Korat Military Airbase to be Converted into Commercial Airport Under U-Tapao Model

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

Authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima have taken the first official step towards converting Wing 1 military airbase into a commercial airport, a project expected to take over six years and cost approximately 1.6 billion baht. The plan follows the U-Tapao model, which saw a military airfield successfully transformed into Thailand’s third commercial airport.

 

A meeting was held at the Luang Phor Koon Parisutho Conference Room at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall on 21 March, chaired by Mr Kittisak Theerawatana, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima. Representatives from various organisations, including the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the Korat Chamber of Commerce, and local industry bodies, attended to discuss the procedures, regulations, and necessary approvals required for the airport’s development.

 

 

During the meeting, Air Vice Marshal Phitchayan Asiritirat, Commander of Wing 1, emphasised that the base remains a key facility for national air security in Thailand’s northeastern and eastern regions, with the country’s most advanced fighter jets on standby 24/7.

Air Commodore Somphoom Suntra, Deputy Director of the Airport Standards and Air Navigation Services Division, highlighted several issues that must be addressed before the airport can be certified under the 1954 Air Navigation Act. These include:

 

• Runway infrastructure concerns, such as rubber deposits, obstacles near the approach path, and slope inconsistencies.

 

• Airfield safety standards, including firefighting and rescue personnel, signage, and security systems.

 

• Operational limitations, due to intensive military training exercises that occur for seven months each year.

 

• Security and logistical challenges, including the presence of munitions storage within the airbase.

 

The transformation of U-Tapao Airport, which was transferred to the Royal Thai Navy for commercial development, serves as a model for the Wing 1 conversion. The U-Tapao project took six years and four months, with a total investment of 1.624 billion baht. The Wing 1 project is expected to require less funding but could take longer due to its existing military functions and infrastructure requirements.

 

Mr Paijit Manasilp, Chairman of the Korat Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the initiative, thanking the RTAF for its cooperation and providing clear guidance on the process. He acknowledged that previous efforts to develop commercial aviation in the province had faced setbacks, including a decade of failed attempts to use Nong Teng Airport.

 

“This is a major milestone in turning Wing 1 into a commercial airport,” he said. “The process will take at least six years and must pass stringent aviation safety and feasibility studies to ensure long-term success. Our goal is to give the people of Korat access to commercial air travel from their home province once again.”

 

-- 2025-03-22