AOT studying second airports for Phuket, Chiang Mai
The Transport Ministry has asked Airports of Thailand (AOT) to deliver feasibility studies on second airports to serve Phuket and Chiang Mai by next year. The AOT is ready to invest more than Bt120 billion in the airports, confident construction will be warranted by growing travel demand.
Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary, said the ministry in June instructed the AOT to hire consultants for the feasibility studies.
Chula Sukmanop, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), said its study of Thailand’s airport master plan found that new airports should be developed in Phang Nga province to support Phuket and in Lamphun province to support Chiang Mai.
The AOT expects construction costs for both airports will be around Bt120 billion – Bt70 billion for the second Phuket airport and Bt54 billion-Bt60 billion for the second Chiang Mai airport.
The area earmarked for Phuket Airport 2 is located in Khok Kloi subdistrict, Takua Thung district, Phang Nga province. An area of 7,000 rai will be requisitioned from its 10 major landowners who must be compensated for 200-300 land title deeds.
Chiang Mai Airport 2 will be located in Huai Yab subdistrict, Ban Thi district, Lamphun province where the terminal and runway will be built on 5,000 land plots.
