AC Real Asset

Thailand is planning a significant upgrade to U-Tapao Airport, located 45 km from Pattaya. The ambitious “Eastern Aviation City” project aims to transform U-Tapao into a state-of-the-art international airport connected with Bangkok’s two main airports. Experts in the tourism industry anticipate that this infrastructure project will positively impact tourism growth, not just in Pattaya, but also in the surrounding provinces and islands.

The U-Tapao upgrade includes the construction of a new runway, a passenger terminal designed to handle 60 million passengers annually, a ground transportation center, and an aviation management center. A free trade zone, commercial areas, business districts, and exhibition centers are planned around the airport, covering a total construction area of 10.4 million square meters. The initial outcomes of this project are expected by 2028.

U-Tapao Airport, originally built during the Vietnam War, currently serves both military and commercial flights. However, its outdated infrastructure cannot accommodate the increasing passenger numbers. Presently, the airport handles only a limited number of daily flights, mostly domestic, along with some international flights, such as those from Malaysia and regular “Flydubai” flights from Dubai.

The lack of charter flights from Russia to U-Tapao during the summer of 2024 is attributed to several factors, including a shortage of aircraft and relatively low demand for Pattaya, which, according to Space Travel, accounts for less than 20% of Russian tourists traveling to Thailand. Experts observe that tourists tend to prefer Phuket during the summer, even though Pattaya offers more favorable weather conditions for a summer vacation.

The modernization of U-Tapao Airport is expected to offer several advantages for Russian tourists:

• Enhanced access to Pattaya with a greater number of international flights.
• Potentially lower airfare due to increased competition among airlines.
• Alleviation of congestion at Bangkok’s overburdened airport.
• Shorter transfer times to popular resorts and islands.

Experts forecast that the revamped U-Tapao Airport will stimulate the development of not only Pattaya but also nearby resorts and islands, including:

• Rayong province resorts
• Koh Samet
• Koh Chang (Thailand’s second-largest island after Phuket)
• Ban Amphur and Bang Saray beaches
• Na Jomtien and Sattahip resorts

These areas offer cleaner seas, high-quality hotels, and a more comfortable vacation experience compared to central Pattaya. The anticipated increase in tourist traffic is expected to draw investors interested in developing large-scale accommodation facilities and resorts.

Moreover, the U-Tapao Airport upgrade may enhance domestic flight options, making trips to popular destinations such as Koh Chang and Krabi more accessible.

Overall, tourism industry experts are optimistic about the future of tourism in the region following the U-Tapao Airport modernization. This development is expected to not only boost the appeal of Pattaya and nearby resorts for international tourists but also drive growth in the entire tourism infrastructure along Thailand’s eastern coast.