Public Consultation Held for New Terminal Design at Surat Thani Airport

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

The Department of Airports (DOA) has conducted a second and final round of public consultations regarding the design of a new passenger terminal at Surat Thani Airport, as part of its long-term regional air transport development strategy.

The consultation took place at the Ubolratana Rajakanya Meeting Hall in Phunphin District, Surat Thani. The event was chaired by Mr Witsak Chamnarnusit, Deputy Governor of Surat Thani, with participation from Ms Preeya Chuaykhong, Director of Surat Thani Airport, and representatives from the Department of Airports.

The project aims to enhance the airport’s capacity from 1,400 to approximately 2,000 passengers per hour by the year 2050. The new terminal is designed to meet growing demand and replace the existing facility, which is outdated and no longer sufficient.

The DOA has commissioned Tropier Company and Green Planet Consultant Co., Ltd. to carry out the terminal’s architectural and engineering design, as well as to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) revision and procurement documentation.

The planned development, located in Moo 3, Hua Toei sub-district, Phunphin district, includes a new terminal for both domestic and international flights, interior and landscape architecture, upgrades to the existing terminal, and the construction of two multi-storey car parks. The project study period spans 300 days, from 13 September 2024 to 9 July 2025.

During the session, consultants presented key findings, draft designs and proposed environmental mitigation measures. These include:

• A modern wastewater treatment system to meet environmental standards

• Biannual canal dredging in April and November to prevent flooding

• Installation of warning signs and deployment of traffic officers during construction

• Community impact management during the building phase

The process adheres to regulations under the Prime Minister’s Office concerning public participation, and the guidelines set out by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP).

Previous stages of public engagement included an initial presentation of the project on 19 November 2024 and small group discussions on 11 February 2025. Across all meetings, more than 310 people have participated in shaping the future of Surat Thani Airport.

The project reflects the government’s intention to position Surat Thani as a key regional air transport hub, providing modern infrastructure to support both economic development and growing tourism.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-06-08