Construction of Betong Airport in Yala province is 100-per-cent complete ahead of its opening as Thailand’s 29th airport by the end of this year.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has tested operations at the airport to ensure it will be ready to serve passengers arriving in the southern border province once the Covid-19 situation improves.
Nok Air plans to fly between Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Betong, which borders Malaysia.
The new airport has become a popular attraction in Betong district, drawing visitors who take photos in front of its bamboo-inspired design. “Betong” means bamboo in the local dialect.
Also part of the province’s tourism push is the new skywalk over Betong’s famed Ay Yer Weng sea of mist, which will open at the end of this year.
The new airport aims to boost annual tourist numbers in the southern district from an average 600,000 to 1 million.