PM approves plan for expanding U-Tapao International Airport and Sattahip Commercial Port



CHON BURI, 23 June 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has approved the plan for expanding U-Tapao International Airport and Sattahip Commercial Port.

The Prime Minister chaired a meeting with related agencies on logistics development along the east coast, emphasizing the importance of developing the area for industrial and tourism growth.

Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong summarized the industrial growth of the east coast, currently valued at 1.4 trillion baht. His ministry plans on developing logistics infrastructure, transforming the coastal area into the region’s maritime transportation hub.

Gen. Prayut called for increased connectivity between U-Tapao, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi Airports, as well as expanding Juk Samet Port. He also approved the plan for expanding U-Tapao International Airport and Sattahip Commercial Port.

The Prime Minister urged officials to hear out local stakeholders and foster an understanding among the public that the projects will enhance the competitiveness of the country and create a sustainable economy.

-- NNT 2016-06-23

With Utapao becoming a hub, you'd think a lot of people in that area will benefit. The military and the people who own the land nearby the airport will make out. I'd guess those who own land near the airport are also military or former military who settled there. The government will have to give them more money for roads and other infrastructure in the future. All these massive projects (airport, trains, etc) under this government will be sucking up a lot of maintenance money for the next half century.

Would like to see the finances of this project. Seems the Navy run it like a private business, with all the perks etc forgetting obviosuly that the Navy is a tax payer funded and should be answerable to the general Public. I bet there is enough diddly procurement, salaries being paid to make your skin crawl.

what will happen to the revenues, will salaries being paid be made public etc etc.

Very murky, and perhaps instead of those submarines, debts are now being paid elsewhere.

Fix immigration first there's no tourists dear boy. Also where's the new local buses for BKK Thais some have children travelling on buses that are fit for metal crushing son.

Great. Only thing is, this should have been done years ago. Now link U-tapao with the Bangkok-Chonburi motorway to allow a fast method of travelling there by road, extend the ARL or build another dedicated medium speed railway line that can get you to/from the airport and Bangkok downtown within around an hour or so and encourage more airlines to fly there.

Given that U-tapao is so close to Pattaya, it makes sense to fly there directly rather than Bangkok. More airlines, especially charters should be flying there instead of BKK and DMK.