U-Tapao Airport Scales Down Expansion Amid Rail Delays

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Airport Technology

 

U-Tapao Airport's highly anticipated expansion is being notably scaled down due to persistent delays in the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed rail project. Initially envisioned to accommodate 12 million passengers annually, the plan has been downsized significantly. This change comes as the rail project, critical for passenger connectivity, remains stalled for almost five years, fostering uncertainty.

 

Keeree Kanjanapas, head of U-Tapao International Aviation (UTA), confirmed that while the airport's development and the Eastern Aviation City initiative will continue, they will proceed on a reduced scale. “We can no longer wait. Instead of litigation, we’ve opted to collaborate with the EEC,” Keeree stated.

 

Originally set to transform the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the 290-billion-baht project spanned a 6,500 rai area. The delays, resulting from numerous agreement revisions, have led UTA to reconsider the expansion strategy. The new plan might slash the airport's passenger capacity to five million, down from the original 12 million, with the larger Eastern Aviation City project also undergoing re-evaluation.

 

 

“We’re prepared to move forward once we receive the necessary approvals. We urge the EEC for prompt clarity,” Keeree further expressed, highlighting the importance of the high-speed rail's purpose for investment decisions—be it tourism, international travel, or commuter traffic from Bangkok.

 

UTA CEO Wirawat Panthawangkun emphasized that while their contract allows for adjustments, these won't alter its core terms, seeking flexibility beyond that of the rail agreement. He also questioned what benefits could offset the tunnel beneath the terminal, intended for the rail line, if the train does not materialize.

 

Facing the possibility of proceeding without the rail link, UTA is navigating through uncertainties as the EEC explores potential tax incentives for investors, pending additional legislation from the Finance Ministry. This strategic pivot reflects the firm’s commitment to maintaining the project’s viability amidst unclear future infrastructure developments reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

 

[MartinBangkok]

I live next door to Utapao. The construction work, which I can see from my balcony, has completely stopped.

[NoDisplayName]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He also questioned what benefits could offset the tunnel beneath the terminal, intended for the rail line, if the train does not materialize.

 

Flood it, use it for submarine parking.

[redwood1]

Without the high speed rail U-Tapao will be what its always been.....A 3rd rate airport at best....

 

I guess this means the high speed rail is not going to be built for the foreseeable future....They would NEVER NEVER stop work on U-Tapao if the high speed rail was a GO...

[watchcat]

7 hours ago, MartinBangkok said:

I live next door to Utapao. The construction work, which I can see from my balcony, has completely stopped.

 

You should be lucky!

 

[scorecard]

2 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

You should be lucky!

 

I've always had doubts about the whole viability of U-Tapao as a commercial airport. It isn't that close to Pattaya and  the airport and the difference in kilometers Swamyp to Pattaya and U-Tapao to Pattaya is not that great.

 

And cost of taxis etc., between U-Taopao and Pattaya has at times between outrageous.

 

Took a taxi from Pattaya one time only driver complained al the way to U-Tapao,wanted to increase the fare by 500Baht and wanted to stop half way and me wait in his car while he had lunch. 

 

Why bother, just go to swampy and get one of the regular buses which have many departures downstairs at swampy.

 

For several years I had to live at Jomtien, the regular bus Swampy to Jomtien had several departures every day, was reliable, comfortable not expensive at all and 10 minute mocy taxi to my house.

 

Why even consider flying into U-Tapao?

[bkk6060]

Wasted resources.   Same with Hua Hin airport which has only one flight to and from CNX.

Never thought the rail would ever make it because the description of "high speed" is a concept way beyond the continued 3rd worldish thinking here.

[brewsterbudgen]

Good news.  

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

U-Tapao Airport's highly anticipated expansion is being notably scaled down due to persistent delays in the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed rail project.

High speed train de-railed by slow speed government

[Travi]

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

I've always had doubts about the whole viability of U-Tapao as a commercial airport. It isn't that close to Pattaya and  the airport and the difference in kilometers Swamyp to Pattaya and U-Tapao to Pattaya is not that great.

 

And cost of taxis etc., between U-Taopao and Pattaya has at times between outrageous.

 

Took a taxi from Pattaya one time only driver complained al the way to U-Tapao,wanted to increase the fare by 500Baht and wanted to stop half way and me wait in his car while he had lunch. 

 

Why bother, just go to swampy and get one of the regular buses which have many departures downstairs at swampy.

 

For several years I had to live at Jomtien, the regular bus Swampy to Jomtien had several departures every day, was reliable, comfortable not expensive at all and 10 minute mocy taxi to my house.

 

Why even consider flying into U-Tapao?

And car parking is expensive too. No real concept.

[Travi]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

High speed train de-railed by slow speed government

Where the money should come from. Chinese belt and road?

[hotchilli]

Just now, Travi said:

Where the money should come from. Chinese belt and road?

They would invest in Laos to Bangkok.. not sure about Bangkok to Rayong?

[carlyai]

It will be built...look at all the infrastructure that has/is being built.

[Unamerican]

6 hours ago, scorecard said:

I've always had doubts about the whole viability of U-Tapao as a commercial airport. It isn't that close to Pattaya and  the airport and the difference in kilometers Swamyp to Pattaya and U-Tapao to Pattaya is not that great.

 

And cost of taxis etc., between U-Taopao and Pattaya has at times between outrageous.

 

Took a taxi from Pattaya one time only driver complained al the way to U-Tapao,wanted to increase the fare by 500Baht and wanted to stop half way and me wait in his car while he had lunch. 

 

Why bother, just go to swampy and get one of the regular buses which have many departures downstairs at swampy.

 

For several years I had to live at Jomtien, the regular bus Swampy to Jomtien had several departures every day, was reliable, comfortable not expensive at all and 10 minute mocy taxi to my house.

 

Why even consider flying into U-Tapao?

So there are many good reasons for the rail link: and it would also serve Swampy: win-ein! 

[kuzmabruk]

6 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

high speed

I think they mean non-stop. High speed in Thailand would be really scary. Zero maintenance and zero understanding equals disaster 

[Samh]

34 minutes ago, kuzmabruk said:

I think they mean non-stop. High speed in Thailand would be really scary. Zero maintenance and zero understanding equals disaster 

And there was me thinking that high speed rail in the UK was a farce. We did eventually start building at horrendoes cost but to save money you will be dumped in the suburbs of London. But they did find £100 million to build a 1 km long bat tunnel.

[NoDisplayName]

54 minutes ago, kuzmabruk said:

I think they mean non-stop. High speed in Thailand would be really scary. Zero maintenance and zero understanding equals disaster 

 

Never would have been "high-speed" rail for the airport connections.  You might have 250kmh in the countryside, but once into inhabited areas, speeds drop to 80kmh.

[bradiston]

Not sure why it can't be developed as a gambling/entertainment/hospitality complex. With the high speed rail link to Bangkok, a coach station, decent 4/5 star hotels etc etc, proper connectivity to Pattaya and Rayong ... Surely a no brainer? Er, meaning it doesn't take a lot to see the potential!

[Sydebolle]

Well, I still do not get it. Pre-pandemic timetables featured, among others, two daily services between Udon Thani and U-Tapao and I've used this shuttle almost weekly. Most planes were booked to the rim, never more than, say, ten seats empty. 

Air Asia stopped during the pandemic lockdown and never ever took that service back into their timetable. 

Question now is, why - as the tariff between Udon Thani and Bangkok was considerably cheaper than U-Tapao yet hundreds of daily passengers now are forced to travel via Bangkok for the lack of an (albeit costlier) alternative 😉 

[Guderian]

16 hours ago, MartinBangkok said:

I live next door to Utapao. The construction work, which I can see from my balcony, has completely stopped.

 

Yes, I should think many local residents will be quite happy that they're not going to have 12 million people flying around them every year, lol.

[spidermike007]

Between Rama II, the continued delays on rail lines throughout the nation, and then this relatively simple route, one has to wonder who is supervising these projects, why are they so incompetent, and why didn't they hire a better contractor?

 

Better yet, I wonder why not just take China up on their offer of a Belt and Road initiative loan, borrow hundreds of billions of baht, have the Chinese do all the work, have all the work done within a year or two throughout the nation, and just be done with it. Then like every other nation on the initiative just default on the loans.

 

It's a really simple answer to Thailand's decades long transport problems. 

 

 

[scorecard]

4 hours ago, Travi said:

And car parking is expensive too. No real concept.

True,

One trip I flew to U-Tapao, I was standing on the kerb waiting for my driver. Just as my driver arrived a U-Tapao staff person spoke to the driver and wanted 100Baht parking fee. Driver and I refused. I asked my driver to call the police. he stared the all, quick smart U-Tapao staff person disappeared. 

[MartinBangkok]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

True,

One trip I flew to U-Tapao, I was standing on the kerb waiting for my driver. Just as my driver arrived a U-Tapao staff person spoke to the driver and wanted 100Baht parking fee. Driver and I refused. I asked my driver to call the police. he stared the all, quick smart U-Tapao staff person disappeared. 

And the Thai mafia in the area, Ban Chang - Sattahip, have almost completely taken over Bolt. Whenever I order a Bolt and I see that the car is parked at Utapao, I cancel immediately. So should you, if you don't, you will be met with a message or phone call, asking for at least 500 Baht more than the official Bolt rate.

[Mr Meeseeks]

14 hours ago, scorecard said:

I've always had doubts about the whole viability of U-Tapao as a commercial airport. It isn't that close to Pattaya and  the airport and the difference in kilometers Swamyp to Pattaya and U-Tapao to Pattaya is not that great.

 

And cost of taxis etc., between U-Taopao and Pattaya has at times between outrageous.

 

Took a taxi from Pattaya one time only driver complained al the way to U-Tapao,wanted to increase the fare by 500Baht and wanted to stop half way and me wait in his car while he had lunch. 

 

Why bother, just go to swampy and get one of the regular buses which have many departures downstairs at swampy.

 

For several years I had to live at Jomtien, the regular bus Swampy to Jomtien had several departures every day, was reliable, comfortable not expensive at all and 10 minute mocy taxi to my house.

 

Why even consider flying into U-Tapao?

 

The upgrade was never intended to merely service Pattaya. The vision was for Utapao to service the Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC) which the previous military junta wrote into the constitution at a cost of $40billion. 

 

All commercial air traffic for the ECC was to use Utapao.

[nauseus]

9 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

The upgrade was never intended to merely service Pattaya. The vision was for Utapao to service the Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC) which the previous military junta wrote into the constitution at a cost of $40billion. 

 

All commercial air traffic for the ECC was to use Utapao.

 

I don't see much right with that idea. Most of the EEC industry is just as close to Bangkok and two established airports.  

[sabai-dee-man]

22 minutes ago, MartinBangkok said:

And the Thai mafia in the area, Ban Chang - Sattahip, have almost completely taken over Bolt. Whenever I order a Bolt and I see that the car is parked at Utapao, I cancel immediately. So should you, if you don't, you will be met with a message or phone call, asking for at least 500 Baht more than the official Bolt rate.

 

Ms. Sabaidee lives/works near KM10 (100m or so from the roundabout where you turn off for U-Tapao), and we find Bolt very hard to get, to the point where we've had multiple rides with the same drivers, and ended up taking their personal numbers. I've had a couple of occasions where Bolt drivers have messaged first trying to increase the price on the side. I just immediately cancel and hit the report button. I hope you do too!

[Mr Meeseeks]

Just now, nauseus said:

 

I don't see much right with that idea. Most of the EEC industry is just as close to Bangkok and two established airports.  

 

All future industrial facilities over a certain size must be in the ECC Chonburi, Sattahip and Rayong as per the grand plan. 

 

They are all on board with it, BOI, IEAT etc. 

 

The plan includes banking and investment hubs on the Eastern seaboard, two new ports, the rail link, etc.

 

https://www.eeco.or.th/en

[nauseus]

5 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

All future industrial facilities over a certain size must be in the ECC Chonburi, Sattahip and Rayong as per the grand plan. 

 

They are all on board with it, BOI, IEAT etc. 

 

The plan includes banking and investment hubs on the Eastern seaboard, two new ports, the rail link, etc.

 

https://www.eeco.or.th/en

 

OK thanks. I'll gave another look.

[nauseus]

7 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

OK thanks. I'll gave another look.

 

Very nice but little content right now.

[baansgr]

19 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Good news.  

Exactly, it amazes me all these foreigners living in the area, saying bang Saray is a lovely little fishing village, then moan when this monstrosity is shelved. But they are still happy with 100 new bars in a year and 20 condos now...little Pattaya it's called now...be grateful as this would just make the whole area worse