Airport

  • Thailand NewsTrang Airport project abandoned, contractor loses millions

    Trang Airport project abandoned, contractor loses millions

    The Airports Department has terminated its contract with Port and Marine Corporation (PAM) and confiscated a 53 million baht security deposit after the company failed to complete the construction of a new passenger terminal at Trang Airport in southern Thailand. Director General Danai Ruangsorn announced that Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri instructed the department to end the agreement and expedite…

  • Thailand NewsRail-y slow progress: U-Tapao shifts gears on airport expansion

    Rail-y slow progress: U-Tapao shifts gears on airport expansion

    The delayed construction of the high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports has prompted U-Tapao International Aviation Company (UTA) to seek adjustments in the requirements for expanding U-Tapao Airport. The absence of a mass transit link could impact passenger numbers and airport revenue, according to UTA President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth. UTA is drafting a revised proposal to present to…

  • Thailand NewsAOT confirms facial recognition for international flights

    AOT confirms facial recognition for international flights

    Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) yesterday announced that the state-owned enterprise will implement facial recognition services at six major airports for international flights starting December 1. The biometrics-based system will be deployed at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Don Mueang, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. AOT anticipates the new technology will significantly streamline the passenger experience, reducing checkpoint processing time…

  • Thailand NewsASEAN airlines soars with regional stopover rights in 2025

    ASEAN airlines soars with regional stopover rights in 2025

    Southeast Asian airlines will soon have the freedom to make multiple stops within ASEAN member states, marking a significant shift from current regulations that only permit direct return flights between destinations. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that this change will be implemented once all ASEAN member states sign Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights. Loke explained in a press…

  • Thailand NewsPhatthalung plans airport to become Thailand’s logistics hub

    Phatthalung plans airport to become Thailand’s logistics hub

    Officials in Phatthalung are gearing up to transform the province into a bustling logistics hub in southern Thailand with plans to construct a new airport. This ambitious initiative, aimed at elevating the province’s economic profile, is anticipated to be presented to the Cabinet soon. A major step forward was taken when the Phatthalung governor submitted a formal request to the…

  • Thailand NewsAOT profits soar sky-high, eight-month bonus approved for staff

    AOT profits soar sky-high, eight-month bonus approved for staff

    Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has seen a significant profit surge, prompting the board to approve an eight-month bonus for employees, an increase from last year. This decision comes as a result of the government’s free visa policy, which has significantly boosted tourism. AOT, which manages six airports across the country, experienced a notable increase in air traffic…

  • South Thailand NewsTrang Airport terminal’s delay spikes airfares, tourism at risk

    Trang Airport terminal’s delay spikes airfares, tourism at risk

    Rath Pooklang, head of the Trang People’s Voice Network, met with Deputy Minister of Transport, Manop Charoensri, urging immediate action on the stalled construction of the new passenger terminal at Trang International Airport, alongside addressing exorbitant airfares affecting tourism. Rath and his civic team travelled to Bangkok to present a letter to the deputy minister, highlighting the need for an…

  • Transport NewsThailand ambitions take off: 6 projects to boost transport hub status

    Thailand ambitions take off: 6 projects to boost transport hub status

    The Transport Ministry of Thailand is advancing six airport development and construction projects to position the country as a regional transportation hub. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that representatives from the ministry’s Airport Department, Airports of Thailand, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and other relevant agencies recently attended the 59th Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Conference in the Philippines.…

  • Thailand NewsAndaman International Airport ready for takeoff by 2030

    Andaman International Airport ready for takeoff by 2030

    The House Committee for Transportation is actively monitoring the progress of Andaman International Airport‘s construction in Phang Nga, which is set to open by 2030. Committee chairman Kroomanit Sangpoom, a Pheu Thai MP for Surin, announced that panel members inspected the project site in Khok Kloi and Lo Yung sub-districts of Takua Thung district. This visit aimed to assess the…

  • Thailand NewsNigerian returning from Thailand nabbed with massive heroin haul

    Nigerian returning from Thailand nabbed with massive heroin haul

    In a dramatic crackdown on drug smuggling, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a Thailand returnee at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Nigeria, unmasking a heroin haul worth over 3.2 billion Nigerian nairas (approximately 65 million baht). The suspect, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, a 29 year old mechanical engineering graduate, was caught red-handed attempting to…

  • Business NewsThai Airways’ growth strategy takes off

    Thai Airways’ growth strategy takes off

    Thai Airways International (THAI) is set to transform some of its business units into subsidiaries as part of its growth strategy. Chai Eamsiri, THAI President, announced the plan, emphasising the potential for various business units to operate independently. Chai highlighted the initial focus on the aircraft maintenance and catering divisions, which boast an estimated average profit margin of nearly 20%…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Mai Airport operational despite severe Ping River flooding

    Chiang Mai Airport operational despite severe Ping River flooding

    Chiang Mai Airport remains fully operational despite severe flooding from the Ping River. The airport, unaffected by the rising water levels, confirmed its status by issuing an update at 11am yesterday, October 4. The Ping River’s water level at Nawarat Bridge reached 4.88 metres, significantly exceeding the 3.70-metre crisis threshold, as reported by the Irrigation Department’s warning system. Despite this,…

  • Thailand NewsPhatthalung unveils 71 billion baht airport plan to boost tourism

    Phatthalung unveils 71 billion baht airport plan to boost tourism

    A plot of land spanning 1,496 rai near Songkhla Lake in Phatthalung has been earmarked for constructing a new airport, aimed at boosting tourism and transport in the southern province and its neighbours. Anticipated to become a central hub for Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, the land in Khuan Maphrao subdistrict, Mueang district is owned by the Department of…

  • Transport NewsNew 3.5 kilometres runway at U-Tapao airport to begin construction

    New 3.5 kilometres runway at U-Tapao airport to begin construction

    U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is set to commence construction of its second runway this year. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is currently seeking a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to fund the project. Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has been chosen as the contractor for the runway, according to Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC. The project is being…

  • Thailand News£5m UK cannabis bust leaves Thai holidaymakers feeling high and dry

    £5m UK cannabis bust leaves Thai holidaymakers feeling high and dry

    In a dramatic bust at Birmingham Airport in the UK, a staggering 5 million pounds (around 225 million baht) worth of cannabis was uncovered in just one day, as Thai holidaymakers flooded the terminal. A whopping 510 kilogrammes of the drug were found stashed in 28 suitcases on August 9, leading to the arrest of 11 British travellers who had…

  • Chiang Mai NewsCeiling collapse at Chiang Mai Airport injures two foreign children

    Ceiling collapse at Chiang Mai Airport injures two foreign children

    A ceiling collapse at Chiang Mai Airport‘s security checkpoint injured two foreign children yesterday at 7.55am. Medical staff at the airport quickly administered first aid to the injured children. The first child, from the Netherlands, sustained minor injuries to the back of his hand, while the second, from China, suffered a head injury. The Dutch child and his family decided…

  • Business NewsThailand targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029

    Thailand targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029

    The Ministry of Transport is aiming to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the world’s top 20 airports by 2029, aligning with the government’s ambition to make Thailand a global aviation hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit set the target following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ranking of 58th on the 2024 World’s Best…

  • Thailand NewsKoh Samui looks for extended airport hours amid tourism surge

    Koh Samui looks for extended airport hours amid tourism surge

    Tourism operators in Koh Samui are anticipating a surge in European visitors as the high season for the Gulf of Thailand approaches, advocating for extended operating hours at Samui airport to accommodate 20 additional daily flights, potentially boosting tourist numbers by 10 to 20%. President of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, highlighted expectations for a complete recovery…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket flight fiasco: Downpour delays leave one still in the clouds

    Phuket flight fiasco: Downpour delays leave one still in the clouds

    Phuket International Airport confirmed that only one of the 17 flights delayed by yesterday’s downpours has yet to complete its journey. To mitigate any dangers posed by landing in intense weather conditions, inbound flights were diverted to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports, as well as airports in Krabi, Langkawi, Penang, and Surat Thani as pilots had no vision of…

  • Thailand NewsThai authorities seize one million meth pills near Chiang Rai Airport

    Thai authorities seize one million meth pills near Chiang Rai Airport

    Authorities intercepted a major drug bust involving one million methamphetamine pills in the parking lot of a well-known shopping mall near Chiang Rai Airport. The suspects, a man and a woman, were caught preparing to transport the drugs into the interior of the country. Colonel Kidakorn Chantra, Deputy Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, examined the seized drugs and…

  • Thailand NewsPM Srettha’s plan to rename Hua Hin Airport

    PM Srettha’s plan to rename Hua Hin Airport

    During a visit to Hua Hin yesterday, Prime Minister Srettha revealed his support for renaming the airport to Phetch-Hua Hin. This strategic move aims to highlight the adjoining province of Phetchaburi and tap into its potential as a tourist hotspot. Currently situated in the Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Hua Hin Airport is positioned right on the…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok taxi meter scam outcry after 1,800 baht airport fare

    Bangkok taxi meter scam outcry after 1,800 baht airport fare

    A recent social media post sparked an outcry over alleged taxi meter fraud in Bangkok. A passenger complaint was highlighted, claiming an overcharge for a ride from Bang Khae to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where the fare meter read an exorbitant 1,800 baht. The incident has raised concerns about overcharging and exploitation of foreigners by taxi drivers in the city. Bangkok’s…

  • Thailand NewsPurrilous pickle: AOT warns pet owners after airport cat caper

    Purrilous pickle: AOT warns pet owners after airport cat caper

    Airports of Thailand (AOT) issued a stern warning to pet owners not to let their cats roam free in airport areas to prevent potential damage and ensure the safety of travellers. This announcement follows an incident at Suvarnabhumi International Airport where a cat was filmed wandering the premises without supervision. The feline in question, an orange cat named Nuarang became…

  • Thailand NewsAoT tee up 3 billion baht compensation swing for RTAF

    AoT tee up 3 billion baht compensation swing for RTAF

    Thailand’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, Jirayu Houngsub, revealed yesterday that the Airports of Thailand (AoT) could be liable for a compensation payment of at least 3 billion baht to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). This potential payment is in relation to the Kantarat Golf Course, a property currently owned by the RTAF, which the AoT is considering repurposing. Previously, the…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s major airports plan US.8 billion capacity doubling

    Thailand’s major airports plan US$4.8 billion capacity doubling

    Two of Thailand’s main airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, are set to undergo significant expansions. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) Public Company Limited intends to invest approximately US$4.8 billion to more than double the airports’ capacity by the end of the decade. The expansion aims to accommodate a predicted surge in tourism as the world recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.…

  • Business NewsThailand’s tourism seeks boost after Cabinet reshuffle cooperation

    Thailand’s tourism seeks boost after Cabinet reshuffle cooperation

    Following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, Thailand’s tourism operators are urging for enhanced cooperation among ministries and related authorities to sustain the country’s transformation into a tourism and aviation hub. Khao San Road Business Association President Sanga Ruangwattanakul asserted that the Cabinet reshuffle would not destabilise the government, provided its key policies, particularly the 2030 Ignite Thailand vision, are sustained. This…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM announces feasibility study for Samui Airport expansion

    Thai PM announces feasibility study for Samui Airport expansion

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday that a feasibility study for the expansion of Samui Airport is currently being conducted. The proposed expansion aims to accommodate larger aircraft and an increasing number of visitors. PM Srettha, accompanied by Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and Deputy Agriculture Minister Chaiya Promma, conducted an official visit to the airport as part of…

  • Business NewsThai PM considers turning air force base into commercial airport

    Thai PM considers turning air force base into commercial airport

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been approached by provincial authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima to convert the local air force base into a commercial airport. The appeal was made during a meeting yesterday, March 24, to foster business growth and encourage tourism in the province, according to deputy spokesperson Kenika Ounjit. The authorities are requesting the private sector be allowed…

  • Thailand NewsWheel deal: Wheelchair activist challenges airline’s boarding ban

    Wheel deal: Wheelchair activist challenges airline’s boarding ban

    A complaint has been lodged against an airline by an activist bound by a wheelchair, after the airline prohibited him from boarding, arguing that he did not have an escort. Kritsana Lalai, representing the Network for Transport Mobility for All, presented his complaint to Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister for Social Development and Human Security. Reacting to the situation, the minister…

  • Thailand NewsNew airport planned for Kalasin to boost tourism and exports

    New airport planned for Kalasin to boost tourism and exports

    Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, has endorsed the proposition of constructing a new airport in the northeastern province of Kalasin. While touring the region recently, PM Srettha indicated that the government has reserved funds for a feasibility study concerning the airport. The results of this study will guide the government’s next steps. The district of Yang Talat…