Navy Commander in Chief Adm. Kamthorn Pumhiran (center) and high ranking
officers inspect a model of the new facilities at U-Tapao Pattaya
International Airport.
Patcharapol Panrak
The Royal Thai Navy has broken ground on a new
passenger terminal for U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport that will
see the former military air stop transformed into a modern international
air hub for the Pattaya area.
Navy Commander in Chief Adm. Kamthorn Pumhiran laid
the cornerstone for the 468 million baht facility July 20. He said the
airport, built during the Vietnam War for American bombers, would upon
completion be able to handle as many as 1,500 passengers per hour.
The construction work by ESCON Construction
Development Co. calls for a two-floor, 25,800 sq. m. terminal able to
support four large planes simultaneously. Work is expected to take 15
months.
U-Tapao’s expansion became necessary after
yellow-shirted anti-government protestors shut down Bangkok’s two
international airports in 2008. Pressed into service as the country’s
main gateway, U-Tapao was over-run with stranded travelers, causing
horrific delays and critical damage to the country’s image.
The government announced an 868 million baht expansion plan in May
2009 with a terminal, new parking facilities, fuel depot, fire-fighting
systems, x-ray machines and improvements to other equipment and
landscaping. About 468 million baht will be used for adjustments and
developing the departure and arrival halls, with the remainder to be
used for purchasing the necessary tools and equipment for the airport.
