Thailand Accelerates Development of Key Infrastructure in Eastern Economic Corridor
Construction of U-tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City set to commence as part of efforts to enhance foreign investment.
Authorities in Thailand are intensifying their efforts to develop the long-delayed U-tapao Airport and the Eastern Aviation City within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Construction is expected to begin between April and May 2025, following significant delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U-tapao International Aviation Co. (UTA), the developer of the project, had previously halted progress in anticipation of a complementary high-speed rail system that is to connect U-tapao Airport with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
The high-speed rail project has also faced delays, primarily due to calls from the Charoen Pokphand Group-led consortium for the government to amend construction contracts in light of pandemic-related challenges and the geopolitical impacts from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC Office, indicated that UTA should commence work without waiting for developments on the rail project.
The current construction plan may be adjusted to reduce the airport's passenger terminal capacity from an original design accommodating 10 to 12 million passengers annually, to 5 to 6 million.
This modification is reportedly in compliance with existing contracts.
The phased construction approach allows for future expansion should passenger volumes increase.
The government envisions the U-tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City as pivotal infrastructures that will function as a logistics and aviation hub for the EEC, thereby enhancing support for both industrial and tourism sectors.
The expansive project spans 6,500 rai of land and will include critical features such as a third passenger terminal, facilities for aircraft maintenance, a cargo village, and a commercial gateway.
The investment value of the project is estimated at 290 billion baht.
In a move to foster foreign investment, Mr. Chula signed a memorandum of understanding with Giorgio Gamba, chief executive and head of banking at HSBC Thailand, aimed at collaborative efforts to attract international investors to the EEC, slated to evolve into Thailand's high-tech industrial hub.
Construction is expected to begin between April and May 2025, following significant delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U-tapao International Aviation Co. (UTA), the developer of the project, had previously halted progress in anticipation of a complementary high-speed rail system that is to connect U-tapao Airport with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
The high-speed rail project has also faced delays, primarily due to calls from the Charoen Pokphand Group-led consortium for the government to amend construction contracts in light of pandemic-related challenges and the geopolitical impacts from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC Office, indicated that UTA should commence work without waiting for developments on the rail project.
The current construction plan may be adjusted to reduce the airport's passenger terminal capacity from an original design accommodating 10 to 12 million passengers annually, to 5 to 6 million.
This modification is reportedly in compliance with existing contracts.
The phased construction approach allows for future expansion should passenger volumes increase.
The government envisions the U-tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City as pivotal infrastructures that will function as a logistics and aviation hub for the EEC, thereby enhancing support for both industrial and tourism sectors.
The expansive project spans 6,500 rai of land and will include critical features such as a third passenger terminal, facilities for aircraft maintenance, a cargo village, and a commercial gateway.
The investment value of the project is estimated at 290 billion baht.
In a move to foster foreign investment, Mr. Chula signed a memorandum of understanding with Giorgio Gamba, chief executive and head of banking at HSBC Thailand, aimed at collaborative efforts to attract international investors to the EEC, slated to evolve into Thailand's high-tech industrial hub.
