Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

The Royal Thai Navy has formally begun construction of the second runway and taxiway at U-Tapao International Airport, marking a major step in efforts to develop the Eastern Aviation City and strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional aviation hub. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 29 November, led by Admiral Phairoj Fueangchan, the Navy Commander-in-Chief, at the Isolated Pad area of the airport in Ban Chang, Rayong. Provincial officials, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) representatives and executives from Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) attended as witnesses.

 

The event was highlighted by the symbolic button-press to release the pile-driving weight, signalling the official start of construction. Officials described the ceremony as a milestone in developing key infrastructure to transform U-Tapao International Airport into an aviation centre for Thailand and ASEAN. The project forms part of the broader Eastern Aviation City plan under the EEC framework.

 

The second runway and taxiway project has long been regarded as crucial to national economic development. On 30 October 2018, the Cabinet approved the principle of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development, with a budget framework of 17.768 billion baht to fund the runway and taxiway works. On 1 November 2022, the Cabinet further approved a change in project financing from direct budget allocation to borrowing under Section 22 of the Public Debt Management Act B.E. 2548, with authorised borrowing of 16.210 billion baht.

 

Officials and stakeholders said the construction phase represents a significant step forward in advancing the EEC’s long-term goals. The project is expected to support increased aviation capacity, attract new investment and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the region. The development is also seen as essential to accommodating future passenger and cargo growth once the airport expansion is completed.

 

Naewna reported that authorities will now proceed with the full construction schedule following the groundbreaking. Further coordination among government agencies, contractors and EEC bodies will continue as work progresses. The runway project will form a central component of the airport’s transformation as Thailand moves ahead with its regional aviation ambitions.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• The Royal Thai Navy has begun construction of U-Tapao Airport’s second runway and taxiway following a formal groundbreaking on 29 November.

• The project, approved in 2018 with revised financing in 2022, involves more than 16 billion baht in borrowing.

• Authorities view the development as a key step in advancing the EEC and positioning Thailand as a regional aviation hub.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-11-30

 

And the high-speed(?) rail link ???

39 minutes ago, JoePai said:

And the high-speed(?) rail link ???

 

About 10 or 12 years away.

Built by USA.

Is this for real? They need extra capacity? For how many expected flights per day? 

Today, there is a grand total of, wait for it, SIX flights out of, and SIX flights into U-Tapao Airport. That's just 12 aircraft movements in 24 hours. There are double that number of flights at Nakhon Si Thammarat! 

How many military flights at U-Tapao these days that would require a second runway? Or are they expecting a new war somewhere nearby? I suspect, someone is benefitting financially from this.

 

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Is this for real? They need extra capacity? For how many expected flights per day? 

Today, there is a grand total of, wait for it, SIX flights out of, and SIX flights into Utapao Airport. That's just 12 aircraft movements in 24 hours. There are double that number of flights at Nakhon Si Thammarat! 

How many military flights at Utapao these days that would require a second runway? Or are they expecting a new war somewhere nearby? I suspect, someone is benefitting financially from this.

 

 

 

 

Even for future proofing it does seem incredibly unnecessary. 

9 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Even for future proofing it does seem incredibly unnecessary. 

 

it's a very strategic military base that needs another properly built runway. 

 

 

Total waste of money.  There's absolutely no need for a second runway.  The USAF operated out of U-tapao during the Vietnam War very easily flying B-52s, KC-135 tankers and U-2s on just the 1 runway without the need for a second runway.

On 11/29/2025 at 5:12 PM, JoePai said:

And the high-speed(?) rail link ???

 

Was supposed to be finished by now.  They still haven't even broken ground yet.  First they they said it was because of covid.  Then they said it was because of delays expropriating the land.  Then they said they needed to renegotiate some things.  That was supposed to be finalized a few months ago. Now they are saying they need put everything under review again. I am starting to think it may never happen.

On 11/30/2025 at 8:12 AM, JoePai said:

And the high-speed(?) rail link ???

Slow progress.

More income for the Navy init.....corruption in the construction ? and who will get the landing fees ?

On 11/30/2025 at 2:35 AM, Georgealbert said:

executives from Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD)

does China Railway Number 10 also figure into this?

Time to invest in  a brown envelope manufactory!

On 11/30/2025 at 9:07 AM, NickyLouie said:

Built by USA.

Rubbish!

10 minutes ago, Brettoj said:

Rubbish!

The original airfield was built by the US military during the Vietnam war. I once met a guy who was part of the original engineering team which did the job.

Perhaps if they opened Utapao to other airlines and released the stranglehold of Bangkok Air the existing airport would be put to its full potential.

On 11/30/2025 at 11:50 AM, soi3eddie said:

Is this for real? They need extra capacity? For how many expected flights per day? 

Today, there is a grand total of, wait for it, SIX flights out of, and SIX flights into U-Tapao Airport. That's just 12 aircraft movements in 24 hours. There are double that number of flights at Nakhon Si Thammarat! 

How many military flights at U-Tapao these days that would require a second runway? Or are they expecting a new war somewhere nearby? I suspect, someone is benefitting financially from this.

 

 

 

 

That is what you see scheduled and available in flightradar. I can tell you that there are a lot of aircraft that fly down fro DMK to do circuits and practice landings. Singapore airlines also has contracts to come and train for their touch and goes and are here quite frequently. C-130’s are training, F-15’s, and the US lands aircraft here frequently with the transponder off. So while you see six flights, I see and hear a whole lot more since I live right under the right hand circuit of runway 36. 

On 11/30/2025 at 2:35 AM, Georgealbert said:

The Royal Thai Navy has formally begun construction of the second runway and taxiway at U-Tapao International Airport

Why is the Navy who allegedly operates naval vessels in charge of an airbase? 

Its only aircraft carrier when put to sea only serves as a command center and does not act as a seaward airbase.

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Why is the Navy who allegedly operates naval vessels in charge of an airbase? 

Its only aircraft carrier when put to sea only serves as a command center and does not act as a seaward airbase.

The Navy owns the land, a lot of it around that area, pretty much all the land from Ban Chang to Kilo sip south side of Sukhumvit to the sea.

A dereliction of duty to improve the infrastructure for the benefit of Thai’s in their country but never any problems for the armed services getting what they want,  whether it’s of benefit or not. A great example of who controls the power in the country.

On 11/30/2025 at 2:35 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

The Royal Thai Navy has formally begun construction of the second runway and taxiway at U-Tapao International Airport, marking a major step in efforts to develop the Eastern Aviation City and strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional aviation hub. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 29 November, led by Admiral Phairoj Fueangchan, the Navy Commander-in-Chief, at the Isolated Pad area of the airport in Ban Chang, Rayong. Provincial officials, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) representatives and executives from Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) attended as witnesses.

 

The event was highlighted by the symbolic button-press to release the pile-driving weight, signalling the official start of construction. Officials described the ceremony as a milestone in developing key infrastructure to transform U-Tapao International Airport into an aviation centre for Thailand and ASEAN. The project forms part of the broader Eastern Aviation City plan under the EEC framework.

 

The second runway and taxiway project has long been regarded as crucial to national economic development. On 30 October 2018, the Cabinet approved the principle of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development, with a budget framework of 17.768 billion baht to fund the runway and taxiway works. On 1 November 2022, the Cabinet further approved a change in project financing from direct budget allocation to borrowing under Section 22 of the Public Debt Management Act B.E. 2548, with authorised borrowing of 16.210 billion baht.

 

Officials and stakeholders said the construction phase represents a significant step forward in advancing the EEC’s long-term goals. The project is expected to support increased aviation capacity, attract new investment and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the region. The development is also seen as essential to accommodating future passenger and cargo growth once the airport expansion is completed.

 

Naewna reported that authorities will now proceed with the full construction schedule following the groundbreaking. Further coordination among government agencies, contractors and EEC bodies will continue as work progresses. The runway project will form a central component of the airport’s transformation as Thailand moves ahead with its regional aviation ambitions.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• The Royal Thai Navy has begun construction of U-Tapao Airport’s second runway and taxiway following a formal groundbreaking on 29 November.

• The project, approved in 2018 with revised financing in 2022, involves more than 16 billion baht in borrowing.

• Authorities view the development as a key step in advancing the EEC and positioning Thailand as a regional aviation hub.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-11-30

 

and we know who owns that company !!!!!

7 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Why is the Navy who allegedly operates naval vessels in charge of an airbase? 

Its only aircraft carrier when put to sea only serves as a command center and does not act as a seaward airbase.

U-Tapao is host of the 1st Navy Air Wing. The 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203 and 302 Squadrons are stationed there. They also have patrol vessels that have helicopters as equipment on board. Their aircraft carrier would naturally have aircraft (who would have thunk?), and has numerous helicopters deployed with it. 

Furthermore, there is no port at U-Tapao, and naval vessels are docked over in Sattahip at the Naval Base there. 

Nakhon Phanom has a Navy Air Field as well, which is a whole lot closer to the Pacific Coast of Vietnam than any salt water bordering Thailand. 

On 11/29/2025 at 11:50 PM, soi3eddie said:

Is this for real? They need extra capacity? For how many expected flights per day? 

Today, there is a grand total of, wait for it, SIX flights out of, and SIX flights into U-Tapao Airport. That's just 12 aircraft movements in 24 hours. There are double that number of flights at Nakhon Si Thammarat! 

How many military flights at U-Tapao these days that would require a second runway? Or are they expecting a new war somewhere nearby? I suspect, someone is benefitting financially from this.

 

 

 

 

Putting the cart before the horse!  

On 12/1/2025 at 5:03 AM, Gandtee said:

Perhaps if they opened Utapao to other airlines and released the stranglehold of Bangkok Air the existing airport would be put to its full potential.

 

Look upthread and you'll see there are flights operated by Azur Air, Thai Lion Air and Air Asia as well as Bangkok Airways.  Maybe you're thinking of Koh Samui Airport but currently Scoot fly there too.

On 12/1/2025 at 12:03 PM, Gandtee said:

Perhaps if they opened Utapao to other airlines and released the stranglehold of Bangkok Air the existing airport would be put to its full potential.

There are many more flights in and out than what people see on flightradar, Many military flights not just from Thailand military, Singapore airlines have a maintenance contract out of U Tapau, Helicopter flights, Training flights with the old Buccaneer's, Government rain making and dust suppression flights, If you live in Ban Chang you will know.

On 12/1/2025 at 11:37 AM, Eff1n2ret said:

The original airfield was built by the US military during the Vietnam war. I once met a guy who was part of the original engineering team which did the job.

Yanks still reminiscing about the good old days of tape and murder of millions of civilians...miss the good old days