BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai government is moving forward with plans to upgrade regional airports and expand domestic and international flight connectivity, with officials highlighting Udon Thani as a potential future international aviation hub for the Northeast. Government deputy spokesperson Lalida Prertwattana said the administration led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is continuing efforts to strengthen national transport infrastructure under policies aimed at boosting economic growth, tourism, and regional connectivity.
The initiative follows discussions between Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit, executives from Thai VietJet Air, and the Department of Airports regarding plans to expand flight routes, increase flight frequency, and enhance the role of regional airports as key drivers of economic development. According to the government, Thai VietJet Air plans to increase its domestic flight frequency from 98 flights per week to 147 flights per week, representing an increase of approximately 50 percent. The expanded services will cover major routes between Bangkok and key regional destinations including Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Surat Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani.
Officials said the expansion is aimed at meeting growing passenger demand, supporting tourism recovery, and strengthening economic activity across Thailand’s regions. A key part of the plan includes elevating Udon Thani into a regional international aviation hub for northeastern Thailand. The airline is studying potential new international routes from Udon Thani to major Asian cities including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Taipei in Taiwan, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, as well as Tokyo and Osaka in Japan. These routes are expected to enhance trade, investment, tourism flows, and cross-border cooperation.
The government also noted ongoing feasibility studies for new direct international services, including Udon Thani–Ho Chi Minh City and Krabi–Ho Chi Minh City routes, which could be introduced by 2027. In addition, Thai VietJet Air is working on strategic cooperation with EZY Airlines to develop additional routes linking Udon Thani with Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, with possible implementation targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. Authorities say this partnership is expected to increase passenger volumes and expand Thailand’s aviation market in the long term.
Beyond major hubs, the Transport Ministry is also exploring the development of additional routes to secondary cities with tourism potential, including Ranong, Trang, Khon Kaen–Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai–Hua Hin. The plan also includes potential international links from Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore to Hua Hin in preparation for future international operations. Officials say the broader strategy is aimed at decentralizing air traffic from Bangkok, improving accessibility to secondary cities, and positioning Thailand as a more connected regional aviation hub in Southeast Asia. (TNA)
