Transport Ministry unveils plan to expand Mae Sot Airport



BANGKOK, 20 June 2016 (NNT) - The Transport Ministry has unveiled a plan to expand Mae Sot Airport to better accommodate regional economic integration — the ASEAN Economic Community and the introduction of a special economic zone.

Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, recently oversaw the official announcement of the Mae Sot Airport improvement project in Tak Province, aimed at promoting air transportation and supporting the planned Special Economic Zone in the province.

The expansion of the northwestern airport has also been initiated in response to the government’s policies to prepare the country for more intra-region investment now that the AEC is in effect.

Statistics show there were 87,454 air travelers accessing Mae Sot Airport in 2013 before the number rose to 96,330 in 2014 and surged to 144,598 in 2015.

The rapid rise in the number of air travelers has resulted in crowding at the airport terminal; the expansion project was tabled and approved with a budget of 1.5 billion baht. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2019.


-- NNT 2016-06-20

Wasn't this announced already, about a year ago ?

http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/thailand-moves-airport-expansion

"AoT is also looking to expand Mae Sot airport, bordering Myanmar, in anticipation of growing trade thanks to a special economic zone in the area. The Ministry of Transport announced plans in early June to channel BT298m ($8.5m) into the project, which includes acquiring additional land for the airport’s expansion, with work earmarked for completion in 2018."

Wasn't this announced already, about a year ago ?

http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/thailand-moves-airport-expansion

"AoT is also looking to expand Mae Sot airport, bordering Myanmar, in anticipation of growing trade thanks to a special economic zone in the area. The Ministry of Transport announced plans in early June to channel BT298m ($8.5m) into the project, which includes acquiring additional land for the airport’s expansion, with work earmarked for completion in 2018."

The Govt probably needed some good publicity to divert attention away from the various shambles it has overseen.

Whoever said "there's no such thing as bad advertising" didn't work for this lot...

Winnie