Airport to get B200m makeover

PHUKET: In a move to improve Phuket International Airport, 200 million baht will be spent upgrading the docking aprons, improving the terminal facilities to cope with more travelers and doubling the cargo area, the airport’s director told the Gazette today. Lt Cdr Boonchart Prompoon, Director of the Airports Authority of Thailand, Phuket, explained that the upgrade will be implemented in three phases. First, the number of docking aprons will be increased from 11 to 15 and each will be enlarged to accommodate larger aircraft. “[Then] the passenger lounge will be upgraded to cope with the increasing number of travelers during the airport’s two rush periods every day – nearly 1,000 passengers go through the airport during each rush period,” Cdr Boonchart said. Third, he said, “The cargo area will be doubled to 4,800 square metres.” Cdr Boonchart added that the possibility of lengthening the runway was also being investigated. Although the upgrade hinges on approval from Bangkok during the annual government budget allocation in October, he said that he expects funding to come through.