PM Prayut to board first official flight to Yala’s new airport, chair opening ceremony

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will be onboard the first flight to the new Betong Airport in the southern province Yala to preside over the opening ceremony on Monday. The prime minister hopes the airport will stimulate the southern border provinces’ economic development, encourage domestic and international commerce and improve security in the area.

The airport, under construction from 2017 to 2019, is now ready to welcome passengers to take both domestic and international flights. The 7,000 square metre passenger terminal is designed to serve 300 passengers per hour or 876,000 passengers per year. The 1800 metre runway is designed for small aircraft.

PM Prayut hopes the airport will stimulate tourism to the three southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani. The airport will encourage cooperation for commerce and investment both within and outside the country, especially with Malaysia and Singapore, according to Thanakorn Wangboongkongchan, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.

By improving economic stability in the three border provinces, the PM hopes security in the area, which has been subject to ongoing conflict since 2004, will finally see signs of improvement.

SOURCE: Thai Government