Chiang Rai Airport Secures 5.7 Billion Baht for New Terminal

Pictures courtesy of SiamRath.

Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang Airport is set for a major expansion after the Ministry of Transport and Airports of Thailand (AoT) approved a 5.7 billion baht project to build a new passenger terminal, aiming to increase capacity to six million travellers per year by 2032.

Currently, the airport handles around 1.9 million passengers annually. The new terminal, which has already entered the conceptual design phase following the appointment of consultants, will accommodate up to five million domestic and one million international passengers each year.

Airport Director, Captain Dr Somchanok Thiamthiebrat, described the project as a bold investment in Chiang Rai’s future. “Pushing for six million passengers within seven years is buying the future for Mae Fah Luang Airport and the province. If we fail, the airport will struggle, but we must move forward for Chiang Rai’s long-term growth,” he said, emphasising that success would depend on collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, local authorities, chambers of commerce and educational institutions.

Alongside the terminal expansion, Mae Fah Luang Airport is also pressing ahead with plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre on 50 of its 753 rai of land. The facility, which has already passed environmental impact assessments, is expected to support growing regional demand, particularly from China, forecast to become the world’s largest aviation market by 2030.

“Thailand is the most strategically placed country for aircraft maintenance due to its proximity to China, and Chiang Rai has the potential to host such a hub,” Dr Somchanok added. He noted that the development would not only serve as a repair centre but could evolve into a full-scale aerospace industry centre, following Singapore’s model, with complete aircraft assembly and servicing capabilities.

Construction of the MRO centre is due to begin soon with piling works, reinforcing the government’s ambition to transform Chiang Rai into an “Air Metropolis” and a leading aviation hub for the Greater Mekong region.

  Adapted by Asean Now from SiamRath 2025-08-23