacation.

So just like Phuket???

[Nid_Noi]

5 hours ago, Mburo said:

We’ve heard this story a dozen times. Pure blah, blah, blah 100%

No space for an international airport with overseas flights. The airport is squeezed between two royal palaces and there is no room for expansion either on the east side (Gulf of Thailand) or west side (mountains) and the new railway line. Only space available are the farm lands west of the AH2. Even this area is pretty well built with several golf clubs (Majestic, Springfield and Lakeview).

[khunjeff]

37 minutes ago, Nid_Noi said:

Air Asia had an excellent flight between Hua Hin and KL for several years (before « Covid »). We used it half-a-dozen times. International connections were easier in KL and airport fees less than in BKK. Air Asia has its own terminal in KL. 

 

Indeed, which is why I'm baffled when they talk about turning it into an international airport - what was it when it had flights to Malaysia, if not international?

[Cabradelmar]

I hope it never happens. And it won't happen if the airlines don't see a profit. Too small and not enough interest dooms this idea yet again. Good.

[Caldera]

So, where will they fly to and from, internationally?

 

Apparently they couldn't even find enough passengers for the domestic routes they've tried over the years.

[Fairynuff]

8 hours ago, Jack Hammer said:

It will be the end of Hua Hin as a lay back beach town resort.  Tourist operators from China, India and Russia will promote Hua Hin as a place to have a vacation.

Hua Hin ceased to be laid back more than a decade ago

[Fairynuff]

7 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Economically it would be good for Hua Hin, but it would be sad to see it becane another Pattaya or Phuket.

It already is.

[Aussie999]

20 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

It already is.

Oh, it is not... you need to get out more.

 

[Fairynuff]

55 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Oh, it is not... you need to get out more.

 

To Pattaya and Phuket? I really don’t, and yes it is, comparatively and that’s bad enough.

[PETERTHEEATER]

A busy flying training school operates from the airport and the RTP fly their Skyvans on parachute drops. Should be good practice for ATC fitting those into the circuit of International arrivals and departures.

[Aussie999]

1 hour ago, Fairynuff said:

To Pattaya and Phuket? I really don’t, and yes it is, comparatively and that’s bad enough.

then please explain your comment, because Hua Hin has little in common with Pattaya or Phuket

[MangoKorat]

Whilst I'm all for regional economic autonomy, especially regarding projects that could have major local economic prospects, such projects rely on regional and national transport infrastructure. To facilitate expanded use of an airport, surely that infrastructure needs to be in place first? You don't build a major retail park (for example) before you build the road to it, do you?

 

I doubt this project is aimed at simply increasing tourism to Hua Hin and its immediate surroundings so in that respect, it must surely rely on some of the other major regional and national transport projects actually being completed? They are though, well overdue.  The M6 for example, will form part of a network that should allow fairly trouble free travel, not only to Bangkok but also to the West and South of the country without needing to go anywhere near the capital. It is however, over 5 years late already.

 

Locally, its not an area that I know well. I rarely travel West of Bangkok but when I have, the highways leading from the North, East and Bangkok to Hua Hin seem to have been undergoing major construction for over 20 years. Each time I have travelled to or through Hua Hin, the traffic delays have been massive. Thai's joke about those roads never being without roadworks.

 

How about the road/rail network South and West of Hua Hin? Has that been improved and will it support this planned expansion?

[Luuk Chaai]

4 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

then please explain your comment, because Hua Hin has little in common with Pattaya or Phuket

 

want to start with the Russians and Chinese ?

[Fairynuff]

4 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

then please explain your comment, because Hua Hin has little in common with Pattaya or Phuket

I lived there for 10 years and still maintain a home there which I visit at least once a month. I think I might just have a fairly good idea as to how things are there.

[KhunLA]

Again ... sure to fail,, again, right after the first high season, if any carrier is dumb enough to serve the airport again, internationally.

 

How many times can the revamp the place, before it sinks in,  It's not a profitable route.  Only people that seem to be making money, are those involved in revamping the airport every few years.

[Aussie999]

7 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

 

want to start with the Russians and Chinese ?

There's not that many, when was the last time you were in Hua Hin, nothing like the numbers in Pattaya or Phuket. 

[Aussie999]

6 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

I lived there for 10 years and still maintain a home there which I visit at least once a month. I think I might just have a fairly good idea as to how things are there.

I also live there  permanently,  and these no comparison with the numbers, or "nightlife" as Pattaya or Phuket, even the bars, Soi 80 and Soi BintaBaht ate out of the way